Geek News Central Podcast

Perplexity AI Caught Red-Handed: Secretly Sneaking Past Website Defenses #1838

Perplexity AI has been exposed for secretly deploying stealth crawlers that intentionally evade website no-crawl directives, rotate IP addresses, and even masquerade as regular browsers. Despite explicit robots.txt blocks and firewall defenses, Perplexity’s undisclosed bots aggressively scrape restricted content from millions of websites daily. Cloudflare’s investigations confirm this shocking breach of trust, prompting immediate countermeasures against these rogue AI crawlers. -Want to be a Guest on a Podcast or YouTube Channel? Sign up for GuestMatch.Pro -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -Get a United Chase Card and 10,000 miles. You are supporting GNC Travel with your signup! Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses a significant story that revolves around Perplexity AI. He reports that Perplexity AI has been found to employ stealth crawlers that intentionally bypass website no-crawl directives, rotate IP addresses, and disguise themselves as ordinary browsers, despite explicit prohibitions against crawling certain websites. This revelation stems from a CloudFlare investigation that highlights Perplexity’s aggressive scraping of restricted content from millions of websites daily, raising ethical and legal concerns. Cochrane describes this behavior as a blatant disregard for the rules that govern web crawling, and he stresses that such actions will likely fuel ongoing litigation against the company. He shares detailed findings from the investigation, indicating that Perplexity’s undeclared crawlers utilize multiple IPs to evade website blocks, accessing content in violation of established web norms. He transitions into discussing his own choices regarding website crawling, expressing no issues with bots crawling his sites, while acknowledging that many site owners may prefer to restrict access. He also highlights the transparency expected of well-mannered bots, in contrast to the deceitful tactics employed by Perplexity AI’s crawlers. After the main discussion, Todd provides updates and news in the tech world, makes a shoutout to GoDaddy, the podcast’s sponsor for over twenty years, and encourages listeners to support the show. He mentions exclusive deals available through GoDaddy, reflecting on successful statistics from the previous month and soliciting support for the ongoing podcast endeavors. Cochrane shares some personal achievements, such as weight loss and the launch of a new service called GuestMatch.Pro, aimed at connecting guests with podcast opportunities. He touches upon recent technological advancements, including OpenAI’s newest reminders feature in ChatGPT, the disappointing return of Vine under Elon Musk, and unusual items people are permitted to bring on airplanes. The episode also covers a variety of topics, including Hurricane Space, DJI’s new camera offering, updates from various technology companies, and ongoing cybersecurity issues. Lastly, Todd expresses gratitude to listeners and encourages them to reach out via numerous platforms, wrapping up the episode with details on how to support the podcast financially. He indicates there may be a delay in the next episode’s release due to travel before concluding the show. OpenAI is giving take a break messages 21 of the weirdest things brought on an airplane  Amazon might bring ads to Alexa Plus Weaponized AI SpaceX launches satellites  Four radioactive wasp nests ChatGPT on track to reach millions  Kamala Harris NASA’s new radar Space hurricanes are real Ukrainian drone attacks Palantir The Apple Watch Series 1 Why does your mind go blank? Mars says hello  The National Cyber Director  Osmo 360 iPad from 2010-2025 BMW’s next EV  CISA and FEMA  Columbia students made a gel out of yogurt  US became the ransomware capital of the world  Millions still cling to Windows 10 FBI warns of a particular scam Tesla was found partly to blame for the crash Android devices hit by fake login RAT NASA’s “bold breakthrough” The post Perplexity AI Caught Red-Handed: Secretly Sneaking Past Website Defenses #1838 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Google Indexing ChatGPT Shared Links – Marketing Opportunity? #1837

Google is now indexing publicly shared ChatGPT conversations, potentially exposing sensitive business information, strategies, and personal details. Marketers and businesses should audit their shared content, educate teams about AI privacy, and take precautions to prevent data leaks. Or is this more of a marketing opportunity? -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -Get a United Chase Card and 10,000 miles. You are supporting GNC Travel with your signup! Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In the podcast episode titled “Google Indexing ChatGPT Shared Links – Marketing Opportunity,” host Todd Cochrane discusses a significant development regarding Google indexing publicly shared ChatGPT conversations. He begins with the lead story, highlighting that Google is now indexing these conversations, which raises concerns about potential exposure of sensitive information. He advises marketers and businesses to audit their shared content, educate their teams on AI privacy, and implement precautions to prevent data leaks. Cochrane introduces the episode, expressing that the initial excitement around this news has been tempered. He explains how Google allows users to create indexable links through ChatGPT, but notes that ChatGPT promptly disabled the indexing feature after the implications became clear. Todd hypothesizes that this indexing could present marketing opportunities, suggesting that users might direct their AI queries to enhance SEO. As the episode progresses, he provides a detailed example of a marketing document he generated using ChatGPT, indicating the tool’s potential for creating content that could enhance online visibility. Cochrane outlines the implications for digital marketing strategies as he explores the possibilities of using indexed ChatGPT conversations to gain an edge in search engine results. Cochrane then shifts topics to discuss a range of tech news articles. He covers various subjects, including: 1. Google is losing its appeal in the case against Epic Games, resulting in changes to Play Store policies. 2. TikTok is introducing parental controls and other moderation features, raising questions about fact-checking. 3. YouTube is loosening its profanity rules for monetized videos. 4. NASA resuming random employee searches amid reports of job cuts. 5. Minnesota is calling in military cyber forces to address a cyber attack. 6. A new U.S. initiative encouraging Americans to share their medical data more freely. 7. Samsung is experiencing significant profit drops in its chip division. 8. A proposed U.S. pirate site blocking bill. 9. Amazon is discontinuing specific Alexa skills due to issues. 10. Apple responding to a DOJ lawsuit affecting the iPhone’s market principles. 11. DIRECTV’s new channel streaming service at a hefty monthly fee. 12. Spotify’s implementation of face scanning for age verification in the UK. 13. A warning from researchers about potential military responses to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites. 14. Apple is beating Wall Street’s expectations in quarterly earnings. 15. Google’s Project Zero is adjusting its vulnerability disclosure timeline. 16. Meta is increasing investments in AI infrastructure. 17. NASA’s plans for future lunar explorations and Mars helicopter deployments. 18. The impact of a new U.S. tariff policy on inexpensive imported goods. Towards the end of the episode, Cochrane expresses gratitude to the podcast’s listeners and supporters, including individual donors, and encourages them to subscribe to the newsletter and consider supporting the show through donations. Cochrane wraps up the episode by teasing the next show and inviting listeners to engage further. He emphasizes the importance of staying updated through the Geek News Central website and remaining connected with the community. TikTok introduces new features. YouTube loosens profanity rules. Random employee searches at NASA Minnesota governor calls in the troops A new digital health information system Samsung Q1 A new Senate pirate site blocking bill Amazon yanks Sengled’s Alexa skill Apple slams DOJ lawsuit DirecTV Spotify Lasers and sabotage  Apple Q3 Google Chrome Galaxy Z Fold 7 breaks records Google’s Project Zero ISS at 25 Meta plans to spend billions on AI Fake AI images are flooding the internet Firefly Aerospace Skyfall Google Pixel 10 Uber Eats These new sneakers Apple Mac users should install this update Facial recognition software leads to an arrest AI in schools Australia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 Amazon Earning Figma IPO Roku Earnings Exemption to end on low-cost goods. The post Google Indexing ChatGPT Shared Links – Marketing Opportunity? #1837 appeared first on Geek News Central.

FBI Warns of Rising Cybercrime and Real-World Violence from Youth Network “The Com” #1836

The FBI has issued an urgent warning about “The Com,” a rapidly expanding network of youth aged 11–25 who are engaged in both cyber and real-world crimes. Split into Hacker Com, IRL Com, and Extortion Com, the group commits acts from ransomware attacks to child sextortion and swatting-for-hire. These crimes are often fueled by motives such as profit, revenge, ideology, and notoriety. Authorities emphasize the group’s growing threat and urge vigilance, particularly for youth who are targeted via social media and gaming platforms. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -Get a United Chase Card and 10,000 miles. You are supporting GNC Travel with your signup! Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane opens with a significant alert from the FBI regarding a youth cybercrime group known as “The Com.” This group, consisting of individuals aged eleven to twenty-five, is engaged in a variety of cyber and real-world crimes, including ransomware attacks, sextortion, and swatting. The FBI has identified three subgroups within The Com: Hacker Com, IRL Com (In Real Life Com), and Extortion Com. Cochrane examines the motivations behind these crimes, which include profit, revenge, ideology, and a desire for notoriety. He emphasizes the alarming growth of this network, particularly among minors, and the need for vigilance among parents and guardians. Cochrane stresses the importance of open conversations between adults and youth to prepare them for potential dangers, especially in light of activities like sextortion targeting underage individuals. He elaborates on the activities of each subgroup within The Com. Hacker Com is involved in cyber-related crimes, such as identity theft and ransomware. At the same time, IRL Com has gone beyond digital means to include swatting and kidnapping for profit. Extortion Com is particularly concerning as it systematically targets vulnerable populations, including underage girls and those with mental health issues, often grooming them through seemingly trusting relationships before manipulating them into harmful behaviors. Cochrane encourages parents to ensure that their children feel safe discussing any online interactions, regardless of the circumstances. He notes that the digital landscape poses significant risks and that young people are increasingly part of these cybercriminal activities, which should be a cause for concern. After presenting this urgent topic, Todd gives a shout-out to GoDaddy, the episode’s sponsor, offering exclusive deals and encouraging listeners to support the show by visiting the provided links. He also shares updates on his upcoming travels and events, including his plans to attend Podcast Movement in Dallas and speak at a podcasting conference in Madrid. The episode concludes with various tech news highlights, including discussions about Samsung’s deal with Tesla for chip manufacturing, Microsoft’s upcoming earnings, and potential issues with NASA’s anticipated employee changes. Cochrane emphasizes the importance of security and issues warnings about ongoing cyber threats, including hackers targeting critical infrastructure through social engineering techniques. Finally, he encourages listener engagement via email, social media, and the show’s website, emphasizing the community aspect of the podcast. He concludes by reminding listeners to remain vigilant against cybercriminals and teasing the next episode, underscoring his commitment to delivering relevant and engaging content on the ever-evolving tech landscape. Everyone’s a loser Samsung wins a deal  Scattered Spider Microsoft servers hacked Apple and Google NASA and SpaceX Sen. Hassan wants to hear from SpaceX Microsoft has to report its earnings out of the park NASA may lose employees The Com ‘Impossible hill to climb’ Areoflot aeroflops OSS Rebuild NASCAR A dangerous WordPress plugin Android earthquake alerts Trump drops export controls Trapped by moon dust These iPhone rumors The Tea Allianz Life VPNs top app store charts Antigravity New Google Pixel phones and more Google Maps Apple makes changes Amazon Fresh in Philly A man caught naked was awarded thousands The post FBI Warns of Rising Cybercrime and Real-World Violence from Youth Network “The Com” #1836 appeared first on Geek News Central.

50 Years of Microsoft: How the Altair 8800 and BASIC Revolutionized Computing #1835

Fifty years ago, Bill Gates and Paul Allen’s agreement with MITS for a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer marked the founding of Microsoft, profoundly influencing the world of personal computing. This collaboration transformed technology, paving the way for PCs, Microsoft’s global dominance, and the eventual rise of Linux and modern computing ecosystems. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -Get a United Chase Card and 10,000 miles. You are supporting GNC Travel with your signup! Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In this episode titled “50 Years of Microsoft: How the Altair 8800 and BASIC Revolutionized Computing,” host Todd Cochrane reflects on the historical impact of the agreement made fifty years ago between Bill Gates and Paul Allen with MITS to provide a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. He sets the stage by introducing the significance of this collaboration, which propelled Microsoft’s influence in personal computing and laid the foundational work for the development of modern technology. Cochrane discusses the technical aspects of the Altair 8800, highlighting its modular design and the affordable entry it provided for hobbyists compared to more expensive workstations of the time. He reminisces about his own experiences with early personal computers, such as the TRS-80 and the Apple machine, recalling the limitations of technology back then and how it has evolved. He welcomes listeners to the episode, expressing excitement about the milestone anniversary of the deal made by Gates and Allen. Shifting to current topics, he shares advertisements for sponsorship from GoDaddy, encouraging listeners to support the podcast. Cochrane then transitions into the news segment, highlighting several articles, starting with the potential release of GPT-5 by OpenAI. He briefly comments on the difficulties faced in referencing articles for news preparation due to paywalls and suggests considering alternate sources. Continuing with the news, the discussion includes: – A proposed bipartisan bill aimed at protecting copyrighted content from being used without consent in AI training. – Incident reports involving Starlink’s outage impacting users and the security vulnerabilities in various printer models due to hacking risks. – Alphabet’s increased revenue is driven by AI and cloud demand, alongside Lyft’s app enhancements. – Updates on various tech developments, including significant satellite launches, daring weather technologies, and Apple’s new service offerings, interspersed with Cochrane’s personal anecdotes and audience engagement reminders. Cochrane also shares personal updates, mentioning challenges with his home technology, including a full hard drive that affects his Bitcoin node. He highlights recent support received from listeners and discussions on various tech news articles from different sources. In the latter part of the episode, Cochrane reflects on generational reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT for decision-making and how it affects individual agency. He describes the impact of AI on work efficiency but raises concerns about overdependence, which could lead to potential learning deficits. The episode concludes with Cochrane offering guidance on securing devices and staying informed about technology trends, and encouraging support for the podcast through donations. He promises to be back with more content for listeners and invites questions or comments through various channels. Towards the end, there’s a reiteration of appreciation for audience support, thanks to his sponsors, and a final call to action encouraging engagement with the show. He concludes with well wishes for the weekend before signing off. Lyft announces new tools NVIDIA AI chips sold in China T-Mobile’s Starlink satellite service Clorox sues Cognizant DJI’s first robot vacuum  AppleCare One NY seeking public opinion  SpaceX Why home internet beats 5G Sam Altman Microsoft SharePoint attack iRobot’s new Roomba Alphabet Q2 An AI-powered weather forecaster Google Assistant has been having a rough few weeks Update your printer! Bill Gates and Paul Allen Dior The AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act Tesla Intel Google’s tool for trying on clothes The post 50 Years of Microsoft: How the Altair 8800 and BASIC Revolutionized Computing #1835 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Google’s Gemini Deep Think AI Achieves Gold Medal at 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad #1834

Google DeepMind’s advanced Gemini Deep Think AI has reached a milestone by solving five out of six problems at the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad, achieving gold-medal status. Unlike previous models, Gemini operated entirely in natural language and within official time limits, highlighting substantial progress in AI mathematical reasoning and proof-generation capabilities. -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. -Get a United Chase Card and 10,000 miles. You are supporting GNC Travel with your signup! Subscribe to the Newsletter. Join the Chat @ GeekNews.Chat Email Todd or follow him on Facebook. Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Download the Audio Show File New YouTube Channel – Beyond the Office Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Full Summary: In episode 1834 of the podcast, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the lead story discusses Google’s DeepMind and its advanced version of Gemini, which achieved gold medal status at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). This significant milestone was reached by solving five out of six problems in the competition, showcasing substantial advancements in AI mathematical reasoning and proof generation capabilities. Cochrane explains that the IMO is a prestigious competition for pre-university mathematicians held annually since 1959, where elite teams represent their countries. Typically, only the top half of contestants earn medals, with around 8% receiving gold. The advanced Gemini model scored 35 out of a possible 42 points, with solutions praised for their clarity and precision, signalling an improvement over previous entries. In describing the model’s capabilities, Cochrane emphasizes that this is not merely a language model but a reasoning model capable of complex computational thinking. The training involved novel reinforcement learning techniques and access to a curated corpus of high-quality mathematics solutions, along with extra guidance on tackling problems. Cochrane notes that the model isn’t currently publicly available and is being released to only a select group of individuals. He anticipates that further advancements will continue to emerge in AI and mathematics. After welcoming listeners to the episode, Cochrane shares a sponsored message from GoDaddy, highlighting exclusive deals for listeners. He encourages audience interaction, urging them to subscribe on their favorite podcast app and to visit associated websites for more content and updates. Next, Cochrane presents additional stories, including a coding contest where a human programmer triumphed over an AI model, marking a temporary win for humanity. He discusses a situation in the UK regarding the government’s potential backing down from demanding backdoor access to Apple’s encryption, which has been affected by pressure from the US government. Further stories include WhatsApp’s updates to its Windows app, DuckDuckGo introducing a filter to exclude AI-generated images from search results, France investigating X for algorithm manipulation, and amateur radio enthusiasts filling data gaps for hurricane forecasting after a signal was disrupted. The episode continues with discussions on cyber defense strategies for the US, Tesla’s third-quarter sales incentives, updates from Nvidia regarding the capabilities of their supercomputers, and the implications of fast pairing technology for wireless earbuds. Cochrane also raises issues involving data breaches affecting 750,000 individuals and tensions between Google and the operator of a large Android botnet. Other updates cover advancements in Windows 11 performance, Fitbit’s ongoing issues, and increasing warnings to Amazon Prime users about phishing scams. He concludes by inviting listeners to support the podcast via GoDaddy promotions before teasing upcoming episodes and wishing everyone well. The episode concludes with a reminder to engage with the audience and a note of gratitude for listener support. France launches criminal probe. How to access crucial hurricane data  The US is to go on the offensive in cyberspace This ‘violently racist’ hacker Tesla’s response to cratering sales? A Ring hack? South Korea wants to build a moon base Google is suing  A human wins a coding contest….but… A new Glen rocket The UK and Apple Thousands impacted by a data breach Nvidia WhatsApp iOS 26 Android DuckDuckGo Alaska Airlines Windows 11 Fitbit US courts will overlook AI errors T-Mobile Amazon Prime Earth will spin faster on July 22 DIRECTV RealPage “Coldplay” CEO resigns NJ wind phone The post Google’s Gemini Deep Think AI Achieves Gold Medal at 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad #1834 appeared first on Geek News Central.