Chrome has another security hole that's already being used
Google fixed a flaw in Chrome that attackers were already taking advantage of before the patch came out. It's the eighth time this year that's happened with Chrome. The same update closes several other holes and brings Chrome up to version 157. Google hasn't shared who is behind the attacks.
Updating takes less than a minute. Open the Chrome menu, go to Help, then About Google Chrome, and click Relaunch when it's done. Do it on every computer in the house, including the one the kids use for homework.
Source: SecurityWeek
Instagram will now try to guess if you're a teen
Meta is using AI to estimate users' ages on Instagram around the world. It looks for clues like birthday posts, school mentions and what's in photos and videos. If it decides someone is a teen, it moves them into a Teen Account, even if they entered an adult birthday. Teen Accounts are private by default, limit who can send messages and hide harmful comments. Facebook is getting the same feature, with Threads to follow.
If you've got kids online, this is a good week to sit down together and look at their privacy settings on every app, not just Instagram. Automatic checks help, but they don't replace a parent asking questions.
Source: TechCrunch
Refrigerant rules are moving from Washington to the states
The lobbying chief for ACCA, a national HVAC contractor group, says the big fights over refrigerants and heating fuel are shifting to state capitols, with bills lined up in at least a dozen states. One example is New York, where home heat pump water heaters will need very low-impact refrigerants starting in 2027. Washington State is weighing allowing some factory-sealed equipment that uses hydrocarbon refrigerants. The report doesn't list the other states.
Rules like these mostly affect new equipment, not the system already in your home. If yours is aging, a quick check now helps you plan a replacement on your schedule. Refrigerant work is never DIY, so leave the lines alone. I can take a look with a $79 diagnostic.
Source: The Gradient Report
Data centers are keeping the big HVAC makers busy
Trane, Daikin and Madison Air, the parent company of AprilAire and Broan-NuTone, all reported big order backlogs, and a lot of that demand is cooling equipment for data centers. Daikin said its home equipment business in the Americas grew too. When factories are this busy, the attention goes to the biggest orders first.
Don't wait for a breakdown to think about your heating and cooling. Changing filters on schedule and getting a yearly tune-up are the easiest ways to keep the system you have running longer. I offer a $79 tune-up.
Source: The Gradient Report
Uber can now book you a parking spot in Atlanta
Uber launched Uber Parking, built on its purchase of SpotHero. A new Parking button in the Uber app shows a map of nearby garages and lots, and you can book a spot ahead of time. You get in with a QR code or a license plate scan, and you can cancel for free until your reservation starts. Atlanta is one of the first cities to get it.
Handy for a game, a concert or holiday shopping downtown. Just remember a booked spot is linked to your account and your plate, so check the app's location and payment settings before you use it.
Source: The Verge
Safety reminder from me
Cold nights are when furnaces, water heaters and space heaters work hardest. If you smell gas, leave the house first and call your gas company from outside. Never open up gas lines, refrigerant lines or your electrical panel yourself. For anything electrical inside the panel, call a qualified electrician. For heating trouble, I can help with a $79 diagnostic or a $79 tune-up.
