<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Asus Zenbook A14 will be available in late February, 2025. Asus’ new ultraportable is a fantastic balance of innovation and value with a brilliant OLED display, competitive hardware, and a satisfying physical form. While its use case is clearly defined, the laptop has its limits when it comes to high-end […] More
ZDNETIt’s tax season again. And that means it’s time not only to file your taxes, but also to watch out for scammers looking to con tax-paying citizens. In a new report out today, McAfee highlights the most popular tax-related scams and offers advice on how to protect yourself against them.Also: 5 ways AI can help you do your taxes – and 10 tax tasks you shouldn’t trust it withBased on a new 2025 tax season survey conducted by McAfee, about 48% of people revealed that they, or someone they know, were contacted by a person claiming to be from the IRS or a state tax agency. The scammers used a variety of methods to target potential victims, including social media posts, emails, text messages, and phone calls. People ages 18 to 24 reported the highest number of successful scams, with 40% of them saying that they, or someone they know, had been scammed. But older adults ages 65 to 74 suffered the greatest financial losses. Among the people in that group who lost money in a tax-related scam, 40% said they were out between $751 and $1,000. The highest losses were found among those in the 45 to 54 age range, with 10% reporting that they had lost more than $10,000. Today’s cybercriminals also know how to use the latest sophisticated techniques. With deepfake audios, scammers can sound like actual IRS agents. And with AI-generated phishing emails, they can duplicate actual messages from legitimate tax preparation services. Also: What is vishing? Voice phishing is surging – expert tips on how to spot it and stop itMore than half of the people surveyed said they think that tax-related scam attempts have become more realistic, with most of them worried that AI is making the scams more difficult to detect. How tax scams workIn its report, McAfee illustrated how one type of tax scam might work. You receive an urgent text or email claiming that your refund was rejected or that you owe back taxes. Looking like a real notice you might get from the IRS, the message typically includes a link for you to click or a phone number for you to call. If you take the bait, the scammer will often tell you that they need your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card information to help you. Give them what they want, and now the criminals have easy access to your money or your identity. Also: Got a suspicious E-ZPass text? It’s a trap – how to spot the scamBased on the survey results, scammers like to try different variations on a familiar theme:Fake IRS messages – Almost half of those polled by McAfee have received messages from someone posing as an IRS official.Impersonating tax services – One-third of the respondents said that they, or someone they know, was targeted by scammers pretending to be from TurboTax, H&R Block, or another tax provider.Baiting victims with fake refunds – More than a third of those surveyed said they’ve gotten suspicious messages that promised tax refunds and included malicious links.Cryptocurrency scams – Based on the survey, men are three times more likely than women to be hit by phony cryptocurrency tax payment schemes. More
ZDNETA new “smishing scam” is targeting people for their personal information under the guise of unpaid tolls.Scammers, purporting to be from E-ZPass or other toll providers (like SunPass, Peach Pass, or EZDriveMA), are sending fraudulent text messages asking for toll payments and urging recipients to click a link to settle their bills. Also: Why I use virtual cards for online purchases – and you should tooThe messages usually threaten that if the person does not pay their balance, they will face consequences such as incurred fines or losing their license entirely. More
Leonid Korchenko/Getty Images If you find your personal information online, like your phone number, address, or email, Google just made it easier to make sure it doesn’t show up again. Several years ago, Google introduced a “Results about you” tool that lets you track your personal information online and remove it from search results. It […] More
Maria Diaz/ZDNETI like to think of my robot vacuum as an electronic pet — one who pitches in around the house, never barks too loudly, and doesn’t even need to be fed. As with all pets, though, I need to care for my vacuum, and a commitment to cleaning and maintenance can boost its longevity and performance. Also: The best robot vacuums for 2025: Expert tested and reviewedThe average lifespan of a typical vacuum cleaner is about eight years, but with some mindful maintenance, you can aspire to keep your device working for a decade or more. Even if you don’t have a pet-like affinity for your autonomous cleaner, these tips are useful for keeping your robot vacuum in top condition.Regardless of how powerful a robot vacuum is or whether it’s a budget model or high-end, its cleaning tools can get filthy. Threads of fabric and pet hair get caught in the roller, the brushes become knotted with gunk, and sensors (and filters, of course) get covered with filmy dust. So, here are five essential things to check when it’s time to maintain your robot. More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Nomad’s ChargeKey V2 is on sale for $25 each. This version of the handy accessory provides charging speeds up to 240W for laptops and data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. However, some may find its short length too restrictive. –> As often as I rely on USB-C cables to charge my […] More
My keychain essentials. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNETI’ve collected my fair share of multitools and gadgets, but I’ve lost track of how often I’ve needed one — only to realize it’s sitting at home or in the car. Carrying a full toolbox everywhere just isn’t practical.What I do have with me almost all the time, though, is my keychain — and it turns out, it’s the perfect way to keep essential tools within reach.Also: I never travel without these universal chargers – and they can power laptopsMy keychain is the one bit of kit I get asked the most questions about. People are often surprised at the things I carry around. I guess most people just carry their keys on their keychains. Weird.Here’s a tour of what I carry on mine. Don’t feel like you need everything on this list. Remember, the beauty of this approach is that you can customize your EDC to suit your needs.1. KeySmart Air More
<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is available for $200. I’ve been testing the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which features the fastest performance yet and up to 12 weeks of battery life; alternatively, the 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite is available for $160. Remember that Amazon’s promise of up to 12 weeks of […] More
