Stan's Tech Garage

07/24/2026

I was just thinking about buying a new vacuum...and then I read this.

Apparently millions of Shark robotic vacuums could be vulnerable to a remote code ex*****on flaw, meaning an attacker could potentially gain control of the device if the vulnerability were exploited.

No, this doesn't mean someone's going to send your vacuum on a mission across the house.
But it is another reminder that almost everything we buy today is connected to the internet.

Vacuums.
Doorbells.
Thermostats.
Cameras.
Light bulbs.
Coffee makers.

Every connected device is essentially a tiny computer sitting on your home network.
The good news is that most manufacturers release updates when issues are discovered.

The not-so-good news? A lot of people never install them.

So if you own smart home devices, it's worth checking every now and then for firmware updates. It only takes a few minutes, and it can make a big difference.

Now if you'll excuse me... I may be doing a little more research before buying that robot vacuum.

Note: This vulnerability has been patched by SharkNinja as of 07/20/2026. I was asked to share this statement on their behalf:

07/23/2026

I've finally seen it all in this industry, a ransomware attack just stopped milk production.

A ransomware attack targeting Fairlife, a Coca-Cola-owned dairy company, reportedly disrupted milk production at facilities across the U.S.

Think about that for a second.

A cyberattack didn't just affect computers.

It affected manufacturing, production schedules, supply chains, deliveries, and potentially what ends up on grocery store shelves.

We often think cybersecurity is just about protecting files or preventing data breaches.

In reality, cyberattacks increasingly have real-world consequences. They can stop factories, delay shipments, interrupt healthcare, and impact businesses that rely on technology to keep things moving.

That's why ransomware has become such a big concern. Attackers are after your ability to operate.

This is another reminder that backups, incident response planning, and cybersecurity aren't just IT checkboxes. They're business continuity plans.

The Coca-Cola Company disclosed today that a ransomware attack impacting its Fairlife dairy subsidiary has disrupted operations, temporarily suspending production of Fairlife products across the United States.

03/13/2026

Here's a phrase I'd like to stop saying... Phishing campaigns are getting more sophisticated.

Phishing emails used to be easier to spot.

Bad grammar, sketchy links, weird formatting.

Now attackers are using legitimate cloud infrastructure including platforms like Google Cloud to host parts of phishing campaigns. That makes malicious pages look more trustworthy and harder for security tools to block.

Attackers are increasingly using the same tools legitimate companies rely on.

For everyday users and businesses, a few habits still go a long way:
• Double-check login pages before entering credentials
• Be cautious with links in unexpected emails
• Use MFA wherever possible

Phishing hasn’t gone away, just remember it’s just gotten a lot better at blending in.

In recent weeks, a highly organized phishing campaign has surfaced, characterized by its use of legitimate Google infrastructure to bypass standard security filters. I have identified more than 25 …

03/12/2026

How is everybody feeling about these smart glasses?

To me, the idea of smart or Meta glasses are cool… until you realize you're probably being recorded more times than you'd prefer.

I mean think about it! Someone is sitting next to you at a coffee shop wearing normal-looking glasses.

But actually, those glasses are quietly recording everything around them.

That’s why a new Android app called Nearby Glasses was created. It scans Bluetooth signals to detect devices like Meta or Snap smart glasses and alerts you if one might be nearby.

The app works because wearable devices broadcast small Bluetooth identifiers that can reveal the manufacturer. When the app detects those signals, it sends a notification warning you that smart glasses could be in the area.

Now, there's no way it's perfect. False positives can happen, but it highlights a growing conversation around privacy in the age of wearable tech.

Technology is making it easier than ever to record, analyze, and share what happens around us.

Which means awareness and sometimes a little healthy skepticism is becoming part of digital safety too.

A hobbyist developer's new app, which can detect nearby smart glasses, comes amid resistance to always-on recording and listening devices that invade people's privacy.

03/11/2026

Happy Birthday Sharepoint?

Hard to believe, but SharePoint just turned 25 years old.

For many companies, SharePoint has been the place where documents, internal knowledge, and team resources live. But Microsoft is now pushing it toward something bigger: an AI-powered knowledge platform.

The idea is that instead of manually searching through folders or internal wikis, AI can help employees surface the right documents, insights, and information instantly.

Think about the typical workday problem:
You know the information exists somewhere… but you don’t know where.

AI changes that by turning company knowledge into something searchable, contextual, and easier to use.

For organizations sitting on years of internal documents and data, this could be huge, but it also raises questions about data governance, permissions, and accuracy.

Because when AI can see everything… it also needs to know what it shouldn’t show.

Discover how SharePoint’s 25‑year legacy powers Microsoft 365 Copilot, Work IQ, and AI‑driven knowledge for organizations worldwide.

03/10/2026

The conversation around AI these days can make it feel like it's "taking over" and I tend to agree in some of those sentiments, but not entirely.

There’s an interesting idea floating around right now: AI might start replacing traditional apps.

Instead of opening five different tools like your CRM, spreadsheets, reporting dashboards, etc., the thought is that AI could become the interface that does everything. You simply ask for what you need and the AI handles the rest.

In other words, instead of navigating software… you just talk to it.

For people running businesses or managing teams, this could change how we think about productivity tools entirely.

Instead of:
“Which app do I use?”

The question becomes:
“What do I want done?”

Of course, there are tradeoffs:
• Security and data access become much more important
• AI needs deep integration with systems
• Trust in automation becomes critical

We’re still early in this shift, but if the trend continues, the next generation of “software” might look a lot more like conversations than dashboards.

AI isn't going to take over the software space like a lot of people think. It's actually expanding what these companies can do.

But the moats that built the great software companies aren't going anywhere

03/09/2026

Healthcare cybersecurity is under pressure and patients are going to feel it

Cybersecurity in healthcare is complicated in the sense that it isn’t just about protecting data anymore. It’s about protecting care itself.

In recent reports, many healthcare organizations are actually cutting cybersecurity budgets all while threats keep increasing. Financial pressure is forcing some hospitals and healthcare providers to accept more cyber risk than they’d like.

That’s concerning to hear because as you all can guess, healthcare systems hold extremely sensitive information. You're talking patient records, insurance data, research, and sometimes even connected medical devices. Yet only about 35% of healthcare organizations have full data-lifecycle security controls in place, which is lower than the average across industries.

It's something to keep in mind. Your medical data is some of the most valuable information attackers can get.

It’s worth taking a few precautions:
• Use patient portals with strong passwords and MFA
• Watch for phishing emails pretending to be healthcare providers
• Monitor insurance statements for suspicious activity

Cybersecurity failures in healthcare don’t just affect spreadsheets. They disrupt operations and delay care. And that makes it everyone’s problem.

Healthcare organizations lack data controls and cut cyber budgets as cloud threats, quantum risks, and identity fraud intensify.

05/13/2024

Here’s some good news from Microsoft - They've just dropped new updates for File Explorer and Task Manager in the latest Insider Preview Build of Windows 11.

File Explorer is getting a facelift. Microsoft's heard your complaints and they're saying goodbye to clunky navigation. Now, you can duplicate tabs with a simple right-click, making it simple to juggle multiple folders at once. No more third-party tools needed.

They've taken care of the memory leaks that slow things down when you're digging through archive folders. And they've fine-tuned the spacing between your desktop icons - plus supercharged the search function for much faster results.

Task Manager hasn’t been left out either. Microsoft's rolled out a load of updates to make it faster, more reliable, and easier to use. You'll now get clearer information when looking into your system's performance.

They've addressed an issue where the Safely Remove Hardware option wouldn't function if Task Manager was open. Plus, they've made it quicker than ever to sort, prioritize and manage your tasks.

These updates aren't just about making things look pretty… they're about making your life easier. Microsoft's laser-focused on refining the Windows 11 experience and making sure it works like a dream.

While these updates are currently only available in the Windows Insider Preview program, the stable version release will be heading our way in the coming months.

Read more in the article ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02w-vBv0

08/06/2022

Got too many applications open? Windows 11’s new taskbar update has an overflow feature. This should make it easier to find what you need

Visit ➡️ www.stginfotech.com For More! 👉Link in Bio

07/27/2022

Testimonial by Darlene W. from Concord, CA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Darlene! We appreciate your review!