Hotel Wi-Fi warning, delete your data for free & Ask YouTube’s hidden AI search (186, August 8, 2026)

03:04 — Hotel Wi-Fi attacks target travelers: Hackers linked to Russia are targeting hotel and conference Wi-Fi login systems and redirecting users to convincing fake update or security pages. Rich says public Wi-Fi is still usable, but never install software or enter authentication codes because a captive portal tells you to. Use cellular or a hotspot for sensitive activity.

10:04 — Wendy in Yorba Linda gets unwanted Chrome pop-ups: Her OnePlus 11 keeps opening game websites even after clearing Chrome data. Rich recommends removing unfamiliar or unused apps, checking Chrome notification permissions for rogue websites, updating Android, and installing the latest Google Play system update before considering a factory reset.

15:12 — NFL Sunday Ticket discounts can cut the cost: Verizon customers, students, military members, veterans, first responders, teachers and healthcare workers may qualify for substantial discounts. Rich recommends checking eligibility before paying the roughly $500 full-season price.

17:31 — Cyberattacks expose weaknesses in U.S. water systems: Scott Edwards, CEO of Summit 7, says many small water utilities have internet-connected industrial controllers with weak security, including default passwords and exposed ports. Recent attacks have affected systems in multiple states, highlighting how limited cybersecurity resources can leave critical infrastructure vulnerable.

26:56 — Google Assistant is being replaced by Gemini: Google plans to begin removing the classic Assistant from Android phones September 4, with Gemini becoming the default and no option to switch back. Gemini handles conversations and complex requests better, but some traditional Assistant and smart-home functions may not work the same way.

29:09 — Rick in Torrance asks Chrome or Safari on a Mac: Rich prefers Chrome for its extensions, compatibility and Enhanced Safe Browsing protection, while Safari offers stronger privacy protections by default and is optimized for Apple hardware. The best choice ultimately depends on which features matter most.

35:08 — Google Maps and YouTube get smarter AI search: Ask Maps can handle highly specific searches for restaurants, hotels, transit and other recommendations, while Ask YouTube can surface information buried inside videos. Rich says these AI-powered searches make it much easier to find specific recommendations without manually sorting through countless results.

38:21 — Sarah in Northridge is overwhelmed by spam email: Rich recommends reporting junk as spam, avoiding unsubscribe links in suspicious messages, disabling automatic image loading and using email aliases such as alias.email or Apple’s Hide My Email. Gmail users can also use Manage Subscriptions to quickly find and remove unwanted legitimate mailing lists.

45:17 — Roger refuses to give up his OBiTALK adapter: Roger has used the discontinued OBiTALK device for years to turn Google Voice into a free home phone line. Despite no longer receiving support or firmware updates, his adapter continues to provide incoming and outgoing calls without a monthly phone bill.

48:13 — Benny shops for his first 3D printer: While shopping at Micro Center, Benny considers an Elegoo printer instead of a Bambu Lab model. Rich says modern 3D printers have become much easier to use, with Bambu helping push the category toward a more consumer-friendly experience.

51:55 — California's DROP privacy system begins deleting personal data: Tom Kemp of the California Privacy Protection Agency says more than 650 data brokers must periodically check DROP requests and delete matching information. The free service is for California residents, uses security measures including hashing, and can help reduce the amount of personal information circulating among data brokers.

55:37 — DROP goes beyond basic contact information: Californians can optionally provide identifiers tied to their phones