Latest news with #Lock
Tom's Guide
15 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
AT&T unveils a new way to protect customers from SIM swapping — here's what you need to know
SIM swapping is one of the more nefarious and difficult-to-deal-with cybercrimes that can affect phone users. However, a new feature from AT&T, called Wireless Account Lock, wants to help defend against it. AT&T announced the feature in a news post that details how Wireless Account Lock can help to protect your phone. According to AT&T, users can turn the feature on and off via a toggle located in the AT&T app available for postpaid wireless accounts. When activated, the Account Lock blocks the phone from performing certain functions, including: These features will remain locked until the Wireless Account Lock is deactivated within the app, which requires physical access to the phone. AT&T is also providing a Business Account Lock, which offers more power to an account administrator by allowing them to exempt certain lines from the lock, as well as being able to enable select lock functions if desired, rather than locking all of them. The main reason for this new feature is to limit the number of SIM swapping scams, which can be a major issue for customers and businesses to handle. The scam involves the scammer faking a request to move your phone number over to a new SIM card, which then allows them to receive calls and texts meant for you. With that, they can do things like bypass two-factor authentication by receiving the call or text themselves. It can be difficult to tell if you have been the victim of this kind of scam, but there are a couple of major red flags to be on the lookout for. The first is if you experience a sudden loss of service, blocking your ability to receive calls or texts. Also, make sure to check for any unauthorized transactions on your accounts, or if you lose access online. This new feature should go a long way in helping to keep AT&T customers safe, but there are other steps that everyone can take to help protect themselves. Firstly, it's wise to set up a PIN or a strong password with your network provider, which will be required when trying to make any account changes. On top of this, it is a good idea to set up biometrics, like Face ID or a fingerprint scan, on your accounts as an extra level of security. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For more help with security, we have breakdowns on how to protect your phone from viruses and malware, as well as guides on how to protect your new devices. We also have a breakdown of the best password managers, as well as the best VPNs, to help you keep your devices safe.
Leader Live
7 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
A view from Wrexham MP, Andrew Ranger, on Armed Forces Week
This week is Armed Forces Week and a chance to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. The week culminates in Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28. Hightown Barracks is always a focal point for the history of the armed forces in Wrexham, dating back to 1877. Many people in Wrexham have links to the barracks, perhaps through relatives who enlisted for World War 1 there or through the commando unit based there in World War II. Others remember it as a battalion headquarters and Company location for the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Today, its role is varied as I learned from my recent visit and tour with Colonel Lock and today's armed forces face real difficulties not only after years of cuts but also in the context of a rapidly changing global situation and have my full support to meet their needs. The Armed Forces Commissioner Bill continues its progress through Parliament and will establish an independent Commissioner to serve as a direct point of contact for Armed Forces personnel and their families. The Commissioner will consider, investigate and make recommendations to address welfare issues faced by serving personnel and their families during their service life. Latest news I am privileged to have been on the Bill Committee and to therefore be part of tangible and important change for our armed services and their welfare, which has been neglected for too long. The upcoming Strategic Defence Review will tackle the state of Armed Forces accommodation. Wales's 800 forces family homes are in line to benefit from the significant investment uplift, as part of an overall £7bn in funding during this parliament. According to the House of Commons Library, there are an estimated 3,450 households in Wrexham who have at least one military veteran. Veteran support is crucial, which is why the UK Government has launched the VALOUR system to ensure easier access to essential care and support. As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
AI Impact Summit 2025: Attendees Reflect On Three-Day Tech Event in Sonoma
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After three days of cross-industry conversations and many glasses of California wine, attendees of Newsweek's inaugural AI Impact Summit reflected on their biggest takeaways from the event in Sonoma. Many admired the accessibility of the tech event, which featured leaders from health care, government, finance and retail. "Unlike a lot of the conferences I've been to in the past, there were a lot of concepts that were much easier to grasp," Lijay Shih, the vice president of technology at Wells Fargo, told Newsweek on Wednesday. "It's interesting to see how people can take this type of technology and apply them to so many different fields and sectors." Shih pointed over to Dr. Wei-Cheng Chen, the chief secretary of the China Medical University Hospital, as an example. "It's quite meaningful to be here in a beautiful place with good weather and good wine," Chen said while grabbing coffee with Shih post-summit. "I was able to make more global connections." Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 NICK OTTO Chen, who traveled to Sonoma from Taiwan, said the greatest lesson he learned over the last three days was that "the human is most important." "You can use AI, but why are we doing that? What is our purpose? What is the value of the human?" he remarked. "We will rethink the position of the human." Before the final panels of the summit began, attendees gathered for one last breakfast on the lawn, where they were offered breakfast burritos, overnight oats and freshly squeezed juices from local farms. "It's a lovely venue," Ben Lock, the director of production strategy at Asteria, told Newsweek over muffins. "It creates a nice atmosphere for people to socialize, to network and to learn a bit more about each other." Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 NICK OTTO Lock admired the opportunity to meet with leaders in other sectors, citing it as a source of inspiration for new ideas in his own field. "People in our industry get a little bit blinkered to how things are going on in the rest of the world," Lock said. "Coming here, I realize the impact of AI across so many industries. We're all dealing with similar opportunities and similar challenges. We'll have to get our heads together and figure out how to solve some of it together." Lock was one of the panelists who spoke at Tuesday's "Lights, Camera, Algorithm: AI in Film Making" session. On Wednesday, he said he appreciated how engaged the audience was and thanked them for asking such "thought-provoking questions." Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 NICK OTTO "They come from different industries, so they look at things in a different way," he said. "It was very useful for me to be able to interpret the question and then, apply it back to my industry. It enabled me to think about things maybe I hadn't thought about before. Talking to people here has sparked a lot of ideas." Sitting at Lock's breakfast table was Rebecca Silberbush, the deputy director of development at Perfect Corp. Perfect Corp. was recognized for its Real-Time Skin Analysis tool as part of Newsweek's inaugural AI Impact Awards. Before heading into the pavilion at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Silberbush caught up with Newsweek to debrief days one and two of the summit. Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Sonoma, CA - AI Impact Summit attendees converse over breakfast at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. NICK OTTO "It was super interesting and educational to hear how a lot of health care leaders and even The Weather Channel is incorporating AI," Silberbush said from inside the white tent as the audience waited for opening remarks. Sheri Bachstein, the president of The Weather Company, participated in a one-on-one conversation with Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham on Tuesday. "We work mostly with consumers, but they're using AI to make educational predictions on weather and to help people on informed decisions about evacuating," Silberbush told Newsweek. She added that the summit was a good opportunity to connect with other leaders in the AI space, saying that, "I met a bunch of people at lunch yesterday, and then at the cocktail reception too." Perfect Corp., a software company that focuses on AI and AR in the beauty and fashion industries, took home the Best Outcomes, Consumer Experience award. The full list of AI Impact winners can be found here. Sonoma, CA - Attendees exit the venue as the 2025 AI Impact Summit comes to a close at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Sonoma, CA - Attendees exit the venue as the 2025 AI Impact Summit comes to a close at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. NICK OTTO Attendees who stayed for the final day of the summit had the chance to listen in on three panels, including the "Navigating the Regulatory Maze: Enhancing AI Governance, Privacy and Cybersecurity" session, which brought together Rob Teel, the chief technology officer for the state of Oklahoma, and Benjamin Maxim, the chief innovation officer for the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. Shih enjoyed listening to Teel talk about applying AI to more routine tasks within the public sector, saying that it encouraged him to find new ways to implement new capabilities in his own work. "The state of Oklahoma can identify, quantify, and then locate potholes as their trucks are just driving over the road, and that's something that would typically require a 311 call and a ticket," Shih said. "Instead, they used AI to automate this process." "So, it challenged me. What other boring and mundane things am I not using AI for?" he asked. "It's been great to get a chance to hear how other people are using these technologies and then talk to them afterwards." Missed out on our other summit coverage? Catch up on the festivities from day one here and day two here. Newsweek will host the New Destinations Summit in London on July 3 and the Women's Global Impact Forum at the office in New York City on August 5. To learn more about Newsweek's upcoming programming, visit the Events page here.
CNBC
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNBC
TD Cowen upgrades this ride-sharing stock, calls it 'best smidcap idea' of 2025
A number of catalysts could lead to more gains for Lyft , according to TD Cowen. Analyst John Blackledge upgraded the ride-sharing stock to buy from hold, naming it his "best smidcap idea" for 2025. The analyst also upped his price target by $5 to $21, which implies more than 40% upside from Monday's close. "We see multiple growth levers ahead amid strong execution from the current [management] team, who has refocused the company on 'customer obsession' and has rolled out multiple innovations to improve experience for riders & drivers (most recently Price Lock)," Blackledge wrote on Tuesday. Shares were up more than 5% in the premarket following the call. The stock has also gained nearly 16% this year and more than 22% in the past three months, outpacing the S & P 500 in both timeframes. LYFT 3M mountain LYFT, 3-month Blackledge believes that Lyft's increasing focus on "tier 2" cities such as Charlotte and Indianapolis and the opportunity provided by the company's acquisition of European taxi app FreeNow should help spur gains ahead. In addition, he cited the company's product innovation – like its Price Lock feature, which allows customers to secure a consistent daily price for specific routes – and its partnerships with other companies such as DoorDash as catalysts for growth. Beyond those drivers, Blackledge believes investors underappreciate the opportunity that autonomous vehicles provide for Lyft, as the company is on pace to launch AVs this summer in Atlanta through its May Mobility partnership. It's also set to launch Mobileye-powered AVs in Dallas next year through its partnership with Marubeni. "We think autonomous vehicles (AVs) should expand rideshare [total addressable market] over the long-term, helping to drive new use cases such as serving riders who would prefer a driver-less trip," the analyst wrote. "Lyft is well positioned with FlexDrive (~14K cars on balance sheet) as AVs scale and require fleet [management] partners." To be sure, most analysts are on the sidelines when it comes to Lyft. Of the 48 covering the stock, 32 rate it as neutral.
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Millions on state pension could get £634 DWP boost next year – check if you're eligible
Read on to find out how else you can boost your state pension. PENSION HELP Millions on state pension could get £634 DWP boost next year – check if you're eligible Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of people could get a cash boost of over £600 to their state pension next year. The benefit is on track to increase by 5.3% - or £634 - in 2026, according to the latest Triple Lock forecasts. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 State pensioners could be in line for a cash boost next year. Credit: Alamy The Triple Lock system sees the state pension rise each year in line with whatever is highest out of: wages from May to July, 2.5% or September inflation. Latest ONS wage growth figures stand at 5.2% for regular earnings (excluding bonuses) and 5.3% for total earnings (including bonuses). If wage growth holds until September, when the Triple Lock is calculated, then this would be the figure used to increase the state pension. That would mean the new state pension would rise by £634 next year, from £11,973 to £12,607. This means that state pension payments would topple over the £12,500 Personal Allowance threshold. This is the amount you can earn before paying tax. This means pensioners would have to pay tax on part of their state pension income, meaning they would essentially have to hand some of the benefit straight back to the tax man. Who is eligible for state pension boost? The state pension age is currently 66, so people born after April 5, 1951 and women born after April 5, 1953 will be in line for a boost from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) next year. Hargreaves Lansdown head of retirement analysis Helen Morrissey told The Sun: "The triple lock aims to increase the state pension by whichever is the highest of 2.5%, inflation or average wages. "If we were in line to get an increase in the range of current average wages (5.3%) then that would be applied to those receiving the new state pension as well as the basic state pension. "However, for those who also receive top ups such as the additional state pension it's worth saying that these extra elements are not increased using the triple lock -instead they are increased by CPI inflation. "The key inflation and wage figures used for the triple lock calculation won't be released until Autumn so we will wait to see what direction both figures go in." The state pension age is set to gradually increase starting from May next year, and will be set at 67 from March 6, 2028 onwards. The change will affect millions of people born between April 6, 1960 and April 5, 1977. Other ways to boost your state pension Delay your state pension Delaying your pension if you don't need it straight away could set you up for a bigger payout later. Scottish State Pensioners to Receive Winter Fuel Payment Boost in 2025 You'll need to defer for at least nine weeks. But for every nine weeks you delay your pension, you'll get a 1% increase on the amount you receive, according to This means that for every year you delay, you'll boost your payout by almost 5.8%. The extra amount will be paid out by DWP with your regular State Pension payment. Claim NI credits If you're a parent getting Child Benefit for a child under 12, you automatically receive National Insurance (NI) credits. However, if you're a grandparent looking after a child so their parent can work, the parent can sign a form to pass on their NI benefits to you. Pension credit Millions of people who are eligible for pension credit do not claim it, and the DWP estimates that up to £2.1 billion in Pension Credit goes unclaimed every year. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with living costs, such as the Winter Fuel Payment, if you're over state pension age and on a low income. You can start your application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach state pension age. You can also apply any time after you reach pension age, but your application can only be backdated by three months. You can check if you're eligible on the government website. Pension Credit explained Pension Credit is a benefit which gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you're on a low income in retirement. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. You may be able to get extra help of you're a carer, have a disability, or are responsible for a child. It also opens up access to lots of other benefits such as the warm home discount scheme, support for mortgage interest, council tax discounts, free TV licences once you're over 75, and help with NHS costs. To qualify, you need to be over state pension age and live in England, Scotland or Wales. If you have a partner, you need to include them on your claim. Pension Credit tops up: your weekly income to £218.15 if you're single your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner However, even if your income is higher, you might still qualify if you have a disability or caring responsibilities. There is also another element to Pension Credit called savings credit. To get this, you need to have saved some money towards your retirement. You can get an extra £17.01 a week for a single person or £19.04 a week for a married couple. If you have more than £10,000 in savings, the government uses a calculation to work out how much it adds to your income. Every £500 over £10,000 counts as £1 income a week. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
