consumer protection

Something’s Squirrelly

Something Squirrely: WOW! Internet Advertises $30 a Month — AutoPay, Paperless Billing and Extra Charges Are Doing Work Behind That Number
ByStephen October 5, 2026October 5, 2026

WOW! promotes low introductory internet prices for qualified new customers. The advertised rate requires conditions such as AutoPay and paperless billing and excludes some additional charges.

Read More Something Squirrely: WOW! Internet Advertises $30 a Month — AutoPay, Paperless Billing and Extra Charges Are Doing Work Behind That Number
Small Business Websites

Vibe-Coded Apps Are Leaking Data: The Supabase RLS Lesson Every Small Business Builder Should Know
ByStephen October 4, 2026September 29, 2026

UpGuard found more than 16,000 Supabase databases exposing readable tables. The problem is a warning for anyone using AI coding tools: a working app is not automatically a secure app.

Read More Vibe-Coded Apps Are Leaking Data: The Supabase RLS Lesson Every Small Business Builder Should Know
Something’s Squirrelly

Something Squirrely: Miracle-Ear Wants 30 Pensacola People to Try Hearing Aids “Risk-Free” — Read What Risk-Free Means
ByStephen October 4, 2026September 29, 2026

The Miracle-Ear ad’s ’30 people’ scarcity language gets attention, but the bigger detail is in the company’s own terms: the risk-free trial generally follows a purchase and local conditions can vary.

Read More Something Squirrely: Miracle-Ear Wants 30 Pensacola People to Try Hearing Aids “Risk-Free” — Read What Risk-Free Means
Small Business Websites

AI Agents Need Guardrails Too: What Small Businesses Can Learn From This Week’s Security Headlines
ByStephen October 3, 2026September 29, 2026

Recent incidents involving autonomous AI systems show why businesses should not give agents unlimited credentials, network access or authority. Treat AI agents like powerful service accounts with supervision.

Read More AI Agents Need Guardrails Too: What Small Businesses Can Learn From This Week’s Security Headlines
Small Business Websites

Passkeys Are Becoming the Default — Why Small Businesses Should Stop Treating SMS Codes as Strong Security
ByStephen October 3, 2026September 29, 2026

Microsoft began making passkeys the default authentication experience in Entra ID this September. Small businesses should understand why phishing-resistant sign-in is replacing SMS and voice codes.

Read More Passkeys Are Becoming the Default — Why Small Businesses Should Stop Treating SMS Codes as Strong Security
Something Stinks

Something Stinks: Full-Coverage Car Insurance for $38 a Month? Read the Words “As Low As” Very Carefully
ByStephen October 3, 2026September 29, 2026

Ultimate Insurance ads promote no-deposit coverage and rates as low as $38 a month. The real offer is a quote-comparison funnel, and the advertised number is not the price most drivers should expect.

Read More Something Stinks: Full-Coverage Car Insurance for $38 a Month? Read the Words “As Low As” Very Carefully
Digging Deeper

Digging Deeper: SentinelAI Says It Can Protect Your Browser in Under a Minute — What Are You Actually Installing?
ByStephen September 30, 2026September 29, 2026

SentinelAI is a real browser and Windows security product, but installing security software deserves more scrutiny than clicking a normal web app. We looked at the company, its claims, its free offer and its own limitations.

Read More Digging Deeper: SentinelAI Says It Can Protect Your Browser in Under a Minute — What Are You Actually Installing?
Something Stinks

Something Stinks — WARNING: WINDOWS 12 BETA FAKE — Do Not Download It
ByStephen September 24, 2026September 24, 2026

A Facebook ad claims a free Windows 12 Beta is available now. Microsoft’s current Insider channels still publish Windows 11 previews, and the ad’s download destination is not Microsoft.

Read More Something Stinks — WARNING: WINDOWS 12 BETA FAKE — Do Not Download It
Small Business Websites

What the Hell, Valhalla Computers???
ByStephen September 5, 2026September 18, 2026

If you have been following Valhalla Computers lately, you may have noticed that things have gotten a little strange around here. There are skunks investigating suspicious claims, a squirrel poking around in contracts and pricing structures that do not quite add up, and now a badger carrying a shovel because apparently normal research was no…

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Digging Deeper

Digging Deeper – Episode 01: The Temu Test — Who Owns It, Where Does the Stuff Come From, and Why Is It So Cheap?
ByStephen September 5, 2026September 18, 2026

If you have spent more than ten minutes on Facebook in the last few years, there is a fair chance Temu has tried to sell you something. Maybe it was a cordless tool for a price that seemed physically impossible. Maybe it was kitchen gadgets, fishing gear, clothes, electronics, automotive accessories, craft supplies, or some…

Read More Digging Deeper – Episode 01: The Temu Test — Who Owns It, Where Does the Stuff Come From, and Why Is It So Cheap?