iPhone Info

from Jim H

Here's some info about your iPhone I bet you didn't know. Tech blogger Kim Komando explains  below in her blog. First thing that came to my mind after reading this -- 'sneaky devil'!...☺️...Jim

 The 30-day lie

When you delete a photo, it doesn’t disappear. It moves to a holding area and sits there for 30 days. Check yours right now:

  • iPhone: Open Photos > Collections > scroll down to Recently Deleted. There’s everything you thought you erased last month. 

  • Android: Open Photos or Gallery > tap Library or Menu > Trash or Bin. Same deal.

The fix: After deleting photos, empty the trash immediately.

  • iPhone: Recently Deleted > Select > tap the three dot icon > Delete All. 

  • Android: Trash > tap the three dots > Empty trash > Delete permanently.

💾 Ghost data

Even after you empty Recently Deleted, the photo isn’t gone. Your phone marks that storage space as available and hides the image from view. The actual data sits there, fully intact, until new photos or apps eventually overwrite it. That could take days, weeks or months.

This is why forensic investigators can recover deleted texts and pictures from phones years later. They use special tools to scan unmarked storage and pull back everything. That photo you deleted in 2019? Still there.

☁️ Cloud backup trap

Deleting an image from your phone doesn’t delete it from iCloud or Google Photos. They’re separate. You have to delete it twice.

  • iPhone: Delete the photo, empty Recently Deleted, then open iCloud.com, go to Photos > Collections > Recently Deleted, and delete it again.

  • Android: Delete from your gallery, then open Google Photos, go to Collections > Trash, and empty it.

Skip this step, and your deleted photo lives forever in the cloud.

🧨 Before you sell your phone

A factory reset doesn’t guarantee deletion. Studies show up to 40% of wiped phones still contain recoverable data. Here’s what you need to do.

  • iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Let it finish. Then set it up as new and erase it AGAIN. Yes, twice.

  • Android: Factory reset, fill the storage with junk files like big videos, then factory reset again. This overwrites the ghost data.

If your old phone has truly sensitive content, don’t sell it. Physically destroy it. Some things aren’t worth the $200 resale value.

Your data is your business. Make sure it actually disappears when you want it to.

📤 Know someone with an old phone lying around? Forward this before their private photos end up on Reddit. Or use the share icons below to email them a copy or post to your social media.

AI-Assisted Mac Malware Threat

From Frank C

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/09/mosyle-identifies-one-of-the-first-known-ai-assisted-mac-malware-threats/

Mosyle identifies one of the first known AI-assisted Mac malware threats

Arin Waichulis

Mosyle, a popular Apple device management and security firm, has exclusively shared details with 9to5Mac on a previously unknown macOS malware campaign. While crypto miners on macOS aren’t anything new, the discovery appears to be the first Mac malware sample uncovered in the wild that contains code from generative AI models—officially confirming what was inevitable.

At the time of discovery, Mosyle’s security research team says the threat was undetected by all major antivirus engines. This comes nearly a year after Moonlock Lab warned about chatter on dark web forums indicating how large language models were being used to write malware targeting macOS.

The campaign, which Mosyle is calling SimpleStealth, is spreading through a convincing fake website impersonating the popular AI app, Grok. The threat actors are using a look-alike domain to trick users into downloading a malicious macOS installer. When launched, victims are presented with what appears to be a full-functioning Grok app that looks and behaves like the real thing. This is a common technique used to keep the application front and center while malicious activity quietly runs in the background, allowing the malware to operate longer without being noticed.

According to Mosyle, SimpleStealth is designed to bypass macOS securitysafeguards during its first execution. The app prompts the user for their system password under the guise of completing a simple setup task. This allows the malware to remove Apple’s quarantine protections and prepare its true payload. From the user’s perspective, everything appears normal as the app continues to display familiar AI-related content that the real Grok app would.

Behind the scenes, however, the malware deploys the stealthy Monero (XMR) crypto miner that boasts having “quicker payouts” and being “confidential and untraceable” on its website. To stay hidden, the mining activity only starts when the Mac has been idle for at least a minute and stops immediately when the user moves the mouse or types. The miner further disguises itself by mimicking common system processes like kernel_task and launchd, making it far harder for users to spot abnormal behavior.

In evidence seen by 9to5Mac, the use of AI is found throughout the malware’s code, which features unusually long-winded comments, a mix of English and Brazilian Portuguese, and repetitive logic patterns that are characteristic of AI-generated scripts.

Overall, this situation is alarming for several reasons. Primarily because AI is lowering the barrier to entry for attackers faster than concerns around ‘malware-as-a-service’ could ever. Virtually anyone with internet access can now craft samples like SimpleStealth, significantly accelerating the pace at which new threats can be created and deployed.

The best way to stay safe is to avoid downloading anything from third-party sites. Always source your apps directly from the Mac App Store or directly from developer websites you trust.

Follow Arin: Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Threads

Indicators of Compromise

Below you can find the Indictors of Compromise (IoCs) of the SimpleStealth sample for your own research or to improve detection at your organization. Exercise caution around visiting any observed domains.

Malware family: SimpleStealth
Distribution name: Grok.dmg
Target platform: macOS
Observed domain: xaillc[.]com

Wallet Address: 4AcczC58XW7BvJoDq8NCG1esaMJMWjA1S2eAcg1moJvmPWhU1PQ6ZYWbPk3iMsZSqigqVNQ3cWR8MQ43xwfV2gwFA6GofS3

SHA-256 hashes:

  • 553ee94cf9a0acbe806580baaeaf9dea3be18365aa03775d1e263484a03f7b3e (Grok.dmg)

  • e379ee007fc77296c9ad75769fd01ca77b1a5026b82400dbe7bfc8469b42d9c5 (Grok wrapper)

  • 2adac881218faa21638b9d5ccc05e41c0c8f2635149c90a0e7c5650a4242260b (grok_main.py)

  • 688ad7cc98cf6e4896b3e8f21794e33ee3e2077c4185bb86fcd48b63ec39771e (idle_monitor.py)

  • 7813a8865cf09d34408d2d8c58452dbf4f550476c6051d3e85d516e507510aa0 (working_stealth_miner.py)

New web site for checking phishing texts

From Frank C

Just had a “ah ha” moment…

I got one of those “out of the blue” texts saying “are you home old man”. I did not recognize the phone number (323-348-9299). So, I searched the web  for the area code and found this site:

https://www.wirefly.com/area-codes/323

which lists all the a prefixes for that 323 area code. The 348 prefix is listed was a landline!!! So, I know it was a junk text with a spoofed phone number since you can’t text from a landline!

Apple Watch Tips

From Jim H

Source: Macworld 10 incredible things you never knew your Apple Watch could do https://share.google/XQgKTzWl4IkiJQ0SZ

Source: TechCrunch Best Apple Watch apps for boosting your productivity | TechCrunchhttps://share.google/zHHAcvCQ9srOqpO47

If you happen to own an Apple watch, and a Mac, here is a tip that might be helpful...Jim

Unlock your Mac with your Apple Watch: Stop typing your password every time. On your Mac, go to System Settings > Touch ID & Password, scroll down and toggle on your Apple Watch. Wear your watch and ensure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled. Now when your Mac wakes up, it unlocks automatically if your watch is nearby.

Lesser Know Apple Founder

From Jim H

Tech blogger Kim Komando posted the following blurb about Apple, and this is the first time I was aware of another founder of Apple -- Ronald

Wayne. He sure missed an investment opportunity. If, say, I had been there and given an opportunity to invest $ in a start-up company, would I have done so? Good question, and I dunno! How about you?...Jim

We’ve all got that “if only I hadn’t sold that stock/house/crypto back then” story. None of them tops the saga of Ronald Wayne, the lesser-known Apple cofounder. After just 12 days, he cashed out his share for an amount that would be worth up to $400 billion today.

🤑 How much did Ronald get when he basically said, “You guys run with it. I want no part of a computer company”? A) $800, B) $1,700, C) $5,300 or D) $10,500? The gut punch answer is waiting at the end.

The answer: B) $800. That’s all Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne took home after selling his 10% stake in the company, 12 days into starting it. He drafted Apple’s original partnership agreement and designed the very first logo, a pen-and-ink illustration of Isaac Newton under an apple tree. He reportedly used the $800 to buy a typewriter and said he had no regrets. Damn. $400B.

Firefox Browser

From Jim H

Firefox has been my browser of choice for some time, and I like it. But tech blogger Kim Komando just posted the following, and I'm not too pleased with this idea at all. I'll watch closely to see what develops, then decide if I'll keep using Firefox or not. Another good option would be the Brave browser, which I have used, and like as well.

Of course, if you're using a Mac, you're probably using the Safari browser, which is a good browser, also...Jim


🦊 Firefox joins the chat: OK, you know how Firefox was the one browser that wasn’t trying to shove AI in your face? Yeah, that’s over. The new CEO said Firefox is turning into an “AI browser.” Folks aren't happy. The vibe is kind of like your favorite dive bar installing neon TikTok signs and robot bartenders.

iPhone Tip

From Jim H

If you have an Apple iPhone, the following article will be of interest. Our family uses Apple's "Find My" app, and find it to be most useful. After reading the following article, it has another use which I wasn't aware of, and could be most helpful if you've misplaced your iPhone...Jim  

Your lost or stolen iPhone can be found even if it’s turned off — here's how https://flip.it/ShaT1S

Want More from Your Apple Watch?

From Jim H

While I don't have an Apple smartwatch, if you do, the following may be of interest...Jim

Want More From Your Smartwatch? Check Out These 20 Essential Tips Every Apple Watch Owner Should Know

The Apple Watch can track sleep, ping your phone, play music, and more. If you're a long-time user or just got the new Series 11 or Ultra 3, our tips will help you do more with Apple's smartwatch.

Read More.

Apple Executives Come and Go

From Jim H

It seems some executives are departing Apple, per Kim Komando's blog below. In my opinion, no particular cause for concern, as Apple seems to be doing fine, per the following financials in Morningstar. Executives come and go from companies, and that's just life in the business world, in my opinion....Jim


🍎 Apple gets cored: Big trouble in Cupertino. Apple’s facing its biggest leadership exodus since Steve Jobs died. Key VPs, including AI chief John Giannandrea and UI boss Alan Dye, are heading for the exit. Why? The iPhone hasn't changed in years and they have absolutely zero AI. While competitors zoom ahead, Apple is stalling out. When the suits start running, you know they’re falling behind.

https://www.morningstar.com/stocks/xmex/aapl/financials

From Jim H: Looks like some news will be coming from Apple soon. Take a read below on what tech blogger Kim Komando has to say about this. I'm guessing the Starlink idea will be a direct competitor with other cellular services, such as Verizon, et al. Wonder if this means one would have a cellular connection, just about anywhere?.....Jim


Nifty 50: Apple’s turning 50 soon and acting brand new. They’re working on satellite upgrades (paywall link) with Starlink for iPhones and Apple Watches, so you can text without service, plus a $1 billion-a-year deal with Google’s Gemini AI to make Siri smarter. Oh, and a “low-cost” MacBook’s coming to compete with Windows. Finally.

Apple News

From Jim H: Looks like some news will be coming from Apple soon. Take a read below on what tech blogger Kim Komando has to say about this. I'm guessing the Starlink idea will be a direct competitor with other cellular services, such as Verizon, et al. Wonder if this means one would have a cellular connection, just about anywhere?.....Jim


Nifty 50: Apple’s turning 50 soon and acting brand new. They’re working on satellite upgrades (paywall link) with Starlink for iPhones and Apple Watches, so you can text without service, plus a $1 billion-a-year deal with Google’s Gemini AI to make Siri smarter. Oh, and a “low-cost” MacBook’s coming to compete with Windows. Finally.

Fix Your Phone's Call Audio

From Jim H

If you have a smartphone, here's a tip that might be useful...Jim

Fix your phone’s call audio

Let’s say you’re on the phone with a pal, and your background is so noisy that your friend can’t hear you. Good news if you have an iPhone: There’s Voice Isolation mode.

  • Place your call, and when your recipient picks up, swipe down from the top right of your screen to access the Control Center.

  • At the top of your screen, you should see an orange microphone icon next to the word Phone. Tap that, and you’ll see a separate screen with an Audio & Video option. Scroll to and tap Voice Isolation.

On a Samsung, open Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects. 

Here, you’ll see Adapt sound. 

Have a Google Pixel? Go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Clear calling.

AI In the News

From Jim H.

It appears that Apple is embracing AI, as the following article explains. Is this good or bad? I dunno, but guess we'll find out ...Jim

Tim Cook says Apple is open to M&A on the AI front: Apple CEO Tim Cook noted in the company's Q4 2025 earnings call that Apple was preparing to announce more AI partnerships like the one it has with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into Siri and Apple Intelligence. Read More

If you have an iPhone and occasionally use Siri for a web search or to ask a question, the app may soon become more powerful. Take a read on what Apple is doing -- at a cost of $1 billion annually!...🤨...Wow!...Jim

Apple nears deal to pay Google $1B annually to power new Siri, report says: Apple is turning to Google's technology to help revamp Siri and power a slate of upcoming features for the voice assistant. Read More

Smart Watches

From Jim H

If you have a smartwatch, or perhaps plan to get one, here is an article discussing smartwatches:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnists/2025/10/17/2025-smartwatch-apple-samsung-google/86732426007/

It seems smartwatches are focusing more on medical/healthy 'stuff', such as determining if a person has 'hypertension' (high blood pressure), et al. When Zee and I are out and about, it's amazing -- to me, anyway -- at how many people are wearing smartwatches. Mostly I see Apple smartwatches...Jim