This week, we have 2 big tech stories to share, including a clever new online scam and a highly customizable video game controller.
First, some sneaky hackers tried to trick cybersecurity experts—the people who protect our computers—using a fake online invite. The scammers reached out on the social media site X and sent a link to a real Google Doc. The document looked like a plan for a fake cryptocurrency conference. It used a special Google tool to show a fake sidebar, telling the user they needed to enter a password to decrypt, or unlock, the file. If the user fell for it, the document would install malware, which is harmful software designed to steal your personal information. Thankfully, a security researcher saw through the trick and helped expose how the scam works.
In happier news, a company called Genki has launched a new video game controller called the Manta. This controller is currently on Kickstarter, which is a website where people pool money to fund new products. It costs $189 for early buyers and will retail for $279 later. What makes it special is a built-in 2.9-inch screen and a huge amount of physical customization. You can change how deep you have to press the buttons and adjust the joystick tension to match your play style. It also uses special joysticks that resist drift, meaning they will not wear out and cause your game character to move on their own over time.
Why does this matter to you? The fake invite scam shows that hackers are getting very creative by using trusted tools like Google Docs to fool people. It is a good reminder to be careful with any links you receive online, even if they look official. Meanwhile, the new controller shows how future gadgets will be tailored exactly to our personal physical needs.
Whether you are staying safe online or looking for a better way to play your favorite games, there is always something interesting happening in tech.
