By SHAWN CHEN NEW YORK (AP) — It’s time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we’ll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it’s also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season : Set devices up for automatic updates Whether it’s Windows , macOS , iOS or Android , simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family’s computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of “Why isn’t this app working?” type of questions from your relatives. Freeing up storage space Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. — Use the cloud to back up media: iPhone users can free up space occupied by songs and pictures by storing them on iCloud . Android users can use the Google Photos app to back up and store their photos on their user space. — Clear browsing data: Each major browser has an option to clear its data cache — cookies, search and download histories, autofill forms, site settings, sign-in data and so on. Over time, these bits take up a significant amount of storage space on mobile devices and home computers. So cleaning caches out periodically helps free up space and, in some cases, improves system performance. What’s my password? According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That’s a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that’s one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager . They’re useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys . Educate your loved ones about the latest scams As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. Related Articles National News | The next census will gather more racial, ethnic information National News | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows National News | NASA’s stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go National News | GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 2023 National News | Digging resumes in the search for a woman in a Pennsylvania sinkhole A quick way to remember what to do when you think you’re getting scammed is to think about the three S’s, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer “Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected,” she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you’re victimized. How fast is their WiFi? Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they’ve paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they’re still rocking an aging modem and router.By now, you've probably heard the controversy around raw milk, also known as unpasteurized milk. In recent months, raw milk has become a major talking point on social media and in politics, with doctors repeatedly warning against its consumption which can lead to infections (some life-threatening) from harmful bacteria present in unpasteurized milk. The fact that drinking raw milk is up for debate might be surprising for anyone who has an elementary school education—or ever visited a farm—but in an era of misinformation fueled by social media platforms like TikTok, it's not so shocking. WellnessTok has been largely responsible for popularizing false claims that unpasteurized milk is more beneficial than pasteurized milk. A search of the term “raw milk" renders videos with thousands of views from tradwives and fitness bros all showing off their raw milk and explaining unsubstantiated health benefits. The search page also produces what seems to be a disclaimer from TikTok, shown at the top under a heading titled “Search Highlights," which summarizes the “different viewpoints” users share on raw milk. This disclaimer outlines “health risks" and cites videos from microbiologists and dietitians refuting unsubstantiated claims, but also lists the reasons why some users “support” drinking raw milk. Despite this lengthy disclaimer, users are still producing content promoting the consumption of raw milk. According to a May 2024 report from the Associated Press , weekly sales of raw milk have increased up to 65 percent from the same time period a year ago. The controversy has only been heightened by President-elect Donald Trump's appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is one of the most outspoken public figures in support of raw milk consumption, leading it to become a symbol of right-wing empowerment . To eliminate confusion, we spoke to doctors, nutritionists, and dietitians to explain everything you need to know about raw milk, including health risks, alternatives, and more. What is raw milk? Raw milk, also known as unpasteurized milk, is the milk of an animal (usually from a cow) that is not pasteurized prior to consumption. Invented in 1864 by Louis Pasteur, pasteurization heats milk and other dairy products to a certain temperature for a certain amount of time to eliminate harmful pathogens that can be transmitted from animals. According to the American Dairy Association , pasteurization does not affect the nutritional value or taste of the milk. Dr. Jack Braha, DO, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Allied Digestive Health , points out that pasteurization has been used for over 100 years. “This process helps reduce the risk of transmitting infections from the animal source to humans,” he says. “Before we employed the pasteurization process, thousands of people died every year from infections due to ingesting unpasteurized milk.” According to the CDC , federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines, but state law governs intrastate sale. Is raw milk better than pasteurized milk? No, raw milk is not healthier or more beneficial than pasteurized milk. “There are some who made claims that raw milk is better for you, but these claims are largely false and not based on sound scientific evidence,” says Dr. Braha. “The multiple medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics , endorse a ban on the sale of unpasteurized milk products.” According to Dr. Amy Lee, MD, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, clinical nutrition, and obesity medicine and head of nutrition at Nucific , pasteurization can actually offer more nutrition than raw milk. “There is an assumption that anything not pasteurized is more natural; but in reality, they are pretty equal when it comes to benefits,” she says. "Pasteurized milk may contain fortified vitamins, minerals, and omegas that raw milk does not possess." What are the risks of drinking raw milk? Serious health risks can come with drinking unpasteurized milk. “Raw milk has been associated with multiple infections some of which could have serious health consequences or even be fatal,” says Dr. Braha. These infections include Campylobacter, Brucella, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Who can drink raw milk? Doctors warn against drinking raw milk for everyone, no matter your age and health. Due to the infections that can occur, "individuals who are prone to infection or immunocompromised should not drink raw milk,” says Dr. Lee. Dr. Baha adds that children and pregnant women are also especially vulnerable to infection and should not drink unpasteurized. “For those planning pregnancy, certain infections like listeria can lead to miscarriage or significant illness to the newborn baby,” says Dr. Baha. No matter your condition, drinking raw milk is strongly advised against overall. “Even if you are healthy, you are still at risk for infections and serious consequences of drinking raw milk," Dr. Baha continues. "Because of these risks, the FDA has mandated that all milk and milk products are pasteurized before final sale.” Why do people believe raw milk is beneficial? Given the serious health risks involved, why is raw milk becoming more popular ? “There is plenty of disinformation on the internet and social media suggesting that raw milk is better and safer than conventional milk,” says Dr. Baha. “This is not based on sound scientific evidence and multiple studies show no benefit of raw milk compared to conventional pasteurized milk. In fact, raw milk, places patients at higher risk of developing serious infections." To combat misinformation, Dr. Baha does not recommend raw milk to any of his patients, while Dr. Lee encourages her patients to educate themselves. “I recommend doing research, especially if there are underlying health conditions for the individual, as there are increased risks from raw milk based on the type of condition,” she says. Raw milk alternatives Here's what you can drink without putting your health at risk. “There are multiple ways to gain the nutritional value of milk in our diets,” says Dr. Baha. “For patients that do not wish to drink animal milk, we recommend alternative plant-based milks that are fortified with necessary, vitamins and nutrients.” When in doubt, always seek guidance from a health professional. “It is important that patients consult with their physician, especially for pregnant moms, infants and children," concludes Dr. Baha. Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at Glamour. Follow her @arianayap.Is the NORAD Santa tracker safe from a government shutdown?
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Las Vegas, Dec 6 (PTI) A mission-driven workforce of tomorrow, energy efficiency driving innovation, and rise of AI-powered tools that accelerate fact-checking and debunk misinformation are among the top five tech prediction outlined by Amazon CTO Werner Vogels. According to him, in an era of unprecedented societal challenges and rapid technological advancements, harnessing 'technology for good' has become both an ethical imperative and a profitable endeavour. "From clean energy innovations unlocking new avenues for sustainable development to AI-powered tools tipping the scales in the fight against disinformation, we are witnessing technology augment human ingenuity in inspiring ways," he said. Emergence of workforce that is mission-driven, an era of energy efficiency driving innovation, and increasingly, technology tipping the scales in the discovery of truth are among his top tech predictions for 2025. "As disinformation spreads at unprecedented rates, a new wave of AI-powered tools will emerge to empower journalists, researchers, and engaged citizens in their quest for truth," he said. Vogels asserted this technological revolution will democratise investigative capabilities, accelerate fact-checking, as it closes the gap between the spread of misinformation and its debunking. He further observed that the rise of intention-driven technologies is reshaping people's relationship with the digital world, promoting focus and well-being over mere attention capture. "All the while, a mission-driven workforce is emerging, more eager to tackle hard human problems than chase the bottomline. In the coming years, using technology for positive impact will not just be possible — it will redefine the way we think about success," Vogels noted. As the world confronts urgent challenges around sustainability, social equity, food and economic security, and responsible AI usage, a quiet revolution is sweeping the job market, marking a shift towards "work that benefits humanity". Across industries and generations, there is a palpable shift in worker values and preferences, with a growing number of people seeking roles that allow them to make a meaningful impact on society and the environment. He argues that compared to previous generations, who were more concerned about personal freedom and economic growth, millennials and Gen Z typically show greater concern about issues like inequality, mental health, and climate change. "Organisations that recognise and harness this shift will be the ones that thrive in the decades to come," he said. To remain competitive, businesses across sectors must adapt their strategies to attract and retain purpose-driven employees. Vogels also sees open data driving decentralised disaster preparedness. By 2025 and beyond, disaster resilience will be fundamentally transformed through the power of hyperlocal, community-sourced data. This shift will redefine disaster management from a top-down, reactive model to one that is proactive, decentralised, and community-driven, he believes. The top executive of Amazon further sees intention-driven consumer technology taking hold. "A subtle shift is underway that is redefining our relationship with consumer technology. As more and more people look for a refuge from constant distraction, devices are emerging that prioritise mindfulness, intentionality, and deep thinking over a barrage of fleeting stimuli," says Vogels. In 2025 and beyond, technology will empower rather than distract, he says adding, "we’ll be better for it". PTI MBI (The PTI journalist was in Las Vegas at the invitation of Amazon Web Services) HIG MNK MNKUS announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine
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