3 Home Assistant projects to build devices for less this weekend (Oct 23-25)

3 Home Assistant projects to build devices for less this weekend (Oct 23-25)

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Why your Ubiquiti UniFi network might be phoning home more than you realize

Why your Ubiquiti UniFi network might be phoning home more than you realize

Why your Ubiquiti UniFi network might be phoning home more than you realize

Your UniFi setup is designed for control and reliability, but some devices may communicate with Ubiquiti servers more than you expect. Understanding what happens can help you balance convenience with privacy and performance.

What data might be sent

Many UniFi devices periodically report status, telemetry, and configuration details to cloud or management services. This can include device health, usage statistics, and version information. The exact data depends on the device type and the software version in use.

Why it happens

Remote reporting supports features like cloud access, firmware updates, and diagnostics. It can also enable remote management, statistics dashboards, and faster troubleshooting. While these benefits are useful, they may come with privacy trade-offs.

How to reduce or control data sharing

Consider these practical steps to limit outbound connections while preserving essential functionality:

• Review and adjust privacy or telemetry settings in the UniFi Network applications.
• Disable cloud access if it’s not required for your setup.
• Restrict device outbound traffic with a firewall or network policies, allowing only necessary destinations.
• Keep firmware up to date, then reassess privacy options after updates, as defaults can change.
• Document recommended configurations for future reference and audits.

Tips for a balanced setup

• Test changes on a small segment of your network before applying them globally.
• Backup current configurations so you can revert if needed.
• Monitor network traffic after adjustments to verify that critical features remain functional.

What to monitor

Watch for sudden changes in device behavior, performance fluctuations, or unexpected login events. If you notice issues after tightening telemetry, review the affected features and re-enable only what you need.

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Google Messages adds a new feature that could make your texts safer

Google Messages adds a new feature that could make your texts safer

Google Messages adds a new feature that could make your texts safer

Text messages can be a target for scams, phishing, and fake alerts. A new feature from Google Messages aims to help you spot and avoid risky messages, giving you an extra layer of protection without changing how you text every day.

What the new feature does

The latest update focuses on improving the way messages are verified and flagged. It looks for suspicious patterns and prompts you when something seems off, helping you decide whether to open, respond, or report a message.

Why this matters

scams are increasingly convincing, making it hard to tell a real message from a fake one. The feature is designed to reduce the chances of clicking links, sharing personal data, or replying to a fraudulent message.

How to use and enable

Follow these general steps to take advantage of the feature, if available on your device:

• Open the Messages app.
• Go to Settings and look for Security or Safety options.
• Enable any toggles related to message verification, spam protection, or scam alerts.
• When a message is flagged, review the warning and choose to report or block if necessary.

Tips for staying safer when texting

• Be cautious with links from unknown numbers — hover or long-press to preview before tapping.
• Do not share personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
• Keep your messaging app updated to receive the latest protections.
• If a message claims to be from a real service, contact the service directly through official channels.

By staying vigilant and using built-in protections, you can reduce the impact of deceptive texts and keep your conversations safer.

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Jellyfin just replaced my 8-year-old Calibre setup with its new eBook and audiobook upgrades

Jellyfin just replaced my 8-year-old Calibre setup with its new eBook and audiobook upgrades

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5 powerful smart home automations you can build without buying any new devices

5 powerful smart home automations you can build without buying any new devices

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