Feed aggregator

The internet giant was ordered by a federal judge to make a series of changes to address its anticompetitive conduct.

Comcast customers are the latest victims of a data breach – and the information taken in this one is extremely sensitive.

According to a notice sent to the Office of the Main Attorney General, more than 200,000 Comcast customers have been affected by a data breach at Financial Business and Consumer Solutions (FBCS). FBCS is a debt collection agency contacted by various companies to collect on unpaid debts. 

The FBCS breach was previously reported during the summer. More than 3.2 million Americans were affected by the breach. However, the notice, first reported by Bleeping Computer, gives us a look at which customers of which specific companies were affected.

This report revealed that 237,703 Comcast customers were among those impacted.

What data was exposed in the Comcast breach?

The private data involved in the breach is especially concerning. According to the notice, an "unauthorized party" downloaded files that contained Comcast customers' name, address, birthdays, Social Security number, ID numbers, and Comcast account number.

While FBCS discovered the breach in February, according to Comcast, the cable service provider was only made aware that the breach affected its customers in July.

According to The Verge, Comcast no longer uses FBCS' services and the data affected in the breach dates back to around 2021.

Comcast says it's providing affected customers with 12 months of free identity theft protection. In addition, the notice states that there has been no evidence yet of this private data being misused by bad actors.

Best early October Prime Day PS5 deals Best PS5 for the budget conscious PS5 Slim Digital Edition 399.00 (Save $50) Get Deal Best overall PS5 console deal PlayStation 5 Slim 449.00 (Save $50) Get Deal

If you're in the market for a PlayStation 5, now is a perfect time to strike, as some of the best deals on the PS5 Slim are rolling in ahead of Amazon Prime Day. Both versions of Sony's latest, more compact console are currently discounted by $50. The PS5 Slim with a disc drive is now priced at $449 (down from $499), while the all-digital version is available for just $399.

Whether you're looking for a streamlined digital experience or want the flexibility of physical games and media, this deal is tough to beat.

One noteworthy deal to keep an eye on this week is Walmart’s preorders for the PlayStation 5 (Slim) Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle. As part of Walmart’s Holiday Deals event — its counterprogramming to Amazon's Prime Day — the preorders will open on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. ET, with early access for paid Walmart+ members. This bundle, which sold out quickly on PlayStation Direct last month, is expected to be in high demand once again. If you're looking to score this limited edition PS5 Slim, you’ll want to act fast.

Best PS5 console deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Sony PlayStation 5 Slim $449.00 at Amazon
$499.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

For gamers who prefer physical media, the PS5 Slim with a disc drive strikes a perfect balance between flexibility and performance. At $449 during this Prime Day deal, it’s $50 off, making it an attractive choice for those who enjoy building a physical game collection or prefer buying used games to save even more.

The disc drive also doubles as a 4K Blu-ray player, giving you access to a broader entertainment experience beyond just gaming.

Best PS5 deal for the budget-conscious Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon PlayStation 5 Digital (Slim) $399.00 at Amazon
$449.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Why we like it

The Digital PS5 Slim is perfect for those looking to embrace the convenience of an all-digital gaming experience. Without the bulk of a disc drive, this version is slightly slimmer and sleeker, making it an ideal fit for minimalists who want to keep their setup clean and simple. Priced at $399 during Prime Day, it’s the most affordable way to get into next-gen gaming.

Plus, with the rise of digital game sales and subscription services like PlayStation Plus, you won’t miss physical discs. It also offers the same 1TB of storage and cutting-edge performance as its disc counterpart, so you’re not sacrificing power or features for the savings.

More PS5 deals

• EA SPORTS College Football 25 — $47.99 $69.99 (save $22)

• Madden NFL 25 — $47.99 $69.99 (save $22)

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (Amazon edition) — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 — $49.99 $69.99 (save $20)

• JBL Quantum Wired Headphones — $24.95 $39.95 (save $15)

Some hurricanes rapidly intensify. Hurricane Milton has "explosively" intensified.

The National Hurricane Service, after observing the Category 5 cyclone continually strengthen, reported Monday that Florida-bound "Milton Explosively Intensifies With 175-Mph Winds." This means Milton "is unfortunately hitting the top-end of possible intensification rates," meteorologist Levi Cowan posted online. The hurricane jumped from a Category 1 to 5 in under a day.

Tropical storms, particularly the most powerful hurricanes, can exploit favorable environment conditions to rapidly intensify. This means increasing wind speed by some 35 mph, or 30 knots, in 24 hours. Milton has gone well beyond that.

"There is such a thing as 'extreme rapid intensification' and #Milton has done it," Kathryn Prociv, a meteorologist with NBC news, explained online. "Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph."

SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the future

The footage below, captured by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather satellites, demonstrates Milton's robust windup and growth. The storm is projected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, and is tracking toward the well-populated Tampa Bay region. It's serious.

"If the storm stays on the current track, it will be the worst storm to impact the Tampa area in over 100 years," the National Weather Service said.

Tweet may have been deleted "Extreme RI defined as a 58mph+ increase in 24 hours. Milton has gone 90mph." Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The storm is now rapidly spinning through the Gulf of Mexico, with extreme winds circulating around its well-defined eye:

Tweet may have been deleted

Though a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist or dry air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify. Crucially, the oceans, which absorb most of the heat created by burning fossil fuels, are relentlessly warming.

Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.

SAVE $35: If your mornings need a boost, now is the perfect time to upgrade your wake-up routine with the Amazon Echo Spot. With this early Prime Day deal, it's nearly half off, bringing all the smart functionality of Alexa to your bedside for just a fraction of the price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Spot $44.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal

It's more than just a smart alarm. Sure, it’ll wake you up with your favorite tunes or a custom alarm, but it also lets you control your smart home, check your calendar, or stream music — all hands-free. You can even sync it with other Alexa devices for a whole-home wake-up routine, like having your bedroom lights gradually brighten while Alexa kicks off your morning playlist.

This compact, stylish smart clock is 44% off right now — making it the ideal time to grab one and make mornings a little easier (and smarter). Don’t snooze on this deal — it’s the perfect excuse to refresh your routine before Prime Day.

SAVE $55: The Kindle Paperwhite Kids is on sale just in time for a Fall birthday present for the young reader in your life. Grab one as of Oct. 7 for $114.99, down from $169.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids $114.99
$169.99 Save $55.00 Get Deal

The Paperwhite Kids is an e-reader designed with children in mind, so it's durable, water resistant, and has a glare-free screen. Additionally, the screen lights up, so it can be used at night. It also comes with one year of Amazon Kids+ (which normally costs $2.99/month). Amazon Kids+ gives you access to thousands of kid-friendly books and a tool called Vocabulary Builder that's essentially a dictionary.

Regularly priced at $169.99 it's marked down to $114.99 for October Prime Day, which is 32 percent off. While it's not an all-time low price, it's the lowest price since last October Prime Day.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so far

Keep in mind, though, that this is just an e-reader; all you can use the device for is reading. It offers no games or internet browsing.

The e-reader also comes with a two-year warranty.

The viral "Natalie Nunn! Baddies! Pose for me!" tune has been blaring across countless TikTok videos, with a trending seated dance alongside it.

This isn’t the first time Nunn’s name appeared in a trending TikTok song. In "Endless Fashion," rapper Nicki Minaj said, "Ayo, even if my name was Natalie Nunn, these [expletive] still couldn't chin-check me."

But the question is, "Who is Natalie Nunn?"

TikToker asking, "Ok, but does anyone actually know who Natalie Nunn is?" Credit: @itskc_10 Who is Natalie Nunn?

Nunn is an alumni of Bad Girls Club, a long-running show that kicked off its first season in 2006. It's basically like The Real World, but with self-proclaimed "bad girls" who try to "out alpha" each other inside a swanky mansion.

The show is now cancelled, but it had a good run with 17 seasons under its belt.

Despite giving nearly 300 women a platform between 2006 and 2017, Nunn is one of the few who stood out from all the cast members.

The promo image for the 14th season of "Bad Girls Club." Credit: Tim Brown/Oxygen Media/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Tanisha Thomas, from Bad Girls Club Season 2, set the tone for the show, becoming viral for a memeable in a scene in which she slammed pots and pans together to vengefully get back at her castmates for not letting her sleep. "I didn't get no sleep 'cause of y'all! Y'all not gonna get no sleep 'cause of me!"

But it's Nunn, I'd argue, who rocketed the show to success.

Natalie Nunn attends a TV premiere in Houston. Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for The ZEUS Network

First introduced to us in December 2009 via Bad Girls Club season 4, Nunn's unique personality caught users' attention. She developed a reputation of being "the most controversial bad girl" in the show's history.

"My roommates need to know that it's about me! Me, me, me, me, me!" she shouted before walking into the Bad Girls Club mansion. "And the minute I get into this house, I'm going to do what I'm going to do, and there are no rules 'cause I make up the rules."

And well, for better or worse, Nunn stood by her word. She did what she wanted to do, said what she wanted to say, and fought when she wanted to fight. Often seen as loud and obnoxious, she regularly shouted, "I run LA!", which is still one of her catchphrases to this day. Beyond her bold behavior, she also made headlines when she claimed to have a relationship with singer-songwriter Chris Brown.

Nunn's season was the most watched in Bad Girls Club history.

To put it succinctly, while some people gain fame from adoration, Nunn launched her career by being controversial, playing the villain, and sparking conversations around her rebellious behavior.

Nunn became the girl you love to hate, and although 15 years have passed since she first graced our TV screen, she's been popping up regularly with new gigs and pop culture moments.

How did Natalie Nunn extend her '15 minutes' of fame?

Nunn is a niche pop culture icon for wild reality TV lovers. She's not quite as well known as figures from The Kardashians nor Jersey Shore, but true consumers of 2000s reality TV know Nunn, as well as the likes of Tiffany Pollard from VH1's Flavor of Love, Nene Leakes from Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Spencer Pratt from The Hills.

Natalie Nunn in 'Celebrity Big Brother' final Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

This isn't to say that Nunn is on the same level as these aforementioned stars who have a hint of mischievousness. The point is that they've all been memorialized in some of the most popular memes and GIFs of our time, showcasing how they've left a mark on viewers and captivated audiences.

Since Nunn's season 4 appearance on Bad Girls Club, she has been casted in numerous Bad Girls Club spin-offs, as well as shows like Bridezillas (which documented her wedding planning woes with Arizona Rattlers football star Jacob Payne), Marriage Bootcamp: Reality Stars 2, and Celebrity Big Brother 22.

Nunn with husband Jacob Payne. Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Across all these shows, Nunn maintained her "bad girl" image, playing the villain in many instances. She's the girl you'd expect to be casted in a show like House of Villains, which featured fiery characters like Anfisa Arkhipchenko from 90 Day Fiance and Omarosa Manigault Newman from The Apprentice. (Perhaps she'll be casted for House of Villains 2, if it gets a second season.)

While many former Bad Girls Club contestants shied away from the cameras, hoping to shed their "bad girl" image, Nunn leaned into it, even partnering with the Zeus Network for a new-ish franchise called "Baddies."

Baddies! Pose for me!

So this is where the word "Baddies" in the TikTok song comes from.

In fact, it's Nunn herself who is rapping the viral TikTok snippet. Nunn is promoting Baddies, the franchise she’s currently executive producing, which premiered in 2021, starting with Baddies ATL. It's similar to Bad Girls Club, but I'd argue it's far more intense, with more physical and verbal altercations than ever. Baddies received a similar critical response to Bad Girls Club, in that some people believe it's "problematic" and "exploitative."

But even if you've never heard about Baddies, nor Nunn, the snappy 11-second tune has been climbing in popularity in recent weeks. The trend originated with @lyssa and it took off, with TikTok users of all ages participating in it. The video below, for example, has nine million views.

The elements of the seated dance trend are simple: pretend you're stroking your hair, pose for the camera, swoop your head from right to left across the camera, and show off your "slim thick" figure.

Even Nunn herself eventually hopped on the trend.

View this post on Instagram

In another video, she applied a filter that made her chin more prominent, leaning into critics who poke fun at her distinct profile. (As mentioned at the outset, even Nicki Minaj referenced it in "Endless Fashion.")

View this post on Instagram

The tune comes from a two-minute song called "Pose for Me" ft. Natalie Nunn by John Mackk. On Instagram, Nunn released the song to her 2.7 million followers in late August.

Love her or hate her, Natalie Nunn has managed to stay in the limelight, proving that some personalities are simply unforgettable.

SAVE $250: If you're in the market for an ultra-portable laptop, now might be the perfect time to grab Apple's M2 MacBook Air at its lowest price ever at $749 — down 25% from its original price. Known for its sleek design and top-notch performance, this laptop is a dream for anyone looking to upgrade from an older MacBook.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple M2 Macbook Air $749.00 at Amazon
$999.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal

This early Prime Day deal marks the first time the Apple M2 MacBook Air hit its lowest price on Amazon. The last time we saw this price was over Labor Day weekend, but it was exclusive to Best Buy and required a paid "My Best Buy" membership to access.

In our review of the M2 MacBook Air, we wrote that the device offers impressive speed, and fantastic battery life thanks to Apple's M2 chip, along with a crisp 13.6-inch display, all while staying remarkably lightweight. Per Alex Perry's review:

“If you’ve been waiting four or five years to upgrade your MacBook Air, go ahead and do it now. That’s because the 2022 MacBook Air, powered by Apple’s in-house M2 silicon, is just about the ideal work-from-home (or work-from-wherever, really) companion.”​

Though it could use more ports and a higher refresh rate, the overall package makes it a must-buy—especially at this discounted price. Whether you're working from home or on the go, this machine's excellent keyboard and nearly silent operation make it a standout.

Don't wait too long; deals like this don’t last forever.

Another powerful hurricane is barreling towards Florida directly on the heels of the devastation wrought across multiple states by Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Milton has strengthened into a Category 5 storm that is all but certain to make landfall in Florida as soon as Wednesday.

Mashable has the info on the latest projections for where and when the storm might hit via forecasting spaghetti models. But the long and short of it is that a major hurricane is once again heading for the state.

"Milton can bring a variety of life-threatening dangers, including an extreme storm surge of 10-15 feet along and near the coast, including in the Tampa Bay area, destructive winds and major flooding to one of the most densely populated parts of Florida, the I-4 corridor, especially from Tampa toward Orlando," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter. 

Tweet may have been deleted

But, because the internet is the internet, there has been loads of fake information circulating about the dangerous storm. While Floridians should expect another damaging hurricane, they can also expect to see more misinformation about Milton.

Milton is not a HAARP 'weather weapon' that 'they' can control

This shouldn't be something that we need to explain but, no, neither the government nor some nefarious "they" are able to generate a storm to unleash on its own citizens. But that is something that's circulating online ahead of Milton's landfall. Typically speaking, these sorts of conspiracy theories are coming from rightwing accounts that specialize in trafficking that kind of misinformation. Here are a couple of examples of the whole weather weapon thing, which, to X's credit, have inspired lengthy Community Notes fact-checks.

The conspiracy theorists have latched onto the "High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP") as a buzz-phrase to explain how Democrats or some other "they" created Helene, Milton, or other storms. The HAARP program cannot control the weather, as the AFP news service broke down in detail.

"HAARP had absolutely no connection to the formation of Hurricane Helene, the formation of any other hurricane, or the genesis of any other natural weather event for that matter," Howard Diamond, director of the Atmospheric Sciences and Modeling Division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Air Resources Laboratory, told AFP.

HAARP has even feIt the need to address the idea of weather manipulation on its site. It wrote on its FAQ page: "The HAARP system is basically a large radio transmitter. Radio waves interact with electrical charges and currents, and do not significantly interact with the troposphere." That's the lower atmosphere where weather exists.

HAARP added: "Radio waves in the frequency ranges that HAARP transmits are not absorbed in either the troposphere or the stratosphere—the two levels of the atmosphere that produce Earth’s weather. Since there is no interaction, there is no way to control the weather."

The false idea that the government, or some other shadowy force, is somehow manipulating the weather has been pushed by some folks in positions of prominence in Republican politics. Folks like Alex Jones have been pushing it for years and now Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — the rightwing congresswoman from Georgia — openly spread the conspiracy theory. She even used the ominous phrasing of "they," which is commonly understood to be anti-Semitic.

"Yes they can control the weather," Greene wrote on X during Hurricane Helene. "It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done."

So it's no surprise the conspiracy theories continue apace as Milton nears landfall. Just know they are baseless.

What's going on with FEMA?

There have also been lots of rumors and headlines regarding FEMA in the wake of Helene and before Milton.

"We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last week. "FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season."

This quote, in part, helped feed into the idea that the government wouldn't be able to help folks recover from Helene or Milton. But, in truth, it just means FEMA might have to spend against the president's budget in response to natural disasters.

Sparked by baseless claims from former President Donald Trump, the idea began to circulate that President Joe Biden's administration had spent disaster relief funds on migrants. The Washington Post published a piece noting that Biden had not redirected disaster money to migrant programs, but Trump's administration had.

FEMA even has a page devoted to debunking the false rumors going around. It reads, in part.

"The funding for communities to support migrants is appropriated by Congress to Customs and Border Patrol – it has nothing to do with FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has enough funding to support Hurricane Helene efforts and FEMA has what it needs for immediate response and recovery efforts. As FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has said, she has the full authority to spend against the President’s budget, but we’re not out of hurricane season yet so we need to keep a close eye on it."

So, no, money that might be needed to help folks recover from Milton has not been redirected.

What to expect with Hurricane Milton?

Unfortunately, it seems that Milton is yet another disaster. NASA has noted that worse hurricanes could be a product of climate change.

The agency wrote in 2022:

"Due to global warming, global climate models predict hurricanes will likely cause more intense rainfall and have an increased coastal flood risk due to higher storm surge caused by rising seas. Additionally, the global frequency of storms may decrease or remain unchanged, but hurricanes that form are more likely to become intense."

After rapidly intensifying, Milton is expected to hit Florida on Wednesday as a powerful hurricane.

Another storm has rapidly intensified. This time, it's Hurricane Milton.

The now Category 5 hurricane, packing over 160 mph winds, is projected to make landfall on the west coast of the Florida peninsula on Wednesday, and is tracking towards the well-populated Tampa Bay region. The hurricane jumped from a Category 1 to 5 in under a day.

For those in the Tampa area or interested in the storm's impacts there, you can watch on the webcams below.

This hurricane will undoubtedly be life-threatening. "Prepare for MAJOR impacts from storm surge, hurricane winds, & flooding rainfall far from the center," the National Weather Service's Tampa Bay office posted online. Watch for guidance from local National Weather Service offices and other relevant agencies for updates and evacuation information.

SEE ALSO: Why it's impossible to forecast the weather too far into the future

Though a number of factors influence the formation of strong hurricanes (opposing winds that can break apart storms, moist or dry air, etc.), a vital influence is warm sea surface temperatures of over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Warm oceans act as jet fuel for hurricanes, storm scientists explain. That's because warmer oceans fuel tropical storms as more water naturally evaporates into the air, giving storms energy and moisture to intensify. Crucially, the oceans, which absorb most of the heat created by burning fossil fuels, are relentlessly warming.

Today, Atlantic hurricanes are already twice as likely to develop from a milder storm into a major hurricane.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tampa Bay Riverfront webcam Siesta Key Beach

(You may to click the video to watch it on YouTube.)

Clearwater Beach Hilton Clearwater Beach Cam Tweet may have been deleted

And remember, as you're watching the slightly shifting track updates of Hurricane Milton, the track forecast cone is not an impacts cone. Other regions will see extreme deluges of rain, surge, and flooding.

SAVE $15: Skullcandy's already inexpensive EcoBuds are at an even lower price ahead of October Prime Day.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Skullcandy Ecobuds $24.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Looking for a budget-friendly pair of earbuds? As of Oct. 7, the Skullcandy EcoBuds are on sale for $24.88 — 62 percent off their MSRP of $39.99.

The earbuds come in a fun blue tie dye color, "Glacier," and perform similarly to other inexpensive earbuds. The EcoBud's commitment to sustainability sets it apart from other budget earbuds. To cut down the earbuds' carbon footprint, Skullcandy uses mostly recycled post-consumer plastic that typically ends up in landfills or the ocean and these buds don't feature a battery in the storage case to limit the use of lithium. Skullcandy claims that this cuts the carbon footprint of the EcoBuds by 50 percent compared to similar models.

SEE ALSO: October Prime Day is just one day away — here are all the best deals to shop so far

However, the EcoBud's commitment to sustainability do make them different from similar models. The case doesn't shut, instead, the EcoBuds are kept in place via magnets and Mashable's Leah Stodart writes that it doesn't take much to accidentally jostle them out. Additionally, the case does not charge the earbuds, but they do have an eight hour battery life.

If you're choosing to stock up on a pair of cheaper earbuds, perhaps pick the one that limits e-waste.