This Week in Tech — Real Updates You Should Know (Practical, Clear, and No Hype)
Hello again! Welcome back to your weekly tech update — the one you can actually use without needing a dictionary or a degree in computer science.
This week’s tech world was quieter than some, but that doesn’t mean nothing happened. We saw important security threats, software updates you should install, and features that matter — especially for everyday smartphone and PC users. Let’s get into it.
Big Security Story This Week — Mobile Spyware That Can Really Hurt You
A fresh and nasty threat has been spotted spreading through Android and iOS devices called ZeroDayRAT. This spyware isn’t some theoretical lab proof — it’s out in the wild and being actively sold on Telegram. What’s worse, it works on devices running Android 5 up through Android 16 and even up to iOS 26 on iPhones like the iPhone 17 Pro.
What ZeroDayRAT Does
This spyware toolkit can:
• See your location history
• Track messages and phone activity
• Access camera and microphone
• Collect passwords and stored accounts
• Potentially take over social media and banking apps
Basically, if this gets onto your phone, it can monitor everything you do — and not in a “help you better” way.
How It Spreads
It’s usually delivered through:
• Fake SMS links (that look like delivery notices or bank messages)
• Phishing emails
• Unofficial app stores
• Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram
What You Can Actually Do
This is where the practical advice comes in.
Android users:
• Never install apps from unknown sites
• Avoid clicking links that arrive unexpectedly
• Stick to Google Play or trusted OEM app stores
iPhone users:
• Apple devices are safer by default, but nothing is perfect
• Update iOS as soon as possible (more on that next)
• Don’t click suspicious links
Windows/PC users:
• Most of the spyware risk here is mobile-focused, but the same rule applies: don’t run untrusted downloads.
This is one of those weeks where security awareness really matters — if you use a phone every day, this isn’t something to ignore.
Apple — iOS 26.3 Update Rolled Out
Over the last couple of days, Apple released iOS 26.3 to the public. This isn’t a flashy “new feature” update — but it does bring some real user-level improvements.
What’s in the iOS 26.3 Update
• Transfer to Android
Apple added a new easy way to move your data from iPhone to Android in just a few taps. This still won’t carry over everything (like health data or Bluetooth pairings), but it makes basic transfers like messages and photos much smoother.
• Privacy Enhancements
Some carriers and devices now have location data masking, giving you slightly better privacy when connected to networks.
• Security Fixes
Every iOS update includes critical fixes — and given the spyware threats out there, this one is worth installing.
Should You Update?
Yes. Even if you’re happy where you are, this one patches vulnerabilities that attackers could use — and new threats like ZeroDayRAT make these patch installs important. It’s low effort and helps keep your device safe.
To install:
Settings → General → Software Update → Download & Install.
Android Updates — Pixel Gets First Rollout of the Year
In the Android world, Google’s Pixel phones got the first update of 2026 this week. It’s mostly bug fixes and small improvements, but it’s still an update worth applying.
Android Updates — Why It Matters
Unlike iPhones, Android updates don’t land everywhere at once. Every manufacturer (Samsung, Google, Motorola, etc.) and every carrier decide when your phone actually gets the update. That can mean delays of weeks or months — so when an update does roll out, it’s worth grabbing.
If you’ve got a Pixel:
Settings → System → System Update → Check for Update
then install what’s available.
Samsung users continue to use One UI 7, based on Android 15, which has been generally stable and smooth for Galaxy models like the S24 and S25.
Windows News — Quiet but Necessary
On the Windows front, it’s been mostly maintenance and reliability stuff this week. Nothing huge crashed into headlines, but updates continue to roll — and these matter just as much as big announcements.
Patch Tuesday Effects
Microsoft’s regular updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 continue to address security bugs and performance issues. These slow, steady updates often improve:
• System stability
• Driver compatibility
• Patch security weaknesses
If you’re a Windows user and haven’t updated recently, take a few minutes this week:
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
Keeping your system patched helps avoid vulnerabilities that could otherwise be exploited. If some updates are optional, focus first on security patches.
Cybersecurity Trends — Chrome Extensions Stealing Data
There’s also news this week from security sites showing that hundreds of Chrome extensions have been flagged for collecting user data without permission. According to security researchers:
• Over 37 million downloads worth of extensions could leak personal info
• They can track browsing habits, forms, and login patterns
What You Should Do
• Go to Chrome → Extensions
• Remove anything you don’t recognize
• Only keep extensions you actually use
• Avoid downloading “useful tools” from sketchy sites
This kind of threat is subtle — it doesn’t break your phone or crash your PC, it quietly watches what you do. So cleanup matters.
Cloud and Emerging Tech — Quiet Signals, Not Loud Headlines
There weren’t enormous new breakthroughs this week, but a few trends continue behind the scenes in the tech world:
ChromeOS + Android Merger
Google’s plan to unify ChromeOS and Android under one platform (sometimes referred to as “Aluminium OS”) continues to make progress. This would mean Android apps running more naturally on laptops and desktops — a step toward simplifying the ecosystem.
This isn’t something you’ll see instantly on your device, but in the medium term it may affect how Chromebooks and Android tablets behave.
DIY Tips For This Week
Before we close, here are some useful practical tasks you can try this week on your devices:
Android — App & Permissions Cleanup
1. Go to Settings → Apps
2. Pick an app you don’t use
3. Tap Permissions → Revoke anything unnecessary
Why? Many apps ask for camera, mic, or location access without real need — and those permissions can be exploited. A quick cleanup improves privacy and battery life.
iPhone — Privacy Reports
1. Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Scroll to App Privacy Report
3. Turn it on
This shows what apps have accessed your data (mic, camera, location) recently. It’s a quick way to see if something suspicious is going on.
Windows — Local Backup Routine
Taking regular backups isn’t sexy, but it’s smart.
1. Settings → Backup
2. Turn on File History
3. Pick an external drive
If a future update causes trouble, at least your files are safe.
My Take — Grounded and Real
This week wasn’t noisy, but it was important in quiet ways.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
• Security threats like ZeroDayRAT remind us that mobile safety isn’t automatic. You still need to be careful about links and apps — old advice, but worth repeating.
• Updates matter more than hype. Whether it’s iOS 26.3 or Pixel patches, keeping devices updated is the foundation of digital health.
• Privacy is becoming a bigger problem than flashy new phones. Extensions that quietly collect data are more worrying than the latest smartphone camera megapixels.
No dramatic tech breakthroughs this week — just the real work of keeping devices safe, stable, and under your control.
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