Compute This

Apple just pushed an emergency iPhone update, and this one's worth two minutes of your time. iOS 26.5.2 patches 29 security holes, including WebKit bugs where a single tapped link — no browser needed — could quietly grab passwords, two-factor codes, and card numbers off your screen. Plug in tonight and let it install while you sleep. This Independence Day episode also covers a Supreme Court ruling...

Windows 10 is winding down, but there's a twist: home users just got another free year of security updates, while businesses face a Microsoft bill that doubles every year they wait. This episode tells you how much time you really have — and what dragging your feet will cost. From there, Thor covers the scams targeting your parents, why your next computer or game console is about to get pricier, an...

AI agents are everywhere in the news right now — but what can they actually do for you? From tools that book appointments and manage your calendar to smart assistants that handle repetitive work tasks, this episode breaks down what's real, what's coming, and how everyday people can start using AI agents today. We also tackle smart home upgrades, answer a listener question about keeping kids safe o...

Your cable company just handed your personal information to hackers. This week on Compute This, we break down the Charter/Spectrum data breach that exposed 4.9 million accounts—including names, phone numbers, and home addresses—all because hackers tricked a single employee over the phone. It matters right now because the same social-engineering and AI-powered tactics behind this breach are spreadi...

Microsoft is phasing out text-message login codes, calling SMS authentication a major source of fraud, while AI-powered tools are uncovering thousands of critical software vulnerabilities faster than ever before. In this episode, we explain what these changes mean for your online security and why traditional antivirus software is struggling to keep up. We also cover the growing risks tied to AI-ge...

AI is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, and this week on Compute This, we explain why traditional antivirus protection is struggling to keep up. From Microsoft Edge exposing saved passwords in plain text to ChatGPT connecting directly with thousands of banks, consumers are being asked to trust technology with more personal data than ever before — often without understanding the risks....

Mother's Day scams, a backyard data center experiment, and a 4GB AI model Google Chrome is quietly installing on your computer top this week's Compute This podcast. Host Thor Schrock breaks down Apple's $250 million Siri settlement that could put up to $95 per device back in iPhone owners' pockets, and explains how to spot the Mother's Day scams hitting inboxes and phones right now. Listeners will...

Microsoft just declared Windows Defender "enough" antivirus for most users — on the very same day security researchers published a paper showing how attackers can exploit Windows through Defender itself. In this episode of Compute This, we break down what that contradiction means, walk through a real-world ransomware rescue Schrock Innovations performed for a local business, and take a hands-on lo...

Technology is shifting fast—from AI transforming public accountability to potential bans on foreign-made tech and rising computer prices hitting consumers. This week on Compute This, we break down what these changes mean for your devices, your security, and your wallet. You’ll learn how AI is being used to track real court outcomes, what new FCC discussions could mean for the tech you use every da...

Last week we kicked off the Ultimate Upgrade Sale—and the response has been incredible. This week, we’re diving deeper into what’s happening across the tech world, from major shifts in global computing to important security updates that could impact your home network. If you’re wondering whether your router is still safe, how rising AI demand is affecting computer prices, or what it all means for...

Spam calls are getting smarter, scams are getting more convincing, and unfortunately, more people—especially seniors—are losing real money because of it. This week on Compute This, we’re breaking down what’s happening, why it’s getting worse, and what you can actually do to protect yourself and your family. In this episode, we cover: What’s happening around the shops this week (and kicking off the...

Staying ahead of technology means understanding not just what’s new, but what actually impacts your daily life. This week on Compute This, we’re breaking down the latest tech headlines—from new FCC router concerns to major lawsuits involving Meta and Google—and what they mean for you. We also dive into what’s happening inside our shops, including why regular Maintenance Checkups matter more than m...

In this episode of Compute This, we talk about the amazing local jobs available in the IT marketplace, how your business can select the right IT provider without breaking the bank, the US bust of a Fortune-500 NVIDIA GPU smuggling ring, and Microsoft is going to finally let you move the task bar off the bottom of the Windows 11 screen! In this episode: How you can win a $25 lunch from the Lovely K...

Is Apple replacing the MacBook Air with a cheaper MacBook Neo? Why is Silicon Valley suddenly defending AI company Anthropic from the U.S. government? And how can simple computer maintenance save you over $1,000 this year? In this episode of Compute This, we break down the newly announced Apple MacBook Neo, Apple’s rumored budget MacBook designed to bring the Mac ecosystem to a lower price point....

 What is “Normal” RAM for basic, every day, and advanced computers?  In this episode of Compute This, we talk about how much memory you actually need in a computer based on what you are using your PC for.  Prices are spiking so buying just the right amount is more important than ever. In this episode: You will be shocked by the RAM that is offered vs what you need in a PC or Mac • Why do people sk...

Compute This – Week of February 22, 2026: This week on the podcast PC component prices are stabilizing at massively higher levels, the Des Moines staff polishes their lock-picking skills and Ford announces a new electric truck.