Get started
Log in
May 01, 2026 • read
Technology Tips: May 2026 Edition
|
Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
Skyward IT Services
How to make your AI experience more green
Did you know that asking one question with AI requires about one tablespoon of water to cool the servers and generate electricity? This might not seem like a lot, but 8-9 questions each day will equate to a gallon of water per month, per person.When you are asking Google a question that doesn’t require AI, consider typing your question and adding “-ai” at the end. For example, “What is the capital of Wisconsin -ai” or “Which state park gets the most visitors each summer? -ai”. While AI has incredible capabilities, be cognizant of usage and consider using it only when truly necessary.
Spotting hidden cameras in a vacation rental
Security is probably the last thing on your mind when you are getting settled into your relaxing vacation rental. However, it’s worth doing a quick sweep to check for any possible hidden cameras.First, turn off the lights and use a flashlight to look around the room. Look for any reflections or blinking lights, specifically on the smoke detectors, outlets, clocks, and shower heads. Have extra caution in bedrooms, bathrooms, and saunas/hot tubs. Be on the lookout for things that may be out of place, such as wires coming from a plant, bookshelf, or even tissue box.
Did you know that you can scan to see what devices are connected to Wi-Fi? Download a scanner app (such as Fing) to see if there are any smart devices, or cameras, that are hooked up. Don’t be alarmed if there is a smart thermostat, TV, doorbell, or kitchen appliance that are already connected to the Wi-Fi.
If you do find a camera, make sure to take photos and videos and then report it with whatever booking platform you used (Airbnb, VRBO, etc).
AI fools the best of us
The Data Security AficionadoTM who writes Tech Tips got sucked in by this heartwarming story…which was completely fabricated by AI. We can take this as a lesson to help us stay more vigilant. We know that a hacker’s goal is to stir up an emotion—whether that is initiating fear or tugging at your heart strings, then prompting you to click a link or go to a website, which could contain malware. Luckily this image didn’t contain a link, but it shows how sneaky AI images can be!
Malware of the Month
Instructure, the education software company that owns Canvas, experienced a cyberattack on April 29th and May 7th, and now the US Government is demanding answers. The incidents resulted in the theft of 3.65 TB of data from 275 million people from 9,000 organizations.After the April 29th hack Canvas said things were under control. A week later, the second breach proved that it wasn’t. After the second attack they put out an apology and were quick to provide updates to users. Instructure has since been summoned before a Congressional hearing with Homeland Security to discuss the scope of these breaches. They did end up paying the ransom, but it begs the question: how can criminals be trusted to delete the valuable data that they stole?
Thinking about edtech for your district? We'd love to help. Visit skyward.com/get-started to learn more.
|
Skyward IT Services Network Infrastructure and Security Specialists |
