Phishing in the Age of AI: Why Seniors Are at Risk

I recently reviewed the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center 2024 report, which revealed $16.6 billion in reported losses (a 33 percent increase) and over 859,000 complaints last year. The most frequent victims? Our oldest generation.

It wasn’t so long ago that phishing emails were easy to spot: terrible spelling, awkward phrasing, even comically bad graphics. That’s no longer true. Thanks to AI, scammers can now follow up a perfectly crafted email with a synthesized voice call that talks you through every step of the con. If you’re lonely or vulnerable, it’s terrifyingly convincing.

I experienced this firsthand just recently. I received what appeared to be an urgent notice claiming I owed a substantial amount to the IRS. The email was flawless, and the automated voicemail that followed sounded almost human. My gut told me it was a scam, but I still called my accountant—because who isn’t paranoid about the IRS? If these tricks can shake my confidence, imagine how easily they might break through to a less tech-savvy senior.

Be careful out there; the bad guys are getting smarter. Forewarned is forearmed.

For practical tips on spotting and avoiding phishing scams, check out the FTC’s guide on recognizing phishing. And if you’ve got loved ones in the older demographic, AARP’s scam prevention resources are a must-read: AARP: Scams and Fraud.

Why not talk to your elderly parents this weekend about phishing scams?

Focus Without Fuss: Focus Firewall for macOS (Sponsor)

This week I’m pleased to welcome a new sponsor to MacSparky, Focus Firewall.

We all know the feeling. You sit down to work, crack open your Mac… and somehow 20 minutes vanish into the black hole of news sites, social media, or some link a friend just texted you. That’s where Focus Firewall comes in.

It’s a lightweight, distraction-blocking app built specifically for macOS. Flip a switch, and it instantly hides the usual suspects – over 140 pre-configured websites and apps – so you can stay on task. There’s no need to fiddle with settings or build elaborate profiles. You just open your Mac and get to work.

What I like most about Focus Firewall is that it strikes a thoughtful balance. It doesn’t nag you or enforce a strict lockdown. Instead, it takes a more mindful approach: encouraging focused time while still giving you a guilt-free “pause” button when you need it. I think of it as an invisible safety net; I don’t have to think about it, but it’s there when I need it. Most days, I only touch it during breaks, when I allow myself a quick jaunt into something like YouTube woodworking.

This app is special because it works with your habits, not against them. And over time, it really adds up. Even if I only use it for a few hours, that’s a few hours without getting pulled into algorithm-driven rabbit holes. I’d much rather have a tool that builds sustainable focus than one that forces it.

If you’ve been looking for a simple, respectful way to block distractions without turning your Mac into a digital prison, I highly recommend giving Focus Firewall a try. It takes less than a minute to set up – and could save you hours down the line.

Mac Power Users 795: Our iPad Usage

With rumors — and complaints — swirling about the state of the iPad and iPadOS, Stephen and I take some time to talk about our usage of the platform and share where we think Apple should take its tablet next on this episode of Mac Power Users.

This episode of Mac Power Users is sponsored by:

  • Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code MPU.
  • Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.

April in the MacSparky Labs

April was a busy month in the MacSparky Labs as we dug deeper into where artificial intelligence can help (and where it can’t) and I made several videos about automating your Mac.

  • 2025-04-02 – Sparky’s Home Screen Tricks (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-30 – ChatGPT o3 Explorations (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-29 – April Deep Dive – AI-Based Presentation Graphics (Event) (EA)
  • 2025-04-28 – Sparky’s New Wireless Mic (BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-25 – The Lab Report for April 25, 2025 (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-24 – Session 2 is Today – MacSparky Labs Book Club: Four Thousand Weeks (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-24 – Perplexity Voice Assistant – Early Impressions (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-23 – Early Access to The Alfred Field Guide (with 50% Off Code!) (EA)
  • 2025-04-23 – Session 1 is Today – MacSparky Labs Book Club: Four Thousand Weeks (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-23 – Sparky’s Bionics (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-22 – Sparky’s Looking for Local AI Enthusiasts for the First Labs Session (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-21 – Sparky’s Magic Button Masher (BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-18 – Lab Report 2025-04-18 (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-16 – Building A Focus Mode Workflow in Alfred (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-14 – Chat GPT Multi-Modal Image Generation (BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-11 – The Lab Report for April 11, 2025 (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-10 – MacSparky Labs Sessions Announcement (BA,EA,SU)
  • 2025-04-09 – MacSparky Hats Are Here (And I Couldn’t Help Myself) (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-09 – Custom Window Controls on the Mac (SU,BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-08 – Labs Meetup – April 2025 (BA,EA,SU)
  • 2025-04-07 – Testing WhisperType (BA,EA)
  • 2025-04-04 – The Lab Report for April 04, 2025 (SU,BA,EA)

If you’d like to be a part of the MacSparky Labs, you can get more information and join right here.

Why Apple Watch Faces Still Fall Short After 10 Years

I love so much about my Apple Watch. It nudges me toward better health, stands ready to detect a crash or a heart event, and fits seamlessly into my daily life. But after 10 years on wrists everywhere, it still baffles me how few truly useful watch faces Apple has shipped.

The first face I ever found acceptable was Utility. It’s clear, uncluttered, and, most importantly, its hands contrast sharply with the background so you can tell the time at a glance. Many of Apple’s later analog faces, like California, outline the hands but keep them the same color as the dial. It looks neat, but it compromises legibility.

For years, Apple offered Explorer, another clean, high-contrast option, then removed it without explanation. Since then, most analog faces have swung between “overly busy” and “aesthetically interesting but practically useless.” On the digital side, the Modular Ultra face is probably the best at a glance, but it’s exclusive to the most expensive Apple Watch.

I get that Apple treats watch faces as an artistic canvas (fire, galaxies, intricate patterns) that you can’t replicate on a traditional watch. But in doing so, they’ve ignored the basics: readability and utility. There are countless incredible analog designs in the physical watch world that prioritize clarity first. Why can’t we have those same choices on our wrists with Apple Watch?

Even better would be an Apple Watch Face Store, where classic watch makers and indie designers can sell digital versions of their iconic dials. Apple could take a cut, we’d get endless variety, and everyone would win.

After wearing an Apple Watch since day one, I admit I’ve been tempted to switch back to a mechanical watch, to feel that moment of, “Yes, this is a watch!” every time I glance at my wrist. As WWDC approaches with no rumors of a Face Store or major face updates, I have little hope of this improving.

“Cook chose poorly”

Today, Apple took a shellacking in the Epic lawsuit with the court finding the company in violation of its earlier 2021 App-Store-related injunction. The 80-page ruling did not mince words:

“Internally, Phillip Schiller had advocated that Apple comply with the injunction, but Tim Cook ignored Schiller and instead allowed Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri and his finance team to convince him otherwise. Cook chose poorly.”
– Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers