Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast Best & Worst Gifts for 2025!
Nov 24, 2025
Join smart-home expert Stacey Higginbotham, cybersecurity manager Yael Grauer, and security consultant Jeff Landale as they dive into holiday tech gifting. They share strategies for choosing gifts that prioritize privacy and ease of setup. Expect tales of tech gift disasters and a candid discussion on invasive AI ads and problematic devices to avoid. The trio also highlights alternative non-tech gifts and offers tips for ensuring a smooth gifting experience. Tune in for insights that will help you navigate the tricky landscape of tech presents!
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Gift What They Want, Then Help Set It Up
- Give tech gifts people actually asked for or will use, not what you want them to use.
- Offer to help set up and configure gifts so they work smoothly and safely.
Beware Software Tethering
- Software tethering means connected devices can change behavior or stop working when cloud services or terms change.
- Expect manufacturers to push updates and AI features that alter device behavior without clear notice.
AI Sneaks Into Devices Via Updates
- AI features are being added to devices and updates can introduce new data flows or sharing without clear disclosure.
- That stealthy expansion of AI feels surreptitious and expands privacy risk beyond initial purchase expectations.
