Welcome to your weekly Byte-Sized Briefs!
These are just a few pieces of tech news from the week, ranging from gaming and AI to PC hardware and mobile devices.
Tiny Updates, Major Impact
August 2- August 8, 2026- Week 32
How Phishing Became a Subscription Business
Phishing just got a major upgrade and not in a good way. It used to be a scam used by technically skilled criminals. Using text messages, emails, voicemails, fake websites, or malicious apps to convince you to provide your personal information. Now, Phishing-as-a-scam (PhaaS) is a thing. People with little to no tech no-how can now purchase phishing kits. These kits can include:
- Fake login pages that imitate trusted websites
- Email templates designed to look legitimate
- Website hosting for phishing pages
- Lists of potential targets
- Setup guides and instructions
- Customer support, which some providers may even offer
This is more dangerous because AI can create convincing emails in seconds, making it hard to tell if it’s a fake and easier for novice scammers to get your information.
This is how you can protect yourself and your information:
- Pause before responding to unexpected emails, texts or phone calls.
- Hover over links before clicking and make sure the destination matches what you expect.
- Type important website addresses directly into your browser whenever possible.
- Be wary of urgent requests for money, passwords or verification codes.
- Avoid opening attachments you weren’t expecting.
- Run suspicious links through a reputable scam-checking service.
- Keep your browser, operating system and security software up to date.
Several Water Facilities in the US Experience Cyberattacks
On August 3, 2026, it was reported that 7 states had reported cybersecurity attacks on their water systems. The following day, 12 states reported cyberattacks. Minnesota has been hit the hardest, with over 30 wastewater treatment and water supply facilities affected. Michigan and Georgia are the only 3 states that have come out publicly stating they have been attacked.
No disruptions have been reported. Michigan state police has been in contact with federal partners. Per an article on Yahoo from Good Morning America, Iran is the prime suspect in the cyberattacks but their involvement hasn’t been confirmed. The FBI has advised utility systems be disconnected from the internet where possible and the use of manual controls be implemented in automated systems are compromised.
Michigan State Police said they are working with Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and the FBI is leading the investigation.
Return of the GameBoy Advance?
Another gaming system from the early 2000s is making a return, but not by the hands of Nintendo. Handehld maker Ayaneo has unveiled the Konkr Pocket Advance. It’s a modern reinterpretation of the Game Boy Advance. The Konkr Pocket Advance features a higher-resolution display, additional controls, USB-C connectivity and wireless support, making it less of a replica and more of a contemporary handheld inspired by one of gaming’s most influential consoles.
The Konkr Pcket Advance has a 3.5-inch display with 960 x 640 resolution. Ayaneo has also added a full set of ABXY buttons, additional menu and shoulder buttons, USB-C, microSD expansion, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a dedicated volume wheel. The handheld comes in a two colors: navy blue and coral orange.
Neither pricing or release date have been announced. The company has stated there will be a broader availability for the Pocket Advance.