Tech Friday with Dave Hatter -- 4/17/26

In this week's Tech Friday segment, Dave Hatter of IntrustIT.com joins Brian Thomas to discuss critical cybersecurity concerns affecting everyday consumers and businesses. The episode begins with a warning from the NSA and FBI about the risks of outdated routers, particularly those manufactured in China, which may contain backdoors. Hatter emphasizes the importance of regular rebooting—ideally weekly—to maintain security and performance, even if devices appear to be functioning normally. He clarifies the difference between modems and routers, and explains that while software updates reduce the urgency to replace older hardware, lack of updates makes replacement essential. A major revelation follows: even end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal can leak message content if notifications are enabled on a locked iPhone, as decrypted messages are stored in the device’s notification database—making them accessible to law enforcement. This underscores the danger of misconfigurations, even with privacy-focused tools. The segment then shifts to a more futuristic concern: Wi-Fi signals can be used for surveillance through radio wave reflection, allowing third parties to create crude images of people based on their movement and shape—essentially turning Wi-Fi into a radar-like surveillance tool. Hatter notes that while this technology is still emerging, it's technically feasible and raises serious privacy questions. He concludes with a sobering thought: the global dependence on Chinese-made tech, especially cellular modules, means a single coordinated shutdown could trigger societal collapse. Despite the alarm, Hatter offers practical, actionable steps to improve digital hygiene and security.