Tech
Google Chrome will use AI to stop tech support scams in real-time

Even if you've never fallen victim to a tech support scam, you've likely been targeted. Have you ever gotten a pop-up, or a cascading series of pop-ups that crowd your entire screen, warning you that your device has been compromised and urging you to call tech support ASAP? If the unlucky victims who fall for these tricks give the scammers access to their computer, the perpetrators can plant malware, steal personal information, or even wipe out victims' bank accounts.
Now, Google wants to use AI to stop these scams in real time for Google Chrome users.
"Chrome has always worked with Google Safe Browsing to help keep you safe online. Now, with this week's launch of Chrome 137, Chrome will offer an additional layer of protection using the on-device Gemini Nano large language model," Google said in a blog post. "This new feature will leverage the LLM to generate signals that will be used by Safe Browsing in order to deliver higher confidence verdicts about potentially dangerous sites like tech support scams."
According to Google's blog post, research shows that LLMs are particularly capable of detecting, understanding, and fighting tech support scams — before you even have to face them. By using LLMs on-device, Google doesn’t have to wait for users to report the scams and can instead "see threats when users see them."
"We’ve found that the average malicious site exists for less than 10 minutes, so on-device protection allows us to detect and block attacks that haven't been crawled before," the Google blog post reads. "The on-device approach also empowers us to see threats the way users see them."
Basically, Chrome will evaluate pages using Gemini Nano LLM to see if the page has "triggers that are characteristic of tech support scams" like, for instance, "the use of the keyboard lock API." Then, Chrome sends information about the page to Safe Browsing, which will determine if the page is a scam or not. If it is a scam, Chrome will show a warning.
Cybercriminals are getting more and more creative every day, thanks in part to new AI tools. Now, tech companies are using their own AI systems to combat the onslaught of scams.
Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.
Tech
Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 12, 2025

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
Where did Wordle come from?
Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?
The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?
The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?
It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:
A migrant.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?
There are no recurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with…
Today's Wordle starts with the letter N.
The Wordle answer today is…
Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is…
NOMAD.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Tech
Truth Socials new AI search is woke enough to disagree with Trump

Less than a week after announcing a new Perplexity-powered AI search engine with reportedly tight reins on its sources, Truth Social's AI tool is already contradicting its most famous co-founder.
Truth Search AI, a new platform-based answer bot built on Perplexity Sonar API, was launched by Trump Media and Technology Group to "increase the amount of information" available to users and offer "direct, contextually accurate answers with transparent citations." Despite the commitment to a broader information environment, Perplexity representatives explained the search tool's sources could be customized by its overseers (known as source selection). In early tests by Axios, Truth Search AI's answers appeared to be limited to sourcing from traditionally conservative outlets, including FoxNews.com and FoxBusiness.com, compared to Perplexity's standard engine.
But, even with this curation, Truth Search AI isn't easily falling in line with the Trump Administration's standard talking points. In an analysis by the Washington Post, the AI tool repeatedly countered claims made by the President rather than reaffirming statements he has previously posted on Truth Social as factually correct, including the impact of international tariffs on American consumers and the need for federal intervention in what Trump has claimed is a crime-riddled national capital.
“Their own AI is now being too ‘woke’ for them,” David Karpf, a George Washington University professor, told the publication. The tool still cited primarily conservative entertainment and news sources in its citations, but its conclusions might not be as cut and dry as expected. Trump Media declined to provide comment to the Washington Post, calling their findings "transparently asinine" reporting by "irrelevant partisan hacks."
Part of what he claims to be a government-wide "truth-seeking" mission, Trump has recently attacked what he calls "Woke AI," or Large Language Models that are, in his eyes, "ideologically biased" and driven by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Last month, Trump issued an Executive Order intended to promote "unbiased AI" in federal contracting and national security. Meanwhile, the administration has brokered several deals with top AI companies to provide services to the federal government, including $200 million Pentagon contracts with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Elon Musk-owned xAI.
Tech
Who is Ashby? The hilarious, viral TikTok creator dressing up as the Lorax and Hamilton
Sometime this week, a TikTok star was born — and she wore an orange, spandex jumpsuit and an oversized fake, yellow mustache. I'm talking, of course, about @_ashbyflorence_.
You've likely seen Ashby if you've logged onto TikTok in the last week or so. Maybe you've seen her on a live stream, or you've seen the viral clips, or you've seen people reacting to the clips, or you've seen others talking about how funny she is. Regardless, she's recently become a fixture on FYPs everywhere, mine included.
Perhaps you're like me, randomly spouting quotes from a woman on TikTok dressed as the Lorax or Alexander Hamilton. Things like, "I'm baaaashful" in a vaguely Midwest accent, or "I'm joooking," or sticking out your tongue, lizard-like, as a punchline. I can't imagine I'm alone in this experience, the strange, viral comedy of Ashby worming into your daily life.
So…who is Ashby?
Best I can tell, Ashby's real name is Ashby Florence and she works a real job doing PR for an entertainment company. (Mashable has reached out to Florence and will update if we receive a response)
But we're not talking Ashby the IRL person, we're talking the suddenly viral comedian. Like others on TikTok recently, she gained some traction recently dressing up as Alexander Hamilton, which somehow became a trend. This lip sync post, for instance, racked up nearly 12 million views.
In general, Ashby channels a version of Hamilton that was fed up and pressed for time. It's pretty funny.
But the best stuff, the funniest stuff — in my opinion — is Ashby's livestreams. They've created an entire ecosystem of clips, especially the ones with Ashby dressed up as the Lorax. Now…why the Lorax? Well, visually, it's funny, and others have dressed like the Lorax on TikTok before. But you haven't really seen it until you see Ashby do it. Her comedic timing, plus the vaguely Midwest accent, plus the big mustache, the big feet, the belly, it's just…perfect. I mean, just watch this post from Ashby that is part Lorax, part Norm from Cheers, part Andrew Dice Clay, part Tim Robinson… part…I don't know.
Why does she stick her tongue out for a punchline? Who knows, but I love it. Why the rough edits? Again, ditto. Why pronounce squirrels like that? Again, love it. People on TikTok have taken to clipping her live streams, pouring over their favorite moments. It's pretty hilarious stuff, and totally strange, and has taken my FYP hostage.
Ashby is a perfect creator for 2025. She's admitted she hasn't seen The Lorax and openly says "give me money" followed with a ITYSL-esque "I'm jokinnnn." She literally talks (in Lorax voice) about milking her viral moment. She re-treads catchphrases like "I'm baaaashful" and makes crass, silly jokes. Not to read too much into a funny person dressing up as the Lorax, but Ashby openly mocks the idea of creators acting like they don't post for the cash. And people really love it. The reaction online has been nearly universally positive, as far as I can tell.
So, what now?
As far as I can tell, the world of Ashby's content is vast. There are videos of her as the Lorax and Hamilton, of course, but also Pitbull (of course) and, well, herself. There are lots of clips to peruse through because livestreams obviously last longer than the typical TikTok.
And Ashby also has another livestream planned for Tuesday around 9 p.m. ET. It's only listed as a surprise character with the description, "I hope I don’t get too bashful." My personal hope is we get more of the Lorax. But whatever it is, we can rest assured it'll be funny and truly strange.
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