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Today I received a phishing SMS (scam). Because the scam is so deceptively realistic, we want to show you step by step how the scammers operate – and how you can protect yourself. An SMS from an Austrian number. The insidious thing right from the start: The SMS often comes from a completely normal Austrian mobile phone number. This lowers the inhibition threshold. The message asks you to click on a link – supposedly because your FinanzOnline login details are about to expire. Step 1: The perfect copy (The phishing link). We opened the link for you in a secure test environment (sandbox). The result is alarming: The opened website looks deceptively similar to the real FinanzOnline platform. Logos, colors, and fonts have been copied exactly. The subtle difference: If you look closely, you'll notice that some menu items and further links on the fake page don't work at all. They're just window dressing. Step 2: The data collectors. On this fake homepage, you are asked to enter your name and personal data. Anyone who does this and clicks "Submit" falls directly into the next trap. Step 3: The Grab for Your Bank Account After submitting the data, a message appears: "Verification via bank account is required." The victim is shown a list of Austrian banks. If you select your bank, you are redirected to a fake login page for the respective online banking platform. Anyone who enters their login details or even a TAN here hands over complete control of their savings to the fraudsters. How can I protect myself? Three golden rules: The tax office doesn't send SMS messages: The real Austrian tax office never communicates about refunds or requests bank logins via SMS or email. Notifications are sent exclusively to your official FinanzOnline data box. Check the URL (web address): The real address is always finanzonline.bmf.gv.at. Phishing sites often have cryptic domain extensions or slightly modified names (e.g., finanzonline-at-service.com). Never enter bank details via a link: No reputable institution requires bank verification via a link sent via SMS. Do you suspect you've been scammed? Contact your bank immediately to have your account blocked and file a police report.

Some people retire and buy themselves a deck chair. Andrea Gintenstorfer received equipment and monetary donations for the association at her farewell party. PCs für alle Collected. Since the very beginning, Andrea has supported the association with monthly contributions—quietly, reliably, and without much fanfare. Then came the farewell celebration. While other employees celebrating anniversaries received flowers, Andrea simply turned her colleagues into donors. The result: devices and monetary donations for people who urgently need digital inclusion. We say thank you, Andrea—for your loyalty, for your creativity, and for using your last day of work for others. Here's to retirement, which apparently won't be much of a retirement at all. Andrea (right) and Beate  

A radio interview with Peter Bernscherer from the association PCs für alleThe interview was conducted by Ali Cem Deniz for FM4. The rapid development of artificial intelligence – especially tools like ChatGPT – is leaving a noticeable mark on the hardware market. What at first glance appears to be technological progress has had a significant impact on clubs like... PCs für alle Very concrete and problematic consequences. Why are computer components becoming more expensive? Large technology companies like Nvidia, OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are investing massively in expanding their AI infrastructure. For their enormous data centers, they are buying up graphics cards, RAM, and SSDs in vast quantities – components that are also found in regular computers and smartphones. The result: drastically rising prices for everyone. The phenomenon surrounding RAM is particularly striking, already being dubbed "Ramageddon" in the industry – an unprecedented shortage and price explosion of RAM modules, triggered by the mass purchases of the AI ​​companies. By comparison, we experienced something similar during the graphics card boom caused by crypto mining. Back then, however, it was primarily individuals and smaller companies seeking quick profits. Today, global tech giants are engaged in a veritable AI arms race – with significantly greater market power. What does this mean for pcs for all? The association pcs for all has made it its mission to provide refurbished computers at affordable prices to people who cannot afford new devices. A key component of this refurbishment is the installation of fast SSDs – they are easily replaceable and significantly increase the performance of older devices. But this is precisely where price increases have a major impact: While a 120 GB M.2 SSD used to cost less than 10 euros, the price is now around 25 euros – a doubling in a short time. This may sound like a small amount, but it affects all our work and the number of people we can help. AI is also changing communication with those seeking help. Peter Bernscherer has observed another, rather unexpected change: the way people contact the association has changed. Previously, inquiries were short and direct – for example: "We need a PC for our children." Today, many emails arrive that were clearly written by AI tools: long-winded, awkwardly worded, and often difficult to understand. His advice: AI tools should be used judiciously – not for every short message. Those with simple inquiries are best off communicating themselves, clearly and concisely. AI-generated texts often come across as impersonal and counterproductive in such cases. Outlook: No relief in sight. Manufacturers like Samsung and Apple have already announced that upcoming smartphone generations could be more expensive – with only minor performance improvements. When the situation on the component market will return to normal is uncertain. The current situation is unprecedented in this form. fm4.orf.at/player/20260217  

Chancellor Christian Stocker announced today that Austria will support all measures against Iran, including sanctions. This announcement follows decades of sanctions policy by Western states against the Islamic Republic, the effectiveness of which has been minimal. The reality of previous sanctions: Iran has been subject to comprehensive international sanctions and embargoes for decades. The results of this policy are sobering: While the general population suffers from inflation, supply shortages, and a lack of economic prospects, the ruling mullahs and their cronies have barely had to curb their luxurious lifestyles. The sanctions systematically target the wrong people. A key reason for this failure lies in the consistent circumvention of the embargo measures. Iran possesses significant oil reserves, and where there is oil, there are buyers – despite all official prohibitions. Through complex networks of shell companies, intermediaries, and compliant states, Iranian oil continues to flow onto the world market. In addition, there is the drug trade and a flourishing arms trade, which secure stable sources of income for the regime. Experiences from direct work with refugees as chairman of the association PCs für alle I have gained insight into the reality of Iranian refugees. We continuously support people who have had to flee the regime, and several of them are now actively involved in our organization. We have assisted dissidents with their asylum applications and heard their stories – stories of persecution, torture, and desperate escape from a system that brutally suppresses any form of opposition. These people tell us firsthand how the current sanctions policy has failed: Their families back home suffer the economic consequences, while those in power in Tehran remain unmolested. The Revolutionary Guard, the officials, the mullahs – they all have access to foreign currencies, imported luxury goods, and international financial networks. The sanctions are driving ordinary people into poverty and despair without weakening the regime. The Failure of Western Policy: The uncomfortable truth is that many Western governments have no real interest in closing the loopholes. Economic interests, geopolitical considerations, and the fear of rising energy prices lead to a contentment with symbolic politics, while truly painful measures are neglected. What would actually work? The necessary steps are clearly identifiable: Consistent financial sanctions: All accounts of individuals demonstrably collaborating with or profiting from the regime must be frozen worldwide. This requires international coordination and the political will to take action even against powerful economic actors. Criminal prosecution: Representatives of Western companies that pursue business with the Iranian regime despite sanctions must face criminal prosecution. Only the threat of personal liability will reduce the incentive to circumvent them. Total diplomatic isolation: No visas for regime loyalists, no state visits, no high-level diplomatic contact. The regime must feel its complete international isolation unless it fundamentally changes its policies. Transparency and control: Comprehensive monitoring and disclosure of all oil flows, consistent prosecution of sanctions violations, and severe penalties for the companies and states involved. Conclusion: Further announcements of sanctions without a substantial change in strategy are mere symbolic politics. If Western governments are serious about putting pressure on the Iranian regime, they must be prepared to bear real costs and make uncomfortable decisions. Otherwise, the sanctions policy will remain what it has been: a burden on the Iranian people while simultaneously stabilizing the regime. The Iranian refugees we work with deserve more than empty promises. They deserve a policy that actually targets their oppressors, not their families. 

The common understanding of data protection falls short. Most people think of data protection as the protection of their personal content – ​​photos, messages, private documents. But... nobody really cares about Uncle Erwin's Mallorca selfies from 2001. This content has practically no value for third parties. The real danger lies in the metadata: When and where you were (location data), who you communicate with (contact networks), how often and for how long (usage patterns), which websites, apps, and services you use, when you sleep, work, and are active. Where metadata is generated and collected: Smartphone: Every app logs usage times, GPS data, contacts, and Wi-Fi connections. Browser: Websites visited, time spent, click paths, and search history. Messenger & Email: Who writes to whom, when, and how often (even with encrypted content!). Social Media: Likes, shares, comments, scrolling behavior, and time spent. Smart Home: When lights are on/off, heating is activated, door locks are used, and voice assistants are activated. Payment data: Credit cards, PayPal, and banking apps reveal purchasing behavior and locations. Streaming services: What you watch, when, and for how long, pause behavior, and interruptions. Fitness trackers: Sleep patterns, movement patterns, health data; cars & traffic: navigation systems, public transport maps, car sharing, e-scooters; public cameras & Wi-Fi: movement profiles in cities, shopping centers, train stations. From this metadata, frighteningly precise profiles can be created: political convictions, health status, financial situation, sexual orientation, psychological vulnerabilities – all without having read a single letter or seen a single photograph. A former NSA director allegedly put it this way: "We kill people based on metadata." Metadata doesn't reveal what you say, but who you are, what you do, and how you can be influenced. True data protection should therefore primarily protect these behavioral patterns, movement profiles, and relationship networks – not Aunt Hilde's beach photos.

The latest OECD figures paint an alarming picture: Almost a third of adults in Austria cannot read and understand simple texts adequately. Months after the initial survey, follow-up data from September 2025 show no trend reversal despite announced measures. On the contrary, the percentage of adults with low literacy skills has even risen slightly to 31 percent. From our daily work, we are all too familiar with the dramatic consequences of this development. If people cannot read sufficiently, they are doubly disadvantaged in the digital world. They cannot fill out online forms, use digital government channels, understand emails, or critically evaluate information on the internet. Digitization, which was supposed to enable greater participation for everyone, is thus becoming an additional barrier. Announcements alone are not enough. Politicians are responding with declarations of intent: a €65 million opportunity bonus, a second year of kindergarten, more diagnostics. However, nothing improved between December 2024 and September 2025. In our training programs, we see daily how difficult it is for people with low literacy skills to connect with the digital society. The facts are clear: The number of functionally illiterate people has almost doubled since 2012. Education continues to be strongly inherited – only 16 percent without academic parents obtain a university degree. People with low literacy skills participate least in continuing education – a vicious cycle. What is really needed: Instead of more announcements, immediate, concrete steps are needed: 1. Low-threshold digital literacy for adults: You learn to read by reading. Digital applications can motivate and provide individual support – if they are used correctly. But this requires comprehensive, free services. 2. Hardware access for all: A computer or tablet is as important today as a school textbook. Families with low levels of education often cannot afford them. Educational barriers arise here even before the child leaves school.3. Early intervention instead of grade repetition: The OECD confirms that grade repetition is expensive and stigmatizing, but brings little improvement in performance. The money would be better invested in digital learning tools and individual support.4. Expanding extracurricular support: Children from educationally disadvantaged families especially need places where they can access technology and receive support with their learning. Clubs like ours do this work – usually with minimal resources. A year wasted: Almost a year lies between the two studies. A year in which thousands of children left school with inadequate reading skills. A year in which adults remained excluded from the digital society. A year in which announcements were made, but no tangible improvements were achieved. Digitalization doesn't wait for political timetables. Every day, more bureaucratic processes, more job postings, more information become available exclusively online. Those who cannot read and navigate digitally lose out – and with them the chance of social participation. Austria cannot afford this development. It's not just about education statistics, but about the future of almost a third of the population. It is high time to move from announcements to action – before another generation is lost. PCs for All has been committed to digital inclusion and equal opportunities for years. We see every day what access to technology and education can achieve – and what is missing when both are lacking.

Show responsibility. Promote digital participation. Protecting the environment. PCs for All combines Corporate Social Responsibility with measurable impact: As your CSR partner, we enable your company to meaningfully pass on used IT hardware, improve your environmental footprint and at the same time actively promote digital inclusion in Austria. Sustainability that pays off. The partnership with PCs for All strengthens your ESG compliance in all three areas: Environmental: Extending the product lifecycle of your IT devices; Significant reduction of e-waste and CO₂ emissions; Measurable improvement of your environmental footprint through the circular economy; Contribution to the resource-saving circular economy. Social: Promoting digital participation for low-income families; Supporting educational opportunities for children and young people; Strengthening social cohesion in Austria; Concrete help for people on the margins of the digital society. Governance: Professional, data protection-compliant processing of your hardware; Transparent documentation for your CSR reporting; GDPR-compliant data deletion; Official donation receipt for your accounting. For your sustainability reporting: We provide you with detailed key figures for your sustainability report: CO₂ emissions saved, e-waste avoided, and the number of families supported. This data strengthens your ESG rating and your position in sustainability rankings. For your employees: Show your team that discarded work equipment is given a meaningful second life cycle. This strengthens identification with your corporate values ​​and awareness of responsible business practices. For your image, position yourself as a responsible company that goes beyond greenwashing and achieves real social impact. Their partnership with PCs for All is a prime example of corporate citizenship in action. This is how the collaboration works: Contact: Together we define your requirements. Hardware collection: We collect your IT equipment free of charge. Professional preparation: Data erasure, maintenance and reinstallation. Distribution: Distribution to families in need, social institutions and schools. Documentation: You receive all the documents for your CSR reporting. Together against digital exclusion: In Austria, thousands of families have no access to digital infrastructure. Without a computer or laptop, homeschooling, online applications, or digital government procedures are hardly possible. Your donated hardware enables education, social participation, and professional opportunities. Become part of the solution. Companies like yours can make a difference. With every piece of hardware donated, you invest in Austria's digital future while simultaneously meeting your sustainability goals. Contact us for a free discussion about your CSR partnership. PCs for All – Where social responsibility meets digital inclusion. I asked Claude - www.claude.ai - to calculate the CO² savings achieved through our work. Here are the results: CO₂ emissions from new production: Complete desktop systems (20.000 units): Computer tower: ~200 kg CO₂ Screen (LCD): ~300 kg CO₂ Keyboard/mouse: ~10 kg CO₂ Per system: ~510 kg CO₂ Total: 10.200 tons CO₂ Laptops (12.000 units): Per laptop incl. Power supply: ~250 kg CO₂ Total: 3.000 tons CO₂ Smartphones (1.500 units): Per device: ~55 kg CO₂ Total: 82,5 tons CO₂ Tablets (1.000 units): Per device: ~130 kg CO₂ Total: 130 tons CO₂ Printers (500 units): Per device: ~150 kg CO₂ Total: 75 tons CO₂ Network equipment (1.000 units): Per device: ~50 kg CO₂ Total: 50 tons CO₂ Transport & Logistics: Avoided transport: Production in Asia → Europe: ~15-20% of production CO₂ Estimated: 2.150 tons CO₂ Recycling/Disposal avoided: Energy-intensive recycling: ~50 kg CO₂ per Desktop System Estimated: 1.450 tons of CO₂ Total CO₂ savings: ~17.140 tons of CO₂ This corresponds to: 2.140 round-trip flights from Vienna to New York 137 million kilometers driven by car (average passenger car) 3.425 times around the Earth by car The annual CO₂ emissions of 1.714 Austrians (~10 t/person/year) 2.850 hectares of forest that would have to absorb CO₂ for one year The electricity consumption of 5.700 households for one year (Austria)

There's also something going on here on Sundays: While two girls were happily drawing, six of our helpers were fully focused on the laptops. Screwing, testing, setting up – so that the devices will soon be ready for use again. That's how it works at PCs für alle: Teamwork, a good atmosphere, and the goal of helping others. Thanks to everyone who gives up their free time for this – you're amazing!

A particularly shocking example of this is the case of Petar Rosandić, founder of the NGO SOS Balkanroute. Because of his humanitarian and high-profile commitment to refugees, he was sued by SLAPP. Had this lawsuit been successful, it would have financially ruined him – and silenced an important civic engagement. Together with many other organizations, we demand: Austria must finally and fully implement the EU and Council of Europe regulations against SLAPPs. Anyone who stands up for human rights and democracy must not be threatened with ruinous lawsuits. And please remember that every person, every club, every company, every organization can be affected. Link to the open letter: www.oenz.at/aktuelles Article in Der Standard: www.derstandard.at/story/3000000279800/buendnis-fordert-von-regierung-massnahmen-gegen-slapp-klagen Contribution by Dr. Maria Windhager on the lawsuit against SOS Balkanroute: medienrechtskanzlei.at/slapp-klage-rechtskraeftig-abgewiesen Content of the letter: Open letter For freedom of expression and democracy - Effectively implement anti-SLAPP regulations Dear Members of the Federal Government, Democracy thrives on open communication – but this is increasingly in danger. Across Europe, so-called SLAPP lawsuits (“Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation”) are on the rise. These are legal intimidation practices intended to silence journalists, civil society organizations, or individuals who express criticism in the public interest. They cost those affected a lot of time and money and are often life-threatening. The consequences are dramatic: Civil society and journalism can no longer act freely for fear of inadmissible lawsuits (chilling effect), public debate is restricted, and the danger of democracy and the rule of law being undermined increases. Those who voice well-founded criticism, expose abuses, or reveal abuses of power should not be intimidated by expensive and lengthy abusive legal proceedings. That is precisely why it is crucial that the EU and Council of Europe anti-SLAPP requirements – EU Anti-SLAPP Directive for international cases (2024/1069, 11 April 2024), EU Anti-SLAPP Recommendation for national cases (2022/758, 27 April 2022), and Council of Europe Anti-SLAPP Recommendation (CM/Rec (2024) 2, 5 April 2024) – are now implemented quickly, consistently, and effectively. By establishing clear, effective protection mechanisms, Austria not only has the chance to send a strong signal for democracy and freedom of expression, but can also serve as a role model for other EU member states. Comprehensive protective mechanisms are necessary to effectively counteract the SLAPP problem. The following legal measures are of particular importance for this: I. Comprehensive protection even in 'merely' national cases. Protection against SLAPPs must apply in Austria to both national and international cases. Not least for reasons of equality, the recommendations of the EU Commission and the Council of Europe must also be implemented. II. Comprehensive protection in all areas of law. The measures must protect not only against civil but also against criminal law (e.g. Defamation, insult or damage to credit) protect against intimidation practices, as such private prosecution offenses also have enormous intimidation potential. III. Comprehensive and effective procedural guarantees/measures 1. High sanctions with a deterrent effect: Clear, sensitive and deterrent sanctions are needed for abusive lawsuits so that SLAPPs can no longer be seen as a calculated risk for plaintiffs, but have tangible consequences. 2. Full reimbursement of costs In SLAPP cases, it must be ensured that defendants are not left with the costs – all expenses, in particular pre-litigation costs and actual legal fees (not merely standard reimbursement), must be borne by the abusive plaintiff. 3. Possibility of early termination of the proceedings. Effective measures are needed to counteract lengthy abusive proceedings and the associated potential for intimidation. Courts should be able to dismiss lawsuits at any stage if and when they determine that there has been an abuse of process. 4. Access to effective legal aid for those affected: In order to compensate for the structural power imbalance between plaintiffs, who are usually financially strong, and defendants who are financially weaker, uncomplicated access to sufficient financial and legal legal aid is needed. 5. Assistance options in legal proceedings For organizations with a legitimate interest (e.g. Journalists' associations, interest groups or civil society institutions) should be given the opportunity to support, protect or promote SLAPP defendants in proceedings. This includes, in particular, providing information or participating in legal proceedings. Only strong and consistent implementation can prevent critical journalism and democratic, civil society engagement in the public interest from being undermined by legal intimidation practices. The EU and Council of Europe's guidelines on SLAPPs provide the necessary foundation – the Austrian government must implement them swiftly and consistently to protect the rule of law and liberal democracy. We therefore call on the Austrian Federal Government to work together for a swift and strong implementation of the European regulations. Sincerely, the undersigned organizations: ● Austrian Civil Society Network (ÖNZ) ● Press Club Concordia ● GPA Trade Union ● Association of Free Broadcasters Austria

Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunities: Trade unions have been fighting for decades for fair working conditions, fair pay, and social security. They are committed to ensuring that all members—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—can participate equally in economic and social life. Likewise, the association "PCs für alle" aims to provide access to digital technologies, especially for families and children from vulnerable groups. Digital Workplace In times of digital change and increased home office work, it is becoming clear that access to modern technology – such as computers and digital equipment – is also an element of workplace justice. This is where the approach of "PCs für alle" of the trade union movement by ensuring that no one is left behind by the digital transformation.Connecting the world of work and education. Especially on Labor Day, which, in addition to working conditions, also repeatedly focuses on the topic of further training and qualification, we want to help ensure that employees, trainees www.digilehre.at and students can acquire the necessary digital skills to be successful in an increasingly digitalized world of work. Especially in times of growing inequality and increasing societal challenges, commitment is necessary at all levels. The fight for social justice and educational opportunities does not end with individual projects - it must also be led politically. Therefore, our call: Get involved - in unions, associations, initiatives or politics! Commit yourself to fair educational opportunities, for social security and for solidarity! Whether through campaigns such as "PCs für alle", by supporting workers' rights, or by actively participating in politics: every voice and every helping hand counts. Together we can create a society in which education, work, and participation do not depend on social background, but are open to everyone.

I received a fraudulent call earlier and was able to record the conversation. They claimed that someone had access to my Amazon account and was trying to use it to order gift cards. I was then connected to other “departments” and in the end they just wanted me to install the “Anydesk” software on my cell phone. This is software for remote computer maintenance and would have given them full access to my phone and the data on it. The rest was just nonsense designed to lull me into a false sense of security. Please turn up the volume if you want to hear the conversation. This time the sound quality is very good. I received a fraudulent call earlier and was able to record the conversation. They claimed that someone had access to my Amazon account and was trying to use it to order gift cards. I was then connected to other “departments” and in the end they just wanted me to install the “Anydesk” software on my cell phone. This is software for remote computer maintenance and would have given them full access to my phone and the data on it. The rest was just gibberish designed to lull me into a false sense of security. Please turn up the sound if you want to hear the conversation. Next, you can see the two two-colored shamans and the rosettes Please note that your mother will pay for my purchase on Amazon and you will find it використати його для замовлення подарункових карток.Потім мене з'dднали з іншими "віддЖлами", і The first thing you need to know is that you have access to your mobile phone program забезпечення “Anydesk”. The program for a fully-equipped computer is now available You can send your phone to Daniel on the phone нісенітницею, покликаною заколисати мене в оманливому почутті безпеки. You can hear the sound, you can hear the rose. This is the sound you hear.