Lesley Carhart, a director of incident response at cybersecurity firm Dragos, explains that criminals are using ransomware to threaten victims, including companies, with embarrassment. To some extent, it’s a response to better data protection.

A lot of young consumers use digital payment apps like Venmo and Zelle to send, spend and save money. Yanely Espinal of Marketplace’s “Financially Inclined” podcast shares tips on how to use them safely.

Claire Bryan, education reporter at The Seattle Times, coauthored a recent investigation looking at surveillance tech in schools. She found that most devices were tracking students 24/7.

Jewel Burks Solomon, managing partner at Collab Capital, joins Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes for “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Amy Webb, CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, reflects on the death of privacy, the lack of preparation for the next pandemic and the “cosmic pendulum that swings from one extreme to another.”

The abrupt introduction of technology made widespread remote learning possible. Bebi Davis, principal at Princess Victoria Kaiulani Elementary in Honolulu, says that new connectivity has become a mainstay of educator training and relations with parents.

Working from home has its benefits — including productivity — but it can hinder information sharing and relationship building, says professor Anita Blanchard of the University of North Carolina. She explains why it’s important to foster strong social connections with, and among, remote staff.

Marc Johnson of the University of Missouri explains why wastewater surveillance became a crucial tool in tracking and catching COVID outbreaks.

Natasha Mascarenhas, reporter at The Information, joins Marketplace’s Stephanie Hughes to discuss some of this week’s biggest tech headlines.