💲 If you put a Ring on it: Ring’s raised its Basic video doorbell subscription costs from $3.99 to $4.99 a month. Always something, huh? More than ever, getting SimpliSafe to protect your whole home is a smarter and cheaper choice.
Your data: It’s all posted online - But there's a simple way to remove it
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A loyal reader, Racquel, emailed me recently after dealing with a very angry customer at work. “Last week, she left me a voicemail and said that I was behind all her problems and she was ‘going to find’ where I lived.”
Scary, right? Even if you’re safe with what you do online, there’s so much public info about us floating around the web. And the worst part is that your personal info is out there for others to snap up completely free.
Racquel had heard me talk about Incogni, a service that removes your personal info from all the sites that exist solely to gather and share your info for their profit. “[Incogni] went to work right away. It’s going to be difficult for her to find my address,” she told me.
I want you to have that safety and protection, too. Let’s take a deeper look at who’s making money by giving away or selling your data online and what can happen to you when they do.
Data-hungry data brokers
Data brokers exist only to collect and sell your personal information, often without your consent. They gather data from public records, your online activities, retail sites and anything else they can find. This can expose you to:
- Profiling: These detailed profiles about you are sold to marketers, advertisers, and even employers or insurance companies.
- Identity theft: With enough information, bad actors can access your financial accounts or create new ones in your name.
- Spam and scams: Your contact info can be sold to telemarketers and scammers. That’s why you get spam calls, emails and text messages at all hours, day or night.
- Loss of privacy: All this data from various sources can paint a very detailed picture of your life. Just knowing it’s out there makes me queasy.
😡 Look, I tried to get myself out of the data brokers’ sites but gave up after three months. It was too frustrating and time-consuming. I decided to try Incogni after seeing an ad about the service, and I was very, very skeptical. I’m not sure how they do it, but Incogni got me out of these data-scraping sites.
Money-hungry people search websites
People-search websites aggregate information from public records such as court documents, voter registrations and property records, along with social media and other online sources. In the wrong hands, this can open you up to:
- Doxxing: That’s when bad guys publish your private info online (like your home address) to purposely make you vulnerable to threats across the web or in your home.
- Stalking and harassment: You don’t have to get doxxed for someone to use your personal info to track your whereabouts or target you for harassment. Stalking can start small, but it’s a nightmare that can last for years.
- Social engineering: Criminals use detailed information to target you with creepy, highly personalized scams that are harder to detect and resist. Think an old high school friend “reconnecting” out of the blue.
- Reputation damage: Outdated or incorrect information, like an arrest record, on people-search websites can drag your name through the mud and cost you opportunities.
Yup, I tried to get my name out of people-search sites. Like a bad rash, a new site pops up at every turn. I never thought it was possible, but Incogni got me out of these sites and put me on suppression lists so these garbage sites can’t put me back in.
How to find and stop hidden fees
When I’m booking air travel, it seems like the price goes up with every click. By the time I pay to check a bag or two, that “great deal” isn’t looking so, well, great.
So of course airlines are fighting the Biden administration’s “junk fees’” rule, which would make them show their fees upfront for checking bags, carrying on a bag, and changing or canceling a reservation.
Mac attack: A new macOS malware called “Cuckoo” is targeting older Intel-based Macs and newer models with Apple chips. It steals passwords and takes over your system. It’s spreading via websites and apps that convert streaming music into MP3s. Stay safe: Use TotalAV to protect your tech — it’s just $19 for a year.
Scammers pretending to be the Social Security office
Be careful what information you give over the phone, especially if you aren’t expecting a call.
5 ways to improve your LinkedIn profile
If you’re trying to find a job on LinkedIn, you’re facing stiff competition. It’s estimated that around 40 million people look for jobs on the site weekly. That means you should do everything possible to stand out from the crowd.
Reader question: 'I want cameras to watch my house when I'm gone, but not when I am home'
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In times of crisis, it’s hard to get a clear view of the situation. That’s why irrefutable evidence is so valuable. Say a friend visits for a party, and your favorite vase is missing the next day.
Or maybe two family members get into a fight, and their stories contradict each other. You’ll have a hard time hammering down the facts. Security cameras can tell you what really happened when you have doubts. Tap or click here for five uses for security cameras you never thought of before now.
'Does incognito keep me private?'
The good news is it does hide some things. The bad news … It’s not nearly as private as you’d think.
New app limits kids bathroom breaks
Are your kids ready for this to become the norm?
Allowing specific calls while on Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb keeps calls and texts from bugging you, but what if there’s a person or two you want to get through any time? Here’s how to flag important contacts and silence the rest.
How to set emergency contacts for iPhone
I hope you never need to use them, but everyone should set up emergency contacts. I’ll walk you through the process. It only takes a minute!
How does in-flight Wi-Fi work?
I wondered and thought you might be curious, too. It’s changed a lot since you could first connect on a plane — and yet I’m still surprised at how often in-flight internet stinks.
3 secret uses for your home security system
You buy a home security system to defend against thieves, but there are more threats than just masked robbers outside your home. Garages, sheds, other outside buildings, and vehicles parked long-term can be just as much of a draw to crooks as your main house. To fully protect your home, you’ll need to know some of the best-hidden home security secrets.
Taking care of aging parents? Here's a simple way to keep an eye on what's happening
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Independence, safety and peace of mind. These are the most important elements for seniors living at home and their loved ones. Parents who wish to maintain their independence by living alone can be a double-edged sword. You’re happy they’re still self-sufficient, but you’re nervous about what can happen in an emergency.
Best ways to block scam calls - And an easier way to stop scammers
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When it comes to telemarketing and scam calls, the best thing to do is not pick up the phone. But it’s not always easy to tell whether an incoming call is legitimate — especially if your phone doesn’t show that scam or spam warning.
Official trailer for 'All the Light We Cannot See'
Drawing from the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “All the Light We Cannot See” shares the story of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a young blind girl seeking solace alongside her father and reclusive uncle in the sheltered confines of St. Malo, France, during World War II.
One of the strangest places on Google Maps
It’s a village with life-size dolls in Japan. Located in Nagoro, more than 350 dolls represent villagers who once lived there but have either moved or passed away. You have to see this.
Viral hit 'The Boundaries Song' is a must-watch for all children
“The Boundaries Song” by Hopscotch Kids empowers children to stand up for themselves with its folk-style melody. This viral sensation, with 3.6 million views, encourages kids to speak up when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Through catchy lyrics and an animated video, it emphasizes the significance of setting personal boundaries and respecting others’ feelings. Check it out and share it with the kids.
The last Beatles song, "Now and Then"
“Now and Then,” the first new Beatles song in decades, was recently released on streaming services. It’s an amazing story. Producers used machine learning to separate John Lennon’s voice from an old blurry demo tape, allowing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to create a composition around Lennon’s vocals. Give it a listen.
Flashback: Driver's ed in the 1950s
Insurance company Aetna Casualty needed a way to train new drivers without the risk of the road. Enter the Drivotrainer. It combined a simulator with motion pictures to show students what being behind the wheel is really like. You have to see this.