WTH do I do now? Jim in Philly wrote to me because he downloaded an app that totally screwed up his phone — random ads everywhere. Sorry, Jim, but you need to do a full factory reset. It’s a royal pain in the rear, I know, but it’s the only way to ensure your phone is clear from adware and malware. After that, do like I do and get a solid AV software on your phone.
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Have any of these apps installed on your phone? Delete them immediately
Here’s the bad news: Malware can come from anywhere. Just previewing a Word doc could infect your device. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
The good news is you can protect yourself with some knowledge and good practices. We’ve compiled a list of malicious apps that you must avoid at all costs, along with some tips on staying safe while still enjoying your tech.
Karma is real: After Sydney Sweeney’s spicy appearance on SNL, hopeful pervs ran to X looking for “leaked” pics. Surprise, surprise — their creeping led them straight to pop-up adware that takes browsers hostage. Sure, X could moderate this stuff better, but can’t say I feel sorry for them.
What’s the term for a computer virus that replicates itself and uses up a computer’s processing space? Is it … A.) Worm, B.) Trojan, C.) Spyware or D.) Adware?
Stop! This mistake is loading your device with adware and trackers!
Your computer is sluggish, but you’re not even doing much. Here are five processes you can end right now for a faster, smoother experience. You can thank me later.
Sometimes you must go further to speed up your PC, especially if it’s older. These tricks each take about 60 seconds. Follow those steps, and you’ll clean up some junk, but what about when you install new games, apps, or other software?
Signs your phone or computer is infected with a virus or keylogger
No matter your device, a hacker with enough gumption and know-how can break in.
Here are surefire ways to know if your system has been hacked and what you can do to fix or prevent it, brought to you by sponsor TotalAV. Your best defense against viruses, keyloggers and other malware? A solid security suite.
Delete these apps to keep your phone fast and safe
It’s a fact: your devices work better when running lean. An excess of useless apps and files consumes storage space and slows everything from opening programs to browsing the web.
When was the last time you gave your computer a good going-over? You probably have stuff on that hard drive you completely forgot about or never use. One of the simplest ways to boost a PC or Mac is by clearing out some space and removing the files you don’t need to store locally. Tap or click here to speed up your computer in three steps.
Don't use these shady health tracker apps with 10 mil downloads
We’re in the first month of a new year, and you know what that means. Tons of people are focusing on fitness and living a healthier lifestyle. Many turn to health-tracking apps for guidance. Unfortunately, some popular health trackers have been caught spreading adware.
How to know if hackers are in your phone
The iPhone has a reputation for being secure. Apple has a closed operating system (as opposed to Android’s open-source) and more closely monitors and vets apps in the App Store. And with just one phone model, the iPhone, Apple can more easily push out updates and pressure its users to download them.
Firewall vs. antivirus: What's the difference and do you need both?
When it comes to protecting yourself online, there’s a lot of confusion. Between VPNs, two-factor authentication, antivirus software and firewalls, there are so many ways to protect yourself that it can be hard to track them all.
Tech security tip: How to remove malware from your phone or computer
Anyone who regularly browses the internet needs antivirus software. Think of it as a life jacket. It’s there to keep you safe in case of an emergency.
And when malware strikes at your defenses, it’s code red. You’re afraid that you’ll lose everything, your emotions are high and you might not be in the right state of mind to find a good solution. That’s why preventative measures make a world of difference.
Check your phone! Malware apps with millions of downloads spotted
Four dangerous Android apps were downloaded over 1 million times. Cybersecurity researchers discovered that these apps would redirect you to malicious websites to steal your data and annoy you with adware. Check this malicious apps list for 2022 to ensure you’re safe.
Major malware warning for all iPhone and Android users
Hackers can implant malware in your computer, phone or tablet without you knowing. And the entry points vary from websites that spoof legitimate ones to an innocent-looking link in your email.
The scariest thing is not knowing your device is infected until it’s too late. ChromeLoader, for example, hijacks your browser to redirect traffic to advertisement websites. Even worse, the malware can be used to steal usernames and passwords. Tap or click here for tips on spotting this type of malware.
Giving up Kaspersky? Get a year of Kim's antivirus pick for only $19
With tensions mounting across the world during the Russia-Ukraine War, cybersecurity experts warn not to use Russian-owned Kasperksy antivirus protection. Here’s why.
A question I get time and time again is, “What’s your antivirus recommendation?” Whether you’ve never used antivirus, stopped years ago, or want to get rid of Kaspersky, I can help.
Before you download another app for your Mac, read this important warning
It is a popular misconception that Apple’s ecosystem is impervious to cyberattacks. Many people will be quick to tell you that the company’s iPhone or MacBook computers can’t be breached with malware, but that isn’t the case.
21 game and puzzle apps infected with malware - check the list
There are plenty of reasons to be nervous when downloading apps for Android devices. Not only is Android malware on the rise, but people are also finding it in unsuspecting places like email attachments and Google Play — Google’s very own app store!
Check your phone! This one comes pre-loaded with malware
We’re always warning you about apps that could infect your device with malware. If you download a malicious app, it could cause tons of problems.
This is why we highly recommend staying away from third-party app stores and only downloading apps from official sites. Unfortunately, now that’s not even 100% guaranteed to be safe. Tap or click here to see if you’ve downloaded any of these malicious apps found on Google Play Store.
Delete these apps! 30 downloads filling phones with dangerous adware
Have you been downloading apps from Google Play recently? If so, you might want to scan through your phone for now. A new batch of malicious programs has been deleted from Google Play after it was found that they installed annoying adware and browser redirects without informing users.
Check your phone for these 50 sketchy apps - see the full list
Modern-day tablets and smartphones are more powerful than many desktop computers from the early ’90s. But to get the most out of them, you need to add applications that tap into their unlimited potential.
Finding apps to install is where you need to be careful though, as some are designed by cybercriminals to rip you off. We recently told you about nine malicious apps that were hiding malware. Tap or click here for the details.