Cyber crooks are hiding behind legitimate-looking political messages to lead you to dangerous websites. I also get into online job scams, five signs your phone might be tapped, and how to rent a pool for your summer vacation.
3 common mistakes when installing security cameras
Security cameras give us peace of mind that our homes and valuables are safe when we’re away. A doorbell camera can be a significant deterrent for sneaky thieves.
They aren’t failsafe, though. Crooks can jam Wi-Fi-connected video doorbells and rob you before you realize what happened. It’s rare but possible. Tap or click for smart ways to stop them in their tracks.
The good news is you can take steps to protect the devices that protect you.
1. You cheaped out.
We all want to save a buck, but going for the cheapest option is never savvy regarding tech. I don’t just mean you’ll miss out on essential features, either. Cheap brands are more likely to cut corners regarding security, too.
Here are the features I think are essential:
- Audio recording and HD video (you’ll wish you had this in case something happens and you need the footage)
- A privacy shutter that covers the lens when you don’t want the camera filming
- At least seven days of storage
- Regular security and firmware updates
My pick is SimpliSafe, a sponsor of my show. I prefer DIY options that allow you to order what you need online and set it all up yourself without paying for installation or a costly annual contract.
Speaking of saving money, these five mistakes are like flushing cash down the toilet.
2. You just plugged it in to get it to work.
Repeat after me: Default passwords must be changed. This step is vital when it comes to your security system or even just a standalone camera.
There’s no excuse for using a weak password, either. Even if you don’t pay for a password manager, the major browsers have built-in tools that generate and store unique passwords for you.
Ransomware: Yes, you're vulnerable to this, too. Here's how to stay safe
Online scams have been around since the internet entered the public space. When online shopping and surfing were new, people didn’t consider fraud and crooks quickly moved their craft into the digital space.
We can now access the internet from anywhere thanks to smartphones, tablets and laptops. While convenient, this has only helped to spread crooked activity. With nearly 2 million apps in Apple’s App Store, some are inevitably fraudulent. Tap or click to see how bad apps have scammed iPhone users out of nearly $50 million.
📦 Arrr, matey: A California woman turned the tables on USPS mail thieves. She mailed herself a package with an Apple AirTag in it. After crooks snatched the package from her P.O. Box, she called the cops. The tracker led police right to their hideout, where they found more stolen mail and packages.
Complete guide to robocalls: How to stop them once and for all
Robocalls are the most annoying modern tech drawback found on phones. In fact, when my team publishes an article on Komando.com about stopping robocalls, we know it’ll be one of our most-read articles of the week.
It’s not hard to see why. Robocalls interrupt us constantly, fool us into answering with numbers that look a little too familiar, and scam Americans out of millions of dollars every year.
Tech to catch political sign thieves: Campaign staffers are putting Apple AirTags in their political posters to track stolen property and find the crooks. At $29 per AirTag, it’s cheaper than hiring a PI and more effective than watching security footage.
🛠️ This is not a drill: After thieves stole his construction tools, a Virginia man turned the tables, installing a GPS system on his stuff. The next time crooks struck, they led him right to a storage unit. The police found over 15,000 stolen items in the unit, totaling over $3 million — and from other victims, too! What a hero.
Fake ads are taking over Facebook: A Broward County, Florida, family found strangers at their front door, claiming they paid a $250 deposit to rent a car parked in the driveway. It turns out crooks had secretly snapped pics and posted them on Facebook Marketplace. After they turned the renters away, someone came back and vandalized the car. Ridiculous.