🚨 Netflix renewal scam: Cybercriminals are sending fake Netflix texts claiming your account’s about to be suspended. They’ll say there was an “issue processing your payment” or a “failure in your recent payment” and ask you to sign in through a link. It’s just a trick to steal your login details and credit card info. Don’t fall for it.
Security tip: 3 dumb mistakes putting you at risk online
There are countless cybersecurity threats you need to watch out for. The AV-TEST Institute says it detects over 450,000 new malicious programs every day.
We’ve compiled some easy mistakes you could be making right now. You may discover a weakness that puts your digital life in danger. Thanks to our sponsor, TotalAV, you can scroll down to stay safe!
1. Leaving your Wi-Fi network or router unprotected
Few things make a cybercriminal salivate more than an unsecured Wi-Fi connection. They can use your network to attack your gadgets and steal your personal information. They could even download dangerous files or visit illegal websites through your router.
Weak Wi-Fi protections put the lives of one British couple on pause. According to BBC, a monster used their Wi-Fi connection to upload child abuse material to an online chat site. That led the police straight to their front door.
Don’t let that be you! Step one: Create an original password that’s hard to crack. After that, we have a few more helpful tips for you. Tap or click here to lock down your Wi-Fi and protect your home.
2. Using the same PIN for your phone lock screen as your bank
We get it. You don’t want to remember different number codes. They’re easy to forget, so you want to keep it simple and reuse the same PIN.
Don’t give in to temptation. It could lead you to financial ruin. Say you’re relaxing in the coffee shop, and you open your phone. Someone standing behind you could notice your code, write it down and start using it to access your bank account within minutes.
To protect yourself, use different PINs. If you’re struggling to remember them all, consider a password manager. Tap or click here for more details on this easy trick.
3. Clicking ads and downloading what you find on the page
This is an easy way to hurt your computer. If you see an item you like in an ad, it’s best not to click it. You are better off heading to your search bar and visiting the brand website. There, search for the item in the ad.
Yes, you can add a VPN to your TV - Here are a few reasons you should
You can use many methods to protect against cyberattacks, including strong passwords, antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN), privacy-focused browsers and more. Tap or click here for our list of essential privacy tools that help you stay safe online.
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There’s nothing wrong with looking for ways to save money. Cutting back on things like your cable or electric bill is just good business. But you need to be smart about where to cut corners. Protecting your devices and critical files should not be skimped with all the cybercriminals and digital threats lurking.
iScam, you scam: Cybercriminals are sending fake emails claiming your Apple ID is suspended, urging you to click a link to “verify” your info. Don’t fall for it. Apple never asks for sensitive info via email.
📶 Let go: D-Link’s VPN routers have hit their end-of-life, making it an easy way for hackers to enter your network. No security patches are coming. If cybercriminals get in, they can spy on your activity and steal your passwords or credit card info. Unsure if you’re affected? Contact D-Link.
Working the system: Cybercriminals are using hacked government and law enforcement email addresses to request customer data from Big Tech companies. Police usually need a search warrant for files and messages, but for basic details like phone numbers, login credentials and approximate locations, a request is all it takes.
Console yourself; it’s game over: Malware called Winos4.0 is targeting Windows gamers. It sneaks in through infected third-party game mods. Once it’s on your system, cybercriminals play their own games, looking for crypto and taking screenshots of what you do so they can blackmail you. PSA: Skip the mods.
🚨 Don’t fall for it: Cybercriminals are sending emails that lead to an “I am not a robot” CAPTCHA. Click the checkbox and you’ll see a prompt to press “Win + R,” which opens the command prompt on a Windows computer. Their final request: “Paste in this code.” It’s malware. The links can look like anything, so be on the lookout for this trick.
This tool is 99% effective against malware
Too many cybercriminals are trying to worm their way into your system and steal from you. Even the most tech-savvy folks can be fooled. You don’t even need to click anything to download malware anymore.
That’s why you need powerful software to sniff out malicious files. I trust my sponsor, TotalAV. It’s simple to install and use, and it’s received the VB100 award for detecting more than 99% of malware samples for the last three years in a row. (Yeah, that’s a big deal.)
3 security steps every small business needs to take right now
Business accounts can be hacked as easily as personal accounts. Imagine all your hard work being held at ransom by a hacker or your data falling into the hands of someone who can sell it to the competition.
You need to secure your business as best you can, and here are three crucial tips to get started. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, NetSuite.
5 common antivirus mistakes to avoid at all costs
Computer viruses can ruin everything. Systems that once worked well grind to a halt as your computer struggles to recover. That’s why antivirus programs are non-negotiable: They keep your digital life safe if you avoid the most common mistakes.
🚨 Watch out for election hallucinations: Cybercriminals are using ChatGPT to influence the upcoming U.S. elections, whipping up fake articles and misleading comments. OpenAI says, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, none of it has gone viral or built a real audience.” Yeah, right. Facebook is practically drowning in AI-generated clickbait crap.
How to stay safe on public Wi-Fi
You don’t leave your front door unlocked. So why would you use public Wi-Fi networks without protection? Defend your private data from cybercriminals in public places with these five tips.
If you listen to The Kim Komando Show and Kim’s podcasts, you know about digital dangers. Accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi networks can heighten these risks even more.
💊 Killer online pharmacies: Cybercriminals set up online pharmacies selling counterfeit pills disguised as prescription drugs. Adderall, Xanax and oxycodone knockoffs were laced with deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl. At least nine people have died. Please, please stick to real pharmacies for all your medications.
The most common terms email scammers use to trick you
Here’s a wild stat: Cybercriminals send 3.4 billion emails every day. That adds up to well over 1 trillion a year. With that many messages flying around, it’s no wonder so many people get caught up in scams. And today’s super-smart AI makes their messages all the more convincing.
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
Security tip: Next time you stay at a hotel, turn on your VPN
Did you know the average American spends more than 24 hours each week online? That is a considerable chunk of time.
If you’re one of many with multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. A virtual private network or VPN is the best way to do this.