Do you have a Tesla? Don’t trust Autopilot. One driver did – and his car killed a man. More tech news you need to know: Hackers are targeting your Office suite, Gmail is changing and how to NEVER miss an important call again.
Are hackers in your phone? Here’s how to find out
I’ve heard from many people who have been cyberstalked over the years. Sadly, today’s tech makes it all too easy.
Take Apple AirTags, for example. They’re cheap, small, and easy to hide — and can tell the owner exactly where you are located. Here are six signs to look for if you suspect someone is tracking you this way.
Then there are the people convinced someone is listening in on their calls or reading their texts. Sometimes, I believe something is going on. Other times, paranoia has set in. Here’s how to know if you’re being stalked or are just paranoid.
It’s not always easy to tell if your phone has been compromised. Here are some tips for diagnosing a hacked phone.
How does this happen in the first place?
A person doesn’t necessarily have to be a hacker to get into your phone. Someone can hold your phone to your face when you’re sleeping and unlock it. This one act lets them snoop through your device without your knowledge.
Then there’s software that does the job. Stalkerware is designed to track you using GPS, call logs, messages, images, browser history, and more. This software can be hidden behind another app that seems harmless. Tap or click for six signs stalkerware could be on your phone.
There are harmful files and malicious links that can infect your phone without your knowledge. Something as innocuous as a PDF file can carry some poisonous data. That’s why it’s so important to be careful what you click.
What about apps? Sketchy downloads can imitate well-known apps or try their luck to trick you into downloading and running them. Once you do so, your phone is infected with malware.
There’s also a method called SIM swapping that is much more targeted. A criminal calls your phone carrier pretends to be you, and requests a new SIM card — disconnecting your old line and transferring everything to the criminal’s device.
Tap or click for three ways to stop this scary attack.
Look for the signs
5 silly mistakes putting your online privacy and security at huge risk
© Vilgun1 | Dreamstime.com
There are so many online scams and tricks out there I can’t cover them all on my website and national radio show. I make it my duty to inform you of the tactics bad actors use to fool you.
A great podcast was the episode when I dove into the mind of a hacker. Tap or click to listen to an episode of my podcast, Kim Komando Today, with an IBM social engineer. She spills the secrets hackers use to scare and confuse people.
Antivirus vs. VPN: Do you need both for online privacy and security?
You probably know that bad guys lurk within every corner of the internet. You have to watch out for spyware, ransomware, phishing attacks, IoT invasions and more. Oh, and don’t forget “zero-click attacks.” Researchers recently discovered hackers used military-grade spyware to remotely access iPhones and even replicate their data.
Here’s what it looks like when a virus takes over your computer
A slow computer can turn you into a detective. You start investigating the clues, trying to find out what happened. You might even Google “How to tell if you have a virus” or “Warning signs your computer is infected.”
Browser dangers, get paid to move, camping safety trick
Update your browser ASAP! Chrome, Edge and Safari just patched a dangerous flaw. If you don’t act now, hackers could take over your computer. Plus, are your mortgage bills unaffordable? Move to one of THESE cities or towns. They’ll actually pay you to relocate! I’ve got all the details plus a few life-saving tech tips in this episode. You don’t want to miss out on this!
Get free food, Twitter spam, Microsoft dangers
Sick of overspending on food? Here’s how to get a year of FREE Grubhub deliveries. Also, if you don’t update Microsoft Edge, hackers could take over your computer. Plus, slash your monthly costs with this insider streaming tip. I’ll tell you how to find and record your shows for free. With inflation at record highs, you need all the help you can get.
5 signs your phone is tapped
Did a hacker take over your phone from afar? Here’s how to find out, in 60 seconds.
Delete TikTok ASAP, fake news sites, pro YouTube tricks
If TikTok is on your smartphone, you need to remove it now. Here’s why. Plus, mobile ad IDs aren’t anonymous, the crypto crash is far from over and these five signs reveal if hackers are watching you through your security cameras. Also, time travel in Google Maps and search YouTube like a pro with these insider tricks.
Clone dead voices, LinkedIn crypto fraud, hacked jacuzzis
Want your dead grandmother to read you a story? If Amazon’s new Alexa AI feature comes to life, you could clone dead voices. Plus, hackers are taking over jacuzzis, Anna Sorokin is selling NFTs and the FBI warns of crypto fraud on LinkedIn. Oh, and you won’t believe how much money Big Tech companies make per minute.
Find Facebook hackers, fridge TV, make fake people
Make digital people on this free website. They look just as real as you and me. If you think that’s creepy, how about Facebook hackers? Look out for these red flags of a compromised account. I’ll also tell you how to make your smart fridge a TV and how to use an iPad as a second computer monitor.
How to save your texts, protect nude photos and find spyware
I’ve got a lot of great advice in this episode of Kim Komando Today. First, you’ll learn how to never lose a text message again. I’ll also tell you how to protect your nude photos from hackers. (This was based on a listener question.) Plus, where to put your router for the best Wi-Fi, how to find spyware and a few other tech tips that will make your digital life easier.
Be careful how you answer that cryptocurrency question on your tax return
© Nitiphon Yudram | Dreamstime.com
Filing your federal taxes can be a relatively complex endeavor. Thankfully you don’t have to verify your identity through a third party anymore, but other pitfalls can make it difficult.
One such issue can arise from cryptocurrency, and depending on how you used it over the last year, you could find yourself in trouble with the IRS. The various digital currencies have exploded in popularity, and the IRS wants to know if you’ve been trading them.
White House warning, Google shortcut, FBI cybercrime report
The White House put out a list of what businesses need to do to protect themselves from cyberwarfare. The problem? It’s far from helpful. Plus, a helpful Google Drive shortcut you’ll use again and again. And the FBI’s 2021 Internet Crime Report is here. It was a banner year for hackers — and that’s a bad thing for you.
5 signs your computer has been hacked
Are you worried that some stranger is slithering through your circuits? Listen to this one-minute episode for a few ways to find out if hackers have infiltrated your computer.
Crypto tip: Simple mistake costs man $120K – Don't let it happen to you
© Toxawww | Dreamstime.com
You’ve probably heard of cryptocurrency, the digital medium of exchange that has become a darling of social media influencers. You don’t need to be a crypto investor to know that there’s no such thing as easy money and that crypto, in particular, is an especially risky investment.
5 signs your email has been hacked
Want to know if your email has been hacked? Listen to this one-minute podcast for five easy giveaways.
Free check to see if your router has been hacked by criminals
© Christian Bridgwater | Dreamstime
The internet is a crazy place. Not only do marketers and advertisers follow your every move, but there are also hackers and scammers lurking in the dark corners, ready to pounce on your personal information.
At least marketers and advertisers want to make money off of you. The hackers and scammers we’re talking about want to flat-out steal your money by hijacking your personal information.
Watch out for this fake QR code scam
Did you know hackers are turning QR codes into weapons? Listen now to learn a few signs the QR code you’re about to scan is a trap.
An unbelievable story about hackers hitting up a hospital for ransomware
Ransomware hackers recently hit a hospital, and everything from the cardiac machines to IV pumps stopped working. Doctors and nurses had to use pen and paper. There were no electronic patient records. But what happened when the hackers found out it was a hospital will undoubtedly surprise you.