🚨 Heads-up, small businesses: Hackers are breaking into WordPress-based websites and installing fake plugins packed with harmful code. When visitors come to your site, they might see a pop-up telling them to update their browser … but it’s actually info-stealing malware. They’re getting in with stolen credentials, so change yours now.
Malware warning: Red flags your computer is under attack
It’s Computer Security Day, and there’s no better time to remind you malware is lurking everywhere. From phishing emails to unsuspecting ads, just one wrong click can compromise your personal info or infect your devices.
Don’t panic! Knowing how to spot the early warning signs can save you a world of trouble. Let’s make your devices malware-free zones.
I saw the sign … and it slowed down my computer
🚩 Sluggish performance: Does your computer seem like it’s running so‑o‑o‑o slowly? Most malware hogs your system’s resources. Start by checking for too many open tabs or outdated software. Still slow? It’s time to dig deeper.
🚩 Pop-up pandemonium: Random pop-ups are a big red flag. They might be ads or flashing warnings saying your system’s infected. Rule No. 1: Don’t click them. That’ll only lead to more trouble.
🚩 Mystery programs: Malware can lead to other sneaky software installed on your device. Go through the apps installed on your computer, phone or other device, and look for anything unfamiliar.
🚩 Hijacked browser settings: Did your homepage or search engine suddenly change? It could be malware trying to redirect you to sketchy sites. Fix this by removing any extensions and changing the default search page in your browser.
🚩 Disabled firewall: If your firewall turns off mysteriously, malware might be covering its tracks. To check your firewall settings:
- On Windows: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Firewall & network protection.
- On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall.
🚩 Skyrocketing data usage: A sluggish connection or unexplained data spikes could mean your machine is sending data to who-knows-where. To check:
- On Windows: Open Task Manager > App History and look at the Network column.
- On Mac: Open the Activity Monitor app > View > Dock Icon > Show Network Usage.
Don’t wait for the worst to happen
How to spot a fake retail website before you buy
I got a question this week from Janet in Idaho. She was scrolling Instagram, clicked an ad for a super-cute dress and bought it. Next thing you know, there are bogus charges on her debit card. “How the heck did that happen?” she asked me. “It was a website I’ve shopped on before.”
Scareware 101: How to spot this dangerous cyberattack and protect yourself
Spam is unavoidable: It clutters your phone call history and chokes your email inbox. Like spam, scareware is another annoyance that seems to go hand-in-hand with internet access. It’s why you should never click pop-ups that say your system is at risk.
5 best browsers not named Chrome to use with your Android phone
It’s hard to imagine a world without Google. But every time you use Google or Chrome, your information and habits are stored and used to serve targeted ads. Tap or click here for a big reason to stop using Google Chrome on your smartphone.
🤖 ChatGPT warning: When you get info on ChatGPT, the results often include citation links. Click one and it might take you to scam central. Some links, like “County Local News,” are riddled with dodgy pop-ups pretending to be Adobe Flash updates or fake McAfee virus scans. Watch out!
🚨 Heads-up: Hackers are using Google ads for “Facebook.com” to steal login details. Click one of the ads, and you’ll be redirected to a dodgy site filled with malicious pop-ups. Remember, anyone can buy Google ads. Don’t search to get to a site; if you know the URL (and we all know Facebook’s URL), just type it in.
Search warning: Google’s new AI-generated answers can lead to sketchy sites that trick you into subscribing to browser notifications. Seeing these annoying pop-ups? In Chrome, go to Settings > Content > Notifications, and under Allowed to send notifications, click Remove next to any site you don’t want to hear from.
Cool site: Free easy-to-use video editing tools
How many pictures do you have on your phone’s camera roll? You don’t have to be a trained photo editor to have amazing images. Tap or click here for five photo apps that make your pics better without any Photoshop skills.
If you see this app warning on your phone, DO NOT ignore it
Malware droppers are hard to spot in the wild. They disguise themselves as legitimate login screens, fooling even the savviest of techies. Luckily, Google is making it easier to thwart hackers with a new malware warning.
Did you get a strange notification that you need to protect your Facebook account? It's (probably) real
Social media is a hotbed for scams, and you can never be too careful about pop-ups and advertising. You might have received an email telling you that your account is compromised and you need to verify your details.
The chances are good that it was part of an elaborate phishing scam, but users have noticed another pop-up on Facebook over the last few days. The alert claims that you must activate a new function on the social media platform or risk losing access.
Watch out for this scam ad popping up in YouTube
If you have spent any time on YouTube, you have seen a few ads. For the most part, advertising is through skippable in-stream ads. That’s when you see those short videos before or after the video you want to watch. Don’t like what you see? Here are eight YouTube pro tricks for better searches and more privacy.
Tech how-to: Lock down Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari for maximum security
There are many web browsers out there, but these are the four most popular: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Apple’s Safari. They have their differences, but they also have many similarities.
Sadly, one of their similarities is they can all be hacked in various ways. This can lead to your private information getting out and cause personal or financial harm to you. Tap or click here for signs that your device has been hacked.
How to remove viruses from your iPhone or iPad
Apple has made it really difficult for hackers to get into your devices. But despite the common misconception that iPhones and iPad are immune to malware, hackers do, in fact, have ways of infecting your iPhone and iPad.
Tech help scam: Don't click pop-ups warning your system is at risk
Picture this: You’re browsing the web, minding your own business when suddenly a pop-up appears on your screen. It doesn’t look like an ad, but a system alert warning you that a virus has taken over your machine. Wanting to protect yourself, you click the link and get in touch with a tech support agent. Then, before you know it, you’re being billed hundreds of dollars. Wait, what?
Browser security settings you need to check now
No matter which browser you choose, you’re accessing the same internet.
That is, of course, unless you’re using Tor to trawl the Dark Web. Feeling curious about how to get there and what you’ll find? Here’s the info — use it at your own risk.
New computer? Here are 4 things you should do right away
Picking out a new computer can be tough. With so many features to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry, just click here for a list of the things you should look into before choosing your next computer.