🚨 How Charmin! Major TP-Link warning: U.S. lawmakers want to investigate TP-Link over fears China could use these routers to spy on Americans and the U.S. military. TP-Link is a hugely popular brand, but with routers made in China and a history of security issues, the concerns are real. Feeling uneasy? Here are a few steps to secure your router.
Why asking Siri, Google or Alexa for medical advice is a terrible idea
You’re suddenly thrown into a situation where you must perform CPR to save a life. Oh no. You don’t remember anything from that course 15 years ago.
You might think a quick “Hey Siri” would pull up the instructions quickly and clearly, but that’s absolutely the worst thing to do. In a recent study, researchers asked voice assistants questions related to cardiac arrest emergencies. Yep. It was a complete disaster.
I don’t want you to make this mistake. I know this isn’t the most exciting topic to cover, but it is so very important.
When someone needs CPR, call 911. Period. Somehow, only nine of the 32 assistant’s responses suggested this critical step. A whopping 88% of responses gave a website where you could read the steps to do CPR. Really?
🏥 If you need the steps or want to take a refresher course, here’s the link to the Red Cross website. You may have heard that “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is an excellent song to sing when doing CPR. It is, but here are a few others recommended that you might remember better:
- “Baby Shark” — Pinkfon
- “Dancing Queen” — ABBA
- “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper
- “I Will Survive” — Gloria Gaynor
- “Sweet Home Alabama” — Lynyrd Skynyrd
The idea that your smart assistant would direct you to a website in an emergency got me thinking about other commands you shouldn’t ask. Here are seven things you’re better off handling yourself.
Play doctor: Better off not asking Siri, Google or Alexa for medical advice. Trusting those smart assistants might just make things worse. It’s always best to call or telehealth with your doctor.
How to hurt someone: Don’t ask your smart assistant about harming someone, even if you’re just venting. You never know. Those chats with Siri or Google Assistant could come back to bite you if you end up on the wrong side of the law. Keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself.
Anything that ends up with your mug shot: Don’t ask Alexa where to buy drugs, where to hide a body or anything else suspicious. Like asking your smart assistant how to hurt someone, asking these types of questions could be used against you.
Be your telephone operator: If you need to call your closest Home Depot to see if they have something in stock, find the number yourself. Same goes for asking that assistant to call emergency services. Dialing 911 yourself takes two seconds.
Deal with your money: Although voice assistants can connect to bank or credit apps, there are many security issues with voice data. Savvy cybercriminals can hack into your phone, steal your voice and use it to drain your accounts. Just log into your bank’s website or mobile app and call it a day.
Security camera warning: This brand is missing a key privacy feature
There are plenty of reasons to install a video doorbell at your home. The most significant benefit for many is seeing who walks to the front door. Tap or click for a handy product that solves the Ring doorbell’s biggest problem.
Have a gamer in the house? 5 must-do security steps
Although online gaming can be a fun way to unwind, it also comes with several security issues. Competitive gaming can lead people to sabotage their rivals, so you need to take steps to protect your home network. Threats can range from harassment campaigns and hacking to doxxing and swatting (more on that later).
Zoom class-action settlement: Claim your share today before it's too late
Zoom was one of the biggest apps that helped us through the pandemic. The video conference tool was essential for workplaces and schools across the country. But with popularity comes a hefty price — specifically $85 million in the form of a settlement.
Secure your data with Chrome’s new Privacy Guide – Here’s how to use it
Before Google’s Chrome browser hits the magical version number of 100, a few more security issues need addressing. While a recent update adds more features, the new Privacy Guide is most beneficial to Chrome users.
True or false: You need to submit a selfie with your taxes this year
Many careers have been affected by the pandemic, as people were laid off or switched to remote work. Others found new sources of income, selling things or providing services online.
If you receive income via third-party payment processors such as PayPal, CashApp or Venmo, you may need to change how you report it. The government has added a provision for people earning more than $600 per year through third-party payment processors. Tap or click here to see how this change may affect you.
If you use Chrome, you need to update your browser now
Protect yourself from cyberattacks and update your Google Chrome browser now. The tech giant pushed out another update last week, patching several security issues that can have devastating consequences.
This is the third browser update over the past few weeks, with the previous one fixing four high severity problems. Those unpatched issues left billions of browsers vulnerable to attacks from hackers. Through one flaw, hackers could give themselves access to secure buildings.
Update your Android! Patch fixes security vulnerabilities
With great technology comes great…opportunities for hackers to get your personal information. Regardless of whether you are using a tablet, a smartphone or computer to store private information, the internet comes with risks. Tap or click here to find out how millions of routers are at risk of being hacked.
Use Zoom? This screen-share bug may expose more than you think
The pandemic has forced many businesses to evaluate the feasibility of staff working from home. While on paper it might work, line managers initially struggled to find an easy way to connect with their team. That is where video calling services like Zoom stepped in.
Chrome browser vulnerability under attack - Update now
Malware, viruses and data breaches are all serious issues that can strike at any time. You won’t see them coming, and you might not know something is wrong even after your computer or phone was attacked.
You can take various steps to protect yourself, and keeping your browser updated is among the simplest and most important. Tap or click here for instructions on updating some of the most popular browsers.
Update your browser now to keep your computer from being hijacked
There are tons of security issues circulating for many big tech companies right now. Microsoft has released a critical patch for Windows Defender, and Samsung phones have been plagued with a new privacy bug.
Now, there are new reports that internet browsers like Chrome, Edge and Firefox have several vulnerability issues. Tap or click here to read about a hacker who exposed 99% of all Parler messages and posts, including location data.
How to ditch Facebook's algorithm and see the posts YOU want to see
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. It’s been an easy way to keep in touch with friends and family during the pandemic, but it can be frustrating to deal with the platform itself.
Facebook has had its share of controversies and security issues over the last few years, making us wary of using it. That’s not the only issue, though. Facebook can also frustrate you because it also has tight control over any content posted to its platform — including what posts you’ll see on your News Feed.
Warning! These smart plugs can be hacked and start fires
Smart plugs may not be the first item you think of when you’re checking out smart gadgets, but maybe they should be. These handy outlet plugs are a lot more useful than you’d think.
Want to set a timer for your Christmas lights? Smart plugs can do that. Or, do you constantly forget to turn off the lamps in your den? Set your smart plugs to do it for you. Tap or click to find out eight practical smart plug uses.
Update your browser now! Bug allows your phone to be hijacked
If you’re a fan of online privacy, you’ve probably already made the switch to Mozilla Firefox. The browser comes with a host of useful features that make your sessions less open to advertisers — like blocking third-party cookies by default.
iPhone warning: Is this app using your camera without permission?
Apple’s upcoming iOS 14 release is highly anticipated for several reasons. Not only does the new operating system give you more options to customize your iPhone than ever before, but it also features a number of privacy enhancements that clue you in to how much data you’re sharing with websites and apps.
Windows users beware: New ransomware can lock you out of your PC
It hasn’t been the easiest time for Windows 10 users recently. While Microsoft’s signature operating system is more popular than ever, it’s suffered a variety of significant security issues in its time on the market.