Maintaining your online privacy has become increasingly difficult. If you’re tired of platforms and companies snooping through your personal data, it’s time to take action. In this video, Kim shows you seven ways to shut out Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, people-search sites and others.
Survey: 86% are fed up with Big Tech. Here’s how to get your privacy back
Years ago, we searched the web, bought new gadgets, and typed in our email addresses without much thought. As far as accounts went, “Hey if it’s free, sign me up,” we thought.
Fast forward to now, and you can’t go online or turn on the news without hearing about the control Big Tech has on our lives — and the growing resentment around it.
We’re not the only ones noticing. Probably due to government initiatives, tech companies are making changes to address these concerns. You can now password protect the page that reveals all your Google searches and other activity.
If you own an iPhone, it’s easier than ever to see what info the apps you use are collecting and block that data from being shared. Tap or click for five iPhone security settings everyone should know about.
Americans may be finally waking up to the fact that when a product is free, they are in fact, the product.
Big Tech: Do you trust it?
I hear from callers to my national radio show and readers from my website and newsletters all the time who say they’re tired of Big Tech companies, their power, and their control. It got me wondering, how widespread is this feeling? I put together a poll and sent it out to subscribers of my free newsletters, and 6,351 people responded.
Here’s a telling stat for you: 86% say they no longer trust Big Tech companies. As a country, we realize how much power and influence they have on our everyday lives.
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When’s the last time you got through a day without picking up your iPhone or Android smartphone? What about your Apple or Microsoft computer? Shopping on Amazon or scrolling through posts on Facebook?
The survey found that 76% of those who responded use Google daily, followed by Microsoft (60%), Apple (49%), and Facebook (45%). Over 40% shop on Amazon or use Amazon owned-products like the Echo daily; 89% are active shoppers on Amazon.com.
Only a mere 1.34%, or 85 people, of those polled, say they don’t interact with at least one of those companies every day.
Warning: Hackers can crack these cheap smart plugs and worm into your network
Connected devices and smart gadgets can turn an ordinary home into a technological heaven. Switching on all the lights in the house has never been so easy. Remotely turning up the cool breeze from a connected fan is bliss. Tap or click here for 11 smart home gadgets you’ll actually use.
Stop using that same old password for your online accounts - Try this instead
Hackers have plenty of tricks when it comes to making you their victim. They can send you emails containing viruses and malware. They can send you links that go to malicious websites. They can get you through phony social media accounts and apps that look like legitimate sources.
Use Amazon? Make these 5 changes now to protect your privacy
Amazon’s pandemic boom shows no signs of slowing down. Every single minute in the first quarter of this year, the e-commerce giant brought in $837,330.25.
For Big Tech companies, collecting your data is a vital part of their profits. You can take your privacy back as long as you know the proper settings to change. Tap or click for eight hidden maps and trackers you need to switch off now.
15 essential items to protect your body and data from physical and cyber attacks
When is the last time you stocked up on items to protect yourself? Maybe it’s been a while since you thought about how you protect your devices, information and body. Upgrade your security setup and protect your body and data at once with these 15 must-haves.
The tracking secret your ISP doesn't want you to know
Let’s talk about cookies — not the kind you eat, but the ones that hold all the information your browser saves from websites you visit. Cookies are tiny files that contain your logins, user names, passwords and ads you’ve seen. Basically, they’re little trackers that follow you around the web, which means they have a ton of data on you and your browsing habits.
Top 20 worst passwords: Is yours on the list?
Has it been a while since you changed your password? If you’re using an old password or are reusing passwords across multiple sites, you’re basically asking for trouble.
Password security is critical if you value your privacy. Weak, reused or clearly bad passwords open you to being targeted for identity theft and other cybercrimes by hackers and other bad guys. Want more info? Tap or click here for 10 internet crimes you need to know about.
5 router admin settings you need to change to keep hackers out
Router security isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but when it comes to the safety of all the devices in your home, it’s incredibly important. Kim shows you how to protect yourself and your family with just a few simple tweaks of your router’s settings, directly from the admin page. Don’t worry, these are simple changes anyone can make.
The essential privacy tool to protect you from Big Tech
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My inbox is filled with people asking how they can stay out of Big Tech’s reach.
It starts with the services you use. Yes, they’re mostly free, but remember what you’re paying with: Your data. Tap or click here for services you can use that aren’t under Big Tech’s control.
This handy Chrome update helps fix your bad passwords
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If you want to keep your personal information safe, you need to use strong passwords for all online accounts. Not all of us take the time to do that, even though easy or repetitive passwords put you at risk of being compromised by cybercriminals.
Kim's DIY Security tip: 7 online security basics everyone should know
Security threats are pretty much everywhere online these days. Data breaches, phishing scams, ransomware attacks and identity thieves … The list goes on and on. So how can you stay safe? In this DIY Security tip, Kim shares 7 ways you need to protect yourself online. There really is no excuse to ignore these habits anymore — not if you want to be protected.
Ditch your credit card: 3 safer ways to pay online
Shopping online with your credit card isn’t as safe as you think. Wherever there’s money involved, scammers gather. That’s why you need a secure method to pay or send money on the web. We’ll show you three options safer than your credit or debit card and help you settle on a new way to pay, shop and send money online.
These are the 20 worst passwords you can use
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It’s a tough balancing act to create a password that’s both strong and easy to remember. If you make your passwords too simple, you can actually put your accounts in danger of cyberattacks.
The strongest passwords always use a complex arrangement of numbers, letters and symbols that make them tricky to guess. If you don’t repeat characters, it can also be difficult for hackers to brute force them. Tap or click here to see our guide to stronger passwords.
Your passwords are exposed - here's what to do about it
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Pop quiz: How many passwords do you use online? It’s probably more than you can remember right away, and most of the world is right there with you. According to a report from cybersecurity firm Digital Shadows, the average person uses 191 services that require passwords — and more than 15 billion stolen credentials are in circulation. That’s a 300% increase since 2018!
Amazon security settings you must change: Order history, searches, recordings
There’s no question Amazon dominates the online shopping world. But you might not like just how much the tech giant knows about you. If you want to get the most out of Amazon without sacrificing your privacy, it’s time to optimize your profile settings so the company (and advertisers) know as little about you as possible. These five critical security settings will give Amazon access to just the bare necessities of your personal data.
One lie security experts use all the time and you should, too
We are constantly hearing new and revised advice on managing online accounts, but sometimes we have to deal with more than just passwords when it comes to security. Some sites also require answers to a series of security questions that can later be used to verify your account or recover a lost password. Tap or click here to create better passwords.
The serious privacy risk of coronavirus tracing apps
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Contact tracing is said to be one of the most useful steps a population can take to slow the spread of COVID-19. The process is straightforward: Individuals who are infected report their confirmed case to health officials along with contact information of the people they may have exposed themselves to. This helps isolate outbreaks before they can grow.
Billions of passwords for sale on the Dark Web - this one was used 7 million times
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How tough are your passwords? Despite what you may think, the best password practices from 10 years ago won’t cut it today. If you share passwords across different websites, for example, it’s time to get busy changing them for the sake of your security.
4 critical features to look for in a home protection service
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Even though some coronavirus restrictions are starting to be lifted across the U.S., many Americans are committed to staying home. At least until they feel safe going out in public.
While you’re still at home, the last thing you need is the added stress of worrying about burglars trying to break into your home. That’s why it’s important to have home security from a company you can trust.