📬 Tired of spam and snooping? Bob from Illinois said it best: “I switched to StartMail, and I get no more junk email. Plus, no big tech snoops and trackers!” You can move your whole inbox without missing a beat, too. No downtime, no data lost and total privacy. Right now, snag 60% off your first year — a smart switch at a smart price.
5 steps to take control of your data
ChatGPT
Every day, it feels like there’s another company saying, “Oops, we lost your info.” Feel helpless? Don’t. I’ve got some smart steps that help lock things down and keep creeps from using your info against you. Let’s jump in.
🔒 Change your username and passwords
If hackers get one of your passwords, they’ll try it everywhere. Don’t make it easy for them.
👉 Make it tough to crack:
- Go long and random: Aim for at least 16 characters with upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Use a passphrase: “BigKimK0mandoF@n!” beats “abc123.”
- Lie on security questions: Your mom’s maiden name is a Google search away. Give a fake answer and jot ‘em down somewhere safe.
🔑 Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)
You’ve probably used this already. It’s that code you get via text or using your fingerprint to log in. MFA makes you 99% less likely to be hacked.
Set it up:
- Android: Open your Google Account > Security. Under “How you sign in to Google,” choose Turn on 2-Step Verification and follow the prompts.
- iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication. Select Add a Trusted Phone Number and follow the steps.
✅ Pro tip: Lock down your payment apps like CashApp, Venmo and Zelle. Here’s how.
🧊 Freeze your credit
This one’s big. If your name, address or Social Security number were exposed, a scammer could open a credit card or take out a loan in your name.
Your privacy restored
© Eduard Goricev | Dreamstime.com, © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com
Ever Googled yourself and thought, “What the heck is that doing online?” Old addresses, phone numbers and even the car you drive are all out there. Worse, it’s probably on some sketchy people search site or buried in a mountain of search results.
Want real home protection without the hassle? I love this security system! No wires, no contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. It comes with sensors, cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Snag this deal while it lasts. For a limited time, get 50% off!
Keep YouTube videos private: Uploading something for work or family? Set the video to Unlisted, so it won’t show up in search, recommendations or on your channel. Only people with the link can watch. Just go to Profile (top right) > YouTube Studio > Content, then under Visibility, choose Unlisted and hit Save.
🕹️ Know what they’re playing: Before your kid buys a new video game, go to ESRB.org and type the title into the search bar. You’ll see the official rating (like E for Everyone or M for Mature), plus a breakdown of what’s in it. Things like violence, language and sexual content are all listed.
Check your privacy settings: Social media apps update often, and sometimes your preferences change without you noticing. Review who can see your posts, who can tag you and what info is public. Most apps have this under Profile (or the three line Menu) > Settings > Privacy.
📧 You’ve got mail, and Big Tech can see it. Time to shut the door. I’m all in with StartMail: private, super secure, and you can even use burner addresses. Try it free for seven days, then grab 60% off your first year. Own your inbox today!
🤥 Biggest lie on the web? Clicking “I agree” without reading a word of a site’s terms and conditions. Luckily, Terms of Service; Didn’t Read is a free website and browser extension that scans user agreements and summarizes the key points. Now, you’ll know what you’re getting into.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Cover your laptop webcam with a real cover. Not tape. Sliding covers like this three-pack ($4, 33% off) send the message: “Nice try, hacker.”
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🛡️ Protect your kids on YouTube: Restricted Mode filters out videos flagged as mature (drugs, alcohol … stuff you don’t want them seeing). Click their Profile (top right) > scroll to Restricted Mode > toggle Activate Restricted Mode. Then hit Lock Restricted Mode on this browser. Bonus: It also hides comments.
🔴 Go live, privately: Instagram lets you livestream just to your close friends instead of all your followers. Tap the + button, choose Live, then select Share with Close Friends and start broadcasting. You can add up to three pals. Want to tweak your list? Head to More (three lines) > Settings > Who can see your content > Close Friends.
👉 Don’t live in fear: Get the best home protection with no wires or contracts. Set it up in just 30 minutes, complete with sensors, cameras and 24/7 monitoring. For a limited time, you get 50% off a new system with an awesome monitoring plan.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Mute annoying people on Instagram instead of unfollowing to save drama. Below their profile, tap Following > Mute.
🛑 Did you know Big Tech reads your emails? Yeah, seriously. But not StartMail. It’s private, secure and even has disposable addresses. Try it free for seven days and get 60% off your first year!
Deal with bullies: Your kid will run into rude or mean people online, especially in games or group chats. Show them how to mute or block the person. On Discord, they just need to right-click the bully’s name or profile and hit Block. Let them know it’s private and their other friends won’t know.
🎮 Kids and online games: When they play games online, they’re chatting with strangers since no friend request is needed. Anyone in the lobby can talk using a mic. Make sure they know not to share personal info and to never agree to meet up in real life. Too many wackos are behind the screen.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Use MyActivity.google.com to see and delete everything Google knows about you. It’s a wild ride.