Looking for love or think you found “the one” online? Make sure your new guy or gal isn’t using any of these love scammer tactics.
3 reasons you shouldn't go another day without antivirus software
If you don’t have antivirus software, you’re putting every internet-connected gadget you own at risk. Something as simple as an unchanged router password can be an entry point for an invader to shut down your phone or even taunt your children through a security camera or smart speaker.
All your devices probably tell a detailed story about your life. Our computers and phones are critically important, from work emails and important documents to family photos. Are your devices truly protected? If you don’t have antivirus software installed, the answer is no.
Not all antivirus programs are created equal. Some won’t give you the comprehensive protection you need in our increasingly dangerous digital world. That’s why we’re sharing three critical reasons to upgrade to Kim’s pick and our sponsor, TotalAV.
1. Cybercrime is getting worse
Ransomware attackers prey on panic and fear once you realize your critical files are inaccessible. While stress is at an all-time high, they demand ridiculous money. In 2020, the average payment cybercriminals demanded was $178,000, Coveware research found.
If that weren’t scary enough, you could still be cheated even if you do pay. You might feel optimistic and hope that the hackers will hold up their end of the bargain once you’ve drained your bank account. Unfortunately, that’s just wishful thinking.
The Sophos State of Ransomware reports that only 56% of data gets restored after paying the ransom. That means you should never pay if a ransomware attack hits your system.
There’s no denying the ubiquity of cybercrime in today’s digital world. To make matters worse, their techniques improve every day.
2. Hackers are getting smarter
Here’s more detail on how ransomware works. Hackers break into your computer, ransack all your files and programs, and encrypt everything. You won’t be able to access any of it. It’s a total violation of your work and your personal life.
Now, criminals have beefed up their techniques. They’ve invented a method called double encryption. That’s when they encrypt your data twice at once.
By layering two types of ransomware on top of one another, they’re tricking you into paying double the original ransomware amount. Let’s say they demand $5,000 to decrypt your data. The hackers lift the first layer, only for you to find the second layer.
Protect all your devices with the best antivirus software
When it comes to antivirus software, there’s no better choice than our sponsor, TotalAV. For one, it’s available for your phone and computer, so all your devices are protected.
This security suite protects all your devices from the scariest online threats, such as ransomware, spyware, adware and (of course) malware. Its WebShield browser extension provides advanced protection against malicious websites and even blocks bad guys from stealing your data.
Guard your heart against love scammers
Vacation upgrade: Before you sign onto the in-flight or hotel Wi-Fi, turn on a VPN. It’s a layer of protection and privacy between you, hackers and the network. Get an extra three months of my VPN pick here.
👊 Protect your personal info: Ensure your online privacy and keep your sensitive data safe from hackers and identity thieves. I use and recommend ExpressVPN. Literally one click and you’re protected. Use my link to get three months free.
Scam texts to watch for - And my trick to stop them
“You coming?” “You’re owed $23,060!” “Your package is stuck at the warehouse.”
I’ll give you one guess what these lines have in common. Yep, they’re scam texts — and the scariest part is these kinds of cons work.
LinkedIn's verification methods let you identify yourself and your employer
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with nearly a billion members worldwide. While this offers job seekers and recruiters many opportunities, it also makes the site a prime target for cybercriminals.
Say no: If your bank asks you to set up your voice profile attached to your account, decline. You can bet hackers are trolling the internet to get clips of folks talking to make their own deepfake copies. A fingerprint or a solid password are safer login methods.
Your eyes only: Make sure someone can’t open a doc on your PC. In MS Office and Google Docs, click the Help button in the menu bar. Click Help again, then type in Encrypt with Password. Your program of choice will walk you through the steps.
All signs point to yes: Want to find out if you’re a data breach victim at this very moment? Here’s one option — and another. Type in your email address to check.
Cybercriminals and spies targeting routers: Hackers’ new side hustle is charging Chinese and Russian spies and scammers for access to old routers so they can launch denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or send scammy spam emails. If your device is more than three years old, it’s time to upgrade.
Using free antivirus? Beware of companies that sell your data or even plant malware
Saving money can be easy. Simple things like eating dinner at home more often than going to your favorite restaurant or skipping that daily $6 latte can really add up. You’ll have your next vacation paid for in no time.
Months after a report outing Eken video doorbells as hackable, a fix is here. Bad guys can access video doorbells that work with the Aiwit app and take control of the device. And with no encryption, your Wi-Fi and IP address could be exposed. Double-check your Aiwit app to make sure you’re up to date. Go to Devices and tap your doorbell name. Look for a firmware number of 2.4.1 or higher.
🚨 Kaiser Permanente data leak: It affects about 13.4 million patients. Third-party trackers installed on its sites and mobile apps were sending info to vendors like Google, Microsoft and X. The compromised data includes patient names, IP addresses, and their site and app interactions. Yup, medical ID theft is coming to you.
No more “password1”: Move random characters at the beginning or end of your password into the password itself. Ideas: Replace the letter “O” with a zero, like this: k0mand0_scholar. Or sub in a character for a letter it resembles (e.g., f@nt@syFormer).
Get smart(er): Look for the new Matter or Thread standards when you buy smart-home tech. These give you spy-worthy security. Just keep an eye out for one of those words on the box or online product listing.
The danger of free VPNs
If you want to stay safe, you need a solid self-defense plan. This applies to both the real world and our digital lives. One of the best ways to stay safe online is by using a VPN or a virtual private network.
As a quick recap, a VPN is a cybersecurity tool you download onto your devices. You can hide your IP address, encrypt internet traffic and protect your browsing history. VPNs even help you get around geoblocking, which refers to content barriers based on your location.
Security tip: 3 dumb mistakes putting you at risk online
There are countless cybersecurity threats you need to watch out for. The AV-TEST Institute says it detects over 450,000 new malicious programs every day.
We’ve compiled some easy mistakes you could be making right now. You may discover a weakness that puts your digital life in danger. Thanks to our sponsor, TotalAV, you can scroll down to stay safe!