The last straw: Password manager LastPass has all kinds of drama around keeping its customers’ logins safe. The latest: A fake app pretending to be the real deal was pulled from the Apple App Store. If you recently downloaded LastPass onto your iPhone, iPad or Mac, it’s time for a complete password purge. I recommend Total Password (it’s just $19).
Why you need a VPN (even if you're not tech-savvy)
When surfing the web, you might encounter a few confusing acronyms. Take VPN, for example. You might shrug and scroll past it if you don’t know what it means. Just like that, you could miss out on the best internet privacy tool.
A VPN is a solid line of defense that protects your private information from third parties that want to profit from your digital movements. When we say third parties, we’re not just talking about cybercriminals. Businesses also want to profit from your data.
With a VPN, you can take back privacy and stop your internet service provider (ISP) from spying on you. Here are a few reasons everyone should use a VPN.
1. Privacy from your ISP
Companies that provide internet service see your every click as a way to make money. Many ISPs save your browsing history on their systems and store anonymous logs to sell to marketing companies.
Others even try to upcharge you, turning privacy into a premium feature. That means you’d have to pay an extra monthly fee to ward off prying eyes.
It’s good to know that the data your ISP collects on you doesn’t always stay with them alone. Their storage of your browsing history is accessible to government agencies. That brings us to the next benefit of a VPN.
2. Privacy from the government
Should the government subpoena your ISP, they’re legally required to spill the beans. By beans, we mean your search history. Uncle Sam can snicker at your most embarrassing secrets if you look up something strange out of context.
And who wants government agents ogling your browsing habits? Who hasn’t searched for something that would sound bizarre out of context?
With a VPN, you can bypass your ISP’s attention. You hide your IP address and location by connecting to a VPN server. Instead, an encrypted tunnel completely reroutes your network’s traffic. Nifty, huh?
3. Gives you a secure way to access public Wi-Fi
Don't want your ISP or Big Tech seeing what you look up? Do this
Doing online searches without a VPN is asking your internet service provider, Google or your search engine of choice to snoop on what you do. All that information — the products you look up, medical conditions you search for, people you Google — is compiled into the dossier about you.
Using free antivirus? Here's what it could cost you
The internet is dangerous and laden with hidden threats. Luckily, antivirus (AV) software can spot lurking dangers that want to take over your computer. Tap or click here to find out why you need antivirus software.
You may consider a free version if you’re looking for an antivirus tool. A few solutions won’t cost you a dime, which can be appealing. But, as with all things, you get what you pay for.
How to find and remove unwanted devices connected to your network
If you use wireless internet at home, you probably have several devices connected to your network. It’s so easy to keep piling on additional devices, too. Your new laptop, another video game console, a tablet or even your friend’s phone.
What makes a good VPN? 3 features to look for before you spend a dime
What you do online should be your business. That’s not the world we live in, though. Your internet service provider can see every site you visit, even in incognito mode, and your data is routinely packaged up and sold to the highest bidder.
5 common antivirus mistakes to avoid at all costs
Computer viruses can ruin everything. Systems that once worked well grind to a halt as your computer struggles to recover. That’s why antivirus programs are non-negotiable: They keep your digital life safe if you avoid the most common mistakes.
How to install antivirus and scan your computer
If you’re online, you’re at risk, plain and simple. There’s more out there after your info and wallet than you realize, from phishing scams to ransomware and malicious apps to malware.
That’s why it’s critical to protect your personal and business devices correctly. When it comes to your computer, tablet and phone, you need a robust security suite.
Security tip: Next time you stay at a hotel, turn on your VPN
Did you know the average American spends more than 24 hours each week online? That is a considerable chunk of time.
If you’re one of many with multiple devices regularly accessing the internet, you probably know you need a secure connection to protect sensitive data. A virtual private network or VPN is the best way to do this.
VPNs: How they work and how to choose the best one for you
I’m sure you’ve heard me mention VPNs before on my show. With hackers, thieves and scammers constantly out in full force, ready to steal your money, now’s the time to get on board.
VPN is short for virtual private network. What this means is when doing your banking online, hackers can’t step in the middle and steal your account information and drain your money. A VPN also stops your internet provider from tracking you and lets you unblock websites and bypass filters. You need it on your computer, laptop, tablet and phone.
🛑 Don’t click on Chrome update links: McAfee says that’s what’s spreading the new MoqHao malware. Unlike other viruses, MoqHao infects your computer immediately. Oh, brother. For the real update, just restart your browser.
Tech security to-do: Lock down your smart stuff
Anything connected to the internet is a hacker target, and you better believe that includes all the Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets in your home.
A quick word of wisdom before we go any further: You probably don’t think about your router much. But the single password locking it down might be the only safeguard between you and someone up to no good.
Scammers are coming after your kids and teens
What comes to mind when you think of someone getting scammed? A grandma on the phone with some jerk? If so, this will probably surprise you.
The total money lost by teens in online scams grew by nearly 2,500% between 2017 and 2022. Victims under the age of 20 lost a staggering $210 million in 2022 alone.
5 steps to keep your router from being hacked
Most of us don’t give a second thought to the router that manages our home internet. We assume it’s working fine, just like the day we installed it, which is why hackers can break into your network and wreak havoc without you even realizing it.
The dumbest passwords you can use to secure your accounts
How bad are we at creating safer passwords? The latest data shows a whopping 75% of people worldwide don’t follow password best practices. We should know better … and yet, 84% of us reuse our passwords.
Why do I harp on this so often? You can blame over 80% of data breaches on weak or repeated passwords. Maybe you’ve never experienced the horror of identity theft, but let me tell you, it’s bad.
Hacked on social media? Steps to take right now
Social media account hacking is on fire … not in a good way. Account hijacking has grown by as much as 1,000% annually in the last few years, with celebrities and politicians so mad about it they’re starting to sue.
6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
Booking a rental property for your next vacation? There’s a scam for that!
Seriously, vacation rental scams are everywhere. Last year alone, Airbnb banned 59,000 fake listings — and stopped 157,000 listings from making it to the site in the first place.
Criminals are using AI and clever tactics to scare parents into paying ransom
Picture this: Your phone rings and it’s a familiar number. You answer and an unsettling voice tells you they have your kid. The only way to get your son or daughter back alive is to send money.
It gets worse. Your child gets on the phone and directly pleads with you for help. You see a picture of them in chains. You watch a video of them crying. Now you’re panicking.
Charging and travel: 5 malware mistakes most people make
The airports? Crazy. The weather? Unpredictable. Travel is tough enough … and then your phone dies. Those charging kiosks in airports, hotels and malls can be big timesavers. Their owners promise they’re safe, but the FBI disagrees — and so do I.
Wait, are public phone chargers dangerous? Know these travel don’ts!
The airports? Crazy. The weather? Unpredictable. Travel is tough enough. But the FBI recently threw a wrinkle in the sheets with a new warning to avoid public phone charging stations.
Those charging kiosks in airports, hotels and malls can be big timesavers, especially for a family on the move. Good news! Owners promise they’re safe. The government disagrees — and so do I. Groan, I know.