Security & Safety Resource Center

When you hop on a phone call, you probably assume your conversation is private. And generally, for standard phone calls, it is. But when you start talking about sensitive topics—work deals, medical appointments, or anything you wouldn’t shout in a crowded room—you should demand the highest level of privacy.

That’s where Signal comes in. You might know it as the gold standard for encrypted messaging, but it’s just as powerful for secure voice calls. If you value your privacy, it’s time to make Signal your go-to for phone conversations, too.

The Security Difference: End-to-End Encryption

Most apps offer some level of security, but the best protection is provided by End-to-End Encryption (E2EE). This is the crucial feature that makes Signal the top choice.

When you make a standard internet-based voice call (like on some older apps), the call might be encrypted in transit, meaning the connection between your device and the company’s server is secure. However, the company’s server still has the keys to decrypt the data.

With Signal, the process is different:

1. Encryption on Your End: Your voice is scrambled the moment it leaves your device.
2. No Interception: No one in between—not Signal, not the phone company, and definitely not a hacker—can listen in. They simply do not have the keys.
3. Decryption on Their End: The call only unscrambles when it reaches your intended recipient’s device.

This means your voice calls are protected from snooping, guaranteeing your conversation remains private and between the two people who are actually talking.

Signal Does More Than Just Message

Signal is designed for comprehensive private communication, meaning it handles more than just one-to-one or group text messages. You can use it just like any other phone app to place crystal-clear, secure voice calls using Wi-Fi or mobile data.

How to Make a Secure Signal Voice Call:

It’s a straightforward process that should be a new habit for your sensitive chats:

1. Tap “Compose”: Open the app and start a new message, just like a text.
2. Select a Contact: Choose the person you want to talk to, or enter their phone number if they are in your contacts (they must also have the Signal app installed to receive the secure call).
3. Open the Conversation: Tap the person’s name to open the chat window.
4. Tap the Phone Icon: Look for the small phone icon (usually in the upper corner) and tap it to begin the secure, end-to-end encrypted call.

Your Active Call to Security

Switching your primary communication app might take a little effort (you’ll have to convince your friends and family to join!), but the payoff in peace of mind is enormous. Once you move your important conversations to Signal, you take an active step to eliminate the risk of third parties listening in on your private life.

Don’t leave your confidential voice calls exposed. Make the move to Signal and let E2EE be the guarantee that your conversations stay yours.

Let’s be honest: when you first got your computer, you probably didn’t spend much time thinking about the tiny camera embedded in the top of the screen. But today, the risk of “camfecting”—a hacker secretly taking control of your webcam—is very real.

You might think, “I don’t do anything embarrassing in front of my computer!” That’s not the point. A hacker viewing your camera can see your work documents, learn your routine, watch you type passwords, or even confirm when you’ve left your home. A live feed of your private space is a massive security risk.

The fix is simple, effective, and cheap: cover your webcam.

Beyond the Sticky Note: The Durability Problem

We know the common solutions. You might grab a sticky note, a piece of electrical tape, or even a bandage to cover that lens. And yes, those materials work in a pinch! They block the light, and they stop the spying.

However, these makeshift covers come with a big problem: durability and consistency.

• They Fall Off: Over time, the adhesive on a sticky note weakens. You toss your laptop in a bag, pull it out later, and the cover is gone. Your webcam is now exposed without you even realizing it.
• They Leave Residue: Tape can leave sticky, nasty residue on your screen, which is annoying and makes your high-definition camera look blurry when you do want to use it for a video call.
• They Damage the Lens: Repeatedly peeling off and sticking back on any makeshift cover increases the risk of scratching the delicate lens surface.

These temporary solutions require constant vigilance, and when it comes to security, relying on perfect memory is always a mistake.

Invest in the Permanent Solution

A much smarter, more durable solution is an actual webcam cover designed for this exact purpose.

These products are small, slim pieces of plastic that stick securely to the frame around your webcam. You never need to remove the adhesive base because the cover features a small, integrated sliding door that you can effortlessly use to hide and reveal the camera lens.

Why the Sliding Door is Your Best Defense:

1. Guaranteed Coverage: Once the cover is stuck on, it stays on. You eliminate the risk of the cover falling off without you noticing, leaving you exposed.
2. No Residue, No Scratches: You don’t have to peel anything off the lens, ensuring clear video quality when you are on a legitimate video call.
3. Active Control: The sliding door gives you instant, conscious control. Before you start a video call, you slide it open. The moment the call ends, you slide it closed. This active step makes you more mindful of your camera security.
4. Sleek Design: Modern covers are designed to be thin enough so they don’t interfere with closing your laptop.

Your webcam is a window into your most private spaces. Don’t rely on a temporary fix. Invest in a durable, sliding webcam cover today and actively close that window to potential hackers.

Let’s be real: video conferencing is no longer a luxury, it’s a lifeline. We use it for everything from business meetings and virtual doctor appointments to family catch-ups. But as our screens get more crowded, so do the privacy concerns swirling around our favorite video apps.

That popular platform you use? It might be collecting way more data than you realize. They often gather everything from your IP address and device details to how long your calls last, and the language of their privacy policies can feel like reading a complex legal textbook written in another language.

It’s time to stop just clicking “Accept” and start asking the important questions about where your conversations—and your data—are really going.

Demand True Privacy with E2EE

When it comes to video conferencing, you must look for a specific acronym: E2EE, which stands for End-to-End Encryption. This is non-negotiable for serious security.

Here’s why it matters: Many major services only use encryption in transit. Think of this like sending a letter in a secure envelope, but the company’s server still has the key to open it, read it, and then repackage it before sending it to your friend. With E2EE, however, your video, audio, and chat are scrambled on your device and can only be unscrambled on your recipient’s device. No one in between—not even the video platform itself—can listen in. They simply do not have the keys.

You own the conversation, not the service provider. That’s a powerful difference.

Privacy Policies Need to Be Crystal Clear

A truly privacy-focused video platform doesn’t just promise security; it proves it with a clear, concise privacy policy that you can actually understand. Avoid platforms whose policies are vague or seem to bury information about data collection deep in the fine print.

Look for a service that follows the principle of data minimalism. This means the company only collects the bare minimum of information required for the service to function. Ideally, they only track things like website visit statistics—which is information necessary to keep the service running smoothly—and explicitly state that they do not sell, share, or analyze your personal conversation content for profit or advertising.

If you can’t figure out in five minutes what data a platform is collecting, you can bet they are collecting more than you’re comfortable with.

Make the Switch to Safer Alternatives

Don’t wait for the next big data breach to force your hand. Take an active role in protecting yourself and your contacts now. Do a quick search for end-to-end encrypted video conferencing alternatives and compare their privacy policies. Many excellent, secure options exist that put your confidentiality first.

Your digital conversations, whether they are confidential business discussions or deeply personal chats, deserve the highest level of protection. Use your power as a consumer to choose platforms that respect your privacy and give you control over your own data.

We love social media because it lets us connect with practically anyone, anywhere. That’s an amazing power, but it’s also the wild west of personal safety. On the internet, people can easily hide behind fake profiles, completely change their identity, and disguise their real intentions.

It’s time to activate your online “Stranger Danger” senses. You need to be incredibly careful about who you allow into your digital life and how much information you share with a person you’ve never actually met.

Who Are You Really Talking To?

Think about that new friend request or DM you just got. They might seem charming, interesting, or share all your same hobbies. But on social media, that profile is just a carefully crafted story.

People use fake identities for all kinds of reasons—some are harmless, but many are not. Scammers, harassers, and even predators actively hunt for vulnerable people online. This is called catfishing, and it is shockingly common. They build trust with you by pretending to be someone they’re not, often with the goal of financial fraud, emotional manipulation, or even physical harm.

You must remember this core rule: Anyone you meet solely online is a stranger. Period.

Control Your Digital Circle

The best defense is often a good offense, and that means taking control of your platform settings right now. Don’t leave your profile open for just anyone to contact you.

Go into your social media privacy settings and restrict who can send you friend requests or direct messages. Limit it to people who are already friends of friends, or better yet, only those you know in real life. This small step significantly shrinks the pool of potential bad actors who can reach out to you.

What to Do If You Talk to Strangers

Sometimes, engaging with strangers online is unavoidable, whether for work, a hobby community, or a public interest group. When you do, practice extreme caution:

• Be a Lockbox with Personal Details: Never, ever share personal identifying information. This includes your full address, your phone number, where you work, or specific details about your daily routine. Every piece of data you give them is a tool they can use against you.
• Trust Your Gut: If a conversation makes you feel weird, uncomfortable, or pressured, end it immediately. Real friends don’t demand secrecy, ask for large amounts of money, or try to rush a relationship. If something feels too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
• Never Meet Alone: This is the most crucial warning. Never agree to meet an online-only contact in person without taking serious precautions. If you decide to go through with it, meet in a public, well-lit place with other people around, and bring a trusted friend with you. Always tell someone else where you are going and who you are meeting.

Your digital life is only as safe as you make it. Take an active role in screening your connections, protect your personal information, and remember that when you see a stranger online, a screen is all that separates you. Stay safe out there!

We all love those crystal-clear, high-definition photos our modern smartphones capture. We want to show off every perfect detail—the sharp focus, the vibrant color, the subtle texture. But when you upload that original, high-resolution image file straight from your phone to a social media account, you are creating a subtle but significant security risk.

Think of a high-resolution photo not just as an image, but as a map packed with unnecessary, high-zoom data. While most social media platforms apply some level of compression, many still allow for a high degree of zoom-in when the photo is downloaded or viewed at full size. That’s where the trouble starts.

The Unexpected Details High-Res Photos Reveal

We often focus on protecting the hidden data in a file (like geotags), but we often forget about the easily visible data within the image itself. High-resolution photos betray your privacy by capturing incidental details that a normal, low-resolution photo would blur into obscurity.

Here are the details a motivated person can easily decipher by zooming in on your high-res photos:

1. Business and Address Clues: Did you snap a photo of your new car parked near your office or apartment building? A sharp zoom can reveal the name of a business sign across the street, the building name, or even a partially obscured house number. By piecing together these snippets, a person can quite easily decipher your exact location or routine.
2. License Plates and Personal IDs: That photo of your friend in the car? If the image is sharp enough, a zoom can clearly capture the license plate number of your vehicle or the vehicle parked behind you. If you accidentally snap a picture that includes your workplace ID badge or a document on your desk, the high resolution makes it easy for others to read the text.
3. Reflections and Shadows: High-resolution cameras are so good they can capture minute details in reflections. If you take a picture in a polished surface, or even a window, a determined individual can zoom in and potentially identify details about your home’s interior, nearby street activity, or even your computer screen.

The Active Solution: Downsize Before You Upload

You don’t need to stop sharing your life, but you need to be smart about the quality of the files you share. You are sharing a memory, not a forensic document.

The easiest way to boost your security is to downsize your photos before you upload them.

You can use a simple photo editing app on your phone or computer to intentionally reduce the resolution (the overall pixel size) of the image. This process, often called “resizing,” reduces the file size and strips away the fine, zooming detail that betrays those background clues.

The Rule: If the platform doesn’t force a high level of compression (meaning you can view the photo at an unnecessarily high resolution), then you should manually compress it. If a stranger can zoom in on your photo and read a street sign across the street, the resolution is too high.

Take an active step in protecting your physical security by limiting the visual information you broadcast. Make your photos look good, but not too good!

Every time you snap a picture with your smartphone, your device does more than just capture a beautiful image. It often bundles that photo with a silent, hidden file attached to it: metadata. And within that metadata, your phone loves to include a geotag—the precise GPS coordinates of where you stood when you pressed the shutter button.

This is a massive convenience for organizing your own photos, letting you sort them by location. But when you post that picture to the internet, you are likely broadcasting your exact whereabouts to the entire world. And that innocent selfie could be giving criminals, stalkers, or just plain creeps a dangerous advantage.

The Hidden Danger in Your Digital Photo

When you upload a geotagged photo to an unprotected platform, anyone with a bit of technical know-how can download the image, read the metadata, and pinpoint your location right down to the street address or even a specific room in a building.

The risks of this automatic, location-disclosing feature are serious:

• Burglary Risk: Posting real-time, geotagged photos from your vacation immediately tells the world that your house is empty. Criminals actively scan social media for this exact information, turning your travel photos into an open invitation for a break-in.
• Stalking and Harassment: If you regularly post geotagged photos from your home, workplace, or your children’s school, you create a pattern. A stalker or malicious individual can monitor your routine, quickly figuring out your daily schedule and exact addresses.
• Privacy Breaches: That photo of your backyard? If it’s geotagged, it provides a precise location of your private residence. This is especially concerning for parents who post photos of minors.

Take Control: Shutting Down Your Camera’s GPS

The key to protecting yourself is to prevent your phone from collecting this location-disclosing metadata in the first place. You need to tell your phone’s camera to stop accessing your location.

Here’s how you shut down automatic geotagging on an iOS device:

1. Go to “Settings.” (The gray gear icon.)
2. Go to “Privacy.” (Or “Privacy & Security” on newer versions.)
3. Tap “Location Services.” (This shows all apps using your GPS.)
4. Tap “Camera.” (Find the camera app in the list.)
5. Select “Never.” (This completely disables the camera’s access to your GPS location.)

For Android users, the setting is typically found inside the camera app itself, labeled as Location Tags, GPS Tag, or Save Location within the camera’s settings menu.

Adopt the “Never” Rule

Make it a permanent habit to keep your camera’s location access disabled. The little bit of convenience you lose is well worth the massive gain in personal security. You can always manually add a general location to a social media post (like “Grand Canyon”) if you want, but you shouldn’t let your phone automatically broadcast the precise latitude and longitude of your home.

Be an active defender of your privacy—turn off geotagging today!

Your smartphone is constantly looking for connections. When you walk into a coffee shop, it searches for Wi-Fi. When you get into your car, it looks for your stereo system. This constant scanning for nearby connections, particularly Bluetooth, is incredibly convenient, but it also creates a subtle, silent security risk.

Every time your phone is broadcasting its availability to connect, it’s essentially holding up a digital sign that says, “I’m here!” And while you might only be waiting for your headphones or car stereo, cybercriminals can use that open Bluetooth connection as a potential entry point to hack into your device and steal your personal information.

The Danger of Constant Bluetooth Searching

When your phone’s Bluetooth setting is constantly enabled, it is actively searching, or “pinging,” for available devices. This search doesn’t just look for your familiar devices; it looks for any compatible device nearby.

Here is the security risk in that convenience:

• The Open Door: A constantly active Bluetooth signal acts like an open door to your device. Attackers can employ various techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in the Bluetooth protocol or in the way your phone handles the connection handshake.
• Bluejacking and Bluesnarfing: While these older terms aren’t as common as they once were, the concept remains: a nearby assailant can attempt to send unsolicited messages (bluejacking) or, more dangerously, try to access or “snarf” your data (bluesnarfing) like contact lists, calendar info, or even files, especially if your phone is running older software with known security gaps.
• Tracking Risks: Even if they don’t hack you, constantly broadcasting a Bluetooth signal in public places allows companies and individuals with the right tools to track your movements. Your phone’s unique Bluetooth ID becomes a digital trail following you through the mall, transit system, or airport.

Your Active Solution: The “Only When Needed” Rule

Fortunately, you can drastically reduce this risk with a simple habit: Only turn Bluetooth on when you actively need to use a device, and turn it off immediately when you are done.

This practice cuts off the constant digital broadcast that makes you an easier target.

How to Turn Off Automatic Bluetooth Activity (iOS):

If you are an iPhone user, don’t just swipe down to the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon—that often only disconnects your current accessories but leaves Bluetooth enabled for other services. To fully kill the signal:

1. Go to “Settings”: Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen.
2. Go to “Bluetooth”: Tap this option in the main Settings menu.
3. Turn Bluetooth Off: Toggle the switch at the top from green (On) to gray (Off).

Quick Security Tips:

• No More Texting: Make turning off Bluetooth as routine as locking your screen.
• Keep Software Updated: Always run the latest version of iOS. Apple is constantly patching vulnerabilities, including those related to Bluetooth.

By being mindful of when and where you broadcast your Bluetooth signal, you take an active step toward digital security, ensuring your private conversations and personal data stay securely locked on your phone.

You’ve checked your passport, confirmed your hotel, and packed the perfect wardrobe. You’re ready for adventure! But wait—before you lock the front door and head to the airport, there is one crucial security step you absolutely must take: Back up all your important digital information.

We know, backing up sounds like tedious homework, but trust us: when you’re traveling, the stakes for losing your phone or laptop skyrocket. Theft, accidental drops into oceans, or even simple technical malfunctions are far more likely when you’re moving around.

If disaster strikes while you’re away, the financial hassle of replacing a device is nothing compared to the heartache of permanently losing years of irreplaceable contacts, vacation photos, critical documents, and other device data.

The Traveler’s Digital Risks

Why is travel the riskiest time for your data?

1. Increased Theft Risk: Tourists are often targets. If your phone or camera gets snatched, the thief doesn’t just get the hardware; they get every picture and every piece of sensitive information stored on it.
2. Accidents Happen: From the dreaded toilet drop to the sudden rainstorm, physical device damage is a common travel casualty.
3. Security Checks and Confiscation: While rare, some countries or border agents might request to view or even confiscate your device. Having a fresh, secure backup at home ensures your originals are safe.

The Active Backup Strategy: Two Simple Choices

You have two excellent options for creating a protective backup before you set off:

1. The Offline Backup (The Physical Copy)

This is the old-school, reliable method. Use an external hard drive to copy all your most important stuff—photos, videos, and documents—from your phone, laptop, and camera memory cards.

• The Rule: Once the backup is complete, unplug the hard drive and lock it in a secure place at home. This ensures that even if your house gets broken into while you’re gone, the backup isn’t still plugged into the computer you’re taking with you. Separation is security!

2. The Online Backup (The Cloud Safety Net)

This is often the easiest and most comprehensive option. Use a reputable online backup service (or cloud service) to securely upload all your device data.

• Continuous Protection: Many comprehensive internet security suite products offer this service. Our internet suite products, for example, offer secure online backup in addition to internet security and antivirus tools. This means your data is protected during transfer and stored in an encrypted environment.
• Access When Needed: If you lose your phone on day one of a three-week trip, you can log into the service from an internet café or a new device and still access your critical files or contacts.

Your Pre-Trip Backup Checklist

Make this a mandatory step right after you finish packing:

• Contacts and Calendar: Ensure these are synced to a secure cloud service (Google, iCloud, etc.).
• Photos and Videos: Upload all media from the last few months to your external drive and/or cloud service.
• Critical Documents: Backup your insurance information, flight confirmations, and passport scans (stored securely, of course!).

By backing up your data before you leave, you travel with true peace of mind. Your memories are safe, and your trip can continue, even if your phone can’t!

Imagine a tiny, invisible camera silently following you around all day, recording everything you look at, everything you type, and everyone you talk to. That’s essentially what Spyware and its cousin, Adware, do to your digital life.

These malicious programs are sneaky, quiet, and incredibly dangerous. They operate in the background of your computer or phone, collecting your sensitive information and sending it off to unauthorized third parties—all without you knowing a thing. This compromises your privacy and turns you into a perfect target for financial crimes and identity theft.

Spyware: The Ultimate Digital Snoop

Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) designed specifically to spy on your activities. It hides deep within your system and actively gathers sensitive data.

What is it looking for? Everything!

• Keystrokes: Keyloggers (a type of spyware) record every single thing you type, including your login credentials, passwords, bank account numbers, and credit card details.
• Browsing Habits: It tracks every website you visit, every search term you use, and every product you look at.
• Screenshots: Some sophisticated spyware even takes periodic screenshots of your desktop.

Once this compromised information is collected, it’s reported back to the attacker or sold on the dark web. This puts you at direct risk of financial fraud and identity theft because the criminals now have the blueprint to your digital life.

Adware: The Annoying Gateway

Adware (often lumped together with spyware) is software that displays or downloads unwanted, aggressive advertisements on your device, usually through pop-up windows or by hijacking your web browser.

While some forms of adware are just annoying revenue generators for the developer, they still create major security risks:

• System Slowdown: Adware consumes system resources like memory and CPU power, making your computer frustratingly slow and prone to crashing.
• Malware Delivery: The biggest risk is that some malicious adware acts as a gateway. It can embed malicious code, redirect you to dangerous, fake websites, or even download and install more harmful programs, like actual spyware or ransomware, onto your machine.

How Do They Get In?

Spyware and Adware don’t usually spread like viruses. They rely on trickery:

• Bundled Downloads: They often sneak onto your system attached to “free” software downloads, especially freeware or shareware. You click “Accept” on a lengthy User Agreement without reading it, and the hidden threat installs itself.
• Malicious Websites: Visiting a compromised website or clicking a fraudulent pop-up can sometimes initiate a “drive-by download” that silently installs the software.

Your Active Defense is Essential

In a world where digital privacy is harder than ever to maintain, relying on vigilance alone isn’t enough. You need security software that is specifically designed to fight this invisible threat.

To prevent and protect against spyware and adware, robust security software with anti-spyware protection is crucial. Programs like Total Defense’s Anti-Spyware Protection constantly monitor your system in real-time, scanning files and network connections. They block the initial attempts of these programs to install and eliminate them if they sneak through.

Take control of your data. Don’t let invisible criminals spy on your life—install comprehensive security software today and protect every device you own.

That little smart speaker in your kitchen or living room—your Amazon Echo, Google Nest, or Apple HomePod—is incredibly convenient. Need to know the weather? “Alexa, what’s the forecast?” Want to play music? “Hey Google, play some jazz.” But have you ever stopped to think about how these devices are always listening, waiting for their name to be called?

While manufacturers like Amazon assure us that these devices only record relevant conversations after hearing their “wake word,” the reality is a bit more nuanced. If your wake word is a common name or a word you use frequently in everyday conversation, your smart speaker could be passively picking up a lot more than you intend.

The Wake Word Dilemma: Always Listening, Sometimes Recording

Your smart speaker is designed to be helpful, and to do that, it needs to be constantly listening for its specific “wake word” (like “Alexa,” “Hey Google,” or “Siri”). Until it hears that word, it’s supposedly only processing audio locally, waiting for the trigger.

The problem arises when your wake word is something common.

• Accidental Triggers: How many times have you heard a story (or experienced it yourself) where someone said a word that sounded close enough to “Alexa,” and suddenly the device piped up or started recording? It happens more often than you think!
• “Relevant” Conversations: Amazon states that only “relevant conversations” are stored. But who defines “relevant”? And if your device accidentally triggers during a private discussion, a medical conversation, or a sensitive work call, parts of that audio might get sent to the cloud.

While the chances of sensitive data being misused are relatively low, why take the risk when a simple change can give you a significant boost in privacy?

Your Active Solution: Pick a Peculiar Wake Word!

This is one of the easiest and most effective steps you can take to limit how much of your private life potentially gets scooped up by your smart speaker.

Change your wake word to something you rarely, if ever, use in casual conversation.

For Amazon Echo devices, for example, you typically have a few options beyond “Alexa”:

• Amazon
• Echo
• Computer
• Ziggy (a newer option)

How to Change Your Alexa Wake Word (It’s Super Easy!):

1. Open the Alexa App: On your smartphone or tablet.
2. Go to Devices: Tap the “Devices” icon in the bottom right corner.
3. Select Your Echo Device: Tap on “Echo & Alexa,” then choose the specific Echo speaker you want to adjust.
4. Find Wake Word: Scroll down and tap on “Wake Word.”
5. Choose a New Word: Select a wake word from the available options that you rarely use. “Computer” or “Ziggy” might be good choices if they don’t commonly appear in your daily chatter.

Remember, even unique wake words aren’t foolproof against similar-sounding words. But by choosing something distinct, you significantly reduce the chances of accidental recordings.

Don’t let your smart speaker eavesdrop on your private moments. Take control of your privacy by changing your wake word today!

It’s the worst phone call you can get: your bank telling you about fraudulent activity, or a creditor informing you about an account you never opened. You’ve been hit by identity theft. It’s an instant rush of panic, anger, and worry about the mountains of paperwork ahead.

First, take a deep breath. You are not alone, and you are not defenseless. While your bank and the police need to be involved, your first, most powerful move should be to report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately.

Why the FTC? Because they don’t just take your report; they arm you with the official documentation and the step-by-step recovery plan you need to take control back from the criminals.

The Power of the FTC Report

Identity theft is a complex crime, and cleaning it up requires coordinating with credit bureaus, banks, and law enforcement. The FTC acts as your central command.

When you submit an identity theft report with the FTC, you create an official record of the crime. This report is your official ticket to action and serves two crucial purposes:

1. The Police Need It

Your next step after contacting the FTC should be to notify the police. However, most police departments need a comprehensive, official report before they can seriously start an investigation or even file a report themselves. The FTC report gives them exactly that. It helps them understand the scope of the crime and better equips them to find the person responsible, or at least document the crime for your jurisdiction.

2. The Recovery Plan is Your Roadmap

Perhaps the biggest immediate benefit of reporting to the FTC is the personalized Recovery Plan they provide. Identity theft recovery can feel overwhelming, but the FTC breaks it down into actionable steps.

Your plan will include things like:

• Customized letters and forms you need to send to creditors and credit bureaus.
• Instructions on how to place a fraud alert or freeze your credit file.
• Checklists to guide you through resolving specific types of fraud (like tax fraud or stolen utility services).

You don’t have to navigate the nightmare alone; the FTC gives you a clear, step-by-step plan to put your life back in order.

How to Get Started Now

The process is straightforward, and the FTC website is designed to walk you through the whole thing calmly.

1. Navigate to the Federal Trade Commission website: Go to the official FTC website and look for the Identity Theft portal.
2. Click on “Get Started”: This is usually prominent on the home page.
3. Answer the Questions: You will be asked a series of questions about your situation—what type of information was stolen, where you think the fraudulent activity occurred, and what date it started.
4. Receive Your Documents: Once complete, you will receive your official Identity Theft Report and your personalized Recovery Plan.

The faster you act, the less damage the thieves can do. Stop the panic, report the crime to the FTC, and start the process of reclaiming your identity today!

We all shop online. It’s convenient, fast, and often cheaper than hitting the mall. But every time you type your credit card number into a new checkout form, you introduce a sliver of risk. That number is now stored on another server, potentially exposed if that company is ever hacked.

So, how do you keep shopping without leaving your entire financial life vulnerable? The answer is simple and effective: Dedicate one credit card for online purchases only.

This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a proactive strategy that significantly decreases the potential damage if a criminal gains access to your credit card information. Think of it as creating a digital firewall between your everyday finances and the wild world of the internet.

Why The Dedicated Card Works

If you use your primary credit card (the one with the high limit, tied to automatic bill payments, and linked to your main bank) for every online transaction, you risk a complete financial meltdown if the number is stolen.

A dedicated online-only card gives you two massive security advantages:

1. Limiting the Blast Radius

If you are ever hit by a data breach (like when a retailer you shopped at is hacked), the only card number stolen is your dedicated online one. You haven’t exposed the card you use for rent, utilities, and daily essentials.

The moment you get an alert about fraudulent charges on the online card, you can immediately cancel it without worrying that canceling will interrupt your entire life—your Netflix subscription still runs, your phone bill still gets paid, and your primary card is safe and sound.

2. Controlling the Damage (Lower Limits)

This is the smartest part of the strategy. When you open that dedicated online account, you should maintain a minimum credit line on the account.

For example, if you typically spend a month online, ask the bank to keep the credit limit on that card at . If a potential attacker gains access to this card, the maximum amount of charges they can accumulate is limited to that low credit line. They cannot drain a card that has a limit and create a monumental mess for you to clean up.

This controlled limit acts as a crucial safety net. You’ve essentially set a maximum loss before your bank’s system stops the fraud cold.

How to Set Up Your Firewall Card

Getting started is easy:

1. Open a New Account: If you don’t have a secondary credit card, open one specifically for online use. Look for one with good fraud protection features.
2. Adjust the Limit: Call the credit card company and request a low limit. Explain that you intend to use it only for secure, online purchases.
3. Use It Exclusively Online: Load this card into your digital wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) and use it for all website purchases, subscriptions, and new online services.
4. Monitor Closely: Since this card is your highest risk exposure, check the statement weekly. Because you know its only purpose is online shopping, any strange charges will be immediately obvious.

By creating this simple separation, you actively manage your risk, transforming a potential financial disaster into a minor, controllable inconvenience.

We all have that old software we love. Maybe it’s a version of a favorite editing tool, an ancient chat program, or even that trusty old operating system (we’re looking at you, Windows XP fans!). It works, it’s familiar, and you don’t want to change.

Here’s the harsh truth: relying on old, unsupported software is one of the biggest risks you take in cybersecurity. When an application is no longer supported by its maker—meaning they’ve stopped sending out updates—it becomes a gaping hole in your digital defense, just waiting for a hacker to walk right through.

The Silent Killer: Unpatched Exploits

When a software developer creates a program, they spend years perfecting it. But even the biggest companies make mistakes. Over time, security researchers or even hackers discover vulnerabilities, or “bugs,” in the code.

For supported software, this isn’t a huge problem. The company immediately creates a patch (an update) to fix the vulnerability and rushes it out to users. This keeps you safe.

However, when software hits its End-of-Life (EOL) date, the company stops supporting it. This means:

1. Known Flaws Stay Open: Any vulnerabilities discovered after the support date are never fixed. These are called unpatched exploits.
2. Hackers Know About Them: When a company stops supporting a product, hackers know exactly what version of the software is running and can easily find documentation online about the security flaws they can exploit.
3. It’s a One-Way Ticket In: Using unsupported software like old versions of QuickTime, ancient web browsers, or outdated operating systems is like leaving the back door of your digital house unlocked and posting the address on the internet.

Your security is only as strong as your weakest link, and that outdated software is usually the weakest link of all.

Taking Action: The Active Clean-Out

It’s time to be proactive and purge the unsupported junk from your system.

• Audit Your Operating System: If you’re running an OS that’s several generations old (like Windows XP or even old versions of macOS), you need to upgrade immediately. Modern operating systems have built-in security features that older versions simply lack.
• Check Media and Browsing Tools: Programs like old versions of QuickTime, Flash Player, and old Java plugins are notorious for containing dangerous, unpatched flaws. Delete them and rely on modern, automatically updated equivalents.
• Find Automated Help: It can be hard to track every piece of software on your machine. This is where modern security programs step in. Many comprehensive security suites, like our Ultimate Internet Security, have features that automatically scan and update vulnerable applications on your computer. This takes the guesswork out of maintenance and ensures you’re always running the safest version available.

Don’t depend on yesterday’s technology to protect you from today’s threats. Update, remove, or automate the security of your apps.

Let’s be honest: your Amazon account is probably one of the most valuable digital targets you own. Think about it—it contains your entire shipping address history, your purchase history (which reveals a ton about you), and, most importantly, your stored credit card information. If a hacker gets into that account, they can start buying themselves new gadgets on your dime in seconds.

That’s why simply having a strong password is no longer enough. You need to activate a digital bodyguard, and on Amazon (and every other important account), that bodyguard is called Two-Step Verification (2SV), also known as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

Why 2SV is Imperative for Amazon

Imagine your password gets stolen in a data breach. It happens all the time! A hacker now has your username and password. Without 2SV, they are moments away from logging in, changing your registered email, and going on a shopping spree with your stored credit card.

2SV adds an extra, critical layer of security by requiring two different forms of evidence to prove you are who you say you are. This turns a simple password breach from a disaster into a dead end for the hacker.

How it Works: The Trusted Device Lock

If you set your Amazon account up with 2SV, a hacker will need more than just your username and password to use your account.

1. Something You Know: They enter your username and password (the first step).
2. Something You Have: The system then automatically sends a unique, one-time code to your trusted device, usually your smartphone (the second step).

Because the hacker doesn’t physically possess your smartphone, they cannot receive that code. It becomes impossible for them to log in, even with your correct password. Your account, your finances, and your address book are safe.

Don’t Wait! Setting Up 2SV is Quick

Seriously, this takes about two minutes, and it is the single most effective thing you can do to protect your Amazon account right now.

Here’s the quick path to a more secure Amazon account:

1. Navigate to Account: Log into Amazon and find the section for your personal settings.
2. Click on “Login & Security”: This page holds all the core protection settings for your profile.
3. Click on “Two-Step Verification (2SV) Settings”: You will then be prompted to choose your second security step.

Amazon gives you a couple of options for that second step:

• Authenticator App: This is the most secure method. Apps like Google or Microsoft Authenticator generate a code right on your phone, making the process faster and more secure than texts.
• Text Message (SMS): This is the easiest option, as Amazon just texts the code to your registered mobile number. While still a huge improvement over no 2SV, it’s slightly less secure than an app.

Don’t leave the keys to your financial life lying around! Take the two minutes right now to activate 2SV. You’ll breathe easier knowing your Amazon account is locked down tight.

Let’s face it, whipping out your plastic credit card every time you shop online or tap at a register is getting old. Not only is it inconvenient, but every time you hand that card over or type those 16 digits into a website, you are exposing your financial life to potential risk.

But there’s a much smarter, safer way to pay that you probably already have access to: Apple Pay (or any other reputable digital wallet). Using your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay isn’t just about speed; it’s about adding a powerful, invisible layer of security to every transaction.

The Security Secret: Tokenization

The reason digital wallets like Apple Pay are safer than your physical card is all thanks to a genius security process called tokenization.

When you first set up your credit card in your Apple Wallet, the system doesn’t just save your real credit card number. Instead, your credit card number is instantly replaced with a unique, encrypted code called a token (also known as a Device Account Number).

Here’s the security magic in action:

1. Your Real Number Stays Secret: Your actual 16-digit credit card number is stored only within a secure chip on your device. It never leaves your phone.
2. The Token Goes to the Merchant: When you tap your iPhone at a store or select Apple Pay online, the merchant’s system receives that unique, one-time-use token, not your real card number.
3. The Token is Useless to Thieves: If a criminal somehow manages to steal that token from the retailer’s database, the token is essentially worthless. It’s tied to your specific phone and the specific transaction. They can’t use it to clone your physical card or start shopping online.

This ensures that no one—not the cashier, not the website, and not a data thief—ever gets your actual credit card information. Your sensitive data stays locked down, and only you have the key.

More Layers of Defense

Apple Pay doesn’t stop with tokenization. It adds two other critical security features:

1. Biometric Security

To authorize any payment, you must authenticate the transaction using something only you possess—your fingerprint (Touch ID) or your face scan (Face ID). This means that if you lose your phone, a thief can’t easily start making purchases. Even if they somehow bypass your phone’s lock screen, they still can’t use your payment methods without your unique biometric signature.

2. Reduced Data Exposure

When you shop online, using Apple Pay eliminates the need to manually type your credit card details into a checkout form. This is a massive win, as manually entering details opens you up to keylogging malware (which records your keystrokes) or phishing sites designed to steal your information. With Apple Pay, you just authenticate the transaction, and the token does the rest.

Stop giving away your sensitive data every time you check out. Make the switch to Apple Pay today and let tokenization be the bodyguard for your wallet!

You love convenience, right? It’s easy to just log into your computer with the one account that lets you do everything: install new programs, change system settings, update drivers—the works. That one account is your Administrator account (or “Admin” account).

While having this power feels great, using your Admin account for daily tasks—like browsing the web, checking email, or just scrolling social media—is actually a huge security risk. It’s like carrying the keys to your entire digital kingdom in your pocket every single day. If you lose those keys, the damage is catastrophic.

The Danger of Having Too Much Power

Admin accounts are powerful because they extend special permissions that regular accounts don’t have. They can modify core system files, manage security settings, and make sweeping changes to your device.

The bad news is that if your device is lost, stolen, or, most commonly, hacked, these administrator capabilities could be implemented by the attacker to cause serious harm.

1. Malware Goes Straight to the Core

When you browse the internet or open an attachment while logged in as an Admin, any malicious software (malware) that manages to infect your system automatically inherits those same high-level permissions.

• A virus or ransomware can then easily install itself deep into the operating system.
• It can disable your antivirus program.
• It can access and encrypt all files on all user profiles.
• It can install permanent “backdoors” that allow hackers to return later.

If you were logged in with a standard, non-admin account, the malware would hit a roadblock. It would lack the necessary permission to make system-wide changes, effectively sandboxing the damage.

2. The Phishing Catastrophe

Let’s say you fall for a sneaky phishing scam and click a malicious link. If you are an Admin, that malicious website or file can instantly run a damaging script with full system privileges.

If you are using a standard account, the system will often prompt you for an administrator password before allowing a major change. This provides a crucial moment for you to stop and think—”Wait, why is my web browser asking for my admin password?” This pause can save your entire system.

Your Active Solution: Set Up a Second Account

Protecting yourself is simple: set up a second account for daily use, one without Admin privileges.

• Create a Standard User Account: Use this account for all your routine, everyday tasks: checking email, watching videos, reading news, social media, and word processing.
• Reserve the Admin Account: Keep your Admin account strictly locked down. Only log into it when you absolutely must perform a system-level task, such as installing new software or running major updates.

By making this small change, you practice the principle of “Least Privilege.” You give yourself (and any potential threats) only the level of access needed to perform a task. If disaster strikes, your Admin keys stay safe, and the damage remains minor and isolated to a limited profile.

Take a few minutes today to check your user accounts and set up a standard profile. It’s the simplest way to give your computer an essential layer of digital armor.

The holidays roll around, your birthday hits, or maybe you just need a new gadget—online shopping is a major part of life! And with all that shopping comes a flood of emails: sale alerts, coupon codes, and special offers from your favorite stores.

Here’s a simple, active rule that can save you from a nasty financial headache: If you want to shop online, open a new tab and find the store through your browser. Do not click on a link in an email to start shopping.

Why are we so firm on this? Because every single day, cybercriminals send out thousands of fake emails pretending to be reputable retailers. These are called phishing scams, and their goal is to gain your personal information, especially your credit card number, by tricking you into visiting a fraudulent website.

The Danger of the Quick Click

Scammers know you’re busy and that you trust big names like Amazon, Target, or your favorite local boutique. They use that trust against you.

1. The Fake Email is Too Convincing

Criminals have gotten incredibly good at mimicking official email templates. The logo looks perfect, the colors match, and the language sounds urgent—”Your order has a problem,” or “Hurry, 50% off for 24 hours only!” These emails look so real that your brain skips the crucial step of verification.

2. The Link is the Trap

When you click the link in a scam email, you are directed to a phishing site. As we talked about before, these fake sites are often pixel-perfect clones of the real online store. You log in (giving the scammer your password) and then you proceed to checkout, where you happily type in your credit card number, thinking you’re getting a great deal.

In reality, you’ve just handed your sensitive details directly to a criminal. The scammer now has your card number, expiration date, and security code, ready to go on a spending spree in your name.

Your Active Solution: The “Open Tab” Rule

You don’t have to miss out on sales or coupons. You just have to change how you get there. Make this your new habit every time you want to shop:

1. See an Email You Like? Read it, note the sale, but close the email immediately.
2. Open a New Tab: Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.) and open a brand new tab.
3. Type the Address: Manually type the store’s official, correct website address into the address bar (e.g., amazon.com or bestbuy.com).
4. Shop Safely: Once you are on the real, verified website, you can confidently search for the sale items mentioned in the email. You have bypassed the malicious link and protected yourself from the phishing trap.

This simple action—taking the time to open a new tab and type the correct URL—is your best defense against having your credit card stolen during online shopping. It ensures that you are interacting with the legitimate company, not a criminal clone. Make the switch today and shop with confidence!