Archives - Data Privacy

Is your phone listening? Why you should disable microphone access for apps you’re not using

Have you ever wondered whether your phone was quietly listening to your conversations? For many people, that uneasy feeling isn’t just paranoia. A surprising number of mobile apps — including some extremely popular free games — request microphone access even when there’s no clear reason they need it. In many cases, they’re not literally recording […]

Spotting fake deals online—why healthy skepticism saves you money and protects your data

Online shopping is convenient, but it’s also a playground for scammers. If you’ve ever seen a deal that looks too good to be true—an iPhone for $99 or luxury shoes at 90% off—pause before you click. Cybercriminals use fake bargains to lure shoppers into giving away personal information or payment details. The Better Business Bureau […]

Why you should disable UPnP on your router for better security

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) sounds great in theory. It’s the feature that lets your devices recognize each other automatically when they’re on the same network. For example, you buy a new printer, connect it to Wi-Fi, and—like magic—your computer finds it without any extra setup. Convenient, right? But here’s the problem: that convenience comes […]

Take control: delete your Alexa voice recordings every night

That smart speaker in your kitchen or living room—your Alexa device—is incredibly helpful, but let’s be real: it’s also a highly sensitive microphone sitting in your private space. While Alexa is only supposed to start recording after you say the wake word (“Alexa,” “Echo,” etc.), the truth is that it keeps recordings of some of […]

Ever wonder what websites and apps know about you?

You’re browsing your favorite online store, checking out vacation spots, or scrolling through social media. Ever get that slightly uneasy feeling that these websites and apps know a little too much about you? You’re not wrong! In today’s digital world, collecting and using user information is standard practice. But why do they do it, and […]

What’s a people search site and why is my info on it?

Have you ever Googled your name and found a result from a “people search” site like Whitepages, Spokeo, or Intelius? These sites seem to know everything about you: your age, past addresses, phone numbers, family members, and maybe even your political affiliations. It can be a little creepy, right? You didn’t give them this information, […]