AT&T’s massive breach: They finally confirmed a data breach affecting 73 million current and former customers … after pointing fingers and denying it happened. AT&T has reset 7.6 million passcodes and will reach out if your account was breached. Reset your passcode now for good measure.
Reader question: 'I want cameras to watch my house when I'm gone, but not when I am home'
In times of crisis, it’s hard to get a clear view of the situation. That’s why irrefutable evidence is so valuable. Say a friend visits for a party, and your favorite vase is missing the next day.
Or maybe two family members get into a fight, and their stories contradict each other. You’ll have a hard time hammering down the facts. Security cameras can tell you what really happened when you have doubts. Tap or click here for five uses for security cameras you never thought of before now.
As great as security cameras are, you might not want them on 100% of the time. After all, they help catch burglars, but you don’t need high-definition footage of your family wolfing down dinner. We know just how you can tweak your cameras to watch the house only when you’re away.
Away mode
If you have a home security system from our sponsor, SimpliSafe, you can put your home into Away Mode to protect the perimeter. If something disturbs the motion sensor, it starts an alarm. It can also activate SimpliCam’s privacy shutter for constant surveillance.
If you’re at home, turn on Home Mode. This way, you can walk around without triggering the alarm. This mode still has an entry sensor, a glass break sensor and a smart lock, but you don’t have to worry about setting off the alarm while going about your day.
Home Mode is excellent because it stops you from feeling like you’re being watched in your own home. Plus, you can turn on both of these modes from your key fob.
It’s super easy: Just click a button and your security system switches a few critical settings. Tap or click here for a step-by-step guide to adjusting the settings.
SimpliSafe security system
If you’ve been considering protecting your home, take this as a sign to hop off the fence and get the job done. There’s no better time to start than now.
SimpliSafe offers an arsenal of sensors and cameras you can set up in every inch of your home. Plus, you can manage them all from an easy-to-use app. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to get started. Customize the perfect system for your home in just a few minutes.
3 secret uses for your home security system
You buy a home security system to defend against thieves, but there are more threats than just masked robbers outside your home. Garages, sheds, other outside buildings, and vehicles parked long-term can be just as much of a draw to crooks as your main house. To fully protect your home, you’ll need to know some of the best-hidden home security secrets.
You forgot your password again
Before you hit “Forgot password,” check if the password is hidden on your computer. Your best bet is your web browser’s list of saved passwords.
On Google Chrome:
- Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner, then Settings.
- Click Autofill and passwords from the left-hand panel, followed by Google Password Manager.
- Scroll through your list of saved accounts until you find the one you’re looking for. Click the eye icon to make the password visible. You’ll need to enter your system credentials to verify it’s you.
On Apple Safari:
- Click Safari from the menu bar at the top of the screen, then Preferences > Passwords.
- Enter your system password if needed, then scroll the list till you find it. Click the three-dot icon to make it visible.
Make your smart home smarter with a smart lock
Today the average home has 10 times more technology than NASA used to land humans on the moon. That’s a lot of tech to secure! That’s why we’re sharing the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock to upgrade your Apollo 11-era keys.
YouTubers are creating memorial videos for people they’ve never met
Earlier this year, a very dear friend of mine — and a talented 47-year-old cancer doctor and researcher — fell to the ground after delivering a presentation to hundreds of colleagues. All those doctors were in the room, and he passed away. So heartbreaking.
Check your phone for these free VPNs: Google removed 15 malicious apps from its Play Store that turn your phone into a “proxy” for other people’s dodgy internet dealings. If you downloaded one, do a complete factory reset on your phone. As far as VPNs go, the only one you should use is ExpressVPN.
Live2scam: Scammers are impersonating a viral chatbot, Life2vec, which uses AI to calculate your lifespan and potential wealth with scary accuracy. The fakes route you to sites that steal data and cash. The real one’s not available to the public yet! I’ll let you know when it is.
“Tambir” disguises itself in bogus streaming apps, watching your every keystroke. “Dwphon” pretends to be a system update to steal personal data. And “Gigabud?” A phony loan app that sidesteps two-factor authentication. Your reminder: Download apps only from the official stores — and get TotalAV* for your phone. (It covers up to five devices!)
Banking Trojan PixPirate conceals itself on older iPhones without a launcher icon. It infiltrates phones via WhatsApp or SMS phishing. Stay safe: Update your phone and stick to the Apple App Store for downloads. You can also grab the real app link on your bank’s website.
See if your firewall is working
Even if a hacker knows your computer’s location and IP address, a firewall keeps them from accessing your system and network.
Newer Windows and Mac systems have built-in software firewalls — but one wrong setting can leave your computer vulnerable. I know it sounds complicated, but there’s a simple way to check if yours is working.
Gibson Research Corporation’s (GRC) ShieldsUP!! scans your firewall to make sure your ports aren’t exposed. If ShieldsUP!! can see your ports over the internet, so can someone else with the right port-scanning tools.
- Click Proceed on the home page and then the GRC’s Instant UPnP Exposure Test button on the following page.
- If your computer doesn’t respond to the test, your firewall is working. Yay!
- If there are issues, GRC links to how-tos and articles to check for common problems.
🌨️ If girls are made of sugar, spice and everything nice and boys are made of slime, snails, and puppy-dog tails, what’s the cloud made from? Linux servers, mostly.
A SWAT team stormed my house
Feb. 16 started like any typical Friday night. My husband and I decided to stay home, grill chicken and make a salad for dinner. At about 6:45 p.m., we heard some loud rumbling overhead.
We walked onto the back patio and two police helicopters were overhead — shining lights all over our property, and a recording echoed, “Police. You are under arrest. Stay right there and I won’t shoot you.”
Live alone or need a gift for someone who does? This is Kim's home security pick
When you go to bed for the night or leave your home, are you confident you, your family and all your possessions are safe? If your answer isn’t a resounding “Yes!” you must know about SimpliSafe. It’s Kim’s home security pick, and you’ll love it for many reasons.
Taking care of aging parents? Here's a simple way to keep an eye on what's happening
Independence, safety and peace of mind. These are the most important elements for seniors living at home and their loved ones. Parents who wish to maintain their independence by living alone can be a double-edged sword. You’re happy they’re still self-sufficient, but you’re nervous about what can happen in an emergency.
4 dangerous mistakes you’re making with home security
A home security system is only as good as what your cameras can catch. Careful placement can mean the difference between capturing footage of a thief’s face or your dog relieving himself. Tap or click here for the best place to put your home security cameras.
Scammers always find a way in
Bluetooth uses a radio frequency to share data over a short distance. It’s baked into just about every smartphone you can buy nowadays. But, as with any connection, it has its vulnerabilities.
My advice: Turn off Bluetooth when not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more vulnerable. Plus, you’ll get more battery life.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off.
- On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps vary based on your phone model.)
⚠️ You’d be surprised what someone can do if they break into your phone via Bluetooth.
Getting pricey: Arlo is bumping its Secure subscription plan pricing from $4.99 to $7.99 monthly (after already increasing it from $2.99). FYI, existing users can lock in the old rate for a year. If you’re looking to switch, I recommend SimpliSafe.
Wrong place, wrong time: A 61-year-old man got nabbed for a robbery he didn’t commit. After a brutal jail assault, he’s suing Macy’s and Sunglass Hut’s sketchy facial recognition software. He was identified from low-quality camera footage.
Carbon dating: Nelly Idowu and crew stole over $6 million from women over 65 through romance scams. They created fake profiles, conned widows and wiped out victims’ life savings. There are more cons than love nowadays. Warn your fam and friends.
FBI scam warning: Impersonators pretending to be tech support or government officials claim your accounts have been compromised. They’re actually getting people to convert assets into cash or precious metals, and then they arrange for a courier pickup. Do not fall for this!