Stalkers are using AirTags — Here's how to protect yourself
Modern tech gadgets make stalking easier than before — which means you need to be aware of the many ways people can track you. One husband always knew where his wife went, down to her arrival and departure times, although she didn’t tell him the details. When she asked me for help, I told her he was probably tracking her through Google, which keeps a secret map of everywhere you’ve been.
That’s because Google Maps works even if you don’t have a Google account associated with it. It uses the GPS location on your phone to see where you are and where you’ve been for the past five years. Tap or click here to turn off this invasive Google Maps setting.
Bluetooth trackers are another considerable risk to your privacy. Strangers, jealous exes and even burglars use Apple AirTags to track down unwitting victims. Here’s everything you need to know about this threat, along with a few defense strategies.
It’s a huge issue. Anyone’s at risk
I keep getting emails from people saying they’ve seen Apple AirTags stuck on their bags, cars and so on. Some people are driving around the city, doing their errands, when they notice a Bluetooth tracker attached to their vehicle. That means some creep is tracking them on their phone, noting their every location.
Here’s a quick overview of how this happens.
So, Apple released AirTags in 2021. They cost $30 a pop — or you can get a four-pack for around $100. Since they’re affordable, anyone can buy them. Unlike most Bluetooth trackers, they aren’t GPS-based. To make a long story short, they work by pinging off nearby iPhones.
They’re designed to help anyone who loses things. For example, you can attach them to your keys, so if you ever lose your fob, you can whip out your smartphone to find its exact location. Unfortunately, car thieves can use Apple AirTags to track your vehicle and steal it straight from your driveway.
PREPARE YOURSELF WITH THIS TIP: 6 ways to keep your car safe from thieves
Apple is supposed to tell you when you’re being followed … but it doesn’t always work
One YouTuber called Travis MCP put this to the test. He secretly planted an Apple AirTag on his friend’s car, watching his every move for 18 hours. Not once did his friend get a notification from Apple.
However, one woman did get a notification, which potentially saved her life. While driving home from a bar, a Twitter user saw an alert on her iPhone. Then, she found an AirTag attached to the underside of her car’s wheel well.
Protect your home with 20% off Kim's home security pick - and a month of free monitoring
I get calls, emails and messages all the time about home security. If you’re not protecting your home, you really should.
Sure, belongings are replaceable, but I know you have a few things at home — from family heirlooms to a piece of precious jewelry — that you can’t just pop into a store to buy again.
4 essential ways to keep hackers out of your smart home security cameras
Setting up smart security cameras in your home can be a boon for keeping your family and belongings safe, but doing so can also open up a whole new can of worms.
As frustrating as it may be, utilizing a security camera in your home could allow easy access for hackers to spy on you. Ironically, the equipment you use to keep your family safe can be misused this way, but that’s the world we live in. Tap or click to see how hackers can hijack your smart home with lasers.
Home security 101: The best and worst places to set up motion sensors
If you want to build a robust home security system, motion sensors are a must. They let you know when an intruder has already breached your defenses so you aren’t taken by surprise. With their help, you can formulate a plan of defense and take action.
Your new holiday gifts attract thieves - 3 tips to protect your stuff
The joys of Christmas morning, when you finally get to tear the wrapping paper from packages waiting under the tree. Now that Christmas 2021 is officially in the books, you might have spent the last few days setting up your new tech … without putting much thought into what to do with its packaging.
Criminals are using AirTags to steal cars - These are the most targeted ones in the US
Who enjoys losing their stuff? Nobody. Retracing your steps doesn’t always work and can lead to even more frustration. Fortunately, tech has come a long way to help us solve our simplest problems.
If you own an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac, you can imagine the pain of misplacing them. Apple knows this and released a Notify When Left Behind feature to help find lost devices. A recent update added the functionality to AirPods Pro, which is more likely to get misplaced due to its size. Tap or click here to check out how it works.
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter
Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
Burglars don't take vacations! How to protect your home before your next trip
The one place you should always feel safe is your home. Securing your doors is not enough, however. What about your windows, cabinets, closets and safes? Security can extend beyond burglaries to natural disasters.
A comprehensive security system can cover all the bases, but what exactly do you need for your home? Tap or click here for a solution that’s affordable and easy to set up.
Have guests staying with you? How to tell if someone has been snooping on your phone
Ever have that feeling someone knows a little too much? It happens you get an ad for something you mentioned in passing to a friend. “How,” you might wonder, “did Google know I wanted to take a trip to Montana?”
Online abuse is more common than ever. Do this to stop cyberstalkers
Online harassment victimizes 40% of Americans. The number of Americans who say they’ve been victims of cyberbullying is frightening. According to the Pew Research Center, online abuse is only getting worse.
Cyberstalking can happen to anyone, and it can damage every aspect of your life, from friendships to your future career. You can encounter many different types of nastiness: harassment, name-calling, sexual harassment, and even death threats.
Anyone can see the layout of your home and what you paid for it - Do this to stay safe
There’s more information about you online than you probably realize. Your hacked passwords, your address, even your credit card details.
Details about your home are everywhere, too. Government sites and resources like Zillow and Redfin list everything from what you paid to the very layout of your house.
Using Craigslist to buy or sell? Beware of this security flaw
Craigslist has been a popular site over the years for people to buy and sell things and look for services. While its user base has steadily been dropping over the last few years, many people still use it. Tap or click here for the best app for finding someone to paint your house, clean up your lawn or take on a bigger renovation project.
Own a video doorbell? Watch out for thieves
Video doorbells are supposed to be the future of home security. They allow us to see what’s going on outside our front door, whether we’re at home or far away.
Thieves are supposed to see this kind of security system and be deterred. But what happens when criminals get a little too bold with your tech?
Security alert: Devices most commonly used to spy on spouses and partners [List]
When securing your tech devices, the big news and advice usually point towards protecting yourself from scammers and hackers. While this is important, threats can also come from somewhere closer to home.
Your phone can be used by strangers as well as people you know to track your movements. One man found a flaw in Google Maps that allowed him to follow his wife’s movements from his phone. Tap or click here for instructions on how to stop others from tracking you through Google Maps.
Signs someone opened a bank account in your name - And what to do about it
Bad credit comes with many problems, like higher interest rates and rejected home and vehicle loans. That’s why you should look out for the one threat that can tank your credit score: identity theft. If a scammer steals your identity, they can drain your accounts and obliterate your financial security.
Warning: 24M webcam video records up for grabs on the Dark Web
It’s hard for most of us to imagine our private information could ever hurt us. Your phone number, address and full name are just part of who you are. You don’t think of them as a threat — but data breaches can flip everything on its head.
Secure email provider ProtonMail just passed user data to police
When you sign up for a free email account, that service comes at the cost of your privacy. Agreeing to the terms and conditions means your provider can track as much as they want, from financial records to private messages. Tap or click here to find out how much your email provider is collecting on you.
Have a SimpliSafe system? There's a brand new HD outdoor camera to add to your home's arsenal
When it comes to home security, you need a company you can trust. Traditional home security companies are all about the bottom line. You work with a salesperson to find a system, someone comes over to install it, then you’re locked into a long contract with high monthly fees.
Bad news: Popular home security system can be disarmed remotely
Keeping your family safe is the most important thing you can do. There are several options available to help, with the smartest being a home security system. Some systems have Wi-Fi-enabled cameras so that you can see what is going on, even when you’re not home. Tap or click here to see how to install cameras that upload right to the cloud.
Scary flaw: This app was exposing precise user location
Most of our daily activities have found a way to be available online. More so in the last decade, dating has shifted to online apps too. Apps like Tinder and Bumble have exploded in popularity, especially during the pandemic.