Is someone listening to everything you say? Look for this clue

Ever get that feeling your phone knows you a bit too well? It’s not your imagination. From location tracking to trackers that follow you around the web, there’s a constant stream of info coming from your device.

Some apps can even use your phone’s microphone or camera when you’re not expecting it. And until recently, there was no way to tell when this was happening. Instagram was caught red-handed doing just that, and we only found out because of a new privacy feature baked into Apple iOS 14. Tap or click here to see how Instagram got caught.

If you’re paranoid about your phone listening to you, iOS 14 will let you know every time your microphone or camera turns on. We’ll show you how it works, along with how to adjust your privacy settings to stop spying. Don’t worry, Android users! We have you covered, too.

It’s official: Now we know when they’re listening or watching

Apple’s iOS 14 update is bundled with tons of useful new privacy options. You can see detailed reports in Safari that show what kind of trackers and data requests you’ve encountered online. You’ll also see exactly what data certain apps use right in the App Store before you hit download.

There’s an upcoming feature that blocks ad trackers automatically by default. It’s one of the best-loved features by beta testers, but it was unfortunately delayed for the final release. Tap or click here to see when you can expect that update.

The biggest and most obvious privacy features are the new camera and microphone notification icons that appear in the upper-right hand corner of your screen.

When your phone’s microphone is on or was recently accessed, a small orange dot appears in the upper-right hand corner of the screen. If you camera is in use or was recently recording, you’ll see a green dot.

If both are in use, you’ll see the green camera dot.

An orange dot on your iPhone shows you an app has used your microphone recently.

So if you use an iPhone and want to know if your phone is listening or watching, glance at the upper-right corner. If you see the small green or orange dot, your microphone or camera is on.

It’s an easy way to keep tabs on your privacy — and because it’s built into the operating system, apps can’t get around it.

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Tesla hacked and stolen in minutes using a key fob and Bluetooth hack

Smart devices are convenient and make our lives easier. But because they all have computers on board, every one of them is at risk of being hacked at some point.

This is less of a big deal for more mundane smart devices like coffee makers and picture frames. But when it comes to smart cars, security flaws are a huge danger for drivers. Tap or click here to see how a security flaw in key fobs could allow hackers to carjack victims.

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Kim's pick for home security: Get a FREE HD camera

Do you feel 100% confident your home is safe from thieves and break-ins? What about disasters like a flood or fire?

Not being protected is a scary way to live. The good news is it’s easy and affordable to protect you, your home and your family 24/7. With SimpliSafe, you order everything you need online at SimpliSafeKim.com, install it in under an hour and activate the system. After that, your family is protected by professional security monitoring, all with no contracts.

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Police could access your security camera feed, unless you take this step

For some time now, Amazon’s Ring has been partnering with hundreds of police departments across the country. If a crime occurs near homes with Ring cameras, police can ask to look at video footage from them.

Ring’s surveillance partnership doesn’t exactly sit well with everyone. Some say it’s a form of security overreach. Tap or click to see how many police departments are working with Ring to fight crime.

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Yes, your TV is watching YOU while you’re watching it

It can be unsettling when you consider what makes a smart TV in your home “smart.” Because a smart TV connects to the internet, collecting data about you and your viewing habits is possible. Add apps into the picture and the data tracking accelerates.

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Security how-to: Turn your phone into a body cam

Cameras have changed dramatically in recent years. In previous decades, cameras were big enough to take up space in your backpack or bag. Now, they’re small enough to fit in your pocket — meaning anyone can shoot high-quality footage with ease.

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Home security you can trust without the expensive contract

Here’s the thing about home security companies: Most trap you with high prices, tricky contracts and lousy customer support. So, while there are a lot of options out there, there’s only one no-brainer: SimpliSafe.

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The best home security system for everyone under your roof

Having a home security system is a must these days. There are just too many criminals in the world to leave your protection up to chance.

But having a system watch your doors and windows isn’t enough. It also needs to protect you from disasters like fires and floods — especially if you have young children in your home or happen to be caring for elderly parents.

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Blur your home on Maps and erase your data to remove your life from Google’s grip

I use Google for so many things, from looking things up, handling my email and calendar, and video chatting with my team, to peeking in on the Nest cam in my mother’s living room. The company provides a slew of really great products. But you have to remember, you are also a product in its profit stream.

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How to run a comprehensive background check on yourself

With the relative ease of finding information about anyone via the internet, search engines and social media, sleuthing around is now par for the course. But it goes deeper than that. Every institution that you plan on dealing with wants to glean your history, whether you want it or not.

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Hackers can unlock your home using just the sound of the key in the lock

When you leave home or head to bed each night, you take the time to secure your house, your belongings and your family. Turning the key in the lock on your way out or securing the deadbolt before bed are routine matters for most people — regardless of how safe your neighborhood, town or city is.

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License plate readers track your movements - and now they're going up nationwide

Surveillance tech isn’t just science fiction anymore — it’s everywhere! From traffic cameras above intersections to facial recognition systems, it’s becoming increasingly hard to live a private life with so many digital eyes all over the place.

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Privacy warning: 5 video doorbells failed security tests - See the list

Smart doorbells are growing in popularity, and they’re more readily available than ever. Between Ring, Nest and numerous other competitors, securing your home has never been easier.

But how “secure” are these security devices, exactly? While they may keep us aware of threats to our homes and families in real life, not all of them can handle threats from the digital realm. Tap or click here to see the security settings you need to change on your video doorbell.

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Warning: Hackers can use this smart lock to access your Wi-Fi network

Home security tech is becoming increasingly common across America. In fact, a good portion of CES 2020 showcased the latest home security items — with smart home integration as a major selling point.

But like all smart home items, home security devices are only as “secure” as the networks they’re a part of. If a weak or unsecured network can be broken into, it can put every device connected to it at risk. Tap or click here to see the best ways to secure your home router from hackers.

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The NSA warns against a smartphone setting you probably have enabled

Location services are commonplace on most smartphones today. This location data, which can be tracked and shared with app servers, allows users to do things like navigate through traffic or monitor their exercise. But if precautions aren’t taken, it can reveal sensitive information about where you live, work and travel.

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10 security myths you should stop believing

Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in this era. It makes around $1.5 trillion in profits a year — and that’s a liberal estimate, according to a 2019 study. So, what are some of the most profitable goods, so to speak, that are sold online? It turns out that stolen data is at the top of the list. This data comes from companies, organizations, and even people like you. 

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The best smart locks to keep your home secure

If you’ve been using the old-school method of hiding your door key in a fake rock or under a doormat, you might want to think twice. Thieves know how to find your hidden keys — and if you’ve got a spare or two lying around outside, you’re leaving yourself open to robberies.

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Hours of police video found on body cams sold on eBay

When you sell a gadget on eBay, one of the most important things you need to do is clear any data it may contain. Doing so will take additional time and effort, but leaving your existing information to chance is not worth the tradeoff.

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How your Wi-Fi can be hacked to tell criminals if you're away from home

As smart home products continue to dominate store shelves and living rooms, one type of item stands out as the most popular of the bunch: Wi-Fi security cameras.

In the past, CCTV cameras could cost a fortune, and would be difficult to set up if you didn’t know what you were doing. Flash forward to today and you’ll only spend about an hour or so installing a smart home camera and connecting it to your network. Tap or click here to see our favorite smart home privacy gadgets.

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5 steps to keep hackers out of your home security cameras

During uncertain times, we all want to feel safe at home. Luckily it’s easier, and more affordable than ever to get that peace of mind with a home security system.

Why? Smart home ecosystems. Between video doorbells and networked security systems, smart home product manufacturers are finding new ways to implement tech in cheap, consumer-friendly packages.

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