The government wants Google to break up, and its Chrome browser could sell for $20 billion. Plus, hackers are slipping malware into podcasts, two Missouri cops were busted using traffic stops to steal women’s private photos, and Google Lens is getting a powerful new update.
The crypto investment scam that’s all over social media
I’m all about using AI to get stuff done. No kidding, I use ChatGPT every day to shortcut planning and organize my work and my life.
You know who else loves AI? Cybercriminals. A new scam powered by deepfakes is all over social media. Too many people have fallen for it and lost millions of dollars in the process. I’ve got the dirty details so you don’t become a victim, too.
It’s not Elon
The tactic is called Nomani (yeah, that’s “no money”) and combines AI video, malicious ads on social media and email phishing. It started spiking in May and grew 335% by the second half of 2024. From May to November, ESET Cybersecurity says they blocked about 100 new scam URLs a day, adding up to 85,000 sites.
It starts with a video of Elon Musk or some other celebrity, politician or business leader endorsing a crypto investment on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or X. Some videos look like news broadcasts. Others are “exclusive” interviews or look more like an infomercial. There’s always a famous face you’ll recognize.
Usually, the accounts posting this stuff have tons of followers. The graphics are snazzy, the info is compelling, and, wow, they promise a lot of tremendous gains with no risk. (You smell the scam, right?)
Say you fall for the bait and click over to their websites. At best, you’re handing your info over to someone highly skilled at tricking people out of their money. At worst? The site itself is infected with money- or info-stealing malware.
It gets nastier
Most of these tricks end with an “investment manager” calling to walk you through the process of transferring all your hard-earned money right to them. They pretend they’re helping you put it into a crypto investment account. Nope.
If you’ve already fallen for Nomani, you’re at even more risk. Scammers are going after victims a second time, pretending to be law enforcement trying to help recover your lost funds. Just awful.
Here’s what scammers don’t want you to know
It’s easier than ever to fake famous faces because of how much real video exists online. With affordable or free software, scammers no longer need advanced skills or a huge budget to create deepfakes. AI tools do the heavy lifting, stitching together eerily realistic fakes.
Unsecure page error: 5 things to try if you get this warning
There are countless threats on the internet, from scams to malware-infested websites. Then there are unsecured websites, which your browser warns you about. If you get a message that says, “Your connection is not private,” you might jolt in alarm.
🚨 North Korean hackers are targeting Macs: It starts with an email containing a fake crypto news headline (e.g., “Hidden Risk Behind New Surge of Bitcoin Price”) and includes a link, supposedly to a PDF. The link actually leads to a malicious app that lets the sender take control of your system. If you’ve clicked on a random PDF link recently, scan for malware ASAP. I use TotalAV.
Scammers are targeting teens – Warn your Gen Zer about these tricks
I told you about the 14-year-old who committed suicide after following the advice of an AI chatbot. Another family is suing the same one — Character AI — after it told an autistic 14-year-old to kill his parents. It also exposed an 11-year-old to sexual content.
How to install antivirus and scan your computer
If you’re online, you’re at risk, plain and simple. There’s more out there after your info and wallet than you realize, from phishing scams to ransomware and malicious apps to malware.
That’s why it’s critical to protect your personal and business devices correctly. When it comes to your computer, tablet and phone, you need a robust security suite.
Never trust a cable that’s not yours: Hackers are leaving ordinary-looking charging cables lying around. Find one and plug it into a computer to charge your phone, and it’ll install malware or steal your data. These cables are fully functional, too. If you’re traveling, get a USB data blocker (4-pack for $10.99; be sure to click the $2 off coupon). It acts as a protective barrier between the cable and your devices.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
5 clever tricks holiday scammers use
JD in Dallas emailed me with a story. He and his wife were at the mall and stopped for a Christmas selfie. Two young men walking by offered to take the pic for them — and one kept wiping the phone’s lens inside his jacket.
Bank fraud is rising – How to protect yourself
The scams don’t stop — and here’s another one you need to know about. Your phone rings. It’s a rep from your bank, and they’re warning your account has been compromised. You’re smart, so you immediately suspect it’s a scam.
8 ways your phone is tracking you - That you can stop now
You understand that your phone knows where you’re located. This is how GPS works, how Find My sees your location and why you get local ads on Facebook and Google. Like other data on your phone, that location data is a hot commodity for internet marketers.
Antivirus comparison: Which option is best for your PC or Mac?
If you browse the internet regularly, you can’t get around the fact that you need antivirus software. Viruses can pop up in unexpected places, and you want your device to be able to fight one off if it appears.
Dangerous malware making the rounds is what makes having antivirus software protecting you so critical. But what’s the best antivirus software for a Mac or Windows computer? Keep reading to see the best options.
Don’t fall for it! Hackers are trying to get you to scam yourself
You’re pulling your hair out, trying to fix something on your computer. You Google it and find what looks like a helpful website or a tutorial with easy step-by-step instructions.
Phew, you’re finally solving your problem, but hold up! You’ve just walked into a “scam-yourself” attack. Cybercreeps use this clever strategy to trick you into compromising your tech so they don’t have to do the dirty work.
Malware warning: Red flags your computer is under attack
It’s Computer Security Day, and there’s no better time to remind you malware is lurking everywhere. From phishing emails to unsuspecting ads, just one wrong click can compromise your personal info or infect your devices.
Russian hackers at work: They exploited two security flaws in web browsers Firefox and Tor to plant malware. Mozilla and Microsoft patched the issues, so update ASAP. Restart your browser (or browsers), then, in Windows, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and hit Check for updates.
Antivirus isn't just for your computer - Here's why you should protect your smartphone, too
You probably know that antivirus software is essential for your computer. Without it, you’re browsing without protection, exposing yourself to ransomware, viruses, Trojans, spyware and countless other threats. But your computer isn’t the only gadget that needs antivirus protection.
🚨 Use Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail or Yahoo? No joke, three out of every four Black Friday-themed emails are scams. The scammers’ goal? To steal your credit card info or plant malware. Brands most impersonated include Amazon, Shein and Costco. Stay safe: Always double-check the sender’s email address (not just the sender’s name) before you click.
Another scam heading our way: Cyber authorities in Switzerland are warning about malicious QR codes being sent through snail mail. Fraudsters are urging people to scan and download a new Severe Weather Warning app, but it’s actually malware. Once installed, hackers can take over your phone, steal info from your banking apps and stay hidden from detection. If it’s working there, it’s coming to the U.S., too.
Nice try, Microsoft: The new Bing Wallpaper refreshes your desktop daily, but it’s also pulling some shady, malware-like moves. Hidden tricks include auto-installing Bing Visual Search, pushing Edge as your default browser, and decrypting cookies from Chrome and Firefox. Don’t use it.
🎧 Free (malware) to a good home: Cybercriminals are slipping malware into podcasts. They’re targeting podcast-hosting services, inserting links to pirated software and game cheats in episode descriptions and playlists. The links bypass Spotify’s filters and get a nice little boost in search engine rankings. Say it with me: Don’t click on random links, especially for “free” software.