That’s what YouTuber MegaLad calls the coupon browser extension Honey, which PayPal bought for $4 billion in 2020. He says they’ve been deceiving shoppers and influencers for years by ignoring coupon options and hijacking links through sneaky pop-ups. While I am researching to see if this is true, I uninstalled Honey and you should, too. I’ll let you know what I find out.
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.
This error message is meant to protect you while surfing the web. For more ways to stay safe, use this tip to protect yourself in a dangerous digital world. There are many reasons why your browser might say, “Your connection is not private” or “Your connection is not secure.”
Luckily, there are a few ways to solve the issue. So, before worrying about your digital life being endangered, try one of these strategies. Here are five tips that should fix these error messages.
Why this happens
You’re browsing the web, having a grand old time. You click on a link so you can go to a webpage. Then you see this message:
You’ll see messages like this on browsers, from Chrome to Firefox. It means that your browser can’t verify the SSL certificate of the website you’re trying to visit. In other words, your browser shows you this message when it isn’t sure if the website will securely encrypt your data.
This error message isn’t always a red flag. Here are a few reasons why you might be seeing this error:
- The website’s SSL certificate expired.
- The domain holder never got their SSL certificate.
- It was never set up correctly.
If you own a website, you know that setting these certificates up is difficult. Speaking of which, you should run your site through analytics tests to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Tap or click here for five free online tests.
It’s easy for the owner of a website to make mistakes. Silver lining: There are a few ways to eliminate the error messages. Here are some troubleshooting solutions.
How to fix “Connection is not secure” errors
I hope you don’t need these: Reporting junk can help officials stop these creeps. Forward spam texts to the FCC at 7726 (that’s SPAM). For scam calls where you lost money or info, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For quicker reporting, go to DoNotCall.gov.
The Microsoft Windows Defender scam
Scammers pose as Microsoft to trick you into calling fake support numbers. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Tax tip: The IRS is urging taxpayers to enroll in its Identity Protection PIN program, which relaunches this week. This six-digit number is assigned to you and prevents scammers from filing tax returns using your SSN and personal info. To get yours, create an account on the IRS website, verify your identity through ID.me, then click Profile and scroll down to the IP PIN program.
She wasn’t dating Keanu Reeves
67-year-old Katherine Goodson from Vista, California, fell for a romance scam. She thought it was the real thing with the Keanu Reeves. She sent “him” tens of thousands of dollars for “emergency expenses,” only to get ghosted when her money ran out. Now, she’s living in her car. Seriously, where’s John Wick to hunt these criminals down?
Lights, camera, AI: Johnny Depp says scammers are using AI to fake his voice and attempting to steal cash and personal info. He told his Instagram followers he’s not on X, Snapchat or Discord, so anyone claiming to be him is a fake. Reba McEntire and Kelly Rowland are targets, too. If your idol wants your money, it’s a scam.
The Hollywood celebrity scam
Scammers are using AI and fake celebrity connections to trick victims into sending thousands. Here’s how to spot and stop them.
The fake PayPal invoice scam
If you have a PayPal account, you’ll almost certainly see this scam in your inbox at some point. Know what to look for so you’re not tricked.
💔 Me love you long time: Nearly a decade ago, a handsome U.S. Marine discovered his photos were being used in a multibillion-dollar romance scam. Hundreds of women have been conned out of their money, and it’s still happening today. The worst part? Victims contact his wife to warn her he’s up to no good. Here’s the full story I wrote for The Daily Mail, with all the juicy details.
Looking for a job? Don't fall for this scam
Scammers use fake jobs to steal your info or charge bogus fees. Here’s how to spot the red flags and stay safe.
Phishing scams are getting amped up: No more copy and paste. Criminals are using AI to scrape up tons of detail and then write in the style of specific people or companies. Corporate execs and employees are getting emails with info only the sender would know, like just how they sound (paywall link) — yet another reason to wipe your info off the web.
⚠️ “Synthetic identity fraud”: That’s when scammers use stolen Social Security numbers (often from kids) and add bogus names, birth dates and email addresses to create fake personas. They open credit cards, max them out and leave a trail of debt. Losses from this scam are projected to hit $5 billion next year. Have a kid 13 or younger? Fill out this form to see if they have a credit report, and freeze it if they do.
💔 $1 billion in romance scams: That’s how much more than 64,000 Americans were talked out of, double the total four years ago. The Online Dating Safety Act could help. If approved, it’d require dating apps to notify anyone who has come in contact with a scam account. This begs the question: If they can identify scam accounts, why can’t they just remove them?
😤 Life savings, gone: Here’s another money scam making the rounds. Kay, 80, from Virginia transferred her money to a “secure account” after someone claiming to work for Wells Fargo called, saying her money was in danger. They drained her savings account of tens of thousands until nothing was left. If you get a call your money is at risk in some way, hang up. Call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.
“The biggest influencer scam of all time”: That’s what YouTuber MegaLad calls the coupon browser extension Honey, which PayPal bought for $4 billion in 2020. He says they’ve been deceiving shoppers and influencers for years by ignoring coupon options and hijacking links through sneaky pop-ups. Watch the vid here. While I’m researching to see if this is true, I uninstalled Honey and you should, too. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Ever wonder who’s behind scam rings? The Wall Street Journal just published a great story about a giant pig-butchering scam operation (paywall link) in the Philippines run by the former mayor of a town 60 miles north of Manila. Alice Guo had thousands of workers scamming people, including Americans. She swindled millions from mostly retirees to pay for fancy cars, designer goods and a helicopter. Now, the 34-year-old is facing human trafficking and corruption charges. I hope she rots in jail.
💔 She wasn’t dating Keanu Reeves: Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old in Vista, California, fell for a romance scam. She thought she was enjoying the real thing with actor Keanu Reeves. She sent “Keanu” tens of thousands of dollars for “emergency expenses,” only to get ghosted when her money ran out. Now, she’s living in her car. So sad. Seriously, where’s John Wick to hunt these criminals down?
Gift card scam warning this Christmas
Forgot someone on your Christmas list? A gift card might save the day, but beware of a sneaky scam.
🚨 Takeover fraud: A Colorado couple lost $3,700 after a scammer broke into their AT&T account and bought an iPad, iPhone, smartwatch and headphones. How? The crooks gained access to the couple’s login details. Keep an eye out for fake login links and impersonation calls. PSA: AT&T will never call you to lock down your account.