Have you ever signed up for a free trial … only to forget to cancel before time runs out? This can cost you a ton of cash. Listen to this one-minute podcast for an easy way to stop overspending.
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Scam alert! 5 most dangerous software program names to Google
Search engines can be portals for scammers to slip malware into your devices. Some searches are more dangerous than others. Cybercriminals use popular software searches as avenues to infect your devices.
To be clear, these apps and services aren’t dangerous, but searching for them is. That’s because scammers often impersonate them. Cybercriminals love to leech off the credibility of well-regarded companies, so if you type one of these terms into Google Search, you might find scams at the top of your search results.
Or maybe you don’t find anything related to your search, which is the case for 30% of people who look stuff up on Google. Tap or click here for five ways to find what you’re looking for more quickly. Scroll down to see which types of popular software are the most dangerous to search for.
Here’s the backstory
A simple Google search can help you find any program you need. For instance, type “video editing tools” into the search engine and you’ll find links to download Premiere Pro or Corel VideoStudio Pro. If you’re looking for a cheap alternative, check out the best free video editors for Windows and Mac.
There are countless apps, programs and services you can download online. Many of us find the software we need through Google searches. Scammers know this, so they’ll use all the tools at their disposal to appear at the top of your search results. It’s more common than you’d think.
According to SurfShark, one in three software-related search results include malware. Researchers analyzed the search results when looking up the most popular digital products. Then, they split their findings into different categories. Here is the most dangerous browser software to search for online:
Most dangerous software of all types
Software that is easy to find and download online comes with risks. Researchers split their findings into five categories.
- Most dangerous creative software to research: Avid software.
- Most dangerous browser software to Google: Vivaldi Browser.
- Riskiest crypto wallet software to research in 2022: Lumi Wallet.
- The riskiest social media marketing software to look for: Twitter.
- Looking up this small business software is risky in 2022: Hubstaff.
One program stood above all else as the riskiest to research. Avid Technology was No. 1 both in the creative category and overall. The study found that 64% of search results may introduce you to malware.
400 apps caught stealing Facebook login data
Remembering your username and password for a service or app can be challenging. You should always use a complex password, but many people forgo the advice and use easily crackable ones. This can have dangerous consequences, especially if you use the same credentials for multiple accounts.
We're losing millions to streaming services
New Android malware can record your conversations
Who wouldn’t like getting free products or services to save a few bucks? Especially these days when inflation is skyrocketing.
But not everything is always as it seems. If you search online for free device cleaners or security apps, they might infect your device with malware. Tap or click here for a few examples of free antivirus apps recently caught hiding malware.
Amazon Prime is about to cost more - Here's how much you'll be paying
There are a ton of perks to being an Amazon Prime member. You can access a treasure trove of shows, movies, magazines, audiobooks and more. Tap or click here for 11 Amazon Prime perks you’ll wish you knew sooner.
That’s a lot of value for membership — but now Amazon is holding its hand out for even more money. On Thursday, the company announced a price hike on its monthly and annual membership fees. You’ll see these changes in the coming weeks.
Self-driving e-bikes, crypto crash, UFOs
Cryptocurrency crashed. Here’s where we are and what’s next. Plus, a safer way to fill in forms online and an app that lets you see all the grocery store deals in your area. Oh, and the Pentagon reveals UFO sightings and Harley-Davidson’s e-bike now has Google Cloud services.
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Suicide hotline caught selling caller data to for-profit companies
Suicide hotlines are designed to help people — not profit off of them. But the promise of cash is too strong for some companies to ignore. After all, according to the LA Times, data brokerage is a $200 billion industry.
20 things you can get for free that you shouldn’t pay for
There are a ton of services you should never cut corners on. For example, you get what you pay for when it comes to security essentials like VPNs and cameras.
Then again, a dollar sign doesn’t ensure a good product. A ton of great tools are free, like video editing software or even streaming platforms. If you want language lessons, smoke detectors or even a deep climb into your family tree, you can do it all without cracking open your wallet.
Windows Patch Tuesday: Security upgrades, Bluetooth fix and more
Microsoft releases updates for various products and services every second Tuesday of the month. September is no exception, and it makes your Windows computer more secure. If you have had an issue with wireless headphones, this patch will fix that too.
Super easy way to report potholes, downed trees and other nuisances
Navigating through traffic with bad drivers can be stressful enough. Tap or click here for three map apps that are better than Google if you have multiple stops.
But you don’t need the added frustration of dodging potholes and downed trees. While there isn’t much you can do about other drivers’ skills, you can report potholes.
Don't believe the news that Netflix is tanking
Streaming services are having the same problem that plagued cable. Customers are asking, “Do we really need all of these services?” Here’s the full story.
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Buying a car? Don't get fooled into paying $2K more
Buying a new car can be a stressful event. You could spend a lot of money, and if something goes wrong, you could be stuck with a bad deal. You also shouldn’t be paying more for unnecessary features or fees you don’t know about.
Is Google's new ad tracker following you around the web?
We all know that websites and services can track your movements and behavior across websites. Recently Apple also started implementing a similar technique, where it asked for your permission to connect to other devices in your house. Tap or click here to Google like a pro: 7 tricks for expert searches.
Scam VPN app is bringing in $1M per month - Is it on your phone?
Apple’s iOS infrastructure is fairly robust when it comes to app downloads and services. Unlike third-party platforms, Apple’s App Store is guarded against malicious apps or those that don’t meet the requirements.
Don't pay for these services — get them free
A dollar sign doesn’t ensure a good product. In fact, a ton of great tools are free, like video editing software or even streaming platforms. Here are a few great services you can get without cracking open your wallet.
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Forgot your Apple ID or password? Here's what to do
Your Apple ID is your universal access ticket to all of Apple’s services, so if you forgot or misplaced your ID or password, there can be big trouble. Luckily, we’re here to walk you through what can be a confusing recovery process and tell you exactly what you need to do to recover a lost Apple ID or reset an ID password.
Now you can find your lost Android even if it's offline
Services that locate lost devices usually depend on a cellular signal or Wi-Fi connectivity. That’s how an app locates your phone and broadcasts its location. What happens when you lose your device and it’s not only not connected to the internet, it’s entirely powered off? Samsung has a solution.
How cutting the cable brought us right back to where we started
A decade ago, we started saying “no more” to expensive cable and satellite service. Now, there are more streaming services than ever to fill the void. And they’ll put a dent in your wallet as much as, say, a traditional cable bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to download and watch streaming movies and TV offline
Watch anywhere on any device, that’s the promise of streaming services these days. But what can you stream when your Wi-Fi goes down or your data runs out? The answer might surprise you, as many streaming services offer users the option to download content for later viewing.
Popular browser rolls out new feature to protect your privacy
Browsing the web privately isn’t as easy as it used to be. In the past, it was possible to make due with a few software tools and by avoiding social media. But nowadays, your search engines build ad profiles about you. Meanwhile, social networks follow you around whether you’re a member or not.