⚠️ It can happen anywhere: An Australian IT pro was caught running “evil twin” Wi-Fi attacks on flights and airports. He set up phony Wi-Fi networks to trick victims into logging in, and then he snagged their usernames and passwords for whatever they did. Pro tip: Always ask the flight staff for the real Wi-Fi network name.
Tech security tip: Totally normal things that put you in danger
When was the last time you changed your usernames? Do any of them contain any information that makes it easy to identify you? If so, you need to change that. Here are five username mistakes to avoid, along with simple fixes.
Security is something you should never take for granted. You may be exposing yourself to hackers and scammers without even realizing it.
Inventive criminals are taking advantage of some of the stuff we think is normal and not at all risky. It begs the question: Can we do anything anymore?
The way you answer the phone
We’ve reported on AI taking your job, but the technology is being employed by cybercriminals to do even more damage.
Scammers are recording snippets of your voice and using AI to stitch the samples together. They can then impersonate you in any capacity, such as calling your loved ones and asking for money.
Here’s the scary part: They only need three seconds of recordings to feed into the AI, which will then produce convincing sentences that sound just like you. And it doesn’t matter if you’re using a cellphone or landline.
These aren’t movie villain hackers employing complex tools, either. These petty criminals are using readily available software such as Resemble AI and ElevenLabs.
Yes, it’s happening and it’s scary, but don’t panic! Fight back by following these tips:
- Don’t say “hello” when answering the phone.
- Even better, don’t say a word when you pick up. Let the caller speak first. If they don’t say anything, hang up.
- The best defense: Don’t answer unknown calls at all. If the call is important, they’ll leave a voicemail.
Consider where else you may be posting audio and video of yourself. That’s right — your voice could be stolen from a clip as well. Keep reading for more information.
RELATED: Here’s another word you should never say to a telemarketer or scam caller
Username mistakes you're making that put you at risk online
When it comes to online security, you’ll hear plenty of chatter about passwords. And for good reason. Strong, unique passwords are among the first lines of defense against hackers, spammers and scammers.
We’ve been trained to use good password practices for some time. Most websites request a mix of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters and any combination. But there’s more to creating a secure password. Tap or click here for 10 tips to lock down your accounts with strong passwords.
Scary new malware takes over your browser to show you fake search results
Scammers usually launch online attacks to grab your personal information or steal your money. But not all scams are so straightforward. Criminals employ sneaky tactics to drive traffic towards advertisements or fake websites where they get a cut of the profit.
Before your next Google search, beware of these spam ads distributing malware
A preferred method for cybercriminals to deliver malware is through phishing emails and spam messages. It has generally yielded enough victims for them to use those tactics continually. But criminals are also exploring different ways of beating antivirus systems.
Forget hacking networks: Now, cybercriminals are using genuine logins stolen from real people. Info-theft malware is already up 266% in 2024. Keep all your usernames and passwords safe, and don’t give them to anyone. And you really need solid antivirus software. Get TotalAV for $19 for the first year on up to five devices.
Watch out! Malicious ads in Google search leading to costly scam
Google has taken down more than 1.7 billion fake ads, but it’s missed one of the biggest scams out there. This ad looks legitimate, but it leads anyone who clicks into a dangerous tech support scam. I’ll show you what to look for so you’re not tricked by this divisive tactic.