Latest news with #onlineprivacy
The Verge
a day ago
- General
- The Verge
It's 1PM. Do you know where your children are scrolling?
Adi Robertson Maybe, argues longtime internet law scholar Danielle Citron, sometimes you shouldn't. We've got a slow holiday Thursday here at The Verge, so it's time for me to finally read this paper from early June about alternatives to the 'parental control model' of children's privacy online — a topic that's not going away any time soon. The parental control model is a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is an empowering façade that leaves parents unable to protect children and undermines the intimate privacy that youth need to thrive. It is bad for parents, children, and parent-child relationships. And it is bad for the pursuit of equality.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Don't Get Scammed: 5 Ways To Outsmart Today's Most Costly Online Fraud
Fraud Alert in red keys on high-tech computer keyboard background with security engraved lock on ... More fake credit cards. Concept of Internet security, data privacy, cybercrime prevention for online shopping transaction payments. If it feels like financial scams are getting worse, that's because they are. In 2024 alone, Americans lost a staggering $12.5 billion to fraud—up $2.5 billion from the year before, according to the Federal Trade Commission. With scammers growing more sophisticated by the day, protecting your identity and money is no longer optional. Whether it's phishing emails, fake investment pitches, or outright identity theft, these schemes are catching millions off guard. But you don't have to be one of them. Here are five smart habits you can adopt today to guard your financial life in an increasingly risky digital world: 1. Use Anonymous Messaging Apps to Protect Your Identity Many scams begin with messages that appear harmless but aim to gather your personal data or trick you into fraudulent schemes. BeProg tackles this problem by eliminating any possibility to identify you. Unlike traditional apps, BeProg, to function, does not require phone no, registration, device ID or any kind of user ID – making it a truly anonymous messaging platform. This level of anonymity reduces the chances of scammers exploiting your contact details or impersonating you. Using such tools can create a safer communication environment and help protect your privacy online Phishing remains one of the most effective tools in a scammer's arsenal. Fraudsters send emails or texts that look official—maybe from your bank or a retailer you trust—but clicking those links can lead you to fake websites built to steal your login info or install malware. Before clicking, hover over the link to check the actual URL. Double-check the sender's name and email address. And when in doubt, go directly to the company's site rather than clicking on a link in a message. Tools like McAfee WebAdvisor or built-in phishing filters in Gmail and Outlook can help flag risky links. Even if your password gets stolen, two-factor authentication (2FA) can stop a scammer in their tracks. This adds a second step—usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an app—that's required to log in. It takes less than a minute to turn on 2FA for your most important accounts: email, bank, credit cards, and social media. Use apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator to keep things secure. Think of it as a lock on your digital front door. Cybercriminals are always looking for outdated software to exploit. If your phone, browser, or apps aren't current, you're an easy target. Turn on automatic updates for your phone, laptop, and major apps. It's also smart to run antivirus programs like Norton or Bitdefender, which help block threats before they can do real damage. You might not know you've been scammed until it shows up on your credit report—and by then, the damage may be done. That's why regular credit monitoring is essential. Services like Credit Karma, Experian, and Equifax alert you if someone tries to open a new account or take out a loan in your name. Make it a habit to check your reports at least monthly and freeze your credit if anything looks suspicious.
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
After Minnesota shooting, some states are more tightly guarding officials' personal information
Lawmakers in several states are taking action to remove their home addresses from online directories and enhance security measures. This follows the recent killing of a Minnesota legislator and the wounding of another in their homes, in what Governor Tim Walz called a targeted political attack. Vance Boelter is in custody, facing charges related to the death of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the wounding of Senator John Hoffman and their spouses. Authorities say Boelter had compiled a list of state and federal officials' addresses. While the Minnesota Legislature's website doesn't list home addresses, some states are proactively removing such information. North Dakota's legislative staff removed lawmakers' addresses from their webpages, while New Mexico also removed legislators' home addresses from its Statehouse website. Colorado fulfilled requests from at least 31 elected officials to remove their personal information from a public campaign finance database. Wisconsin lawmakers have requested additional security for an upcoming Assembly session. Even before the Minnesota shooting, states had been increasing efforts to protect officials' information. Oregon passed a bill to redact home addresses from online campaign filings. Louisiana added statewide elected officials and legislators to the list of those who can request personal information removal from public records. Georgia now requires redaction of home addresses from campaign finance reports. Illinois stopped publishing candidates' street addresses online last year. New Jersey exempted the home addresses of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement from public records disclosure in 2020 after a judge's son was killed. Maryland enacted a law in 2024 to prevent the online publishing of judges' personal information after a judge was shot.
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Why This Budget-Friendly VPN & Antivirus Combo Is Blowing Up
A VPN is an excellent option for enhancing your online privacy and security. Meanwhile, virus protection is always welcome if you're an avid trouble avoider. While these two rarely mix, when they do, it's always noteworthy. Surfshark, one of the most revered VPNs this year, offers a feature-rich bundle. It features a VPN service with virus protection for all devices for a pocket-change price. The offer is time-limited, so you should act quickly. Get Surfshark + Antivirus At 86% Off VPN + Antivirus at 86% Off With Surfshark Surfshark offers plenty of cost-efficient plans, but one stood out to us as the best. Namely, the Surfshark One plan, which is now 86% off, costs only $2.49 for 27 months. At only $67 for the initial period, it offers a VPN service and virus protection. This plan has been very popular. However, with the recent price reduction and the addition of three free months, it became an even more attractive option. It's no wonder that so many people switch to it without hesitation. Unlike some of its competitors, Surfshark's antivirus works on all devices, just like its VPN. Thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark allows you to keep all devices in check with one cheap subscription. Even better, the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, should you decide to back out. This gives you ample time to grab the exclusive offer and essentially test Surfshark for free for a month, without losing a cent. All you have to do is click one of the buttons, pick the Surfshark One plan, and install the VPN on your device. Once connected, you'll enjoy a new privacy dimension, more online freedom, and top-of-the-line security. Spend Less, Enjoy More With this VPN The current promotion leaves no stone unturned. You'll get access to over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, with 10 Gbps ports and top-tier speeds. Surfshark is popular for streaming, while all servers are equipped with P2P support for unlimited torrenting adventures. One of its key aspects is privacy. Surfshark refrains from storing logs and uses RAM-only servers to wipe clean all data with a single server restart. Furthermore, Surfshark has built its reputation on innovative security features. You can expect beefier encryption with Dynamic MultiHop, a kill switch to prevent data leaks, and perfect forward secrecy for enhanced safety. Surfshark's One plan also includes an Alternative ID, which provides a new online identity. Plus, you can use its Search function to browse the web without data tracking and ads. As stated in our Surfshark review, the provider also includes obfuscation via NoBorders, making it a handy option for bypassing censorship. Refresh yourself from the onslaught of the summer heat. Plunge into the cold shower with Surfshark and experience the life-changing VPN + antivirus offer. All this at a meagre $2.49 per month. But not for long. Try Surfshark Risk-Free Today
CBS News
5 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Scottie Scheffler deleted his Venmo account over unwanted activity. Here's what to do if that happens to you.
How to clean up your digital footprint and protect against online scams Much like a golf course, Venmo can bring some unexpected traps and other hazards. The popular payment app enables users to send requests and payments to Venmo accounts listed as public — a default setting that opened up a can of worms for the world's top golfer, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler, 28, who is competing in the U.S. Open this week, said Tuesday that he deleted the app after receiving a string of unwanted financial requests and payments from strangers betting on his performance. "That's why I had to get rid of my Venmo because I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win. It wasn't a good feeling," the 16-time PGA Tour winner recently told reporters, according to CBS Sports. While he occasionally received small payments after winning a game, Scheffler said he more typically got requests from gamblers looking to cash in if he had lost. "I don't remember the most that somebody would send me," he said. "Maybe a couple bucks here or there. That didn't happen nearly as much as the requests did." Ordinary Venmo users may not attract the same attention on the app as Scheffler, but they can still benefit from knowing how to protect their privacy on the payment platform. Read on for tips on how to navigate Venmo safely. What should I do if I get an unexpected payment or request on Venmo? With the proliferation on online scams, Venmo encourages its users to play it safe. If you get a payment from a stranger, Venmo says you should not accept the transfer, but instead contact the app's support team. Likewise, payment requests from suspicious accounts, or people you don't know, should also be declined, the company says. "In some cases, you may receive a payment request from someone who appears to be a friend or relative," Venmo warns on its website. "This can be a common scam tactic, so we recommend contacting your friend or family member outside of Venmo to confirm the legitimacy of the request before taking any action." For more information on how to safely use Venmo, the company's website outlines common mobile payment scams and how to avoid them. Can everyone see my Venmo payment history? Paying your roommate for the electricity bill? Others might be able to see that transaction on Venmo, depending on your account settings. If your profile is public, which is the default setting on the app, then each of your payment transactions will appear on Venmo's main feed, making them visible to anyone online. That includes information on who you're paying, when you paid them and what you're paying them for — cue the pizza emoji. To limit the number of people who can see your transactions, you can switch your privacy settings to "Friends only" or "Private." The "Friends only" setting makes your payment transactions visible to Venmo friends only. The "Private" setting, the most restrictive of the three options, limits payment visibility to the two parties engaged in the transaction. Venmo also allows you to retroactively change your transactions to private mode which would hide your entire payment history, according to a company spokesperson. If you're paying or requesting money from someone who has different privacy setting than you, Venmo will default to whoever's setting is more restrictive. For example, if your account is private and you're making a payment to someone with a public account, the payment will automatically be private, and only visible to you and the recipient.
