Texting and Messaging Scam Attempts Have Increased by 50 Percent, a Consumer Reports Survey Finds

 Texting and messaging scam attempts have increased by 50 percent in the past year, with young adults experiencing the sharpest rise of any age group.  That’s one of several important findings in the 2025 Cyber Readiness Report (PDF), the fourth annual effort by Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and the Global Cyber Alliance to examine how consumers view and manage their digital privacy and security.

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Identity Theft Protection - 10 Places you should never give out your SSN

Times change, and the places where you should never give your Social Security number are not as obvious as they might have once been. Safeguarding your Social Security number is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft.

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Week #4 of National Cyber Security Awareness Week - PHISHING

Cybercriminals love to go phishing, but you don't have to get hooked. Know what to look for! 

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LastPass ‘digital will’ phishing attack uses fake death certificate emails.

These fake emails claim that someone has uploaded your death certificate. It's all a trick to snatch your master password from you.

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A good article about DEEP FAKE videos - How to tell the difference between real and fake ones.

If you're even a little bit online, the odds are you've seen an image or video that was AI-generated. I know I've been fooled before, like I was by that viral video of bunnies on a trampoline. But Sora is taking AI videos to a whole new level, making it more important than ever to know how to spot AI.

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Your cell phone is tracking you - How to fight back.

 We live in an era where the lines between our physical and digital lives are increasingly blurred. Smartphones are indispensable companions, seamlessly integrating into nearly every facet of our daily existence. However, that comes with a significant trade-off in the form of location tracking. Many of us operate under the assumption that we control our digital footprint, especially when it comes to our whereabouts, but that’s not very accurate.

Understanding the underlying processes of how you are tracked is the first step toward reclaiming some semblance of control over your personal data. More importantly, you should be equipped with practical knowledge and actionable steps to fight back and improve your digital privacy effectively.

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TikTok videos used to hide dangerous malware attacks - here's how to stay safe!

Security researchers, including Trend Micro, Xavier Mertens and others have all reported seeing multiple TikTok videos offering instructions on how to “activate” popular software such as Windows, Microsoft 365, Adobe Premiere, and others. In some cases, the videos are instructing viewers on activating product packs that don’t even exist, such as on Netflix or Spotify.

To stay safe, be skeptical of random links or buttons in emails or websites, especially those who ask you for urgent fixes or updates. Always visit official websites and use legitimate software. Furthermore, make sure your browser, operating system, and security software is up to date, and use a reliable ad blocker (if possible).

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Scouts can now earn a badge in Cybersecurity!

Scouting America, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts, is giving scouts the chance to earn two merit badges that engage new technology: one in artificial intelligence, and another in cybersecurity.  The organization, which counts about a million scouts in its ranks, offers hundreds of merit badges spanning everything from fishing to fingerprinting. The badges have long presented scouts with the opportunity to sharpen skills and explore new subjects.

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It's week #3 of National Cyber Security Awareness Month - Watch this video on why it's important to update your software!

It can be easy to click "remind me later," but it can also make your device a target for cyberattacks. Check out our new animation to see how updating your software can help you stay safe online.

 Click here to watch the video.

Scammers are targeting your phone - Here's what to watch for.

Thousands of people are bilked every year by criminals who enter the lives of their victims through their telephones. AARP once found that about half of all mobile calls were fraudulent, and that the problem was worsening. Fraudulent landline calls are declining as the technology fades, but scam calls to fixed lines still nab plenty of unsuspecting victims. And while seniors are often the target of scammers, anyone can be taken for a ride. Here's everything you need to know about phone scams — including ones that involve fraudsters impersonating IRS officials — and how to avoid becoming a victim.  

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The password mistake that hackers count on.

You probably have dozens of passwords to remember for various websites and apps. It can get so difficult to create new, complex passwords for every one of the sites you visit (using a password manager can definitely help). Unfortunately, hackers are on standby just waiting for you to make some of the most common password mistakes. It’s important that you stop making this one mistake — you have a lot to lose if things go wrong. Your personal information, including banking and credit card numbers, can fall into the wrong hands. Here’s the common password mistake that hackers love — and how to stay safe.

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10 phrases scammers use that signal it's time to end the call.

Scammers are masters of manipulation, and they rely on specific, high-pressure language to trick you. They want to get you so flustered that you can’t think straight. But what if you knew their script? What if you could spot their game from a mile away?

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MSN Video - 10 Steps to Take When Your Private Data Ends Up On The Dark Web

 Good video regarding steps to follow when you discover your info on "The Dark Web".

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Your Smart TV Is Spying on You With Three Letters You’ve Never Even Heard Of.

At this point, you're probably pretty used to the idea that your smartphone tracks what you do and shares that information with various companies. It's a little depressing, but it's become a fact of life. However, what about your TV?  Somehow, the idea that your TV is watching what you do and sending information back to base doesn't sit quite as well with me, and I suspect you as well. So what if I told you there was technology that monitors everything you watch, and then uses that information? I'm not just talking about Netflix or other streaming services, taking note of your favorite movies. No, I'm talking about your TV itself, watching everything you put on-screen. It's called ACR or Automatic Content Recognition.

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How to keep your Chromebook secure.

Chromebooks are renowned for their powerful safety and privacy features, but that doesn't mean you can just stop worrying about either of those issues. Any security system is only as strong as its weakest link, and you don't want that to be you.

You also don't have to be some sort of computer expert to help your Chromebook protect your privacy and keep your data secure. It takes just a handful of good habits to minimize the odds something will go wrong.

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7 ways your Windows PC can get hacked (And what you can do about it

 We tend to think of our personal computers as safe zones, especially when we have installed robust security solutions like antivirus and firewalls. But the truth is, hackers aren't always kicking down the digital door with brute force. More often, they're slipping in quietly through overlooked weaknesses, software loopholes, or social engineering tricks that feel totally normal until it's too late. The popularity and wide usage of Windows OS, along with its backward compatibility and broader attack surface, make it a common target for attackers.

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WEEK #2 - Cyber Security Awareness Month - Learn more about MFA

Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection—think of it like securing your front door with both a deadbolt and a keypad lock. MFA is a simple, effective way to keep hackers out, even if they manage to get your password.

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Fake 'Inflation Refund' texts target New Yorkers in new scam.

An ongoing smishing campaign is targeting New Yorkers with text messages posing as the Department of Taxation and Finance, claiming to offer "Inflation Refunds" in an attempt to steal victims' personal and financial data.

Don't fall for this, read the article below.

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8 red flags of a phishing scam: I insta-delete any email with these tip-offs.

Phishing is alive and well in 2025, as even with robust antivirus and antimalware protections, the weakest link in the security chain is often the human element. We all make mistakes, skim an email and think it’s probably fine to click that link. But wait! Don’t do it! Phishing scammers rely on you not using due diligence to protect yourself, your data, and your devices with good personal security practices.

The best way to spot phishing emails is to know what to look for. Here’s a list of some of the big phishing red flags which should send you running when you spot them.

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Passkeys aren’t scary – passwords are. Let’s bust some security myths!

Passkeys beat passwords.

Not everyone agrees. But I’ve found that some dissent is rooted in a lack of understanding how passkeys work. 

I don’t blame the skeptics. Passkeys are simple to use, but their technical nuances can be a headache to understand. So let’s get into the details.

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Your iPhone wants to track every place you visit - here's how to stop it.

With iOS 26, Apple added a new feature to its Maps app. Known as Visited Places, this option tracks the places you visit. That capability sounds handy, as it gives you a way to easily find and return to previous locations.

But any feature that tracks your whereabouts can raise a red flag. Apple promises that the information is encrypted and that no one at the company can read it. Still, you may want to manage or even turn off this option. Here are the steps.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Double-down on the security basics!

 In a world dominated by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), automation, and advanced security platforms, many security pros might expect Cybersecurity Awareness Month to spotlight modern security strategies such as threat intelligence feeds, AI‑powered malware detection, and zero‑trust architectures.

However, there’s a much more practical reality. Core 4 actions to stay safe online continue to emphasize the fundamentals, demonstrating the power of security basics to prevent attacks and proving that human behavior remains as critical as ever: use strong passwords, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA), recognize and report scams, and run the software updates.

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It's OCTOBER 1st - Happy National Cyber Security Awareness Month!! (NCSAM)

National Cyber Security Awareness Month empowers individuals and businesses to protect themselves. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance co-lead the global campaign every October!  Take a few minutes to reinforce the 4 basic / fundamental aspects of keeping yourself secure within our digital community.

1. USE MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION!

2.    Keep your computer and applications updated.

3. Stay Aware and Think before you click! Question what you see in e-mails and pop-ups. (Do NOT click on embedded text or links!  This goes for CELL PHONES TOO!)

4.   Create strong, unique PASSWORDS/PHRASES.  Be prepared for PASSKEYS.  

Click here to examine the Safe and Secure Online website.