7 Types of Hacker Motivations

Hackers are not created equal, nor do they have the same purpose. Some hackers are paid to scrutinize security systems, find loopholes, fix weaknesses, and ultimately protect organizations and people. Others exploit those same gaps for profit, power, or disruption. What separates hackers isn’t just skill level or tactics; it’s intent. 

The purpose behind an attack changes everything about how hackers shape their tactics and how the hacking process unfolds: who is targeted, which methods and tools are used, how patient the attacker is, and the kind of damage they want to cause.

The primary motivations behind these cyberattacks fall into several categories, from financial gain to recognition, and sometimes even coercion. Each driver creates different risk scenarios for your digital life, from your home banking sessions to your workplace communications. Understanding a hacker’s motivations will enable you to better protect yourself and recognize potential threats in both your personal and professional life. 

In this article, we’ll look at the main types of hackers you might encounter, the core motivations and mindset that drive these cyberattacks, and finally, how you can protect yourself against these attacks.

Good and bad hackers

From its beginnings as an intellectual exploration in universities, hacking was driven by curiosity, learning, and the thrill of solving complex problems. Today, it has become industrialized with organized criminal groups and state-sponsored actors entering the scene. 

Modern hacking has seen the emergence of advanced persistent threats and nation-state campaigns targeting critical infrastructure and combining traditional techniques with artificial intelligence. To better understand the types of hackers, here is a window into what they do and why:

White hat hackers

These are the good guys, typically computer security experts who specialize in penetration testing and other methodologies to ensure that a company’s information systems are secure. These IT security professionals rely on a constantly evolving arsenal of technology to battle hackers.

Black hat hackers

These are the bad guys, who are typically referred to as just plain hackers. The term is often used specifically for hackers who break into networks or computers, or create computer viruses. Unfortunately, black hat hackers continue to technologically outpace white hats, often finding the path of least resistance, whether due to human error or laziness, or with a new type of attack. Hacking purists often use the term “crackers” to refer to black hat hackers, whose motivation is generally to get paid.

Script kiddies

This is a derogatory term for black hat hackers who use borrowed programs to attack networks and deface websites in an attempt to make names for themselves. Script kiddies, sometimes called script kitties, might be beginners, but don’t be fooled by their newbie status. With the right tools and right targets, they can wreak as much havoc as a seasoned hacker.

Hacktivists

Some hacker activists are motivated by politics or religion, while others aim to expose wrongdoing or exact revenge. Activists typically target government agencies, public services, and organizations involved in controversial issues related to defense, elections, wars, finance, or social movements. They also attack high-profile individuals, such as executives, public figures, journalists, and activists.

State-sponsored hackers

State-sponsored hackers have limitless time and funding to target civilians, corporations, other governments, or even prominent citizens connected to a larger objective. Their motivations are driven by their government’s strategic goals: gathering intelligence, stealing sensitive research or intellectual property, influencing public perception, or disrupting critical infrastructure. Because they are playing a long game, state-sponsored hackers are stealthy and persistent, quietly embedding themselves in systems, mapping networks, and waiting for the right moment to act.

Spy hackers

Corporations hire hackers to infiltrate their competitors and steal trade secrets, including product designs, source code, pricing plans, customer lists, legal documents, and merger or acquisition strategies. They may hack from the outside or gain employment in order to act as a mole, impersonating recruiters, partners, or vendors to get insiders to share access. They also take advantage of weak internal controls, such as excessive permissions, unsecured file-sharing links, or poor offboarding practices. Spy hackers may use similar tactics as hacktivists or state-sponsored espionage on a smaller scale: stealthy entry, careful privilege escalation, and long-term persistence to avoid triggering alarms. The stolen data is often not leaked publicly but delivered directly to the client and used behind the scenes.

Cyber terrorists

These hackers, generally motivated by religious or political beliefs, attempt to create terror, chaos, and real-world harm by disrupting critical infrastructures such as power grids, water systems, transportation networks, hospitals, emergency services, and government operations. They combine cyber operations with propaganda campaigns and physical attacks on the systems people rely on to live safely to create turmoil far beyond the screen. 

Understand hackers’ motivations

Cybercriminals aren’t just faceless entities; they’re driven by specific goals that shape their tactics and targets. Understanding their motivations empowers you to recognize potential threats and better protect yourself, your family, and colleagues.

Financial gain

Money remains the most common motivator. These profit-driven attacks directly impact your personal finances through methods such as ransomware, credit card fraud, and identity theft. In your home, financially motivated hackers target your banking apps, shopping accounts, and personal devices to steal payment information or hold your data hostage. In the workplace, they focus on payroll systems, customer databases, and business banking credentials.

Ideological motivations

Ideologically driven hackers, called hacktivists, pursue political or social causes through cyber means. These attacks can disrupt services that you rely on daily, from public utilities to private organizations that provide essential services or take public stances on divisive issues. Your best defense involves staying informed about potential disruptions and maintaining backup communication methods for essential services.

Curiosity and learning

Many hackers begin their journey with genuine curiosity about how systems work. They might probe your home network, test website security, or experiment with app vulnerabilities, not necessarily for malicious purposes, but their activities can still expose your data or disrupt services. In professional environments, these individuals might target systems or databases simply to see if they can gain access.

Recognition and reputation building

Some hackers seek fame, respect within hacker communities, or professional advancement rather than immediate financial benefit. They often target high-profile individuals, popular websites, or well-known companies to maximize the visibility for their exploits. If you have a significant social media following, your accounts could become targets for these attacks. They might also focus on defacing company or government websites, or leaking non-sensitive but embarrassing information.

State and corporate intelligence

Nation-state and corporate espionage are some of the most sophisticated threats in cyberspace, making it a top national security concern for both government and private sector. These operations compromise daily services and infrastructure such as internet service providers, email platforms, or cloud storage services to gather intelligence such as intellectual property, customer lists, or strategic planning documents. 

Coercion and extortion

Some hackers use cyber capabilities to intimidate or coerce victims into specific actions. In the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center report for 2024, extortion was the 2nd top cybercrime by number of complaints, demonstrating the growing prevalence of coercion-based attacks. Coercion might involve compromising personal photos, social media accounts, or private communications to demand payment or behavioral changes. Workplace coercion could target executives with embarrassing information or threaten to leak sensitive business data unless demands are met. 

The intersection of motivations

Many real-world attacks combine multiple motivations—a financially driven criminal might also seek recognition within hacker communities, or an ideological hacker might generate revenue through ransomware. The contrast between ethical hacker motivations and malicious ones often lies in the permission, legality, and intent. Understanding why people become hackers helps you recognize that not all hacking activity is inherently malicious, although all unauthorized access ultimately poses risks to your security and privacy.

The psychology behind cyberattacks

Understanding the psychology behind cyberattacks gives you a powerful advantage in protecting yourself. When you know what drives hackers, you can better spot their tactics and stay one step ahead.

High reward, low risk

Many hackers operate with the goal of achieving high reward for perceived low risk. This risk-reward imbalance motivates attackers because they can potentially access valuable personal or financial information while remaining physically distant from their victims. This means hackers often target easy opportunities, such as when you click on suspicious links or download questionable attachments, to gain access with minimal effort. For instance, a hacker would rather send 10,000 phishing emails hoping for a few bites than attempt one complex, risky attack.

Exploiting normal human responses 

Hackers exploit well-known psychological shortcuts your brain takes. They understand that you’re more likely to trust familiar-looking emails, act quickly under pressure, or follow authority figures without question. These aren’t weaknesses, these are normal human responses that attackers deliberately manipulate. For example, urgent messages claiming your account will be closed create an artificial time pressure, making you more likely to click without thinking.

The power of group dynamics

Many successful cyberattacks leverage the human tendency to follow what others are doing. Hackers create fake social media profiles, forge customer reviews, or impersonate colleagues to make their requests seem legitimate and widely accepted. In ransomware attacks targeting businesses, criminals often research company hierarchies and communication styles to make their demands appear to come from trusted sources within the organization. 

The gamification of cybercrime

Modern hacking has elements that make it feel like a game to perpetrators. Some online forums award points for successful attacks, creating competition and recognition among criminals. This helps explain why some hackers target individuals rather than large corporations, as every successful phishing attempt becomes a score, and why attacks continue to evolve. 

Common hacking methods

Hackers don’t all use the same tricks, but most successful attacks rely on a familiar toolkit of methods that exploit common technical gaps and human habits. Recognizing these common techniques will help you avoid danger earlier on.

• Phishing and smishing. These attacks trick you into revealing sensitive information through fraudulent emails or text messages, respectively known as phishing and smishing. Modern attackers increasingly use AI-generated content and sophisticated social engineering techniques that make these messages appear more legitimate than ever before. 
• Credential stuffing. Cybercriminals use automated tools to test stolen username and password combinations across multiple websites, exploiting the fact that many people reuse passwords. This attack method has become more efficient with attackers leveraging large-scale data breaches and improved automation tools.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) fatigue. Attackers repeatedly send multi-factor authentication requests until overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused users approve one. This technique has gained prominence as more organizations adopt MFA, with attackers finding ways to exploit user behavior around security notifications. 
• Malvertising. Malicious advertisements on legitimate websites can install malware or redirect you to harmful sites without requiring any clicks. Recent trends show attackers using sophisticated techniques to bypass ad network security filters. 
• Remote desktop attacks. Hackers exploit weak or default passwords on remote desktop services to gain unauthorized access to systems, particularly targeting businesses with remote work setups. The rise of hybrid work environments since 2023 has made this attack vector increasingly attractive to cybercriminals. Disable remote desktop services when not needed and use VPNs with strong authentication for legitimate remote access.
• USB baiting. Attackers leave infected USB devices in public places, hoping curious individuals will plug them into their computers, automatically installing malware. Modern USB attacks can execute within seconds of being connected, making them particularly dangerous in today’s fast-paced work environment.

• Unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Unsecured public Wi-Fi and home networks create opportunities for hackers to gain access to your devices or intercept your sensitive information, such as passwords, emails, and banking details. Sometimes, cybercriminals create fake Wi-Fi hotspots with legitimate-sounding names to trick users into connecting.
• Unsafe downloads. Hackers disguise malicious software as legitimate programs, games, documents, or updates to trick users into installing them. These malicious downloads may come from infected email attachments, fake or pirated software, or even compromised websites. Once installed, the malware can steal your information, lock your files for ransom, or give hackers access to your computer.

• Tech support scams. Tech support scams rely on social engineering rather than technical exploits, where scammers typically contact you by phone and insist your computer has been infected or compromised. They create urgency and fear to convince you to install remote access software that gives them complete control of your computer. Once they have access, they can steal personal information, install malware, or hold your files hostage.

• Outdated software. Running outdated software creates security vulnerabilities that hackers actively leverage. When software developers discover security vulnerabilities, they release patches to fix these problems. If you don’t install these updates promptly, your system remains vulnerable to attacks. Hackers maintain databases of unpatched systems and use automated tools to find and exploit them.

Defensive tips to protect yourself from hack attacks

Your strongest defense against hacking combines technical safeguards, security awareness, and some consistent habits that shut down the most common paths attackers use. Here’s how to put those defenses in place and make your digital life a much harder target.

• Install comprehensive security software. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends a layered security approach to prevent multiple types of threats simultaneously. Choose a reputable security suite that offers real-time protection, anti-malware scanning, and web browsing safety features. 
• Enable MFA everywhere. Add an extra security layer to all your important accounts: email, banking, social media, and work platforms. Only approve MFA requests that you initiated yourself, and report any unexpected authentication prompts to your IT team or service provider immediately.
• Use a password manager. Create complex, unique passwords using a trusted password manager for every account you own. The National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends passwords that are at least 12 characters long and completely unique across all your accounts to prevent credential stuffing attacks.
• Keep all software updated. Enable automatic updates for your operating system, apps, and security software, as many successful cyberattacks exploit known weaknesses that could have been prevented with timely updates.
• Secure your internet connections. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities, and use a reputable VPN when you must connect to untrusted networks. Unsecured public networks make it easy for attackers to intercept your data and credentials.
• Implement the 3-2-1 backup strategy. Regular, tested backups are your best defense against ransomware and data loss incidents. Keep three copies of important data—on your device, on an external drive, and in secure cloud storage. 
• Develop scam-spotting skills. Scammers continuously adapt their tactics to current events, so staying informed about the latest schemes and learning to recognize phishing emails, suspicious links, and social engineering tactics will help you stay one step ahead.
• Practice good digital hygiene. Regularly review your account permissions, remove unused apps, and monitor your financial statements for unauthorized activity to lessen your exposure to identity theft and privacy breaches.

• Monitor your accounts regularly. Check bank statements, credit reports, and account activity monthly. Set up account alerts for unusual activity when available.
• Limit personal information sharing. Only provide the necessary information to companies or service providers to reduce your digital footprint. In addition, review privacy settings and avoid oversharing on social media as scammers and hackers regularly prowl these platforms. 

Final thoughts

Now that you understand hackers’ motivations and psychological drivers, you can flip the script and turn it to your advantage. Instead of being the target, become the informed defender who recognizes manipulation tactics and responds thoughtfully rather than reactively. This knowledge empowers you to spot potential threats earlier, choose stronger protective measures, and navigate the digital world with greater confidence.

When someone pressures you to act immediately, that’s your cue to slow down and verify the request. Question familiar-looking messages, even if they look official. Check the sender’s address and contact the company through official channels. Trust your instincts and investigate before acting. Stay curious and keep learning from reputable cybersecurity resources that publish current research and threat intelligence. Share these tips with your family members and friends, especially those who might be less technologically savvy. 

McAfee+ includes proactive identity surveillance to monitor subscribers’ credit and personal information, as well as access to live fraud resolution agents who can help subscribers work through the process of resolving identity theft issues.

The post 7 Types of Hacker Motivations appeared first on McAfee Blog.

New Year Reset: A Quick Guide to Improving Your Digital Hygiene in 2026

Scams didn’t slow down in 2025—and all signs point to the problem getting worse in 2026.

While the final numbers aren’t in yet, reported losses are already on track to break records. Through just the first half of 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cited nearly $6.5 billion in scam-related losses, putting the year on pace to surpass 2024’s total. And it’s not just isolated incidents: 73% of Americans say they’ve experienced at least one scam or online attack.

As scams become more convincing, often powered by AI and designed to blend into everyday digital life, basic “spot the red flag” advice isn’t enough anymore. Protecting yourself now means tightening up your digital hygiene: how you manage passwords, personal data, online accounts, and the everyday tools you rely on to stay safe.

3) Keep spammers and scammers at bay by removing personal info from the internet. 

Data brokers sell all kinds of info that power all kinds of spam and scams. It’s one way spammers and scammers get contact info like emails and phone numbers, and it’s yet another way they get detailed info to target their ads and their attacks. 

For example, beyond your full name, home address, phone numbers, email addresses, and date of birth, many also have info about your family members, employment, and past purchases. Data brokers might gather and sell other info like religious and political leanings, health conditions, and employment history. Simply put, this detailed profile makes it easier for spammers and scammers to target you. 

Q&A	Q: Can people find my detailed personal info online?   Yes, and some of the easiest places to find it are on data broker sites. They collect and analyze up to hundreds of bits of personal info, often without your knowledge or consent. Further, they’ll sell it to any buyer, including scammers.

 

 

Where do they harvest this info? From public records, shopper loyalty programs, and even from app data—all kinds of sources. And that underscores the problem, some data brokers keep exhaustive amounts of data about people, all in one place.  

And they’ll sell it to anyone who pays for it. You can help reduce those scam texts and calls by removing your info from those sites. A service like our Personal Data Cleanup can do that work for you. It scans some of the riskiest data broker sites, shows you which ones are selling your personal info, and helps you remove it. 

4) Protect privacy with a VPN (it’s not just for travel anymore). 

One of the first things that comes to mind about VPNs is travel, a great way you can stay secure while using public Wi-Fi in airports and cafes. It works at home as well, giving you an extra layer of security when you bank, shop, or do anything that involves sensitive info. Yet it offers another big benefit. It helps make you more private, because it’s not just hackers who want to snoop on you online. 

Q&A Block

Q: What is a VPN?   A: A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, hides your IP address and encrypts your internet connection in a secure “tunnel” that shields your online activity from snoops, advertisers, and your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

 

For example, some ISPs collect your browsing data. In the United States and many other countries, ISPs can legally monitor and record info about the websites you visit and the apps you use. They can use it for advertising and analytics purposes, and, in some cases, they may share it with third parties. 

When you use a VPN, it encrypts all the data leaving your device and routes it through a secure server. As a result, your ISP can only see that you are connected to a VPN server, and it can’t track which websites you visit or the data you send and receive. Without a doubt, going online with a VPN makes you safer and keeps you more private.  

5) As AI scams become the norm, get a scam detector working for you. 

We saw big spikes in several types of scams over the year, and naturally a spike in reported losses followed. One reason for the jump is that AI tools have made it even easier for scammers to create convincing texts, emails, and deepfake videos designed to rip people off.   

Q&A	Q: How bad are scams today?   A: According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, 73% of U.S. adults said they’ve experienced at least one online scam or attack, with 32% reporting an incident within the past year.iv

 

They’re getting tougher to spot too. In the earlier days of AI-created content, you could often spot the telltale signs of a fake. That’s not always the case anymore, and scams are looking more and more sophisticated as AI tools evolve. 

But you have tools of your own. Our Scam Detector protects you across text, email, and video by spotting scams and detecting deepfake videos (like the one of a deepfaked Taylor Swift promoting a bogus cookware offer). You also have our Web Protection which detects links to scam sites and other sketchy corners of the internet while you browse. Both will alert you if a link might take you to a sketchy site. It’ll also block those sites if you accidentally tap or click on a bad link. 

6) And just in case, get the reassurance of identity theft protection. 

So, let’s say the unfortunate happens to you. You get scammed. Maybe it’s a few bucks, maybe it’s more. You’re faced with a couple issues. One, that money could be gone for good depending on how you paid the scammer. Two, also depending on the payment method, the scammer might have your financial info.   

Q&A Block

Q: What is the cost of identity theft?  A: Based on reports to the FTC, the median loss was about $500 in 2024, with more than 10% of victims claiming they lost $10,000 or more. However, it levels an emotional cost as well. The time and stress involved in resolving identity theft can be significant.

 

This is where something like our ID Theft & Restoration Coverage comes in. It gives you up to $2 million in identity theft coverage and identity restoration support if it’s determined you’re a victim of identity theft.​ Further, it puts a licensed recovery pro on the case to restore your credit and your identity, which takes that time-consuming burden off your shoulders. 

The post New Year Reset: A Quick Guide to Improving Your Digital Hygiene in 2026 appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Learn to Identify and Avoid Malicious Browser Extensions

Browser extensions have become essential parts of how we browse, bank, work, and shop online. From password managers to ad blockers, these tools can significantly improve your digital life when chosen wisely. Chief among these are browser plug-ins, which extend its functionality. Almost all popular browsers support these extensions, unfortunately, making them one of the most commonly used malware attack vectors.

In this guide, you will learn about the advantages and security risks of browser extensions, the role that permissions play in ensuring your privacy when using these extensions, and some best practices when using them.

Browser extensions and their malicious counterparts

Browser extensions are small software programs that enhance your web browser by adding new functionality or modifying existing ones. Think of them as helpful extra tools that can block ads, manage passwords, check prices while shopping, or customize how websites look and behave. Legitimate extensions make your browsing experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Cybercriminals, however, have taken advantage of their popularity by creating malicious versions disguised as useful tools that secretly operate with harmful intentions. Some of these malicious browser extensions access and modify web pages, monitor your browsing activity, and interact with websites on your behalf.

While legitimate extensions request only the minimum permissions necessary for their stated purpose, malicious extensions often request more permissions than they need to access your browsing data and history.

Core tactics of malicious browser extensions

Malicious browser extensions typically operate through specific methods that can significantly impact your daily online activities, from casual browsing to important financial transactions, including:

• Permission abuse occurs when an extension requests far more access than it needs to operate. For example, a weather extension that claims to show local forecasts might request permission to track the websites you visit, allowing it to monitor everything you do online and capture sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers without your knowledge.
• Ad injection is where malicious extensions insert unwanted advertisements into web pages you’re viewing, appearing as pop-ups, banner ads, or even replacing legitimate advertisements with malicious ones. These injected ads disrupt your browsing experience, can lead to scam websites, or attempt to trick you into downloading additional malware.
• Data theft is one of the most serious threats posed by malicious extensions. These programs can silently capture everything you type, including usernames, passwords, credit card information, and personal details, exposing your personal information to cybercriminals. When you log into your online banking or online shopping account, the malicious extension might record your login credentials and account information.
• Traffic redirection involves redirecting your legitimate web traffic to scam websites designed to steal your information or trick you into making fraudulent purchases. This is particularly dangerous when you’re trying to access your bank’s website or other financial services, but are redirected to a convincing fake site that could capture your login credentials.
• Drive-by downloads can be triggered by these ill-intentioned browser extensions when you visit specific websites, click on seemingly innocent links or files, or even during routine browsing activities. The links and files are disguised as legitimate software updates, media files, or useful applications that, in fact, could infect your device with ransomware, keyloggers, or other types of malware.
• Cryptocurrency mining extensions secretly use your computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency for the extension creator, running resource-intensive calculations in the background without your knowledge or consent. This unauthorized mining activity causes your device to run more slowly, drain your laptop battery faster, consume more electricity, generate excess heat, and potentially shorten your hardware’s lifespan.

The impact of malicious browser extensions

If not caught, malicious extensions can disrupt your daily life and compromise your personal security.

Malicious extensions violate your privacy when they monitor your online behavior and track the websites you view, build a profile of your habits and preferences, and even obtain your home address and other personal details. These details can be used for identity theft, social engineering attacks, or sold to data brokers, ultimately compromising your privacy and potentially affecting your real-world safety and financial security.

When it comes to online shopping, some malicious extensions could pressure you into hasty purchase decisions, intercept your checkout process, and capture your payment information. Once cybercriminals have your shopping account credentials, they can impersonate you to make unauthorized purchases.

Similar incidents could happen with your banking and financial accounts. Malicious browser extensions can steal your login credentials, account numbers, transaction details, and eventually your money. Some cybercriminals have gone as far as opening new accounts and applying for loans using your stolen information.

The most insidious aspect of malicious browser extensions is their ability to operate silently in the background while maintaining the appearance of legitimate functionality. A malicious extension might continue providing its advertised service—such as weather updates or price comparisons—while simultaneously conducting harmful activities, making them effective at avoiding detection.

On top of the higher electricity bills, degraded device performance and browsing experience, and wasted network bandwidth, malicious extensions violate your values by turning your device into an unwitting money-making tool for cybercriminals while you bear the operational costs. Furthermore, malicious extensions could potentially expose you to additional malware or scams, and involve you in fraudulent advertising schemes.

Their impact extends beyond your own device and could affect your entire household. On the shared networks and devices, malicious extensions can spread and compromise other users.

Guidelines to stay safe with browser extensions

Chrome extensions can absolutely be safe to use when you approach them with the right knowledge and precautions. The vast majority of extensions on the official Chrome Web Store undergo Google’s review process and are built by legitimate, reputable developers who aim to enhance your browsing experience and follow security best practices.

Additionally, the Chrome Web Store’s rating system and user reviews provide valuable insights into an extension’s reliability and performance. When you stick to well-established extensions with thousands of positive reviews and regular updates, you’re generally in safe territory.

However, the extension ecosystem does present a few security challenges. The primary risks come from two main areas: permission abuse and post-installation behavior changes. When you install an extension, you give it permission to access various aspects of your browsing data and your device. Some extensions may request more permissions than they actually need, creating potential privacy and security vulnerabilities. Even more concerning, some extensions start with benign functionality but later receive updates that introduce malicious features or get sold to malicious actors who update them with data-harvesting capabilities, turning a once-safe extension into a potential threat.

To help you navigate these challenges safely, here’s a practical risk assessment framework you can use before installing any Chrome extension. This systematic approach takes just a few minutes but can save you from potential headaches down the road.

Step 1: Evaluate the source’s reputation

Start by examining who created the extension. Look for extensions developed by well-known companies or developers with established track records. Check the developer’s website and other extensions they’ve created. Extensions from companies like Google, Microsoft, or other recognized tech firms generally carry lower risk profiles. For individual developers, look for those who maintain a professional online presence and have created multiple successful extensions.

Step 2: Analyze user reviews and ratings

Don’t just glance at the overall star rating. Read the actual reviews, look for patterns in user feedback, and pay special attention to recent comments that might indicate changes in the extension’s behavior. Be wary of extensions with suspiciously perfect ratings or reviews that seem artificially generated. Legitimate extensions typically have a mix of ratings with detailed, specific feedback from real users.

Step 3: Examine permission requests carefully

This is perhaps the most critical step in your assessment. When you click “Add to Chrome,” pay close attention to the permission dialog that appears. Question if the requested permissions make sense for the tool’s functionality and be particularly cautious of extensions requesting broad permissions such as “Read and change all your data on the websites you visit.”

Step 4: Check installation numbers and update history

Extensions with millions of users and regular updates are generally safer bets than those with just a few hundred installations. However, don’t let high installation numbers alone convince you. Look for extensions that receive regular updates, which indicates active maintenance and ongoing security attention from developers.

Step 5: Research recent security issues

Before installing, do a quick web search for the extension name with terms like “security,” “malware,” or “removed.” This will reveal any recent security incidents or concerns that other users have reported. Security researchers and tech blogs often publish warnings about problematic extensions, information that can be invaluable in your decision-making process.

Ongoing browser security

The security landscape changes constantly, and extensions that are safe today might develop problems in the future. This is why ongoing vigilance is just as important as your initial assessment.

• Install only as needed: Adopt a minimalist approach to installing extensions, as every browser extension you add increases your attack surface. Only install those you absolutely need.
• Regularly audit your installed extensions: Set a reminder to review your extensions every few months, removing any that you no longer use or that haven’t been updated recently. This reduces your attack surface and helps keep your browser running efficiently.
• Be wary of unrealistic benefits: When adding new browser extensions, be cautious of those that promise fantastic functions such as dramatically increasing internet speed or providing access to premium content for free. Extensions that require you to create accounts with suspicious email verification processes or that ask for payment information outside of Google’s official channels should also raise red flags.
• Be cautious of duplicate functions: Be suspicious if the extension is replicating functionality already built into Chrome, as these often exist primarily to harvest user data. Extensions with generic names, poor grammar in their descriptions, or unprofessional-looking icons and screenshots indicate lower development standards and potentially higher security risks.
• Install only from official stores: While not perfect, official browser stores offer significantly more security oversight than third-party sources or direct installation methods. Their layers of security screening include automated malware detection, manual code reviews for popular extensions, continuous monitoring for suspicious behavior, review systems, and developer verification processes.
• Enable automatic updates and smart monitoring: Browser updates often include enhanced extension security and additional protection mechanisms that help detect and prevent malicious extension behavior. In addition, implement a monitoring system to identify extensions that update unusually frequently or at suspicious times, such as during periods you’re less likely to notice behavioral changes.
• Deploy comprehensive protections: Integrate your browser extension security with broader security measures that can monitor extension behavior and detect suspicious activities such as unauthorized data access, unexpected network connections, or attempts to modify system files. These tools use behavioral analysis and machine learning to identify malicious patterns that might not be apparent through manual observation.
• Secure your shopping and banking accounts: Your financial transactions and shopping activities represent high-value targets that need specialized protections. Consider using a dedicated browser for financial activities to isolate your transactions or temporarily disable extensions not related to security or privacy. Enable multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access even if a malicious extension captures your primary login credentials.
• Create a positive security routine: Establish straightforward security routines that include the measures listed above to ensure that your shopping, banking, and general browsing activities remain secure while still allowing you to benefit from the enhanced functionality that well-designed extensions provide.

Thankfully, Google continues to improve its security measures for the Chrome Web Store by implementing stricter review processes for extensions and enhancing its ability to detect and remove malicious extensions after they’ve been published. For additional protection, enable Chrome’s Enhanced Safe Browsing, under the browser’s Privacy and Security section.

Malicious browser extensions also pose similar threats across all major browser ecosystems, with attackers targeting the same vulnerabilities: excessive permissions, post-installation payload updates, and social engineering tactics.

Safari’s extension model, while more restrictive, still allows extensions to access browsing data and modify web content when you grant permissions. Microsoft Edge, built on Chromium, shares Chrome’s extension architecture and therefore inherits many of the same security challenges, though Microsoft has implemented additional screening measures for their Edge Add-ons store. Regardless of which browser you use, the fundamental protection strategies remain consistent.

Action plan if you’ve installed a malicious extension

If you suspect you’ve installed a malicious browser extension by mistake, speed matters in the race to protect your accounts. Follow this clear, step-by-step guide to remove the extension, secure your accounts, and check for any signs of compromise.

1. Immediately disconnect sensitive accounts: Sign out of all banking, shopping, and financial accounts you’ve accessed recently. Malicious extensions can capture session tokens and credentials in real-time, making immediate disconnection critical to prevent unauthorized access.
2. Remove the malicious extension completely: Open your browser settings and navigate to the Extensions or Add-ons section. Locate the suspicious extension and click “Remove” or “Uninstall.” Don’t just disable it. Check for related extensions that may have been installed simultaneously, as malicious extensions often come in bundles.
3. Clear all cookies and site data: Go to your browser’s privacy settings and clear all stored cookies, cached data, and site data to remove persistent tracking mechanisms or stored credentials the malicious extension may have accessed or modified. Pay special attention to clearing data from the past 30 days or since you first noticed suspicious activity.
4. Change all your passwords immediately: Start with your most sensitive accounts—banking, email, and work credentials—followed by all other accounts. Use strong, unique passwords that will make it difficult for the malicious extensions to attempt to access your accounts again. As mentioned earlier, enable multi-factor authentication.
5. Run a comprehensive security scan: Use reputable security software such as McAfee+ to perform full system scans on all devices where you’ve accessed sensitive accounts. Because malicious extensions can download additional malware or leave traces, it is best to schedule follow-up scans over the next few days to catch any delayed payloads.
6. Review all account activity thoroughly: Many malicious extensions operate silently for weeks before executing their primary payload. So keep monitoring your login history, transaction records, and changes in account settings across all your accounts, and look for any unauthorized transactions.
7. Set up account alerts: Set up automated account alerts for all transactions and closely monitor your bank and credit card statements for the next 60-90 days. Place fraud alerts with major credit bureaus if you suspect identity information may have been compromised.

Final thoughts

Browser extensions offer great functionality and convenience, but could introduce cybersecurity risks. With the right combination of smart browsing habits, regular security audits, and comprehensive protection tools, and staying informed, you can safely explore the web, manage your finances online, and shop without worry.

Make it a habit to question your intent to install a new extension, and download only from official browser stores. Review your installed extensions monthly—determine if each one still serves your needs. These practices, combined with keeping your browser and operating system updated, and employing trusted security software, reinforce your defense against evolving online threats. Remember to research any new browser extensions thoroughly before installation, checking developer credentials and reading recent user reviews to identify which browser extensions to avoid.

The post Learn to Identify and Avoid Malicious Browser Extensions appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Verify Secure Wireless Networks to Prevent Identity Theft

The ability to connect wirelessly is indispensable in our lives today. Wireless internet is available in our homes, offices, cafes, restaurants, parks, hotels, airports, cars, and even airplanes. The mobility factor allows us to work anytime, anywhere, on numerous devices. “Being connected” is at an all-time high.

Wireless internet is amazing and convenient. Sadly, unsecured, unprotected wireless is everywhere. When a device connects to unprotected Wi-Fi, all the data stored on that device becomes accessible to a hacker using the proper sniffing tools.

It is, however, possible to protect your Wi-Fi from being hacked. In this article, we’ll walk you through some practical steps to stay protected when you connect, from recognizing dangerous networks to securing your home Wi-Fi. We’ll also show you what to do if you think you’ve been targeted.

What is a wireless network attack?

Wireless network attacks happen when cybercriminals target your Wi-Fi connection to steal your personal information. It it’s equivalent to digital eavesdropping, where attackers exploit weaknesses in your wireless connection to intercept all the information you send and receive online.

Criminals can intercept your login credentials as you type them, redirect you to legitimate-looking but fake websites, or even impersonate you online using stolen information. The goal is often wireless identity theft, that is, using your compromised data for financial fraud or other malicious purposes.

The risks of unprotected Wi-Fi are particularly high because many wireless networks lack proper security measures. When you connect to an unsecured network, your data travels in a way that skilled attackers can capture and decode. This puts your banking information, social media accounts, work credentials, and personal communications at risk.

Common wireless attacks include creating fake hotspots that mimic legitimate networks, known as evil twins, intercepting data on public Wi-Fi, and using specialized software to crack network passwords.

Wi-Fi security weaknesses that enable hacking

Cybercriminals usually circumvent wireless network security in several ways, including:

• Outdated Wi-Fi encryption: Networks still using WEP or older WPA/WPA2 protocols without security updates create easy targets for wireless identity theft. For more stringent security, your router settings should indicate the more current WPA3 or the latest WPA2-AES encryption.
• Weak default passwords: Many routers ship with simple default passwords like “admin” or “password123.” When you set up your home Wi-Fi router, make sure to change the router’s default network name and password to at least 12 characters that combine words, numbers, and symbols.
• Default network names: Keeping your router’s default network name broadcasts your device model to potential attackers. Rename your network to something that doesn’t identify your router brand and model, nor your address or family name.
• Rogue access points and evil twins: Cybercriminals can set up fake Wi-Fi networks that mimic legitimate ones to intercept your data and steal your identity.
• Poorly configured guest networks: Guest networks without proper isolation can expose your main network and connected devices to hacking risks.
• Outdated router firmware: Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities. Running outdated firmware leaves your network exposed to known threats.
• Unsecured Internet of Things (IoT) devices: IoT home devices such as smart TVs, security cameras, voice assistants, and other smart appliances often have weak security settings and can serve as entry points for attackers seeking to compromise your network, especially if not isolated on a separate network.

What hackers can do after hacking your Wi-Fi

Once scammers gain access to your home or an unsecured public Wi-Fi network, they can launch several types of wireless attacks that directly put your personal information and financial security at risk.

Credential theft and account takeovers

One of the most common dangers is credential theft, where attackers intercept your login information as it travels over unsecured networks. When you check your email, log into social media, or access work accounts on a compromised Wi-Fi network, cybercriminals can capture your usernames and passwords. This wireless identity theft often leads to unauthorized access to your bank accounts, credit cards, and personal profiles.

Session hijacking and traffic sniffing

In session hijacking, attackers take over your current online activities on public Wi-Fi, then impersonate you on websites and services you’re logged into. This tactic is called the man-in-the-middle attack. They might apply for credit cards in your name, make purchases, or even commit crimes while pretending to be you. Through traffic sniffing, they can monitor all data flowing through the compromised networks, capturing everything from personal messages to financial information.

Traffic redirection to fake sites

Cybercriminals will also reroute your internet traffic to malicious websites that look similar to legitimate ones. You think you’re logging into your real bank website, but you’re actually entering your credentials into a scammer’s fake site. This technique, known as DNS poisoning, makes it nearly impossible to detect the deception until it’s too late.

Malware installation

The attackers will push malicious software directly onto your devices, enabling them to log every keystroke you make, steal stored passwords, access your files, and even quietly activate your camera or microphone without your knowledge.

Device surveillance

Hackers can monitor not only your device but all connected devices on your network. That means they can access your entire family’s browsing habits, private messages, stored photos and documents, and online activities, giving them detailed personal information for their identity theft schemes.

These attacks directly affect your daily activities, from online banking to e-commerce shopping to working from home. Even simple tasks, such as checking social media, can result in identity theft when conducted over compromised networks.

Actions to verify a secure wireless network

You don’t have to avoid public Wi-Fi entirely. By being aware of these risks and taking appropriate precautions, you can significantly reduce your exposure to wireless identity theft. The protective measures we’ll explore in the following sections will show you how to recognize dangerous networks, browse safely, and maintain your privacy even when using public connections.

• Look for the missing lock icon: In your Wi-Fi settings, secure networks display a lock symbol next to the network name. Networks without this icon are open and unencrypted, making your data vulnerable to anyone within range.
• Avoid generic or suspicious network names: Be wary of networks with names like “Free WiFi,” “Public,” “Guest,” or random combinations of letters and numbers. Legitimate businesses typically use their brand name in their network identifier.
• Question misspelled business names: If you’re at a Starbucks cafe but see a network called “Starbuckz” or “Starbucks_Free,” it could be a fake network designed to steal your information. Always verify the correct network name with the staff.
• Check for HTTPS on captive portals: When connecting to public Wi-Fi that requires you to accept terms or log in through a web page, ensure the login page URL starts with “https://” and shows a lock icon in your browser’s address bar.
• Be cautious in unfamiliar locations: Networks appearing in unexpected places, such as “Coffee Shop WiFi” in a residential area or multiple networks with similar names in one location may indicate malicious hotspots.
• Verify encryption type: Right-click the network in your Wi-Fi list and navigate to Properties > Security type. A secure network will use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, while “Open” or “WEP” indicates weak or no protection.
• Heed certificate warnings: If your device displays security certificate errors or warnings when connecting to public Wi-Fi, make sure to follow them. These alerts could indicate security risks or man-in-the-middle attacks.

Recognize and respond to a Wi-Fi hacking incident

If you suspect your Wi-Fi network has been compromised, don’t panic. Recognizing the warning signs early and taking decisive action can protect your identity and restore your network security.

The most common indicators of a compromised network include unexpected slowdowns in your internet speed, unfamiliar devices appearing on your network, and settings that have changed without your knowledge. You might also notice unusual data usage patterns, your router admin password no longer working, or being redirected to suspicious websites when browsing. When you detect these signs, take quick action.

Immediate steps to take

1. Immediately disconnect affected devices: As soon as you suspect a compromise, disconnect all devices from your Wi-Fi network to prevent further unauthorized access and limit potential damage from identity theft attempts.
2. Change your router admin password first: Access your router’s admin panel and immediately update the administrator password to something strong and unique to block attackers from regaining access to your network settings.
3. Update your Wi-Fi network password. Create a new, complex Wi-Fi password using a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Use at least 12 characters for wireless networks.
4. Install the latest firmware updates: Check your router manufacturer’s website for recent firmware updates that patch security vulnerabilities.
5. Review and remove unknown devices. Use your router’s device management features to identify and remove any unauthorized devices from your network’s allowed devices list.
6. Enable WPA3 security if available: Upgrade to WPA3 encryption if your router supports it for enhanced protection from the wireless exploits that commonly affect older security protocols.
7. Perform a factory reset if necessary: If you cannot identify the source of the compromise or if multiple security indicators persist, reset your router to factory defaults and reconfigure it with strong security settings.

Ongoing safeguards against Wi-Fi hacking

1. Change your router’s admin and Wi-Fi passwords regularly: Your router’s default credentials are often publicly available online, making them easy targets for wireless identity theft. Create strong, unique passwords for both your router’s admin panel and Wi-Fi network. Update them every 3-6 months and immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access.
2. Disable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) on your router: WPS creates a convenient backdoor that hackers can exploit through brute-force attacks. Access your router’s admin panel and turn off WPS completely. This simple step closes a major vulnerability that wireless exploits often target.
3. Set up a separate guest network for visitors and IoT devices: Isolating your main devices from guest access and smart home gadgets reduces the risks of unprotected Wi-Fi spreading throughout your network. Configure guest network access with time limits and bandwidth restrictions to maintain better control over your network security.
4. Turn off SSID QR code sharing and disable automatic network sharing: Many modern devices offer convenient network sharing through QR codes or automatic syncing, but these features can inadvertently expose your credentials. Disable these options in your device settings and share Wi-Fi access manually when needed.
5. Properly wipe devices before selling, donating, or disposing of them: Your old devices store Wi-Fi passwords and network configurations that could compromise your security long after disposal. Perform factory resets and use secure wiping tools to ensure all saved network credentials are completely removed from the device’s memory.
6. Review and manage your cloud backup settings: Cloud services often sync Wi-Fi passwords and network settings across devices, which can create unexpected security risks. Check your iCloud, Google, or Microsoft account settings to control which network information gets backed up and shared between your devices.
7. Keep your router firmware updated and monitor connected devices: Manufacturers regularly release security patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. Enable automatic firmware updates when possible, and regularly review your router’s connected devices list to spot any unauthorized access attempts that could lead to wireless identity theft.
8. Monitor your network regularly: Set up ongoing monitoring through your router’s logging features or third-party network monitoring tools to detect future unauthorized access attempts and maintain awareness of your network’s security status.

If you must connect to public Wi-Fi

• Use your cellular hotspot instead: Your phone’s mobile data connection is far more secure than any public Wi-Fi network. Enable hotspot mode and connect your laptop or tablet to avoid the risks of unprotected Wi-Fi entirely.
• Enable HTTPS-only mode in your browser: In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security and enable “Always use secure connections.” For Firefox, visit Settings > Privacy & Security and check “HTTPS-Only Mode.” This prevents wireless attacks that intercept unencrypted traffic.
• Configure DNS encryption: Use secure DNS services like Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Quad9 (9.9.9.9) in your device settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Change adapter options, then configure DNS servers in your connection properties.
• Disable automatic Wi-Fi connections: On iOS, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn off “Auto-Join” for public networks. On Android, navigate to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi preferences and disable “Connect to open networks.” This prevents automatic connecting to potentially dangerous networks.
• Enable multi-factor authentication and use passkeys: Protect your accounts with MFA through apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. When available, choose passkeys over passwords, which are more resistant to phishing and man-in-the-middle attacks.
• Avoid sensitive tasks on public Wi-Fi: Never access banking, make financial transactions, or log into administrative accounts while connected to public networks. Save these activities for your secure home network or use your cellular data connection instead.
• Forget networks after use: Always remove public Wi-Fi networks from your saved connections when you leave. On your device’s Wi-Fi settings, select the network and choose “Forget” or “Remove” to prevent automatic reconnection to potentially compromised networks.
• Verify network authenticity: Before connecting, confirm the exact network name and password with venue staff. Attackers often create fake networks with similar names, such as “Free_WiFi” or “Hotel_Guest,” to capture your data.
• Keep your device updated: Install security updates promptly on all devices. These patches often fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited on public networks, helping you stay protected.
• Use a reputable VPN service: When you must use public Wi-Fi, connect through a trusted virtual private network to encrypt all your traffic and create a secure tunnel that protects your data even on compromised networks.

Final thoughts

To guard your network or device from hacking attempts, take action today by updating your router’s firmware and passwords, reviewing and removing unnecessary saved networks from your devices, and enabling multi-factor authentication on all your important accounts. These small, but consistent steps will deliver tangible benefits to your daily digital activities.

For better security, subscribe to an identity theft protection service such as McAfee+, which offers proactive identity surveillance, lost wallet protection, and alerts when suspicious activity is detected on your accounts. All things considered, the investment in these security measures is minimal compared to the peace of mind they provide.

The post Verify Secure Wireless Networks to Prevent Identity Theft appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Guard Your Android Phones Against Loss of Data and Infected Apps

Because Android uses an open source operating system, it usually gets a bad rap for being vulnerable to data loss and compromised apps as a result of malware, insecure app coding, unprotected cloud storage, outdated software, sideloading from untrusted sources, and even specific website vulnerabilities. Suffice it to say that any of these risks can be destructive and costly.

While Google addresses specific vulnerabilities, cyberthreats continue to evolve as criminals become more scheming or desperate. For these reasons, it is still best to exercise caution to protect the data on your device. In this article, we will share vital tips on how you can secure your device.

Essential tips for Android security

Determining if you’re vulnerable isn’t always easy. There are, however, some measures you can take to protect your device.

Keep your Android OS and security patches updated

Your first line of defense against Android vulnerability threats is maintaining current software. Android security patches fix security weaknesses that cybercriminals actively take advantage of to access your personal data, install malware, or take control of your device. When you delay updates, you leave known security gaps open for attackers to exploit.

To enable automatic updates, navigate to Settings > System > System update > Advanced settings, then toggle on “Automatic system updates.” For Google Pixel devices, security updates typically arrive monthly, while other manufacturers may have varying schedules.

On top of this, set your Google Play Store to auto-update apps by opening the Play Store, tapping your profile picture, going to Settings > Network preferences > Auto-update apps, and selecting “Over any network” if you have unlimited data or “Over Wi-Fi only” to preserve your data plan.

Install apps only from Google Play Store and verify developer permissions

One of the most effective Android phone security best practices is restricting app installations to the Google Play Store. Sideloading apps from unknown sources significantly increases your risk of installing malware, spyware, or apps with hidden malicious functionality.

Before installing any app, examine the permissions it requests. Apps asking for excessive permissions should raise your suspicions. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps and ensure all toggles are disabled.

In addition, choose apps with consistent positive ratings and active developer responses to user concerns. Google’s Play Console policies provide guidelines for safe app development, but your vigilance remains essential.

Enable Google Play Protect and Safe Browsing in Chrome

Google Play Protect scans over 125 billion apps daily for malware and policy violations. While not perfect, this automated screening catches the majority of malicious apps before they reach your device, and even detects them after installation. In contrast, apps outside this ecosystem lack this protection layer.

Activate Play Protect by opening Google Play Store, tapping your profile picture, selecting “Play Protect,” and ensuring both “Scan apps with Play Protect” and “Improve harmful app detection” are enabled. This service runs automatic security scans and can remove or disable harmful apps even after you’ve installed them.

For comprehensive, real-time protection against phishing sites, malware downloads, and suspicious web content, enable safe browsing Android features in Chrome. Open Chrome, tap the three dots menu, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Safe Browsing, and select “Enhanced protection.” This setting checks URLs against Google’s constantly updated database of dangerous sites.

Use strong screen lock, biometric authentication, and 2FA

Modern Android devices offer multiple authentication methods, and using them strategically provides layered security for your most sensitive information. Set up a strong screen lock by going to Settings > Security > Screen lock and choosing either a complex PIN with at least 6 digits, a pattern with at least 6 points, or a password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols.

Enable biometric authentication, whether fingerprint and/or facial recognition, as an additional layer, but always maintain a strong backup PIN or password since biometrics can be circumvented.

For critical applications containing sensitive data such as banking apps, password managers, email clients, and social media, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible for extra security.

Enable automatic cloud backups and device encryption

Android’s built-in backup and encryption features provide essential protection against data loss from device theft, hardware failure, malware attacks, or accidental deletion, forming a crucial part of your Android incident response strategy.

Enable automatic backups of your app data, call history, and device settings by navigating to Settings > System > Backup, then toggle on “Back up to Google Drive.” You can set the frequency to daily. For photos and videos, enable Google Photos backup with high-quality or original quality settings based on your storage plan.
Device encryption can be activated through Settings > Security > Encryption & credentials > Encrypt phone. Modern Android devices (Android 6.0+) typically have encryption enabled by default, but you will need to verify this setting. Google’s Android backup service documentation provides detailed information on what data is protected and how to manage your backup settings effectively.

Set up Google account recovery options

Your Google account serves as the master key to most Android functionality, so having an account recovery system can be invaluable to restore access to your device when local authentication methods fail. To ensure your recovery information is current, visit Security settings on your account profile, add a secondary email address that you can access independently, but avoid using another Gmail account as your backup. Include a mobile phone number for SMS verification, and consider adding multiple phone numbers if you frequently travel or change devices.

Google also provides one-time-use back-up codes that can restore account access when other methods fail. Download these codes and store them securely offline. Consider using a password manager like Google’s built-in option or a reputable third-party solution. Never store recovery codes in easily accessible digital formats like unencrypted text files or photos on the same device.

Configure Find My Device for remote management

Google’s Find My Device service provides powerful remote management capabilities that can prevent permanent data loss during Android vulnerability situations or lockout scenarios. This service allows you to locate, lock, or completely erase your device remotely.

To enable this feature, navigate to Find My Device through Settings > Security > Find My Device. Ensure that your location services remain active for this feature to function properly.

Take note that when you decide to remotely erase your data from your device, this feature completely wipes all local data but preserves the information you backed up to Google’s cloud services. Only use this option when you’re certain your back-up systems are current.

Implement comprehensive backup strategies

Android offers multiple backup solutions that transform potential data disasters into minor inconveniences. To store your photos, videos, SMS messages, and call logs, you can go to Settings > System > Backup and choose the frequency that matches your usage patterns, daily backups for heavy users, weekly for lighter usage.

For sensitive information that you would like to access even when offline, you might want to consider periodic local backups by connecting your device to a computer monthly and copying important files manually. Test your systems regularly by attempting to restore a small amount of data to ensure your backups work when needed and identify any gaps in your protection strategy.

Mobile incident response for Android

A mobile security incident can escalate from a nuisance to real damage in minutes, especially if an attacker can access your accounts, intercept messages, or install persistent apps. Speed matters when you respond, especially when prioritizing the high-impact steps that will stop the bleeding, regain control, and protect your data before you move on to cleanup and recovery. The actions below follow that order, so you can respond calmly and effectively even under stress.

1. Disconnect from untrusted networks immediately: Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data instantly to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts or further data theft. Switch to airplane mode if you suspect active malware communication. Once disconnected, you can assess the situation and secure your device and accounts.
2. Use Find My Device to secure your device remotely: From a trusted computer or another device, go to Google’s Find My Device and lock your smartphone with a new passcode, display a message with contact information, or completely erase the device if necessary.
3. Change critical account passwords and enable MFA: From a trusted device, immediately update your passwords for critical accounts linked to your phone such as email, banking, social media, and other services containing personal or financial information. Add authentication methods where available and document which passwords were changed to avoid confusion later.
4. Review and remove suspicious apps and permissions: Check your device’s app installation history by going to Google Play Store > Menu > My apps & games > Installed and remove any you don’t recognize or trust. Next, review app permissions by going to Settings > Apps & notifications > Permission manager and revoke unnecessary permissions for location services, camera, microphone, contacts, messages, and administrative privileges.
5. Update your operating system: Ensure your device is running the latest version of its operating system by going to Settings > System > System update and enable automatic updates. Also update your installed apps by downloading new versions on your device’s app store. If your device is older and no longer receives security updates, consider upgrading to a supported model.
6. Restore from a known-good backup: Consider restoring your device to a trusted version, before the security incident occurred. A word of caution: this will remove any data created after the backup date, so weigh the security benefits against potential data loss.
7. File appropriate reports with relevant authorities: Document the incident and report it to appropriate authorities. If you suspect SIM swapping or carrier-related fraud, contact your mobile carrier immediately. Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center. For incidents involving financial accounts, contact your bank, credit card company, and the major credit bureaus.
8. Monitor accounts and set up security alerts: Continue monitoring your accounts to detect any lingering effects of the security incident and prevent future compromises. Enable account activity notifications for all critical services, consider using a credit monitoring service, and review your credit reports regularly for unauthorized accounts or inquiries. Set up Google Alerts for your name and other personal information to catch potential identity theft attempts.
9. Get a mobile security solution: As Android devices become increasingly central to our lives, protecting them with a comprehensive mobile security solution has become essential. A robust mobile security app works continuously to identify and neutralize threats before they can compromise your device or steal your data.

Key capabilities of a reliable mobile security solution

When evaluating mobile security solutions for your Android device, focus on apps that offer comprehensive protection across multiple threat vectors. The most effective solutions combine several key capabilities into a single, user-friendly platform that doesn’t slow down your device or drain your battery.

• Web protection and safe browsing: Safe browsing protection has become increasingly important as cybercriminals focus on phishing attacks and malicious websites that exploit smartphone vulnerabilities. Your mobile security solution should work seamlessly with your preferred browser, whether that’s Chrome, Firefox, or another popular option.
• Wi-Fi security and network protection: Your security app should be able to monitor and check for signs of compromise and malicious hotspots, and alert you to networks attempting to intercept your data. It should also have virtual private network capabilities, encrypting your internet traffic even when connected to potentially unsafe networks to ensure that even if your connection is intercepted, your actual data remains unreadable to attackers.
• Identity monitoring and privacy protection: A trusted security solution will include robust identity monitoring features that detect signs of unauthorized use of your personal information. Comprehensive identity monitoring encompasses credit monitoring and surveillance of the dark web, social media platforms, and data broker sites.

Final thoughts

Your Android device holds your most precious digital memories, important work files, and personal information, making it a prime target for cybercriminals who continue to exploit new vulnerabilities. While threats like remote factory resets and malicious web attacks can disrupt your daily digital routine, you do have the power to protect yourself against them by keeping your OS and security patches current, enabling Google Play Protect and built-in safe browsing features, maintaining regular backups of your essential data, and considering a comprehensive mobile security solution that provides real-time protection. For additional steps to safeguard your Android mobile life, visit McAfee’s security best practices.

The post Guard Your Android Phones Against Loss of Data and Infected Apps appeared first on McAfee Blog.

App Locks Can Improve the Security of Your Mobile Phones

The practice of locking our possessions is relevant in every aspect of our modern lives. We physically lock our houses, cars, bikes, hotel rooms, computers, and even our luggage when we go to the airport. There are lockers at gyms, schools, amusement parks, and sometimes even at the workplace.

Digitally, we lock our phones with passcodes and protect them from malware with a security solution. Why, then, don’t we lock the individual apps that house some of our most personal and sensitive data?

From photos to emails to credit card numbers, our mobile apps hold invaluable data that is often left unprotected, especially given that some of the most commonly used apps on the Android platform such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Gmail don’t necessarily require a log in each time they’re launched.

Without an added layer of security, those apps are leaving room for nosy family members, jealous significant others, prankster friends, and worst of all thieves to hack into your social media or email accounts at the drop of a hat. In this article, we will discuss what an app lock is, everyday scenarios you may need it, and how to set it up on your smartphone.

Your apps hold details of your life

Your mobile phone is more than just a gadget. It’s your wallet, camera, diary, and connection to the world. You likely keep photos, messages, social media, payment apps, and even confidential work files on it. To protect these bits of personal information, we use PINs, patterns, or biometrics to lock our devices, but once the phone is open, every app is fair game.

I f someone were able to go beyond your phone’s lock screen and gain access to the information in your phone, how much of your life could they see? A friend could scroll through your photos. Your child could open your shopping app and make purchases. Or a thief could get into your banking and social media accounts in seconds.

One way to avoid this from happening is by applying an app lock, a digital padlock that adds an authentication step such as a password, pattern, or biometric before an application can be launched.

Device locks aren’t enough

In your home, a locked front door keeps strangers out. But what happens if you unwittingly leave the front door unlocked and someone walks in? Without interior locks, your bedroom, office, and safe are now accessible to anyone.

This same concept applies to your device with unprotected apps. Once unlocked, apps like Gmail, Facebook, or mobile banking don’t always require you to log in every time. It’s convenient, until it’s not.

An app lock serves as an indoor lock, protecting your sensitive data even after an unauthorized person has accessed it, and maintaining privacy boundaries.

When you or another person attempts to open an app on your device, the system first triggers an authentication screen. After verifying your PIN, fingerprint, or face, the app will open, ensuring that your personal information stays off-limits to people who do not know your authentication step. In Android, app locks work seamlessly in the background without slowing performance.

This layered defense mirrors the cybersecurity approach used on enterprise systems, but scaled down for consumers. Each layer handles different threats, so if one fails, the others still protect you:

• Your phone’s screen lock guards the device.
• Your antivirus protects against malware.
• Your app lock safeguards the personal data inside.

Everyday scenarios where app locks matter

• Family and shared devices: If you are a parent, you might lend your phone to your child for a game. Within minutes, they’ve opened your email app or shopping account. With app lock, you can hand over your device without worrying they’ll see or purchase something they shouldn’t.
• Friends and social moments: You’re showing photos to a friend, and they accidentally swipe into your text or social media messages. An app lock keeps your private conversations private, no explanations needed.
• Traveling and public use: Whether you’re going through airport security or connecting to public Wi-Fi, app locks ensure that even an unlocked device doesn’t expose your sensitive apps if your phone is stolen or misplaced.
• Work and personal boundaries: Many professionals use personal phones for work. App locks separate business and personal data, securing email, document-sharing apps, and collaboration tools from family members or friends who borrow your device.

The risks of unprotected apps

Leaving apps unprotected can do more than just embarrass you. Here are some examples of how unprotected apps could lead to lasting harm:

• Email access lets intruders reset passwords for your other accounts and eventually lock you out. This applies not only to your personal email, but also to your corporate email account if you have a work profile on your phone.
• Social media enables hackers to impersonate you, violate your privacy or that of the people around you, or post malicious content that could damage your reputation and personal relationships.
• Banking and finance apps provide direct access to your money and accounts. Aside from the financial loss, cybercriminals who gain access to your accounts could apply for loans in your name or commit financial fraud in your name.
• Photo galleries reveal personal images, family details, or screenshots containing sensitive data.

Even just one unauthorized session could cascade into identity theft or financial fraud. That’s why security experts recommend app-level protection as part of a layered, reinforced mobile defense strategy.

Your guide to setting up your app locks on Android

While many Android phones include some app-locking capabilities, dedicated mobile security apps provide more robust options and better protection. Here’s how to set up app locks effectively:

1. Choose a strong authentication method

Use a 6-digit or longer PIN, complex pattern, or biometric such as fingerprint or face unlock. Avoid using the same PIN as your main device.

2. Select which apps to protect

Choose the priority mobile apps that you want to protect. Start with your most sensitive apps, such as:

• Banking and finance
• Email and messaging
• Cloud storage
• Photo gallery
• Shopping apps with saved payment info

3. Adjust lock timers for convenience

Set timeouts based on app sensitivity:

• Banking and shopping: Lock these immediately after you finish using them. This gives prying eyes zero chances to intercept your information.
• Messaging: You can be more lenient here. Allow for a 30- to 60-second delay in case you have additional thoughts to communicate.
• Work apps: For continuity, you can permit short delays in locking work apps during business hours. But once you leave work, you can set up the app locks to immediately activate.

4. Manage notifications and privacy

Hide notification content for locked apps. This keeps private messages or bank alerts from showing up on your lock screen.

The advantage of dedicated app locks

Most Android manufacturers now offer convenient, built-in app locking features. However, they are limited, often lacking biometric integration, cloud backup, or smart settings.

Dedicated solutions go further, providing:

• Seamless biometric access
• Anti-tampering protection
• Stealth mode to hide locked apps from view
• Remote access controls if your phone is lost or stolen
• Integrated alerts for suspicious log-in attempts

With an app lock, your mischievous friends will never be able to post embarrassing status updates on your Facebook profile, and your jealous partner won’t be able to snoop through your photos or emails. For parents, you can keep your kids locked out of the apps that would allow them to access inappropriate content without having to watch their every move.

Most importantly, app locks protect you from thieves and strangers in case of a stolen or lost device.

Final thoughts

Your phone carries more than just apps. It holds the details of your daily life. From private conversations and family photos to financial information and work data, much of what matters most to you lives behind those app icons. While a device lock is an important first step, it isn’t always enough on its own.

App locks give you greater control over your privacy by protecting individual apps, even when your phone is already unlocked. They help prevent accidental access, discourage snooping, and reduce the risk of serious harm if your device is lost or stolen. Most importantly, they allow you to use and share your phone, without worrying about who might see what they shouldn’t.

By adding app-level protection to your mobile security routine, you’re taking a simple but meaningful step toward safeguarding your personal information.

The post App Locks Can Improve the Security of Your Mobile Phones appeared first on McAfee Blog.

What Does It Take To Be Digitally Secure?

It’s no longer possible to deny that your life in the physical world and your digital life are one and the same. Coming to terms with this reality will help you make better decisions in many aspects of your life.

The same identity you use at work, at home, and with friends also exists in apps, inboxes, accounts, devices, and databases, whether you actively post online or prefer to stay quiet. Every purchase, login, location ping, and message leaves a trail. And that trail shapes what people, companies, and scammers can learn about you, how they can reach you, and what they might try to take.

That’s why digital security isn’t just an IT or a “tech person” problem. It’s a daily life skill. When you understand how your digital life works, what information you’re sharing, where it’s stored, and how it can be misused, you make better decisions. This guide is designed to help you build that awareness and translate it into practical habits: protecting your data, securing your accounts, and staying in control of your privacy in a world that’s always connected.

The essence of digital security

Being digitally secure doesn’t mean hiding from the internet or using complicated tools you don’t understand. It means having intentional control over your digital life to reduce risks while still being able to live, work, and communicate online safely. A digitally secure person focuses on four interconnected areas:

Personal information

Your personal data is the foundation of your digital identity. Protecting it includes limiting how much data you share, understanding where it’s stored, and reducing how easily it can be collected, sold, or stolen. At its heart, personal information falls into two critical categories that require different levels of protection:

• Personally identifiable information (PII):This represents the core data that defines you, such as your name, contact details, financial data, health information, location history, Social Security number, driver’s license number, passport information, home address, and online behavior. Financial data such as bank account numbers, credit card details, and tax identification numbers also fall into this category. Medical information, including health insurance numbers and medical records, represents some of your most sensitive PII that requires the highest level of protection.
• Sensitive personal data:While not always directly identifying you, this type of information can be used to build a comprehensive profile of your life and activities. This includes your phone number, email address, employment details, educational background, and family information. Your online activities, browsing history, location data, and social media posts also constitute sensitive personal data that can reveal patterns about your behavior, preferences, and daily routines.

Digital accounts

Account security ensures that only you can access them. Strong, unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, and secure recovery options prevent criminals from hijacking your email, banking, cloud storage, social media, and other online accounts, often the gateway to everything else in your digital life.

Privacy

Privacy control means setting boundaries and deciding who can see what about you, and under what circumstances. This includes managing social media visibility, app permissions, browser tracking, and third-party access to your data.

Digital security is an ongoing effort as threats evolve, platforms change their policies, and new technologies introduce new risks. Staying digitally secure requires periodic check-ins, learning to recognize scams and manipulation, and adjusting your habits as the digital landscape changes.

Common exposure points in daily digital life

Your personal information faces exposure risks through multiple channels during routine digital activities, often without your explicit knowledge.

• Public Wi-Fi networks: When you connect to unsecured networks in coffee shops, airports, hotels, or retail locations, your internet traffic can be intercepted by cybercriminals using the same network. This puts your login credentials, banking information, and communications at risk, even on networks that appear secure.
• Data brokers: These companies gather data, often without your explicit knowledge, from public records, social media platforms, online purchases, and other digital activities to create your profile. They then sell this information to marketers, employers, and other interested parties.
• Social media: When you overshare details about your location, vacation plans, family members, workplace, or daily routines, you provide cybercriminals with valuable information for identity theft and social engineering attacks. Regular platform policy changes can reset your previously private information or expose you to data breaches.
• Third-party applications: Mobile apps, browser extensions, and online services frequently collect more data than necessary for their stated functionality, creating additional privacy risks for you. You could be granting these apps permission to access your personal data, contacts, location, camera, and other device functions without fully understanding how your data will be used, stored, or shared.
• Web trackers: These small pieces of code embedded in websites follow your browsing behavior, monitoring which sites you visit, how long you stay, what you click on, and even where you move your mouse cursor. Advertising networks use this information to build a profile of your interests and online habits to serve you targeted ads.

Core pillars of digital security

Implementing comprehensive personal data protection requires a systematic approach that addresses the common exposure points. These practical steps provide layers of security that work together to minimize your exposure to identity theft and fraud.

Minimize data sharing across platforms

Start by conducting a thorough audit of your online accounts and subscriptions to identify where you have unnecessarily shared more data than needed. Remove or minimize details that aren’t essential for the service to function. Moving forward, provide only the minimum required information to new accounts and avoid linking them across different platforms unless necessary.

Be particularly cautious with loyalty programs, surveys, and promotional offers that ask for extensive personal information, as they may share it with third parties. Read privacy policies carefully, focusing on sections that describe data sharing, retention periods, and your rights regarding your personal information.

If possible, consider using separate email addresses for different accounts to limit cross-platform tracking and reduce the impact if one account is compromised. Create dedicated email addresses for shopping, social media, newsletters, and important accounts like banking and healthcare.

Adjust account privacy settings

Privacy protection requires regular attention to your account settings across all platforms and services you use. Social media platforms frequently update their privacy policies and settings, often defaulting to less private configurations that allow them to collect and share your data. For this reason, it is a good idea to review your privacy settings at least quarterly. Limit who can see your posts, contact information, and friend lists. Disable location tracking, facial recognition, and advertising customization features that rely on your personal data. Turn off automatic photo tagging and prevent search engines from indexing your profile.

On Google accounts, visit your Activity Controls and disable Web & App Activity, Location History, and YouTube History to stop this data from being saved. You can even opt out of ad personalization entirely if desired by adjusting Google Ad Settings. If you are more tech savvy, Google Takeout allows you to export and review what data Google has collected about you.

For Apple ID accounts, you can navigate to System Preferences on Mac or Settings on iOS devices to disable location-based Apple ads, limit app tracking, and review which apps have access to your contacts, photos, and other personal data.

Meanwhile, Amazon accounts store extensive purchase history, voice recordings from Alexa devices, and browsing behavior. Review your privacy settings to limit data sharing with third parties, delete voice recordings, and manage your advertising preferences.

Limit app permissions

Regularly audit the permissions you’ve granted to installed applications. Many apps request far more permissions to your location, contacts, camera, and microphone even though they don’t need them. Cancel these unnecessary permissions, and be particularly cautious about granting access to sensitive data.

Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

Create passwords that actually protect you; they should be long and complex enough that even sophisticated attacks can’t easily break them. Combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters to make it harder for attackers to crack.

Aside from passwords, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your most critical accounts: banking and financial services, email, cloud storage, social media, work, and healthcare. Use authenticator apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy rather than SMS-based authentication when possible, as text messages can be intercepted through SIM swapping attacks. When setting up MFA, ensure you save backup codes in a secure location and register multiple devices when possible to keep you from being locked out of your accounts if your primary authentication device is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Alternatively, many services now offer passkeys which use cryptographic keys stored on your device, providing stronger security than passwords while being more convenient to use. Consider adopting passkeys for accounts that support them, particularly for your most sensitive accounts.

Enable device encryption and automatic backups

Device encryption protects your personal information if your smartphone, tablet, or laptop is lost, stolen, or accessed without authorization. Modern devices typically offer built-in encryption options that are easy to enable and don’t noticeably impact performance.

You can implement automatic backup systems such as secure cloud storage services, and ensure backup data is protected. iOS users can utilize encrypted iCloud backups, while Android users should enable Google backup with encryption. Regularly test your backup systems to ensure they’re working correctly and that you can successfully restore your data when needed.

Request data deletion and opt out from data brokers

Identify major data brokers that likely have your information and look for their privacy policy or opt-out procedures, which often involves submitting a request with your personal information and waiting for confirmation that your data has been removed.

In addition, review your subscriptions and memberships to identify services you no longer use. Request account deletion rather than simply closing accounts, as many companies retain data from closed accounts. When requesting deletion, ask specifically for all personal data to be removed from their systems, including backups and archives.

Keep records of your opt-out and deletion requests, and follow up if you don’t receive confirmation within the stated timeframe. In the United States, key data broker companies include Acxiom, LexisNexis, Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, and PeopleFinder. Visit each company’s website.

Use only trusted, secure networks

Connect only to trusted, secure networks to reduce the risk of your data being intercepted by attackers lurking behind unsecured or fake Wi-Fi connections. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts on public networks in coffee shops, airports, or hotels, and use encrypted connections such as HTTPS or a virtual private network to hide your IP address and block third parties from monitoring your online activities.

Rather than using a free VPN service that often collects and sells your data to generate revenue, it is better to choose a premium, reputable VPN service that doesn’t log your browsing activities and offers servers in multiple locations.

Ongoing monitoring and maintenance habits

Cyber threats evolve constantly, privacy policies change, and new services collect different types of personal information, making personal data protection an ongoing process rather than a one-time task. Here are measures to help regularly maintain your personal data protection:

• Quarterly reviews: Set up a quarterly review process to examine your privacy settings across all platforms and services. Create a calendar reminder to check your social media privacy settings, review app permissions on your devices, and audit your online accounts for unused services that should be deleted.
• Credit monitoring: Monitor your financial accounts regularly for unauthorized activity and consider using credit monitoring services to alert you to potential identity theft.
• Breach alerts: Stay informed about data breaches in the services you use by signing up for breach notification services. If a breach occurs, this will allow you to take immediate action to change passwords, monitor affected accounts, and consider additional security measures for compromised services.
• Device updates: Enable automatic security and software updates on your devices, as these updates include important privacy and security improvements that protect you from newly discovered vulnerabilities.
• Education and awareness: Stay informed about new privacy risks, learn about emerging protective technologies, and share knowledge with family members and friends who may benefit from improved personal data protection practices.

By implementing these systematic approaches and maintaining regular attention to your privacy settings and data sharing practices, you significantly reduce your risk of identity theft and fraud while maintaining greater control over your digital presence and personal information.

Final thoughts

You don’t need to dramatically overhaul your entire digital security in one day, but you can start making meaningful improvements right now. Taking action today, even small steps, builds the foundation for stronger personal data protection and peace of mind in your digital life. Choose one critical account, update its password, enable multi-factor authentication, and you’ll already be significantly more secure than you were this morning. Your future self will thank you for taking these proactive steps to protect what matters most to you.

Every step you take toward better privacy protection strengthens your overall digital security and reduces your risk of becoming a victim of scams, identity theft, or unwanted surveillance. You’ve already taken the first step by learning about digital security risks and solutions. Now it’s time to put that knowledge into action with practical steps that fit seamlessly into your digital routine.

The post What Does It Take To Be Digitally Secure? appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Hack the Vote: Pros and Cons of Electronic Voting

Every four years, scores of American people flood churches, schools, homes, and auditoriums to cast their ballots for the future of American leadership. But amid the highs and lows of election night, there is an ongoing conversation about how the votes are being counted.

As results slowly roll in, voters struggle with long lines and faulty machinery in key battleground states, prompting debates on the efficiency of the U.S. voting process. In an age where American Idol results can be instantaneously transmitted over a mobile device, why are we still feeding paper ballots into machines that look like props from ‘90s movies?

On the one hand, countries like Canada, Norway and Australia have already experienced success with their adoption of online voting systems, and proponents say going digital will boost voter turnout and Election Day efficiency. On the other, naysayers cite hacking, malware, and other security threats as deal-breakers that could threaten the backbone of American democracy.

So what are the facts behind this debate? Below, we’ve outlined key arguments for and against online, email, and electronic voting systems, to help users at home move beyond the pre-election campaign hype.

Electronic voting: Better or worse than paper ballots?

Since there have been elections, there have been people tampering with votes. Given this, experts are justifiably concerned with any technology that could introduce new points of access to the data stored during an election. Nevertheless, a handful of states now use electronic voting machines exclusively—Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey and South Carolina—and even notorious battleground states Ohio and Florida have made the move toward paperless votes.

The concern is that when there is no physical ballot, it becomes next to impossible to determine if there has been tampering—especially in the case of a close election. The contested 2000 Bush-Gore race comes to mind as an example of the stark importance of reliable election machinery. In 2012, Pennsylvania voting machines were taken out of service after being captured on video changing votes from one candidate to another.

Still, most of these machines now supply a paper trail to guard against tampering, and a vast majority undergo frequent, mandatory testing. The machines are also not connected to the Internet and are segregated from any network-connected devices. In terms of physical security, the machines themselves are secured with locks and tamper-evident seals, and they’re heavily protected when transported to and from polling places.

Hacking the vote: It’s easier than you think

While electronic voting promises efficiency and convenience, the reality is that these systems face significant vulnerabilities that make them easy targets for hacking.

Attackers don’t need to hack every voting machine individually. They only need to target the broader voting ecosystem through several key attack vectors. For one, supply chain risks represent one of the most concerning threats, where malicious components or software can be introduced during manufacturing or updates. Misconfigured systems and outdated firmware create entry points that cybercriminals actively seek out, while exposed network ports can provide side-channel access to supposedly isolated voting infrastructure.

Beyond direct machine tampering, sophisticated attacks focus on ballot definition files—the digital templates that determine how votes are recorded and counted. Manipulating these files can alter election outcomes without voters realizing it. Similarly, result reporting systems that transmit vote tallies from polling locations to central counting facilities present attractive targets for those seeking to disrupt electoral processes.

Recent security research demonstrates these vulnerabilities aren’t theoretical. In 2003, cybersecurity researchers at Johns Hopkins University documented significant security gaps in widely used electronic voting systems during controlled testing environments, revealing that basic network intrusion techniques could compromise vote tallies without detection. Meanwhile, a 2022 audit conducted by election security experts in Georgia identified configuration errors in electronic polling systems that could have allowed unauthorized access to voter data and ballot information.

Perhaps more concerning is how disinformation campaigns around unofficial election results can amplify doubts about electoral integrity, regardless of actual system security. These campaigns often spread false information about electronic voting fraud or online voting hack attempts, creating confusion that undermines public trust in legitimate election outcomes.

It’s crucial to understand that the primary impact of these vulnerabilities often isn’t direct vote manipulation—it’s the erosion of voter confidence in our democratic processes. When people doubt that their votes count accurately, it weakens the foundation of democratic participation.

Privacy & security concerns in online voting

Will our presidential elections ever go the way of American Idol? Despite advances in technology, the vast majority of Americans must vote in person or via mail-in ballot. At present, only very limited electronic voting options exist, primarily for specific voter groups and circumstances, such as:

• Military and overseas voters: The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows military personnel and overseas citizens to return marked ballots electronically in some states. However, this typically involves downloading a ballot, marking it, and returning it via secure email or portal—not full online voting.
• Voters with disabilities: These accommodations vary by state. Some states offer electronic ballot marking tools or accessible voting systems for voters with disabilities. These systems often allow electronic marking but require printing ballots for submission, maintaining a paper trail for verification.
• Citizens displaced by natural disasters: During an election cycle when many New Jersey residents were affected by Hurricane Sandy, officials established email as an alternative voting method. But as Election Day loomed, the system was soon blamed for a slew of issues.

Vulnerabilities in online voting systems

Understanding the vulnerabilities that plague electronic voting systems isn’t about creating fear, but about building stronger defenses. Below, we have listed some of the potential attack vectors to help you make informed decisions about digital democracy.

The email software

In email voting, unencrypted emails pose a serious security risk because they can be easily intercepted, spoofed, or altered in transit. When a ballot is sent without encryption, it travels across networks in plain text, allowing cybercriminals to access and modify its contents before it reaches election officials. Attackers also might impersonate legitimate voters by sending forged emails or inject malware into attachments that appear to be ballots.

The device

Computers used to send or receive the emails can be compromised to change or block a voter’s choices. When you cast your ballot online, malware can intercept your vote before it even leaves your device. In addition, the receiving computer will need to open attachments sent by unknown users to tally the votes, one of the most common causes of malware infections.

Credential theft

Phishing attacks specifically target voting credentials, often through fake election websites or deceptive emails. Multi-factor authentication and government-issued digital certificates provide essential barriers. In 2023, the National Institute of Standards and Technology released its Digital Identity Guidelines that recommended biometric verification combined with secure tokens for high-stakes digital transactions like voting.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Your vote travels across networks where attackers might intercept or modify it. To thwart these attacks and ensure your ballot remains tamper-proof during transmission, end-to-end encryption with cryptographic signatures can be integrated into online voting systems. Advanced protocols such as homomorphic encryption allow vote counting without exposing individual choices.

Server-side vulnerabilities

Voting servers face constant attack attempts. Independent security audits, isolated network environments, and blockchain-based verification systems can help maintain integrity. Regular penetration testing, as recommended in the Election Assistance Commission’s 2023 Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, identifies weaknesses before they’re exploited.

Distributed denial of service

DDoS attacks can overwhelm voting portals during critical periods. Distributed server architecture, traffic filtering, and backup submission methods could ensure continuous access, while cloud-based solutions provide scalable protection against volume-based attacks.

Ballot secrecy

Online systems must balance verification with privacy. Protocols such as zero-knowledge proof could allow voters to confirm that their ballot was counted without revealing their choices. Anonymous credential systems separate voter identity from vote content.

Auditability challenges

Digital voting requires verifiable paper trails or cryptographic receipts. This can be addressed with voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPAT) and risk-limiting audits that provide the transparency necessary for public confidence.

Cyber threats to voting abound long before Election Day

In this digital age, threats to the voting process start well before election day. Cybercriminals take advantage of the campaign fever when citizens turn to technology for updates on the election process or news about running candidates.

Amid all this, your role as a voter includes staying informed about these protections and choosing secure voting methods when available or legitimate information sources. Democracy thrives when citizens understand both the possibilities and precautions of digital participation.

• Fake voter registration websites: Scammers create convincing look-alike sites that mimic official election portals to steal your personal information. These sites often appear in search results with urgent messaging about registration deadlines, but they’re designed to harvest your data for identity theft or voter suppression purposes.
• Phishing texts and emails about “polling changes”: You might receive official-looking messages claiming your polling location has changed, voting has been extended, or you need to “confirm” your registration via text or email. These communications often create false urgency to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information.
• Impersonation of election officials: Scammers pose as election workers, poll supervisors, or government officials via phone calls, texts, or door-to-door visits. They may claim there are problems with your registration, then request personal information to “verify” your eligibility.
• Malinformation hotlines: Fraudulent phone lines spread false information about voting procedures, dates, or requirements. These services intentionally provide incorrect details to discourage voting or cause confusion about the electoral process.
• Political donation fraud: Fake political organizations and candidates set up fraudulent donation sites that look legitimate but funnel your money and financial information directly to scammers. These sites often use names similar to real campaigns or causes to deceive donors.

Your role in protecting election integrity

Every voter plays a role in ensuring elections remain fair, secure, and transparent. By following proper voting procedures, verifying information through official sources, and reporting suspicious activity, you help strengthen trust in the system. Small actions can make a big difference in protecting the integrity of every vote.

• Plan your preferred voting method: Before Election Day arrives, take time to plan how you’ll cast your ballot—whether it’s in person at your local polling place, by mail, or through accessible voting options available in your state. If you’re an overseas military or citizen, research your state’s UOCAVA procedures. Knowing this could help you avoid last-minute issues that might force you to bypass safe voting practices.
• Confirm your voter registration status at your official state portal: This quick step ensures that your information—such as your name, address, and polling location—is accurate and up to date, and helps you avoid surprises like being listed under the wrong district or finding out you’re not registered at all.
• Verify your polling location through official channels: This ensures you’re voting at legitimate facilities with properly managed systems. When available, choose paper backup options or locations that use voter-verified paper audit trails, which provide physical evidence of your vote that can’t be altered digitally.
• Keep your personal devices secure during election periods: You can do this by updating software, using strong passwords, and being cautious about election-related apps, websites, or messages that aren’t from official government sources.
• Stay alert for potential vulnerabilities: As a voter or observer, you can: verify polling place seals are intact, confirm machines display zero totals before voting begins, observe that poll workers follow proper procedures, and report any irregularities to election officials immediately.

Key tips to verify legitimate communication during election season

Practicing good cybersecurity hygiene helps safeguard not only your information but also the integrity of democratic participation. Here are some key guidelines to stay secure online and protect your vote.

• Official election information only comes from verified .gov websites: Scammers often create legitimate-looking websites to trick voters into sharing personal data or clicking malicious links. When searching for election details, always rely on official .gov domains. These are verified and maintained by state and local election authorities, offering information that is accurate, secure, and up to date.
• Contact your state or local election office directly using official phone numbers: For voting-related questions, contact your state or local election office directly using details listed on verified .gov websites to ensure you receive accurate local information. Do not rely on social media, emails, or unofficial websites, as scammers often use these fake hotlines to collect personal data or sow disinformation.
• Deal only with verified election officials: Imposters may pose as officials through phone calls, emails, or even in person to collect your personal data or influence your vote. To confirm legitimacy, check any communication from an official .gov email address or website, verified government phone line, or your local election office.
• Verify “urgent” voting information through multiple official sources: During election season, scammers often spread “urgent” messages or “breaking news” to sow panic or confusion—such as changes in polling hours or locations—to suppress voter turnout. Always verify updates through official sources, such as your state’s .gov election website, local election office, or trusted news outlets.
• Update all your devices with the latest security patches: Before researching candidates, browsing election information, or logging into voter portals, make sure all your devices are running the latest versions. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to install malware or steal personal data.
• Use strong, unique passwords for voter-related accounts or portals. When creating strong, unique passwords for each election-related site you use, especially government or voter registration portals, use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid personal details like birthdays or pet names. Password managers can help you generate and store complex passwords, reducing the risk of credential theft.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Enabling 2FA on your email and voter-related accounts significantly strengthens your defense against unauthorized access. Even if hackers obtain your password, they won’t be able to log in without this additional confirmation.
• Report suspected election-related scams to your local officials and relevant authorities: If you encounter a suspicious website, message, or phone call related to voting—report it to your state or local election office, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency or the Federal Trade Commission. Authorities track malicious activity and protect other voters from falling victim to similar schemes.

These multi-layered protections work together to maintain election integrity, though gaps can emerge when procedures aren’t consistently followed or when oversight is insufficient.

Final thoughts

While online voting systems can’t be written off, ongoing cybersecurity challenges don’t bode well for the immediate future of these platforms.

While technology has transformed nearly every aspect of modern life—from shopping to banking, and working—applying that convenience to the voting booth still presents challenges. Security, transparency, and public trust remain at the core of any democratic process, and rushing toward online or paperless voting without upholding these principles could be harmful.

Progress is steadily being made, however, with advances in encryption and digital identity frameworks. With careful design, rigorous testing, and strong oversight, technology can enhance the safeguards that underpin election integrity.

For now, the most effective way to protect democracy is through awareness and participation. Stay informed about your state’s voting systems, verify election information only through official sources, and remain alert to misinformation and scams. Each responsible voter plays a part in strengthening the integrity of elections.

The post Hack the Vote: Pros and Cons of Electronic Voting appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Crush that Worm before It Creeps into Your Computer

Some years ago, a highly infectious computer worm called W32/Autorun was discovered to be infecting Windows computers. Unlike a virus, a worm such as W32/Autorun doesn’t steal anything from your computer. Instead, it spreads rapidly and opens as many security holes as possible to allow hackers to install a different form of malware that will eventually steal information, money, or both.

While this worm is less widespread today, it continues to infect older Windows operating systems that are not regularly updated. This guide will take a closer look at how the worm spreads and outline preventive measures to avoid infection.

Older Windows versions at risk

Autorun worms primarily affect older Windows systems such as Windows XP, Vista, and early versions of Windows 7, which had AutoRun enabled by default. Microsoft recognized this security vulnerability and significantly restricted AutoRun capabilities in newer Windows versions, but millions of older systems remain at risk if they haven’t been properly updated or configured.

When an autorun worm infects your system, it can compromise both your files and privacy in several ways by stealing personal documents, capturing passwords and banking information, or installing additional malware that monitors your online activities. Some variants encrypt your files for ransom, while others turn your computer into part of a botnet used for spam or cyberattacks. The infection can also spread to family members, friends, or colleagues when you share USB drives or connect to shared networks.

While this worm is less common today due to security updates in newer Windows operating systems, the concept of autorun malware is still relevant, often evolving into new forms that spread via malicious downloads, USB drives, or network shares. These forms use clever file drops and social engineering, with detection still relying on robust antivirus and user caution.

Key ways W32/Autorun bypasses your computer’s defenses

W32/Autorun is effective because it exploits everyday behaviors and outdated system features. Instead of forcing its way into your computer, it relies on built-in Windows functionality and simple tricks to get users to let it in, slip past basic defenses, and infect systems.

Easy way in via Windows AutoRun

An autorun worm spreads, as its name suggests, automatically through removable storage devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, and network shares. It takes advantage of Windows’ AutoRun and AutoPlay features to secretly execute itself when you connect the removable device to your computer that has AutoRun. A dialog box then pops up asking if you want to automatically run whatever is on the device. When you unsuspectingly click “run,” you’ve authorized the W32/Autorun worm. Once active, the worm copies itself to other connected drives and network locations, rapidly spreading to any system. While this feature was not included in Windows 8 for security reasons just like this, it still exists on many older machines that haven’t been updated in a while.

Fake folders lure victims in

Even if you don’t have Windows AutoRun enabled in your device, W32/Autorun disguises itself as interesting imposter files and folders with names like “porn” and “sexy” in infected flash drives or shared internet connections to trick you into downloading the worm. Once you click on the malicious file, it executes AutoRun and infects your computer.

The worm can also change your computer’s settings to allow it to run every time you boot up. Some variants even disable Windows updates to prevent the system from downloading security patches and ensure the worm can do its job of infecting every device your computer comes into contact with, opening the door for any virus a hacker wants to install at your expense.

Symptoms of a W32/Autorun worm infection

A W32/Autorun worm infection works quietly in the background, spreading to connected devices and weakening your system’s defenses without triggering immediate alarms. However, there are subtle signs that indicate the infection. Recognizing these early symptoms can help you take action to block the worm’s activities before it causes irreparable damage to your device and network:

• Slow performance: Your computer or internet connection may slow down due to the high processing usage that the worm requires as it actively searches for drives to infect.
• Presence of unfamiliar files/folders: The worm creates copies of itself and configuration files on infected drives, sometimes disguised with random names or enticing names such as “porn” or “sexy”.
• System instability: Your computer may begin freezing, crashing, or restarting unexpectedly as the worm runs multiple background processes while consuming system resources and interfering with normal operating functions.
• Modified settings: You might notice unexpected changes to your desktop, folder views, or system preferences without your input. These modifications are often made to hide malicious files or make it easier for the worm to run automatically.
• Loss of access to some features: Tools like Task Manager, Registry Editor, or Folder Options may suddenly become inaccessible. The worm disables these features to prevent you from stopping its processes or removing it manually.
• Disabled antivirus software or Windows updates: Your security software may stop working properly, or Windows updates may be turned off without explanation. This enables the worm to block security patches and scans that could remove it.
• Unusual network activity: You may notice unexplained internet traffic even when you’re not actively using your device. The worm could be contacting remote servers to report successful infections or download additional malicious components.
• Diminished storage space: Available disk space may shrink rapidly with no clear reason. This happens because the worm repeatedly copies itself across your system and connected drives.

Consequences of the W32/Autorun worm

The impact of the W32/Autorun worm can vary depending on the specific variant, ranging from minor annoyances to severe system compromise:

• System damage and further infection: The W32/Autorun worm acts as an entry point for attackers to silently install more dangerous malware, including data-stealing Trojans or destructive viruses.
• Data loss and corruption: Some variants can delete important files or corrupt stored data, making documents, photos, or applications unusable or permanently unreadable, even after the worm is removed.
• Disruption of operations: Because the worm consumes large amounts of processing power and memory in the background, it can slow down your device’s performance and stall programs to make daily computing tasks difficult.
• Unauthorized access and information theft: Certain W32/Autorun variants are capable of monitoring your online activity, including logging keystrokes, capturing login credentials, and stealing financial details or personal data.
• Aesthetic changes: Less destructive versions of the worm may focus on annoying changes such as altered desktop backgrounds, browser settings, or system appearance.

How to Prevent a W32/Autorun Infection

Preventing a W32/Autorun infection is largely about closing the simple security gaps the worm relies on to spread. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of this worm gaining access to your computer.

1. Disable AutoRun

If your computer is still prompting you to automatically run applications each time you insert a CD, connect to a new network, or plug in a flash drive, update your computer as soon as possible. Visit the Microsoft website to learn how to disable AutoRun for your specific version of Windows.

2. Beware of shared removable devices

Remember that this worm is highly infectious. If you share a flash drive with a friend whose computer is infected, that flash drive will carry the worm to your computer. If you do need to share a device, make sure AutoRun is disabled before you plug it in, and check that your security protection has the capability to scan new drives to prevent you from clicking on infected files.

3. Use reliable antivirus

While the first two tips focus on prevention, a reliable security solution will not only prevent a W32/Autorun infection, but also remove it from your computer. Solutions like McAfee+ will catch the W32/Autorun worm bug and other similar malware, protecting you from accidentally spreading it to friends and family.

Final thoughts

Autorun worms represent a persistent threat that combines old vulnerabilities with modern attack techniques. Newer security measures may have reduced their impact, but these worms continue to target systems with outdated configurations through the continued use of removable media. This is why keeping systems updated and being cautious with external devices are important habits to apply.

In addition, you can protect yourself with proper security practices: disable AutoRun on older systems, keep your antivirus software updated, scan external devices before accessing their contents, and avoid connecting unknown USB drives to your computer.

The post Crush that Worm before It Creeps into Your Computer appeared first on McAfee Blog.

The Top 12 Scams Of Christmas To Watch Out For

The holidays are just around the corner and amid the hustle and bustle, many of us will fire up our devices to go online, order gifts, plan travel, and spread cheer. But while we’re getting festive, the cybercriminals are getting ready to take advantage of the influx of your good cheer to spread scams and malware.

With online shopping expected to grow by 7.9% year-on-year in the U.S. alone in 2025, according to Mastercard, and more people than ever using social media and mobile devices to connect, the cybercriminals have a lot of opportunities to spoil our fun. Using multiple devices provides the bad guys with more ways to access your valuable “digital assets,” such as personal information and files, especially if the devices are under-protected.

In this guide, let’s look into the 12 most common cybercrimes and scams of Christmas, and what you can do to keep your money, information, and holiday spirit safe.

The psychology of holiday fraud

The festive atmosphere, continued increase in online shopping activity, and charitable spirit that define the holidays create perfect conditions for scammers to exploit your generosity and urgency.

Not surprisingly, digital criminals become more active and professional during this period, driven even more by the increasing power of artificial intelligence. A new McAfee holiday shopping report revealed that 86% of consumers surveyed receive a daily average of 11 shopping-related text or email messages that seem suspicious. This includes 3 scam texts, 5 emails, and 3 social media messages. Meanwhile, 22% admit they have been scammed during a holiday season in the past.

Their scams succeed because they exploit the psychological and behavioral patterns that are rife during the holidays. The excitement and time pressure of holiday shopping often prevail over our usual caution, while the emotional aspects of gift-giving and charitable donations can be exploited and move us to be more generous. Meanwhile, scammers understand that you’re more likely to make quick purchasing decisions when the fear of missing out on limited-time offers overtakes your judgment or when you’re rushing to find the perfect gift before it’s too late.

Overall, the frenzied seasonal themes create an environment where criminals can misuse the urgency of their fake offers and cloud our judgment, making fraudulent emails and websites appear more legitimate, while you’re already operating under the stress of holiday deadlines and budget concerns. After all, holiday promotions and charity appeals are expected during this time of year.

Now that you understand the psychology behind the scams, it’s time to become more aware of the common scams that cybercriminals run during the holiday season.

The 12 Scams of Christmas

As you head online this holiday season, stay on guard and stay aware of scammers’ attempts to steal your money and your information. Familiarize yourself with the “12 Scams of Christmas” to ensure a safe and happy holiday season:

1. Social media scams

Many of us use social media sites to connect with family, friends, and co-workers over the holidays, and the cybercriminals know that this is a good place to catch you off guard because we’re all “friends,” right? Here are some ways that criminals will use these channels to obtain shoppers gift money, identity or other personal information:

• Be careful when liking pages, clicking on fake alerts from friends’ accounts that have been hacked, taking advantage of raffles, ads, and deals that you get from “friends,” or installing suspicious “holiday deal” apps that give your private data away. These links can automatically download malware onto your computer that can steal personal information.
• Ads announcing special discounts for popular gifts are especially popular, and utilize blind, shortened links, many of which could easily be malicious. Criminals are getting savvier with authentic-looking social ads and deals that direct you to fake websites. To take advantage of the deals or contests, scammers will ask you for personal information that will enable them to obtain your credit card number, email address, phone number, or home address.

2. Malicious mobile apps

As the popularity of smartphone apps has grown, so have the chances of you downloading a malicious application that steals your information or sends premium-rate text messages without your knowledge. Apps ask for more permissions than they need, such as access to your contacts or location.

If you unwrap a new smartphone this holiday season, make sure that you only download applications from official app stores and check other users’ reviews, as well as the app’s permission policies, before downloading. Software, such as McAfee Mobile Security, can also help protect you against dangerous apps.

3. Travel scams

Many of us travel to visit family and friends over the holidays. We begin our journey online by looking for deals on airfare, hotels, and rental cars. Before you book, keep in mind that scammers are looking to hook you with phony travel webpages with too-fantastic deals—beautiful pictures and rock-bottom prices—to deceive you into handing over your financial details and money.

Even when you’re already on the road, you need to be careful. Sometimes, scammers who have gained unauthorized access to hotel Wi-Fi will release a malicious pop-up ad on your device screen, and prompt you to install software before connecting. If you agree to the installation, it downloads malware onto your machine. To thwart such an attempt, it’s important that you perform a security software update before traveling.

4. Holiday spam/phishing

You are probably already familiar with email phishing and SMiShing messages containing questionable offers and links. The scammer will mimic a legitimate organization offering cheap Rolex watches and luxury products as the “perfect gift” for that special someone, or send a message posing as your bank with a holiday promo and try to lure you into revealing information or direct you to a fake webpage. Never respond to these scams or click on an included link. Be aware that real banks won’t ask you to divulge personal information via text message. If you have any questions about your accounts, you should contact your bank directly.

5. Quishing

QR code phishing, or “quishing,” has emerged as a significant new threat during holiday shopping seasons. In this scam method, cybercriminals place malicious QR codes in holiday advertisements posted on social media or printed flyers, parking meters and payment kiosks at shopping centers, or at restaurant tables during holiday dining. They could also email attachments claiming to offer exclusive holiday deals or fake shipping labels placed over legitimate tracking QR codes.

6. The new iPad, iPhone, and other hot holiday gift scams

The kind of excitement and buzz surrounding Apple’s new iPad and iPhone is just what cybercrooks dream of when they plot their scams. They will mention must-have holiday gifts in dangerous links, phony contests, and phishing emails to grab your attention. Once they’ve caught your eye, they will again try to get you to reveal personal information or click on a dangerous link that could download malware onto your machine. Be suspicious of any deal mentioning hot holiday gift items—especially at extremely low prices—and try to verify the offer with the real retailer involved.

7. Bogus HR and bonus emails

Cybercriminals exploit employee expectations of year-end communications by creating fake emails that appear to come from your HR department. These messages often claim to contain annual bonus information, updated benefits packages, or mandatory holiday attendance announcements. These scams are particularly effective because they prey on legitimate employee concerns about compensation, benefits, and personal time off during the holiday season. The emails often feature real-looking company logos, proper formatting, and even references to company policies to increase their credibility.

8. Bogus gift cards

Gift cards are probably the perfect gift for some people on your holiday list. Given their popularity, cybercriminals can’t help but want to get in on the action by offering bogus gift cards online. Be wary of buying gift cards from third parties. It’s best to buy from the official retailer. Just imagine how embarrassing it would be to find out that the gift card you gave your mother-in-law was fraudulent!

9. Phony e-tailers

No matter what gift you’re looking for, chances are you can find it quickly and easily online, but you still want to be careful in selecting which site to shop. By promoting great deals, phony e-commerce sites will try to convince you to type in your credit card number and other personal details. After obtaining your money and information, you never receive the merchandise, and your personal information is put at risk. To prevent falling victim to bogus e-commerce stores, shop only at trusted and well-known e-commerce sites. If you’re shopping on a site for the first time, check other users’ reviews and verify that the phone number listed on the site is legitimate.

10. Fake charities

This is one of the biggest scams of every holiday season. As we open our hearts and wallets, the bad guys will send spam emails and pretend to be a real charity in the hope of getting in on the giving. Their emails will sport a stolen logo and copycat text, or come from an entirely invented charity. If you want to give, it’s always safer to visit the charity’s legitimate website, and do a little research about the charity before you donate.

11. Dangerous e-cards

E-cards are a popular way to send a quick “thank you” or holiday greeting. While most e-cards are safe, some are malicious and may contain spyware or viruses that download onto your computer once you click on the link to view the greeting. Before clicking, look for clues that the e-card is legitimate. Make sure it comes from a well-known e-card site by checking the domain name of the included link. Also check to see that the sender is someone you actually know, and that there are no misspellings or other red flags that the card is a fake.

12. Fake shipping and delivery notices

With increased package deliveries during the holiday season, fake shipping notifications have become a common attack. These messages claim to be from legitimate shipping companies such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL, informing you of package delivery attempts or shipping delays. To complete the delivery, these notices will ask you to click on malicious links or attachments that will download malware or direct you to fake websites that will steal personal information. The timing of these attacks coincides with legitimate increased shipping activity, making them harder to distinguish from authentic communications. To track your deliveries, it is best to check the shipping company’s real website or through the trusted platform from which you ordered the product.

Protect yourself from scams during the holidays and year-round

Knowing about these common scam tactics is only the first step toward protecting yourself and those you care about. The next step is for you to learn and implement practical, effective strategies to stay safe while still enjoying digital holiday shopping and giving.

• Stay suspicious: Be wary of any offer that sounds extremely unrealistic, such as 90% discounts on luxury brands, and always learn to spot telltale signs of a fake marketing promotion such as low-resolution images, high-pressure tactics, misspellings, poor grammar, or odd links.
• Practice safe surfing: Find out if a website is potentially dangerous before you click on it by using a safe search plug-in such as McAfee Web Protection, which blocks malware and phishing sites if you accidentally click on a malicious link, alerts you if you type a web address incorrectly and points you in the right direction, and scans your downloads and alerts you if there’s a known risk.
• Shop mindfully: Stick to reputable e-commerce sites and platforms, and look for a trustmark that indicates that the site has been verified as safe by a reliable third-party. Also, look for a lock symbol beside the HTTPS at the beginning of the web address to see if the site uses encryption to protect your data.
• Check before clicking: Don’t click on any links in messages from people you don’t know. If you come across a shortened URL, use a URL expander to see where the link directs to before you click.
• Be cautious of high-pressure tactics: Legitimate businesses and charities will respectfully give you time to make purchase or donation decisions. Be suspicious of organizations that pressure you to buy or give immediately. Charities specifically should be able to provide written information about their programs and financial management.
• Use strong passwords: Make sure your passwords are at least 12 characters long with randomly combined letters, numbers, and characters. Avoid reusing the same password across your important accounts, and never share your passwords with anyone.
• Monitor your financial accounts actively: During peak shopping periods, review your bank and credit card statements at least once daily for charges you don’t recognize, even small ones that scammers sometimes use to test stolen card information. Set up account alerts for all transactions, low balances, and any changes to your account information.
• Use credit instead of debit: When shopping online or in unfamiliar locations, use credit cards rather than debit cards. Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection, and fraudulent charges don’t immediately affect your bank account balance.
• Monitor your credit reports: Check your credit reports regularly for new accounts or inquiries you didn’t authorize. The FTC provides free annual credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com, and many services now offer free ongoing credit monitoring.
• Consider temporary credit freezes: If you’re not planning to apply for new credit during the holidays, consider placing a temporary freeze on your credit reports to prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name, and you can lift the freeze quickly when needed.
• Recognize red flags: Holiday-themed phishing attempts abound during the season, making it crucial to identify and avoid suspicious communications. Closely check email addresses and phone numbers from unexpected communications, be suspicious of urgent language, watch for poor grammar and spelling, and don’t just click any link or scan any QR code.
• Practice safe app downloads and installation: If you gift yourself with a new device this holiday season, download only well-reviewed apps developed by legitimate developers and sourced from official sources such as the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Microsoft Store. When installing, limit the app’s permission to only what it needs to function.
• Keep apps updated: Regularly update your apps to ensure you have the latest security patches. Enable automatic updates when possible, and review what’s being updated periodically. Remove apps you no longer use.
• Use a complete security solution: With the growing sophistication of scams coming in from all fronts of technology, you will need comprehensive protection with antivirus, antispyware, antispam, and a firewall. McAfee+ can help protect all of your devices—PCs, laptops, smartphones, and tablets—from AI-driven malware, phishing, spyware, and other common and emerging threats.
• Educate yourself and your family: Keep increasing your knowledge of the latest scams and tricks cybercriminals use so you can recognize and avoid potential attacks. You can find helpful information on the McAfee Blogs and the McAfee Guides.

Final thoughts

The holiday season brings joy and connection, but it’s also a time when scammers work hardest to exploit your festive but rushed and distracted spirit. Effective Christmas scam prevention starts with awareness. By slowing down and taking a moment to verify before you click or buy, and using layered cybersecurity protections, you can worry about one less thing and focus on what matters most this season.

Stay security-conscious without letting fear diminish your holiday enjoyment and pursue your digital holiday activities with the right knowledge and tools. We hope that the specific, actionable protections will help you identify red flags, verify legitimate offers, secure your devices and accounts, and respond effectively to suspicious activity. Stay informed by following trusted sources for the latest cybersecurity tips during the holidays, and make this season about celebrating safely with the people you care about most.

Send the link to this page to your family and friends to increase their awareness and take steps to protect themselves.

The post The Top 12 Scams Of Christmas To Watch Out For appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Helpful Tips for Safe Online Shopping

Thanksgiving—not before Halloween as we see things in stores and online now. It seems like the holiday season and decorations start earlier and earlier every year.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is that Black Friday is still a big shopping day. With the advent of online shopping has emerged Cyber Monday, another big sale day for online shoppers on the first Monday after Thanksgiving.

Although many of us may take advantage of these great deals that the holidays offer, we also need to be aware of the risks. Online shopping is a fun and convenient way to make purchases, locate hard-to-find items, and discover bargains, but we need to take steps to protect ourselves.

This guide looks at the methods and warning signs behind online shopping scams, shows you how to recognize fake shopping apps and websites, and shares tips for staying safe online.

Online shopping safety amid growing e-commerce concerns

Online shopping has become a cornerstone of American life. CapitalOne Shopping projects American online spending to reach $1.34 trillion in 2024 and exceed $2.5 trillion in 2030.

With such a massive sum at stake, cybercriminals are laser-focused on taking a share of it, posing financial risk to the 288 million Americans who shop online. As e-commerce grows, so does fraud. In 2024, e-commerce fraud was valued at $44.3 billion, a number seen to grow by 141% to $107 billion in 2029.

Be that as it may, there are many smart shopping habits you can apply to dramatically reduce your risk of becoming a victim of online shopping fraud and enjoy the convenience and benefits of online commerce.

Common online shopping scams

Online shopping scams are designed to look normal—at first glance—especially during busy sale seasons when we’re distracted by a million preparations, moving fast, and chasing deals. These are the very circumstances that fraudsters bank on to victimize you into taking the bait. Being aware of the common scam indicators will help you pause and think, recognize trouble early, and protect both your money and your personal information.

• Non-delivery scams: You pay for items that never arrive, often from fake storefronts or fraudulent sellers who disappear with your money. The seller might have required you to pay through a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card, methods that are indisputable and untraceable. If you check the website, it may look new and have no customer reviews or suspiciously have only perfect 5-star ratings. It may also offer prices that are significantly below market value.
• Counterfeit goods scams: You receive knock-off products instead of authentic brand-name items, particularly affecting electronics, cosmetics, and luxury goods. On closer inspection, you will notice spelling errors in brand names or product descriptions, the prices seem too good to be true for premium brands, and sellers have no proof of authenticity or authorized dealer status.
• Bait-and-switch scams: Attractive deals lure you in, but you’re pressured to buy different, more expensive items or receive products that don’t match what was advertised. This type of scam is usually characterized by items that are always “out of stock,” but offer readily available, more expensive alternatives. The seller also applies high-pressure sales tactics or limited-time offers that prevent you from comparison shopping, while the product descriptions are vague or don’t match the images shown.
• Refund and overpayment scams: In this scheme, scammers will pose as buyers who “accidentally” overpay you for items you’re selling, then request you to refund the difference before their original payment bounces. They will also use payment methods that can be reversed such as checks or money orders, then ask for a refund and suggest sending shipping companies to collect items before the payment clears.
• Website and marketplace impersonations: Fake websites designed to look like legitimate popular brands can steal your payment information and personal data. Watch out for websites that have slightly misspelled URLs or don’t use secure HTTPS encryption as marked by the padlock icon in your browser, as well as missing or incomplete contact information, privacy policies, or terms of service.
• Product return fraud: Scammers exploit return policies by selling you used, damaged, or counterfeit items while making returns and refunds difficult or impossible through fake or non-existent customer service. Their return policies are overly complicated, buried in fine print, or require original packaging that wasn’t provided. They will disappear from marketplaces immediately after the return period expires.

A guide to knowing if a shopping website is legit

Safe online shopping starts with recognizing the hallmarks of legitimate retailers. Before you enter any payment details, take a moment to verify that the website you’re shopping on is genuine. Scam stores can look polished and convincing, but they often leave behind subtle clues. Here are quick ways to check their authenticity:

1. Verify the website URL: By typing the URL directly into your browser rather than clicking links from emails or ads, you will avoid typosquatting scams—fake websites with URLs that look almost identical to real retailers, except for slight misspellings. Look for clear return and shipping policies. Read the fine print to understand your rights if something goes wrong.
2. Confirm physical address and customer service: Real businesses provide multiple ways to contact them, including a physical address, phone number, and email.
3. Evaluate pricing for realism: The prices are too good to be true, especially for high-demand or hard-to-find items. Many legitimate retailers now offer price-matching policies, allowing you to get market-average or competitive prices.
4. Check for verified customer reviews: Look for reviews on independent platforms like Google, Yelp, or Trustpilot rather than relying solely on testimonials on the retailer’s website. Cross-reference feedback across multiple platforms.
5. Ensure secure payment options: Look for HTTPS in the URL and avoid sites that only accept wire transfers, gift cards, peer-to-peer payment apps, or cryptocurrency. For online purchases, check that the seller offers secure payment options with dispute protection, such as digital wallets and/or credit cards.
6. Research domain age and registration: Use WHOIS lookup tools to check when the domain was registered. Fraudulent sites are usually newly created domains designed to disappear quickly after collecting payments. In addition, established retailers and official brand websites have invested heavily in solid security infrastructure and payment processing, customer protection programs, fraud prevention systems, and long-standing relationships with credit card companies that smaller or unknown sellers often lack.
7. Check the Better Business Bureau: Search for the seller’s company on the Better Business Bureau to see their rating, complaint history, and accreditation status, and help you identify potential risks before making a purchase.
8. Pay attention to browser safety warnings: Modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari will warn you about potentially dangerous or untrustworthy sites. Google’s Safe Browsing technology blocks millions of unsafe sites daily, so don’t ignore these warnings when they appear. Some comprehensive security tools also include web protection that alert you against dangerous links and downloads, malicious websites, and more.
9. Verify secure checkout processes: Legitimate sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption during checkout, which you can confirm by looking for “https://” and a lock icon in your browser’s address bar.

11 Tips for safe holiday shopping online

• Be extra vigilant: Cybercriminals send millions of fake shopping emails that contain suspicious links, with the aim of exploiting your anxiety over catching that amazing deal or deliveries. For example, you might receive an unexpected “Amazon Prime renewal” email or a text from UPS, FedEx, or other carriers when you didn’t purchase anything online. These phishing emails and texts contain malicious links designed to steal your personal information or install malware on your devices. Don’t click the link. Verify delivery notifications through your account or the carrier’s official website or app, then delete the scam email or text immediately.
• Stick with trusted sellers: When shopping on marketplaces, stick with your trusted online retailers and sellers with high ratings, extensive review histories, and “fulfilled by” programs where the main platform handles shipping and returns. Download retailer apps directly from official app stores rather than third-party sources, as these include enhanced security features and exclusive customer protections.
• Check the site’s web address: Always type retailer URLs directly into your browser’s address bar or use your bookmarks. Once you arrive at a site, make sure it is the correct URL such as www.amazon.com and not www.amazan.com. Purchase directly from official brand websites or authorized retailers, and verify seller credentials through the brand’s official dealer locator when shopping on marketplaces.
• Check that the site is secure: Some people cannot tell if a site is secure. Some things to look for on a secure site include:
  • A web address that starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP, indicating that encryption is used to protect your information.
  • A lock symbol beside the URL, proper SSL certificates, and several contact methods.
  • A security seal, such as the McAfee SECURE trustmark, indicating that the site has been scanned and verified as secure by a trusted third party. This security seal indicates that the site will help protect you from identity theft, credit card fraud, spam, and other malicious threats.
• Pay with a credit card or digital wallet: Credit cards offer better protection against fraud than debit cards. You won’t be liable for fraudulent purchases, while cyberthieves won’t be able to drain your bank account if they get your account log-in credentials. Better yet, use a virtual credit card number or a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay to prevent your actual card details from being stored on merchant sites. Also, avoid storing your credit card information on new or questionable sites to reduce your exposure if those sites experience security breaches.
• Take note of shipping and return policies: Always review shipping timelines, return windows, and refund policies before completing your purchase. Not reading the fine print can leave you stuck with unwanted purchases or unexpected fees.
• Validate social media sellers: Shopping directly through social media platforms or unknown sellers bypasses traditional consumer safeguards. Before you buy from a social media seller, verify their legitimacy, check for customer reviews outside the platform, and use payment methods that offer dispute resolution.
• Keep communications on-platform: Never move conversations or payments outside the marketplace platform. Scammers often try to lure buyers to external communication channels or direct payment methods to circumvent buyer protections. Legitimate sellers understand that platform policies protect both parties and will keep all interactions within the official channels.
• Do not use a public computer or Wi-Fi when shopping online: Strangers may be able to access your browsing history and even your login information on shared devices or over unsecured public Wi-Fi. To protect yourself, do all of your online shopping from your home computer or your personal mobile device.
• Make sure you have a clean computer or mobile device: Make sure you have up-to-date security software on all your devices to safeguard your privacy, protect against identity theft, and defend against viruses and online threats.
• Keep a paper trail: Take a screenshot of product listings and advertisements before purchasing. Keep a copy of your order number and receipt, and note which credit card you used. When you receive your credit card statement, review it to make sure that the charge on your card is correct, with no extra fees.

The FTC also recommends these additional tips so you can enjoy all the advantages that online shopping has to offer and prevent risking your personal information.

Immediate steps to take if you ordered from a fake online store

1. Contact your credit card issuer immediately: Call the customer service number on the back of your card once you realize you’ve been scammed. Request a chargeback and explain that you received counterfeit goods, nothing at all, or that the merchant was fraudulent. You usually have 60 days from your statement date to dispute charges, but acting quickly improves your chances of a successful resolution.
2. Freeze or replace your payment card: Contact your bank or card issuer to freeze your current card and request a new account to prevent more unauthorized charges. If you used a debit card, this step is especially critical since debit card fraud protections are more limited than credit cards.
3. Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication: If you created an account on the fake website, change your password immediately on your real account and any linked accounts such as email, banking, and social media. Enable two-factor authentication and think about using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords for each account.
4. Report the fraudulent seller to the platform or hosting service: Protect other consumers by reporting the fake store. If the site appeared in search results or social media ads, report it to those platforms. You can also report fraudulent websites to their hosting companies to take down fraudulent sites once notified.
5. File reports with federal and state authorities: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to help authorities track scam trends and assist in investigations. Additionally, contact your state’s attorney general office, as many have consumer protection divisions that handle online fraud.
6. Save and organize all evidence: Document everything related to your purchase in both digital and printed formats: screenshots of the website, confirmation emails, receipts, payment records, and any communication with the seller. Save copies of your credit card or bank statements showing the charge. These documents are essential for your chargeback dispute and law enforcement investigations.
7. Monitor your credit report and identity closely: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements, as well as credit reports from all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—for suspicious activity, and place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts if you’re concerned about identity theft.
8. Follow up on your chargeback and dispute process: Stay in regular contact with your credit card company about your dispute and provide additional documents promptly if requested. Be patient and persistent as the investigation process could take up to 90 days.

Final thoughts

Online shopping should feel exciting, not a dangerous undertaking you have to brace for, especially during the season of giving. It can be, with a few simple steps—checking the URL, looking for HTTPS, verifying the seller, paying with a credit card or virtual number, and trusting your gut when something feels suspicious. These small habits will keep your money and your identity where they belong: with you.

For increased safety while shopping online, seek out the help of a trusted security solution such as McAfee+ that will alert you of risky links and compromised websites to prevent identity theft or malware infection.

If this guide helps you, pass it along to someone you care about. Scams don’t just target individuals—they cascade into families and friend groups. The more we normalize safe shopping habits and increase our vigilance, the harder it is for fraudsters to win. If you ever feel unsure mid-purchase, take a breath and double-check. A few extra seconds now can save you a lot of stress later. Stay safe, and happy shopping!

The post Helpful Tips for Safe Online Shopping appeared first on McAfee Blog.

15 Vital Tips To Better Password Security

Even as passkeys and biometric sign-ins become more common, nearly every service still relies on a password somewhere in the process—email, banking, social media, health portals, streaming, work accounts, and device logins.

Most people, however, don’t realize the many ways we make our accounts vulnerable due to weak passwords, enabling hackers to easily crack them. In truth, password security isn’t complicated once you understand what attackers do and what habits stop them.

In this guide, we will look into the common mistakes we make in creating passwords and offer tips on how you can improve your password security. With a few practical changes, you can make your accounts dramatically harder to compromise.

Password security basics

Modern password strength comes down to three truths. First, length matters more than complexity. Every extra character multiplies the number of guesses an attacker must make. Second, unpredictability matters because attack tools prioritize the most expected human choices first. Third, usability matters because rules that are painful to follow lead to workarounds like reuse, tiny variations, or storing written passwords in unsafe ways. Strong password security is a system you can sustain, not a heroic one-time effort.

Protection that strong passwords provide

Strong passwords serve as digital barriers that are more difficult for attackers to compromise. Mathematically, password strength works in your favor when you choose well. A password containing 12 characters with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols creates over 95 trillion possible combinations. Even with advanced computing power, testing all these combinations requires substantial time and resources that most attackers prefer to invest in easier targets.

This protection multiplies when you use a unique password for each account. Instead of one compromised password providing access to multiple services, attackers must overcome several independent security challenges, dramatically reducing your overall risk profile.

Benefits of good password habits

Developing strong password security habits offers benefits beyond protecting your accounts. These habits contribute to your overall digital security posture and create positive momentum for other security improvements, such as:

• Reduced attack success: Strong, unique passwords make you a less attractive target for cybercriminals who prefer easier opportunities.
• Faster recovery: When security incidents do occur, good password practices limit the scope of damage and accelerate recovery.
• Peace of mind: Knowing your accounts are well-protected reduces anxiety about potential security threats.
• Professional credibility: Good security habits demonstrate responsibility and competence in professional settings.
• Family protection: Your security practices often protect family members who share devices or accounts.

The impact of weak passwords

On the other hand, weak passwords are not just a mild inconvenience. They enable account takeovers and identity theft, and can become the master key to your other accounts. Here’s a closer look at the consequences:

Your digital identity becomes someone else’s

Account takeover happens when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to your online accounts using compromised credentials. They could impersonate you across your entire digital presence, from email to social media. For instance, they can send malicious messages to your contacts, make unauthorized purchases, and change your account recovery information to lock you out permanently.

The effects of an account takeover can persist for years. You may discover that attackers used your accounts to create new accounts in your name, resulting in damaged relationships and credit scores, contaminated medical records, employment difficulties, and legal complications with law enforcement.

The immediate and hidden costs of financial loss

Financial losses from password-related breaches aren’t limited to money stolen from your accounts. Additional costs often include:

• Bank penalty fees from overdrawn accounts
• Needing to hire credit monitoring services to prevent future fraud
• Legal fees for professional help resolving complex cases
• Lost income from time spent dealing with fraud resolution
• Higher insurance premiums due to damaged credit

The stress and time required to resolve these issues also affect your overall well-being and productivity.

Your personal life becomes public

Your passwords also guard your personal communications, private photos, confidential documents, and intimate details about your life. When these barriers fail, you could find your personal photos and messages shared without consent, confidential business information in competitors’ hands. The psychological, emotional, and professional impact of violated trust can persist long after the immediate crisis passes.

15 tips for better password security: Small steps, big impact

You can dramatically improve your password security with relatively small changes. No need to invest in expensive or highly technical tools to substantially improve your security. Here are some simple tips for better password security:

1) Long passwords are better than short, “complex” passwords

If you take away only one insight from this article, let it be this: password length is your biggest advantage. A long password creates a search effort that brute force tools will take a long time to finish. Instead of trying to remember short strings packed with symbols, use passphrases made of several unrelated words. Something like “candle-river-planet-tiger-47” is both easy to recall and extremely hard to crack. For most accounts, 12–16 characters is a solid minimum; for critical accounts, longer is even better.

2) Never reuse passwords

Password reuse is the reason credential stuffing works. When one site is breached, attackers immediately test those leaked credentials on other services. If you reuse those credentials, you have effectively given the keys to your kingdom. Unique passwords can block that entry. Even if a shopping site leaks your password, your email and banking stay protected because their passwords are different.

3) Don’t use your personal information

Attackers always try the obvious human choices first: names, birthdays, pets, favorite teams, cities, schools, and anything else that could be pulled from social media or public records. Even combinations that feel “creative,” such as a pet name plus a year, tend to be predictable to cracking tools. Your password should be unrelated to your life.

4) Avoid patterns and common substitutions

In the past, security experts encouraged people to replace letters with symbols such as turning “password” into “P@ssw0rd” and calling it secure. That advice no longer holds today, as attack tools catch these patterns instantly. The same goes for keyboard walks (qwerty, asdfgh), obvious sequences (123456), and small variations like “MyPassword1” and “MyPassword2.” If your password pattern makes sense to a human, a modern cracking tool will decipher it in seconds.

5) Use a randomness method you trust

Humans think they’re random, but they aren’t. We pick symbols and words that look good together, follow habits, and reuse mental templates. Two reliable ways to break that habit are using Diceware—an online dice-rolling tool that selects words from a list—and password generators, which create randomness better than your human brain. In addition, the variety of characters in your password impacts its strength. Using only lowercase letters gives you 26 possible characters per position, while combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols expands this to over 90 possibilities.

6) Match password strength to account importance

Not every account needs the same level of complexity, but every account needs to be better than weak. For email, banking, and work systems, use longer passphrases or manager-generated passwords of 20 characters or more. For daily convenience accounts such as shopping or social media, a slightly shorter but still unique passphrase is fine. For low-stakes logins you rarely use, still keep at least a 12-character unique password. This keeps your accounts secure without being mentally exhausting.

7) Turn on multi-factor authentication where possible

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a second checkpoint in your security, stopping most account takeovers even if your password leaks. Authenticator apps are stronger than SMS codes, which can be intercepted in SIM-swap attacks. Hardware or physical security keys are even stronger. Start with your email and financial accounts, then expand to everything that offers MFA.

8) Learn to spot phishing scams to prevent stolen passwords

A perfect password is useless if you type it into the wrong place. Phishing attacks work by imitating legitimate login pages or sending urgent messages that push you to click. Build the habit of checking URLs in unsolicited emails or texts, being wary of pressure tactics, and taking a moment to question the message. When in doubt, open a fresh tab and navigate to the service directly.

9) Avoid signing in on shared devices

You may not know it, but shared computers may carry keyloggers, unsafe browser extensions, or saved sessions from other users. If you have no choice but to sign in using a shared device, don’t allow the browser to save your log-in details, log out fully afterward, and change the password later from your own device.

10) Be careful with public Wi-Fi

On public networks in places like such as cafes or airports, cybercriminals could be prowling for their next victim. Attackers sometimes create fake hotspots with familiar names to trick people into connecting. Even on real public Wi-Fi, traffic can be intercepted. The safest choice is to avoid logging into sensitive accounts on public networks. If you must use public Wi-Fi, protect yourself by using a reputable virtual private network and verify the site uses HTTPS.

11) Ensure your devices, apps, and security tools are updated

Many password thefts happen as a result of compromised devices and software. Outdated operating systems and browsers can contain security vulnerabilities known to hackers, leading to malware invasion, session hijacking, or credential harvesting. The best recourse is to set up automatic updates for your OS, browser, and antivirus tool to remove a huge chunk of risk with no additional effort from you.

12) Use a reputable password manager

Password managers solve two hard problems at once: creating strong unique passwords and remembering them. They store credentials in an encrypted vault protected by a master password, generate high-entropy passwords automatically, and often autofill only on legitimate sites (which also helps against phishing). In practice, password managers are what make “unique passwords everywhere” feasible.

13) Protect your password manager like it’s your digital vault

Among all others, your master password that opens your password manager is the one credential you must memorize. Make it long, passphrase-style, and make sure you have never reused it anywhere else. Then add MFA to the manager itself. This makes it extremely difficult for someone to get into your vault even if they somehow learn your master password.

14) Audit and update passwords when there’s a reason

The old “change every 90 days no matter what” guideline could backfire, leading to password-creation fatigue and encouraging people to make only tiny predictable tweaks. A smarter approach is to update only when something changes in your risk: a breach, a suspicious login alert, or a health warning from your password manager. For critical accounts, doing a yearly review is a reasonable rhythm.

15) Reduce your attack surface by cleaning up old accounts

Unused accounts are easy to forget and easy to compromise. Delete services you don’t use anymore, and review which third-party apps are connected to your Google, Apple, Microsoft, or social logins. Each unnecessary connection is another doorway you don’t need open.

Practical implementation strategies for passphrases

As mentioned in the tips above, passphrases have become the better, more secure alternative to traditional passwords. A passphrase is essentially a long password made up of multiple words, forming a phrase or sentence that’s meaningful to you but not easily guessed by others.

Attackers use sophisticated programs that can guess billions of predictable password combinations per second using common passwords, dictionary words, and patterns. But when you string together four random words, you create over 1.7 trillion possible combinations, even though the vocabulary base contains only 2,000 common words.

Your brain, meanwhile, is great at remembering stories and images. When you think “Coffee Bicycle Mountain 47,” you might imagine riding your bike up a mountain with your morning coffee, stopping at mile marker 47. That mental image sticks with you in ways that “K7#mQ9$x” never could.

The approach blending unpredictability and the human ability to remember stories offers the ideal combination of security and usability.

To help you create more effective passphrases, here are a few principles you can follow:

• Use unrelated words: Choose words that don’t naturally go together. “Sunset beach volleyball Thursday” is more predictable than “elephant tumbler stapler running” because the first phrase contains related concepts.
• Add personal meaning: While the words shouldn’t be personally identifiable, you can create a mental story or image that helps you remember them. This personal connection makes the passphrase memorable without making it guessable.
• Avoid quotes and common phrases: Don’t use song lyrics, movie quotes, or famous sayings. These appear in dictionaries and can be vulnerable to specialized attacks.
• The sentence method: Create a memorable sentence and use the first letter of each word, plus some numbers or punctuation. “I graduated from college in 2010 with a 3.8 GPA!” becomes “IgfCi2010wa3.8GPA!” This method naturally creates long, unique passwords.
• The story method: Create a memorable short story using random elements and turn it into a passphrase. “The purple elephant drove a motorcycle to the library on Tuesday” becomes “PurpleElephantMotorcycleLibraryTuesday” or can be used as-is with spaces.
• The combination method: Combine a strong base passphrase with site-specific elements. For example, if your base is “CoffeeShopRainbowUnicorn,” you might add “Amazon” for your Amazon account: “CoffeeShopRainbowUnicornAmazon.”
• Use mixed case: For maximum security, the mixed-case approach capitalizes on random letters within words: “coFfee biCycLe mouNtain 47.” This dramatically increases entropy while remaining typeable.
• Add symbols: When used sparingly, this technique adds complexity. You can separate the words or substitute some letters with random symbols. But make sure you will remember them.
• Use words from other languages: Multi-language passphrases offer a layer of security, assuming you’re comfortable with multiple languages. “Coffee Bicicleta Mountain Vier” combines English, Spanish, and German words, creating combinations that appear in no standard dictionary.
• Personalize it: For the security-conscious, consider adding random elements that hold personal meaning, as long as this information isn’t publicly available. It could be the coordinates of a special place or a funny inside story within your family.

Password managers: Your password vault

Password managers are encrypted digital vaults that store all your login credentials behind a single master password. They are your personal security assistant that never forgets, never sleeps, and constantly works to keep your accounts protected with unique, complex passwords.

Modern password managers create passwords that are truly random, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters in patterns that are virtually impossible for cybercriminals to guess or crack through brute force attacks. These passwords typically range from 12 to 64 characters long, exceeding what most people could realistically remember or type consistently.

Encryption scrambles your passwords

The encrypted format scrambles your passwords using advanced cryptographic algorithms before being saved. This means that even if someone gained access to your password manager’s servers, your actual passwords would appear as meaningless strings of random characters without the encryption key. Only you possess this key through your master password.

The auto-fill functionality also offers convenience, recognizing the login page of your account and instantly filling in your username and password with a single click or keystroke. This seamless process happens across operating systems, browsers, and devices—your computer, smartphone, and tablet—keeping your credentials synchronized and accessible wherever you need them.

Choose a reputable password manager

Selecting the right password manager requires careful consideration of several factors that directly impact your security and user experience.

The reputation and track record of the company offering the password manager should be your first consideration. Look for companies that have been operating in the security space for several years and have a transparent approach to security practices.

Reputable companies regularly undergo independent security audits by third-party cybersecurity firms to examine the password manager’s code, encryption methods, and overall security architecture. Companies that publish these audit results demonstrate transparency and commitment to security.

Also consider password managers that use AES-256 encryption, currently the gold standard for data protection used by government agencies and financial institutions worldwide. Additionally, ensure the password manager employs zero-knowledge architecture, meaning the company cannot access your passwords even if they wanted to.

Intuitive user interface, reliable auto-fill functionality, responsive customer support, and ease of use should be checked as well. A password manager that is confusing to navigate or constantly malfunctions will likely be abandoned, defeating the purpose of improved password security.

Choose a solution that offers other features aside from the basic password storage. Modern password managers often include secure note storage for sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, passport details, password sharing capabilities for family accounts, and dark web monitoring that alerts you if your credentials appear in data breaches.

Final thoughts

Strong password security doesn’t have to be complicated. Small changes you make today can dramatically improve your digital security. By creating unique, lengthy passwords or passphrases for each account and enabling multi-factor authentication on your most important services, you’re taking control of your online safety.

Consider adopting a reputable password manager to simplify the process while maximizing your protection. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make for your digital security.

The post 15 Vital Tips To Better Password Security appeared first on McAfee Blog.

15 Critical Tips to Stay Safe on Social Media

Social media platforms connect you to thousands of people worldwide. But while these platforms offer incredible opportunities for bonding, learning, and entertainment, they also present personal security challenges. Navigating them safely requires being aware of risks and proactively protecting your accounts.

The three most common risks you’ll encounter are privacy exposure, account takeover, and scams. Privacy exposure occurs when your personal information becomes visible to unintended audiences, potentially leading to identity theft, stalking, or professional damage. You have control over your social media security. By implementing safe social media practices, you can dramatically reduce your risk exposure.

This guide rounds up 15 practical, everyday tips to help you secure your accounts and use them more safely. It covers smart posting habits, safer clicking and app-permission choices, stronger privacy settings, and core security basics like using updated browsers, reliable protection tools, and identity-theft safeguards—so you can enjoy social media without making yourself an easy target.

Before we dive in, we want to remind you first that our strongest recommendation amid anything and everything unsolicited, unusual, or suspicious on social media is this: verify, verify, verify through separate communication channels such as phone, email, and official websites.

15 top tips to stay safer on social media

1. Realize that you can become a victim at any time.

Not a day goes by when we don’t hear about a new hack. With 450,000 new pieces of malware released to the internet every day, security never sleeps. For your increased awareness, here’s a short list of the most common social media scams:

• Giveaway and lottery scams: Fake contests promising expensive prizes like iPhones, gift cards, or cash in exchange for personal information or payment of “processing fees” before you can claim your prize.
• Impersonation scams: Criminals create fake profiles mimicking friends, family members, celebrities, or trusted organizations to build false relationships and extract money or information from you. One warning sign is that the direct message, link, or post will originate from accounts with limited posting history or generic profile photos.
• Romance scams: Fraudsters develop fake romantic relationships on social platforms over time, eventually requesting money for emergencies, travel, or other fabricated situations. Never send money to someone you’ve only met online and use reverse image searches to verify profile photos aren’t stolen.
• Fake job offers: Scammers will post attractive employment opportunities, promising unrealistic salaries for minimal work. During your “onboarding,” the fake HR person will require upfront payments for equipment, training, or background checks, or use job interviews to harvest personal information such as Social Security numbers.
• Cryptocurrency and investment scams: Fraudulent investment schemes promise guaranteed returns through cryptocurrency trading, forex, or other financial opportunities, often using fake testimonials and urgent time pressure. The fraudsters will promise guaranteed high returns, pressure you to invest quickly, and ask you to recruit friends and family into the “opportunity.”
• Charity and disaster relief scams: Fake charitable organizations exploit current events, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises to solicit donations that never reach legitimate causes. They will pressure you for immediate donations, offer vague descriptions about how funds will be used, and request cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments.
• Shopping and marketplace spoofing: Phony online stores or marketplace sellers advertise products at suspiciously low prices, then collect payment but will never deliver the goods. If they do, it will likely be counterfeit. Be on guard for prices that are way below market value, poorly presented websites or badly written advertisements, pressure tactics, and limited payment options.

2. Think before you post.

Social media is quite engaging, with all the funny status updates, photos, and comments. However, all these bits of information can reveal more about you than you intended to disclose. The examples below might be extreme, but they are real-world scenarios that continue to happen to real people daily on social media:

• Social engineering attacks: When you post details about your daily routine, workplace, or family members, scammers can use this information to build trust and manipulate you into revealing more sensitive information. Limit sharing specific details about your schedule and locations.
• Employment and reputation damage: Potential employers increasingly review social media profiles during hiring processes, and controversial opinions, inappropriate content, or unprofessional behavior can eliminate your chances of being hired for job opportunities or damage your professional reputation. Similarly, personal relationships may be strained when private information is shared publicly or when posts reveal information that others expected to remain confidential.
• Financial scams and fraud: Sharing details about expensive purchases, vacations, or financial situations makes you a target for scammers who craft personalized fraud attempts. Apply safe social media practices by avoiding posts about money, luxury items, or financial struggles that could attract unwanted attention from fraudsters.

3. Nothing good comes from filling out a “25 Most Amazing Things About You” survey.

Oversharing on social media creates significant risks that extend beyond embarrassment or regret. Identity thieves actively monitor social platforms for personal information they can use to answer security questions, predict passwords, or impersonate you in social engineering attacks.

Avoid publicly answering questionnaires with details like your middle name, as this is the type of information financial institutions—and identity thieves—may use to verify your identity.

• Password reset clues: Sharing your birth date, hometown, or pet’s name gives cybercriminals the answers to common security questions used in password resets. Do your best to keep personal details private and use unique, unguessable answers for security questions that only you would know.
• Identity theft: Oversharing personal information such as your full name, address, phone number, and family details gives identity thieves the building blocks to impersonate you or open accounts in your name. In addition, these details frequently serve as backup authentication methods for your email or bank accounts. You wouldn’t want identity thieves to know them, then. Protect your accounts by tightening privacy settings and limiting the information in your profile and posts.
• Doxxing: This publication of your private information without consent is another malicious consequence of oversharing. Your seemingly harmless social media posts can be combined with other public records to reveal your home address, workplace information, and family details, which can then be used to harass, intimidate, or endanger you and your loved ones as part of a scam or revenge scheme.
• Data collection: The scope of data collection and its potential for misuse continues to evolve. Anything you share on social media becomes data for hundreds of third-party companies for advertising and analytics purposes that you may not realize. This widespread distribution of your personal information increases the odds that your data will be involved in a breach or used in nefarious ways.

4. Think twice about applications that request permission to access your data.

Third-party apps with excessive permissions can access your personal data, post to social media at any time on your behalf, or serve as entry points for attackers, regardless of whether you’re using the application. To limit app access and reduce your attack surface significantly, review all apps and services connected to your social media accounts. Revoke permissions to applications you no longer use or don’t remember authorizing.

5. Don’t click on short links that don’t clearly show the link location.

Shortened links can be exploited in social media phishing attacks as they hide the final destination URL, making it difficult for you to determine where it actually leads. These tactics mimic legitimate communications from trusted sources and come in the form of direct messages, comments, sponsored posts, and fake verification alerts, all in an effort to steal your personal information, login credentials, or financial details. Often, these attacks appear as urgent messages claiming your account will be suspended or fake prize notifications.

When you identify phishing attempts, immediately report and block the suspicious accounts using the platform’s built-in reporting features. This will protect not only you but other users on the platform.

If the link is posted by a product seller or service provider, it is a good idea to:

1. Verify the link independently: Don’t click suspicious links or download files from unknown sources. Instead, navigate to official websites directly by typing the URL yourself or using trusted search engines.
2. Verify the profile before engaging: Look for verified checkmarks, consistent posting history spanning several months or years, and mutual connections. As scammers often use stolen photos, check if the photo appears elsewhere online by doing a reverse image search.
3. Use only trusted payment methods: Stick to secure payment platforms with buyer protection such as PayPal, credit cards, or official app payment systems. Never send money through wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps to strangers, as these transactions are irreversible and untraceable.
4. Research sellers and causes thoroughly: Before making any purchase or donation, search for the business name online, check reviews on multiple sites, and verify charity registration numbers through official databases. Look up the organization’s official website and ensure that the business has verifiable contact information, a physical address, and good reviews.
5. Keep conversations on the platform: Legitimate sellers and organizations rarely need to move discussions to private messaging apps, email, or phone calls immediately. When scammers push you off-platform, they’re avoiding security measures and community reporting systems.

6. Beware of posts with subjects along the lines of, “LOL! Look at the video I found of you!”

You might think the video or link relates directly to you. But when you click it, you get a message saying that you need to upgrade your video player in order to see the clip. When you attempt to download the “upgrade,” the malicious page will instead install malware that tracks and steals your data. As mentioned, don’t click suspicious links or download files from unknown sources before verifying independently. Visit the official websites by directly typing the URL yourself or using trusted search engines.

This also brings us to the related topic of being tagged on other people’s content. If you don’t want certain content to be associated with you, adjust the settings that enable you to review posts and photos before they appear on your profile. This allows you to maintain control over your digital presence and prevents embarrassing or inappropriate content associations.

7. Be suspicious of anything that sounds unusual or feels odd.

If one of your friends posts, “We’re stuck in Cambodia and need money,” keep your radar up as it’s most likely a scam. It is possible that a scammer has taken over your friend’s account, and is using it to impersonate them, spread malicious content, or extract sensitive information from their contacts, including you. Don’t engage with this post or the fraudster, otherwise the next account takeover could be yours.

In this kind of scam, some critical areas of your life are affected:

• Financially, successful attacks can result in unauthorized purchases, drained bank accounts, or damaged credit scores through identity theft.
• Your reputation faces threats from impersonation, where attackers post harmful content under your name, or from oversharing personal information that employers, colleagues, or family members might frown upon.
• In terms of misusing your identity, criminals could further exploit your social media profile by collecting data from your posts to conduct other fraudulent activities, from opening accounts in your name to bypassing security questions on other services.

When you encounter suspicious activity, always use official support pages rather than responding to questionable messages. Major social media platforms provide dedicated help centers and verified contact methods.

• Configure message and comment filtering: Set up keyword filters to automatically block suspicious messages and enable message request filtering from unknown users. This helps you verify suspicious messages on social media before they reach your main inbox.
• Watch for urgency and pressure tactics: Scammers create false urgency through “limited time offers” or “emergency situations” to prevent you from thinking clearly. Legitimate opportunities and genuine emergencies allow time for verification.

8. Understand your privacy settings.

Select the most secure options and check periodically for changes that can open up your profile to the public. Depending on your preference and the privacy level you are comfortable with, you can choose from these options:

• Public profiles make your content searchable and accessible to anyone, including potential employers, strangers, and data collectors. This setting maximizes your visibility and networking potential but also increases your exposure to unwanted contact and data harvesting.
• Friends-only profiles limit your content to approved connections, balancing your social interaction and privacy protection. This setting, however, doesn’t prevent your approved friends from reposting your content or protect you from data collection.
• Private profiles provide the highest level of content protection, requiring approval for anyone to see your posts. While this setting offers maximum control over your audience, it can limit legitimate networking opportunities and may not protect you from all forms of data collection.

We suggest that you review your privacy settings every three months, as platforms frequently update their policies and default settings. While you are at it, take the opportunity to audit your friend lists and remove inactive or suspicious accounts.

9. Reconsider broadcasting your location.

Posting real-time locations or check-ins can alert potential stalkers to your whereabouts and routine patterns, while geo-tagged photos can reveal where you live, study, work, shop, or work out. Location sharing creates patterns that criminals can exploit for security threats such as stalking, harassment, and other physical crimes.

To avoid informing scammers of your whereabouts, turn off location tagging in your social media apps and avoid posting about your routine. You might also consider disabling “last seen” or “active now” indicators that show when you’re online. This prevents others from monitoring your social media activity patterns and reduces unwanted contact attempts, significantly improving your personal and family safety while maintaining your ability to share experiences.

10. Use an updated browser, social media app, and devices.

Older browsers tend to have more security flaws and often don’t recognize newer scam patterns, while updated versions are crucial for security by patching vulnerabilities. Updates add or improve privacy controls such as tracking prevention, cookie partitioning, third-party cookie blocking, stronger HTTPS enforcement, transparent permission prompts. They also support newer HTML/CSS/JavaScript features, video and audio codecs, payment and login standards, and accessibility features.

In terms of performance, new browser versions offer faster performance, better memory management, and more efficient rendering, so you get fewer freezes, less fan noise, and longer battery life and better extension compatibility.

11. Choose unique logins and passwords for each of the websites you use.

Consider using password managers, which can create and store secure passwords for you. Never reuse passwords across platforms. This practice ensures that if one account is compromised, your other accounts remain secure. Password managers also help you monitor for breached credentials and update passwords regularly.

In addition, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)on every social media account using authenticator apps. This single step can protect social media accounts from 99% of automated attacks. MFA enforcement should be non-negotiable for both personal and business accounts, as it adds critical security that makes account takeovers exponentially more difficult.

12. Check the domain to be sure that you’re logging into a legitimate website.

Scammers build fake login pages that look identical to real ones. The only obvious difference is usually the domain. They want you to type your username/password into their site, so they can steal it. So if you’re visiting a Facebook page, make sure you look for the https://www.facebook.com address.

The rule is to read the domain from right to left because the real domain is usually the last two meaningful segments before the slash. For instance, https://security.facebook.com—read from right to left—is legitimate because the main domain is facebook.com, and “security” is just a subdomain.

Watch out for scam patterns such as:

• Look-alike domains such as faceboook.com (extra “o”), facebook-login.com, fb-support.com.
• Subdomain tricks that hide the real domain such as https://facebook.com.login-security-check.ru.

13. Be cautious of anything that requires an additional login.

Within the social media platform, scammers often insert a “second” sign-in step to capture your credentials. A common trick is sending you to a page that looks like a normal email, business, or bank website but then suddenly asks you to log in again “to continue,” “to verify your identity,” or “because your session expired.” That extra login prompt is frequently a fake overlay or a malicious look-alike page designed to steal passwords.

Clicking a shared document link, viewing a receipt, or checking a delivery status usually shouldn’t require you to re-enter your email and password—especially if you’re already signed in elsewhere. Another example is a fake security notification claiming your account has been compromised, directing you to another page or website that requires a new login. Attackers usually rely on urgency, panic, and habit; you might be so used to logging in all the time, that you could do it automatically without noticing the context is wrong.

A safer habit is to stop and reset the flow. If something unexpectedly asks for another login, don’t use the embedded prompt. Instead, open a new tab, type the site’s official address yourself, check account status, and log in there if needed. If the request was legitimate, it will still work once you’re signed in through the official site; if it was a trap, you’ve just avoided handing over your credentials.

14. Make sure your security suite is up to date.

Your suite should include an antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, a firewall, and a website safety advisor. Keeping your security suite up to date is essential as threats evolve daily, and outdated protection can miss new malware, phishing kits, ransomware variants, and scam techniques. Updates also patch security weaknesses in the software itself, improve detection technologies, and add protections for newer attack methods.

The McAfee Social Privacy Manager extends “security updates” beyond your device and into your social media footprint by scanning your privacy settings across supported platforms, flagging exposures, and recommending safer configurations. Because social platforms frequently change their settings and defaults, Social Privacy Manager also needs to stay updated to recognize and apply the right privacy protections.

15. Invest in identity theft protection.

Regardless of how careful you may be or any security systems you put in place, there is always a chance that you can be compromised in some way. It’s nice to have identity theft protection watching your back.

McAfee+ combines every day device security with identity monitoring in one suite. Depending on the plan, McAfee+ can watch for your personal info on the dark web and breach databases, monitor financial and credit activity, and send real-time alerts for anomalies. The Advanced and Ultimate plans add wider support such as credit monitoring and tracking for bank or investment accounts, as well as tools that reduce your exposure such as Personal Data Cleanup that removes your info from data broker sites. It doesn’t just warn you after a breach; it helps shrink the chances your data gets misused in the first place.

Final thoughts

Social media brings incredible opportunities, but privacy exposure, scams, and account takeovers remain real challenges that can impact your finances, reputation, and personal security. The tips outlined above give you practical ways to recognize the risks and protect your social media accounts. By raising your level of awareness and applying safe social media practices, you are building a stronger defense against evolving threats.

Make security a family affair by sharing these safe social media practices with everyone in your household—especially children and teens who use social media—so they can enjoy a safer experience.

The post 15 Critical Tips to Stay Safe on Social Media appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Smart Ways to Keep Your Social Security Number from Being Cracked

A determined cybercriminal can find ways to guess or predict an individual’s Social Security number, which increases the risk of identity theft for all of us.

In 2009, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University revealed that a reliable method for predicting Social Security numbers was discovered using information from social networking sites, data brokers, voter registration lists, online white pages, and the publicly available Social Security Administration’s Death Master File.

Originally, the first three numbers on a Social Security card represented the state in which a person had initially applied for their card. Numbers started in the Northeast and moved westward. This meant that people born on the East Coast were assigned the lowest numbers and those born on the West Coast were assigned the highest numbers. Before 1986, people were rarely assigned a Social Security number until age 14 or so, since the numbers were used for income tracking purposes.

The Carnegie Mellon research

The Carnegie Mellon researchers were able to guess the first five digits of a Social Security number on their first attempt for 44% of people born after 1988. For those in less populated states, the researchers had a 90% success rate. In fewer than 1,000 attempts, the researchers could identify a complete Social Security number, “making SSNs akin to 3-digit financial PINs.” The researchers concluded, “Unless mitigating strategies are implemented, the predictability of SSNs exposes people born after 1988 to risks of identity theft on mass scales.”

To address this security gap, the Social Security Administration in 2011 changed the way SSNs are issued by randomizing number assignment to make predicting patterns more difficult. While this is certainly an accomplishment, the potential to predict Social Security numbers is the least of our problems. Social Security numbers can be found in unprotected file cabinets and databases in thousands of government offices, corporations, and educational institutions, exposing people to identity theft and other related risks. With the growing losses from all identity theft cases, protecting SSNs is a serious concern.

Your SSN: It’s more than a string of numbers

Your Social Security number might be only nine digits, but in the wrong hands, it can act like a master key that unlocks far more. It can reveal details about your life, serving as a powerful linking tool for cybercriminals to access or verify other personal details and build a more comprehensive profile of your identity.

• Credit and financial information: When combined with other identity elements, such as your name and address, your SSN can help criminals access your credit reports and financial accounts. Fortunately, legitimate financial institutions require multiple forms of verification beyond your SSN, including security questions, account numbers, and authentication codes sent to your registered devices.
• Government benefits access: Your SSN serves as a key identifier for Social Security benefits, Medicare, unemployment claims, and tax refunds. Criminals may attempt to file fraudulent claims using your SSN, but the Social Security Administration has implemented stronger identity verification requiring additional documentation and in-person visits for many services.
• Employment records: While your SSN identity theft risk includes employment fraud, most employers now use E-Verify and require physical documentation such as driver’s licenses and passports. Your SSN alone typically isn’t enough for someone to successfully impersonate you for employment, though it can be part of a broader identity theft scheme.
• Medical records and insurance: Healthcare providers use SSNs to verify insurance coverage and access medical histories. Criminals have attempted medical identity theft, but most healthcare systems now require photo ID, insurance cards, and often biometric verification to access sensitive medical information and services.

Your stolen SSN could be on the dark web

Your Social Security number is one of your most private identifiers, but in today’s data economy, it can quietly slip into criminal marketplaces on the dark web. Even if you’re careful with your information, you can’t control how organizations protect the data they collect from you. These exposures often result from data breaches, scams, or systems you had to trust — employers, hospitals, banks, schools, and even government agencies. When your SSN shows up there, it’s usually bundled with your other information—name, birthdate, address—making it far more valuable and dangerous than a random number on its own.

Being familiar with the common paths that take your SSN to the dark web will help you recognize and avoid the risks earlier, and act fast if your information is ever compromised.

• Third-party data breaches: Your SSN could end up on the dark web when companies, healthcare providers, or government agencies you’ve shared it with experience security breaches. Recent high-profile incidents have exposed millions of records, including major credit reporting agencies and healthcare systems.
• Device malware and info-stealing attacks: Cybercriminals use sophisticated malware that can capture data as you type, including Social Security numbers entered on tax forms, job applications, or financial websites. Banking trojans and keyloggers specifically target sensitive information for sale on illicit markets.
• Phishing schemes and social engineering: Scammers impersonate trusted organizations like the IRS, your bank, or employers and create convincing fake websites, emails, or phone calls that trick you into “verifying” your SSN. They will claim your SSN has been “suspended” or “compromised,” threaten you with arrest or legal action, or request to verify your SSN for any reason. Pressure tactics and demands for immediate action are classic red flags.
• Compromised data brokers: Data brokers legally collect and sell personal information, gathered from public records, social media, and other sources, creating comprehensive profiles that become valuable targets for cybercriminals. When their systems are breached, your SSN and other details can be exposed.
• Social engineering of service providers: Criminals sometimes target employees at companies that handle your information, manipulating them to gain unauthorized access to customer records. Call center representatives, healthcare workers, or government employees may be tricked into providing access to systems containing SSNs.
• Account takeovers: Account takeovers occur when criminals gain access to your existing accounts through stolen passwords, security question answers, or two-factor authentication bypasses. Once inside accounts at financial institutions, healthcare providers, or government services, they can view stored SSNs or use account access to request more information.
• Mailbox theft: Physical mail theft remains a surprisingly effective way for criminals to guess or find documents containing your SSN. Tax documents, insurance statements, pre-approved credit offers, and government correspondence often contain complete or partial Social Security numbers that help criminals piece together your identity.
• Public records: Public records databases, court filings, property records, and voter registration information sometimes contain complete or partial SSNs. While efforts have been made to remove SSNs from public records, older documents and some current filings may still expose this information.

The doors that open with your Social Security Number

Once criminals have your SSN, they can do a range of fraudulent activities that can compromise your relationships, health, career, financial standing, and even your freedom. A single SSN can fuel everything from credit and loan scams to tax fraud, medical identity theft, and even long-term schemes like synthetic identities. Here are some examples:

• New account fraud: Criminals could use your SSN and other personal information to open credit cards, loans, or bank accounts in your name. This can destroy your credit score and leave you responsible for fraudulent debt that can take years to resolve.
• Tax refund fraud: Scammers file fake tax returns using your SSN to claim your refund before you file your legitimate return. This leaves you dealing with IRS complications and delays in receiving your actual refund, often extending into the following tax year.
• Medical identity theft: When someone uses your SSN to receive medical care, prescription drugs, or submit insurance claims, it can contaminate your medical records with incorrect information and exhaust your insurance benefits. This puts your health at risk and can result in thousands in fraudulent medical bills.
• Government benefits fraud: Criminals apply for unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits, or other government assistance using your SSN. This complicates your own eligibility and creates tax complications when benefits are reported under your name.
• Employment fraud: Someone may use your SSN for employment, which means their income gets reported to the IRS under your name, potentially affecting your tax liability and Social Security benefits calculation. You might receive unexpected tax documents or face complications with the IRS over unreported income you never earned.
• SIM swap setup: Your SSN serves as a verification tool when criminals attempt to transfer your phone number to their device, giving them access to two-factor authentication codes and potentially your financial accounts. This can lead to rapid-fire account takeovers across multiple platforms.
• Synthetic identity creation: Fraudsters combine your real SSN with fake names and addresses to create entirely new identities for long-term fraud schemes. These synthetic identities can build credit over time, making the fraud harder to detect and potentially more damaging when discovered.

Verify and block anyone using your Social Security Number

Social Security identity theft isn’t always obvious right away. In many cases, people don’t realize their SSN has been compromised until weeks or months later. If you want to know if your SSN has been misused, there are clear warning signs and reliable ways to check. By reviewing a few key records, you can spot red flags early and shut down fraud before it snowballs into a long, expensive recovery process.

1. Check your credit reports: Request your free annual credit reports from federally authorized sources. Look for accounts you didn’t open, credit inquiries you didn’t authorize, or addresses you’ve never lived at. You’re entitled to one free report from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion every 12 months, so stagger them quarterly for ongoing monitoring.
2. Set up fraud alerts and credit monitoring: Place a fraud alert with any of the three credit bureaus to require creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Consider setting up account alerts with your bank and credit card companies as well to notify you of unusual activity. These notifications can catch SSN identity theft early before damage occurs.
3. Review your Social Security Administration account: Create or log into your Social Security account to check your earnings history and benefit statements. Look for employment or earnings you don’t recognize, as criminals often use stolen SSNs for work authorization. Any discrepancies could indicate someone is using your SSN for employment fraud.
4. Examine IRS documents and consider an IP PIN: Check your annual Social Security Statement for accuracy and review any IRS letters about duplicate tax filings or suspicious activity. If you suspect SSN details leaked, request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS or tax transcripts through the IRS Get Transcript portal.
5. Monitor medical statements and insurance claims: Review your health insurance statements, Medicare summaries, and medical bills for services you didn’t receive or providers you’ve never visited. Medical identity theft using your SSN can result in incorrect information in your medical records and unexpected bills. Contact your insurance company immediately if you spot unfamiliar claims or treatments.
6. Check for unemployment and government benefits fraud: Contact your state’s unemployment office to verify that no claims were filed in your name. Review any government benefit accounts you have as well for suspicious activity.
7. Conduct a comprehensive identity audit: Search your name combined with personal details online to see if your information appears on data broker sites. Set up ongoing dark web monitoring through reputable services to alert you if your SSN appears in future breaches.

Your first steps to stop the fraudulent activity

If you discover that someone has been using your SSN, take these steps immediately:

1. Freeze your credit: Contact all three major credit bureaus to place a free credit freeze on your accounts. This prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name. Keep your PIN numbers safe as you’ll need them to lift the freeze when applying for credit temporarily.
2. File an identity theft report: Report the SSN theft to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC’s step-by-step, personalized guidance will help you navigate the recovery process and provide documentation for creditors and other institutions.
3. Contact affected financial institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions where you have accounts. Request new account numbers, cards, and fraud alerts to monitor for suspicious activity.
4. Secure your Social Security Administration account: Create or secure your my Social Security account to prevent fraudsters from creating one in your name. Enable two-factor authentication and review your earnings record for any unauthorized employment. If someone is already using your SSN for work, contact the SSA immediately to report the misuse.
5. Document everything: Keep detailed records of all communications, including dates, names of representatives, reference numbers, and actions taken. Create a file with copies of all reports, correspondence, and documentation. This paper trail will be invaluable if you need to dispute fraudulent accounts or prove your case to creditors and law enforcement.
6. Stay vigilant and follow up: Monitor your credit reports, bank statements, and government benefits regularly for at least the next 12 months. The effects of SSN theft can surface months later, so ongoing monitoring is crucial for your long-term financial security.

Long-term, preventive measures to limit your exposure

Since your SSN can’t be easily changed and is still treated like a universal ID, the safest approach is to put up barriers that make it harder for criminals to use, even if they get it. Aside from the steps listed above, here are additional measures you can follow to protect your SSN from the start:

• Minimize sharing your SSN: Only provide your SSN when absolutely required by law or for essential services such as banking, employment, or medical care.
• Ask for alternatives: Many organizations request your Social Security number out of habit. Ask if you can use an alternative identifier, such as a driver’s license number.
• Be cautious with Social Security number requests over the phone or email: Legitimate organizations rarely ask for your full SSN via phone or email. When in doubt, hang up and call the organization directly using a number from their official website to verify the request.
• Use strong, unique passwords: Since details leaked in data breaches can help criminals predict Social Security numbers and crack passwords, it is best to protect all your accounts with complex, unique credentials using a password manager.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your Social Security Administration, IRS, banking, and credit accounts by setting up two-factor or multi-factor authentication, which blocks 99% of automated attacks.
• Keep your devices and software updated: Install security updates promptly on all devices. Malware often targets personal information, including Social Security numbers, so staying current with patches protects your data from the latest threats.
• Shred physical documents: Physical theft remains a common way criminals obtain Social Security numbers. So before throwing away tax returns, medical records, or financial statements, put them through a cross-cut shredder.
• Monitor your credit reports and account statements: Check for unauthorized accounts or inquiries that could indicate SSN misuse. Request free credit reports and review bank and credit card statements monthly.
• Consider additional protections: Consider enrolling in credit monitoring services and identity theft protection. These services can alert you to other types of SSN identity theft, such as employment fraud or medical identity theft.

FAQs about Social Security Numbers

When can organizations legally request my SSN?

Federal law requires SSN disclosure in specific situations. Organizations can legally require your SSN when no reasonable alternative exists and when they have a specific legal requirement or legitimate business need, such as:

• Tax reporting is involved: Employers, financial institutions, and others who must file tax documents with the IRS
• Credit checks are necessary: Lenders, landlords, and others performing background or credit verification
• Government benefits: Social Security, Medicare, unemployment, and other federal or state programs
• For legal compliance: Situations where federal or state law specifically mandates SSN collection

What notices are organizations required to present when requesting my Social Security number?

When an organization requests your SSN, they must provide what’s called a disclosure statement, as clarified under the updated Privacy Act of the Department of Justice’s Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties. Legitimate organizations requesting your SSN must tell you:

• Whether providing your SSN is mandatory or voluntary
• What legal authority permits them to request it
• How they plan to use your SSN
• What happens if you refuse to provide it

If an organization can’t provide clear answers to these questions, that’s a red flag. The FTC’s consumer guidance emphasizes that you have the right to understand why your SSN is needed before you provide it.

When can I decline to provide my SSN?

You can typically decline when it’s not a necessity, alternative identification exists, it seems excessive, and there is no clear legal requirement. Common situations where you can often say no include gym memberships, retail purchases, job applications that don’t require credit checks, and various service sign-ups.

What are safer alternatives to SSN disclosure?

When you need to verify your identity but want to minimize SSN exposure, several alternatives can work depending on the situation:

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Partial SSN disclosure
• Alternative methods such as bank statements, utility bills, or other documents

Final thoughts

While it’s concerning that Social Security numbers can be predicted or leaked through data breaches, you’re not powerless against SSN identity theft. The practical steps we’ve outlined put you firmly in control of your personal information security—from placing credit freezes and setting up IRS IP PINs to securing your Social Security Administration account with strong authentication. Take action today by implementing these protective measures to reduce your risk significantly.

For added security, consider a McAfee Identity Protection plan to experience proactive identity surveillance, lost wallet protection, and alerts when suspicious activity is detected on your financial accounts.

The post Smart Ways to Keep Your Social Security Number from Being Cracked appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Essential Tips to Avoid ATM Skimming

With the rise in digital banking and online transactions, the number of automated teller machines (ATMs) worldwide declined to 2.95 million in 2025, according to the finance and crypto resource site CoinLaw. Despite this decline, ATM fraud continues to victimize innocent consumers, with global losses estimated at $2.4 billion in 2025.

Among the ATM-related security issues, card skimming accounted for almost 60% of all reported global ATM fraud cases in 2025, according to CoinLaw. Other ATM-related security threats include malware (21%) and cryptocurrency ATM scams. AI-driven ATM fraud, although still in its infancy (0.11% in 2025), is gaining traction as cybercriminals develop new phishing techniques.

In this guide, we will explore some of the security threats associated with ATMs, with a focus on skimming, and provide tips on protecting your data and money in your bank account.

What is ATM skimming?

ATM skimming is a form of payment card fraud where criminals secretly install illegal devices on card readers, fuel pumps, or point-of-sale terminals, which then steal your debit or credit card information. These devices, called skimmers, capture the magnetic stripe data from your card while hidden cameras or fake PIN pads record your personal identification number. With both pieces of information, criminals can create counterfeit cards or make unauthorized online purchases using your account.

Skimming devices have become increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Traditional overlay skimmers sit on top of legitimate card readers, but newer “shimmer” devices are inserted more deeply into the card slot, making them virtually invisible to casual inspection. These devices can store data from hundreds of cards before criminals retrieve them, often using Bluetooth technology to wirelessly download stolen information without physically accessing the skimmer.

ATMs remain the most common target for skimming attacks, but criminals also target gas station fuel pumps, which often have weaker security systems and less frequent maintenance checks. Point-of-sale terminals at retail locations, restaurants, and other businesses also present opportunities for skimming, particularly when employees are involved in the scheme.

The threat persists for several interconnected reasons. Payment card fraud is quite a profitable business and can be scaled across states or countries. Technology gaps also contribute to the problem, as many ATMs and payment terminals continue to use legacy magnetic stripe technology despite the introduction of more secure EMV chips in newer cards. Criminals also exploit legacy systems, especially if the ATM does not receive regular security updates.

Additionally, decommissioned ATMs can be freely gathered from junkyards or casually bought from online marketplaces, giving criminals the chance to collect personal data stored in the computer and study the discarded machine’s security features to improve their skimming techniques.

In some cases, used ATMs are purchased on eBay or Craigslist and then installed in areas with ample foot traffic. These machines, which can be powered by car batteries or simply plugged into a nearby outlet, are programmed to read and copy credit card data.

Consequences of skimming

When your card information is compromised through skimming, the financial and personal consequences can be significant. Criminals may drain your account through ATM withdrawals or fraudulent purchases, potentially leaving you unable to access your own money. Since debit card transactions often clear immediately, unauthorized withdrawals can cause overdraft fees and bounced check charges before you even realize your account has been compromised.

Beyond the financial losses, ATM skimming can lead to identity theft, where the personal information captured becomes part of larger criminal databases used in other fraud schemes.

Consequently, your credit score and banking relationships may also suffer if fraudulent accounts are opened in your name or if you’re unable to resolve unauthorized charges quickly. While the law gives you limited liability for fraudulent transactions, the process of restoring your accounts can be time-consuming and stressful.

Types of ATM skimming devices and how to spot them

Criminals use a range of devices—some obvious, others nearly invisible—to steal card data and PINs right at the machine. Knowing the main types of skimmers, what they look like, and where they’re usually placed can help you recognize them and avoid a compromised ATM.

Overlay card readers

The most common type of skimming device, overlay card readers are fake attachments that criminals place directly over the legitimate card slot of an ATM. As you insert your card, it passes through the skimmer first, which captures the magnetic stripe data from your card before it reaches the actual card reader.

Deep-insert or shimmer devices

An evolution of skimming technology, shimmer devices are extremely thin circuit boards that criminals insert deep into the card slot, making them nearly impossible to detect through visual inspection alone. When you insert your card, you might notice increased resistance, unusual vibrations, or your card feeling momentarily stuck.

Pinhole cameras

Criminals use tiny cameras to capture your PIN as you enter it on the keypad. They are so small they can be hidden in seemingly innocent locations around the ATM. Look for a small camera attached to the top of the screen, hidden in a brochure holder, or even concealed in a fake security sign.

Fake PIN pads

These devices are placed over the legitimate ATM keypad to capture your PIN as you enter it. The keypad may feel spongier than usual, have a different texture, or seem thicker than normal. You might notice the numbers are printed differently, the buttons don’t press down as far as expected, or there’s a slight color difference between the keypad and the rest of the ATM. If the keypad feels loose, raised, or different from other ATMs you’ve used, don’t enter your PIN.

Bluetooth-enabled skimmers

Considered an advanced skimming technique, wireless Bluetooth-enabled skimmers can wirelessly transmit your stolen card and PIN data to criminals, eliminating the need for them to return to retrieve the device. You could detect them by checking your phone’s Bluetooth settings for unusual device names appearing in the area, though many criminals use generic names to avoid detection. If you notice people loitering near ATMs with mobile devices, especially if they seem to be monitoring ATM users, this could indicate that a Bluetooth skimming operation is in progress.

Combination attacks

Criminals often combine multiple types of skimming devices to maximize their data capture. A typical combination attack might involve an overlay card reader paired with a pinhole camera, or a shimmer device combined with a fake PIN pad. This is why security experts recommend following all protective measures when you use an ATM.

Emerging technologies

Recent advances in skimming technologies include devices that can be inserted through existing openings in ATMs without requiring external attachments, as well as skimmers that use near-field communication (NFC) technology to capture contactless payment information.

Protective steps to take before inserting your ATM card

Choose bank-operated ATMs in well-lit areas

Your safest bet is to use ATMs inside bank branches or those clearly operated by major financial institutions. These locations have better security measures, such as surveillance cameras and regular checks that detect tampering. At outdoor ATMs, select machines in well-lit, high-traffic areas where criminal activity is less likely to occur unnoticed. Avoid ATMs in dimly lit, isolated locations where skimmers can be easily installed.

Examine the card slot

Before inserting your card, closely inspect the card insertion slot. Legitimate ATM card readers should have a uniform appearance with smooth edges and consistent coloring. Look for unusual attachments or devices that seem to have been added on top of the original reader. The card slot should align perfectly with the surrounding ATM fascia. Any gaps, misalignments, or signs that something has been glued or attached should raise immediate red flags. Trust your gut.

Perform the wiggle test

One of the most effective ways to detect fake card readers on ATMs is through tactile inspection. Gently grasp the card reader and try to wiggle it. A legitimate card reader should feel solid and permanently attached. If the reader or the housing feels loose, this is a strong indicator of a skimmer. If anything moves when it shouldn’t, do not use that ATM and report it to the bank immediately.

Inspect the keypad

Examine the keypad carefully for any signs of modification or overlay devices. Overlay keypads often appear slightly thicker or misaligned with the surrounding area. When pressing the buttons, each one should have consistent resistance and feel. Any button that sticks or seems higher than others could indicate tampering. Pay attention to the area around the keypad for adhesive residue or scratches. Legitimate ATM keypads have consistent button spacing, uniform coloring, and should feel solid when pressed.

Check the ATM’s fascia and bezel

The ATM’s outer casing and bezel should have a uniform appearance with no obvious modifications such as loose panels, extra pieces of plastic, or areas with different coloring or texture from the rest of the machine. Check for any unusual wiring, small cameras, or devices that appear out of place. The area around the screen should be examined for any tiny cameras or recording devices that capture PIN entry. All text, logos, and branding should appear professional and consistent with the bank’s standard ATM design.

Survey the surrounding area

Before using any ATM, check the area for any unusual objects that could house cameras or recording equipment, including fake brochure holders, unusual signage, or any items that seem out of place. Check for people loitering nearby who seem to be watching ATM users or vehicles parked unusually close to outdoor ATMs with passengers or drivers who appear to be monitoring ATM activity.

Scan for Bluetooth devices

Before using an ATM, check your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings to scan for nearby devices with suspicious names, such as those with generic or random characters, or names that don’t correspond to legitimate businesses in the area. An unusual concentration of unknown devices near an ATM could be a warning sign. This technique works best in areas where there are typically few Bluetooth devices, such as standalone ATMs.

ATM safety tips

Enable and use contactless withdrawal

Enable contactless withdrawals through your bank’s mobile app to authenticate and authorize QR code-based transactions and reduce your need to use an ATM. This technology uses tap-to-pay functionality or near-field communication (NFC) features, providing the same convenient access to your funds. Contact your bank to learn about contactless ATM options and how to activate these features on your accounts.

Verify ATM authenticity through official channels

Bank websites or mobile apps usually show the locations of their legitimate ATMs. If you’re unsure about an ATM’s authenticity, check these official resources to confirm the machine is listed as a legitimate location. This step can help you avoid both skimming devices and other fraudulent ATM operations entirely. Be particularly cautious of ATMs in unusual areas. When traveling, stick to ATMs inside recognizable financial institutions.

Shield your PIN entry

Even when ATMs appear legitimate, always protect your PIN entry from potential observation. Use your free hand, body, or a purse to cover the keypad while entering your PIN to guard against both hidden cameras and shoulder-surfing by nearby criminals. Consider changing your PIN regularly and never write it down. If you suspect your PIN may have been compromised, change it immediately through secure channels.

Monitor your account activity vigilantly

Implement robust account monitoring to detect and address any skimming-related fraud as quickly as possible. Set up real-time account alerts through your bank’s mobile app to receive immediate notifications of all transactions. Review your account statements regularly and report any unauthorized activity immediately. Consider setting daily withdrawal limits to match your usage patterns to minimize losses if your card information is compromised.

Report suspicious ATMs immediately

If you notice signs of tampering or suspicious activity at an ATM, report it immediately to the bank to protect other customers from becoming victims and to help law enforcement track down the perpetrators. Contact the bank’s customer service line using the phone number on the back of your card, rather than the numbers displayed on the potentially compromised ATM. Document the ATM’s location, including the address and any identifying numbers or codes visible on the machine.

Stay informed about ATM fraud trends

Stay informed about the latest ATM skimming techniques and prevention strategies through reputable sources. Consumer alerts provide updated guidance on protecting yourself from these crimes, as do major credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. Following your bank’s security updates and fraud alerts helps you stay aware of new threats in your area and emerging criminal techniques to watch for during ATM transactions.

Avoid assistance from strangers

Be highly cautious of anyone offering to help you with ATM troubles, even if they appear well-intentioned, especially if they suggest using their phone to call the bank or offer to show you how to complete your transaction. If you encounter problems with an ATM, cancel your transaction, retrieve your card, and contact your bank directly.

Use ATMs during daylight or banking business hours

Criminals usually install skimming devices when fewer people are around to witness their actions. Daytime transactions in high-traffic areas increase the likelihood of suspicious behavior being noticed and reported. If you must use an ATM at night, choose one in a well-lit area with good visibility, preferably near businesses that are still open and have staff and customers present. Consider using indoor ATMs exclusively.

Keep your ATM receipts secure

Always take your ATM receipts and store them securely until you have verified the transaction on your statement. Don’t leave them at the machine or throw them away in nearby trash cans where criminals might retrieve them to gather information about your account; even partial account numbers and transaction details could be useful to identity thieves. You can shred the receipts once you’ve confirmed the transactions.

Understand your rights and protections

Familiarize yourself with your bank’s policies regarding ATM fraud and your rights under federal law. The Electronic Fund Transfer Act provides specific protections for consumers who experience unauthorized ATM transactions. These protections offer you up to 60 days to report unauthorized transactions to limit your liability, but reporting within two business days provides the strongest protection.

Plan your cash needs in advance

Reduce your ATM usage by planning your cash needs and making larger, less frequent withdrawals to reduce your overall exposure to potential skimming attempts. Consider getting cash back during purchases at grocery stores, pharmacies, and trusted retailers, rather than using unfamiliar ATMs, especially when traveling or in unfamiliar areas.

Be extra vigilant during the holiday season

ATM skimming attempts surge during peak shopping and travel periods when foot traffic increases at malls, airports, hotel lobbies, and other commercial or tourist locations. Increased cash withdrawals, crowded shopping areas, and travelers using unfamiliar ATMs create ideal conditions for skimming operations. In addition, criminals know that holiday shoppers are often distracted, rushed, and less vigilant about using ATMs. That’s why it’s important for you to be extra cautious. If you must use an ATM, take a breath and slow down to thoroughly inspect the machine and your surroundings before inserting your card.

Immediate steps to take if your card was skimmed

The guidance below walks you through exactly what to do in the moment and right after, so you can limit risk to yourself and prevent others from becoming victims, too.

1. Contact your bank immediately. Call the number on the back of your card or use your bank’s mobile app to report unauthorized transactions. Most banks have 24/7 fraud hotlines that can freeze your account within minutes to prevent further unauthorized use.
2. Dispute unauthorized charges promptly. Your liability protections depend on how quickly you report fraud. For credit cards, federal law limits your liability to $50 for unauthorized charges. For debit cards, report any unauthorized transactions within two business days to limit liability to $50, or within 60 days to cap liability at $500. After 60 days, you could be responsible for all unauthorized transactions.
3. Request a replacement card. Your bank will cancel your compromised card and issue a new one with different numbers. Most banks can expedite delivery within 1-2 business days, though some may charge a fee for rush delivery. Ask about temporary digital cards for immediate online use while waiting for your physical card.
4. Inform your ID Theft protection provider. If you have an identity theft protection subscription, inform your service to activate proactive identity surveillance, monitor your credit and personal information, and seek support from fraud resolution agents who can work through the process of resolving the identity theft issues.
5. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion—to place a free fraud alert. This alert requires creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts and automatically applies to all three bureaus for one year.
6. Consider a credit freeze for enhanced protection. A credit freeze prevents new creditors from accessing your credit report and identity thieves from opening accounts in your name. You can freeze and unfreeze your credit for free with all three bureaus online, by phone, or by mail.
7. Monitor your accounts closely. Review all bank and credit card statements for the next few months. Set up account alerts for transactions over a certain amount, and consider using your bank’s mobile app to check account activity daily during this period.
8. File additional reports if identity theft occurs. If criminals used your card information for identity theft beyond just card fraud, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and consider filing a police report. The FTC provides a personalized recovery plan and pre-filled forms for creditors.
9. Update automatic payments. Replace your old card information with your new card details for any automatic payments, subscriptions, or saved payment methods with online retailers to avoid service interruptions.
10. Keep detailed records. Document all communications with your bank, including dates, times, representative names, and reference numbers. Save copies of dispute forms and any correspondence related to the fraud investigation.

Final thoughts

Protecting yourself from ATM skimming requires ongoing attention, but you’re now equipped with the knowledge to use ATMs confidently and securely—perform a visual inspection, do the wiggle test, review the keypad, and be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or looks suspicious about an ATM, consider finding an alternative location. Your intuition is a valuable tool in recognizing potentially compromised machines.

Share these ATM safety practices with your family members and friends to strengthen their security as well. Take a moment to revisit your bank’s fraud protection guidelines and ensure you understand their notification procedures for suspicious activity. Your financial institution can partner with you in preventing fraud, so don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about their latest security features.

The post Essential Tips to Avoid ATM Skimming appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Celebrate Data Privacy Day by Applying These Best Practices

This is a critical time for our personal security, particularly in terms of privacy and personal information. A battle is being waged over our data by multiple parties, from criminal hackers to advertisers and data brokers. This article provides essential tips to help you protect the personal details you want to keep private and stay safe online.

The Battle for Your Personal Data

Criminal hackers and identity thieves want to use your name to open new accounts, which they can turn into cash. They may try to obtain credit cards, utility services, or mobile phones using your good credit. In other cases, these same thieves take over existing bank or credit card accounts and completely empty them out. Identity theft affects millions of Americans each year, with over 1.4 million reports filed to the FTC in recent years and an estimated 15 million victims annually.

Online Tracking and Advertising

Online, advertisers and marketers use tracking cookies and sophisticated technologies to gather information about you and your web browsing habits. They can then offer you products or services based on the profile they’ve developed. Almost every major website contains cookies, and they are changing the way advertising is created and targeted.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has explored options, such as “Do Not Track” mechanisms, to allow consumers to opt out of data collection; however, these efforts have faced significant challenges. Browser-based solutions have been proposed, but the advertising industry’s partnerships with major media and tech companies have made comprehensive opt-out mechanisms difficult to implement effectively.

Social Media Privacy Risks

Social media companies compete for your attention and your information because user data is valuable to advertisers and marketers. Whatever you post in your profile is broken down, cataloged, and disseminated. Your name, age, address, email, phone number, contacts, income status, job description, and other personal details are of use to anyone targeting your wallet.

However, legitimate advertisers aren’t the only ones targeting social networks. Criminal hackers and identity thieves are accessing your data, either through the public portion of these sites or by hacking through the back door. The bad guy is using your profile information to come up with an answer to your password reset question, or to trick you into opening your wallet or entering login credentials that might allow them to take over your existing accounts.

What is Data Privacy Day?

Amid all these developments, the National Cyber Security Alliance established Data Privacy Day, an annual awareness event observed every January 28, which encourages you to take control of your personal information and understand your online privacy rights. Initially launched in 2008, this important day coincides with the anniversary of the signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.

As a U.S. consumer, Data Privacy Day matters to you more than ever because your personal information has become incredibly valuable and, unfortunately, increasingly vulnerable. Every day, you share personal details through social media, shopping websites, mobile apps, and online services, often without realizing how this information is collected, used, or shared.

The observance of this day highlights several key risks that affect your daily digital life. Data misuse occurs when companies collect more information than necessary or use your personal details in ways you haven’t explicitly approved. Identity theft remains a significant threat, with criminals using stolen personal information to open fraudulent accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or even file fake tax returns. Additionally, data breaches continue to expose millions of Americans’ personal information each year, from social security numbers to financial details.

What makes Data Privacy Day empowering is its focus on actionable steps you can take immediately. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by privacy concerns, you can use this day as motivation to review and strengthen your digital privacy habits. The day is a reminder that privacy and data protection aren’t just technical concepts. They’re fundamental rights that help you maintain control over your digital life.

Data privacy core concepts

Before delving deeper into regulations and best practices, let’s take a look at the core concepts. The Federal Trade Commission defines data privacy as the reasonable expectation that your personal information will be handled appropriately by the organizations that collect it. It is your fundamental right to control how your personal information is collected, used, shared, and retained by the companies and services you interact with every day. At its heart, data privacy ensures that you have a say in what happens to details about your life, from your name and email address to your online shopping preferences, videos watched, social media usage, and down to your browsing habits and location data.

Your data follows a path that starts with collection, when companies gather information directly from you, such as when you fill out a form, or indirectly through cookies and tracking pixels. The use phase refers to how organizations process your information, whether to improve their services, target advertisements, or analyze user behavior. Sharing involves passing your data to third parties, from business partners to data brokers. Retention determines how long your information stays in their systems, often well beyond the end of your active relationship with the service.

Throughout this process, your information is governed by three principles of modern data privacy:

• Consent means companies should ask for your permission before collecting and using your personal information, and this permission should be freely given, specific, and informed. You shouldn’t have to accept data collection just to use basic services.
• Control gives you the power to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of your personal data.
• Transparency requires companies to clearly explain their data practices in plain language, rather than burying them in lengthy legal documents.

When Netflix asks if you want to share viewing data to improve recommendations, that’s consent in action. When Google lets you download your search history or delete location tracking, you’re exercising control. When Apple’s privacy labels show exactly what data an app collects, that’s transparency working for you.

Your data privacy rights

Under these newly instituted state privacy laws, you have several key rights that put you in control of your personal information:

• Right to know: You can request information about what personal data companies collect about you, how it’s used, and who it is shared with.
• Right to access: You can obtain copies of the personal information companies have collected about you.
• Right to delete: You can request companies to delete your personal information, with certain exceptions.
• Right to opt out: You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal data for targeted advertising.
• Right to correct: You can request corrections to inaccurate personal information.
• Right to non-discrimination: Companies cannot penalize you for exercising your privacy rights.

Data privacy and data protection

Data protection and data privacy are sometimes used interchangeably, but they serve different but complementary roles in keeping your personal information safe:

• Data privacy is about your rights and choices in how your personal information gets collected, used, and shared. It’s less about technical security and more about giving you control over what happens with your data.
• Data protection is about securing your information from threats such as hackers, breaches, and technical failures. It is the digital equivalent of a bank vault, using technical and organizational safeguards to keep your data safe from unauthorized access, theft, or loss.

Here are some everyday scenarios that show how these concepts work differently:

• Your encrypted backup files represent data protection in action. Even if someone gains access to your backup drive without the proper key, encryption makes your photos, documents, and files unreadable. The technical safeguard protects your data from misuse.
• Choosing who can see your location on social media is a privacy decision. When you decide what personal information to share and with whom, you are exercising control over your data.
• Your password manager provides data protection by securely storing and encrypting your login credentials, making them nearly impossible for criminals to steal and use.
• Declining to provide your phone number when signing up for a shopping account is a privacy choice. You’re limiting the amount of personal information that gets collected about you in the first place.

Data privacy laws

As a consumer, your data privacy rights translate into real, actionable benefits you can use today. However, the effectiveness of these protections often depends on enforcement and your own awareness of the tools available to you.

The U.S. privacy landscape

U.S. state privacy laws are increasingly giving you the right to know what personal information companies collect, the right to delete your data, and the right to opt out of having your information sold or shared.

America’s privacy framework is built on sector-specific federal regulations combined with increasingly robust state legislation. This approach means your rights and protections can vary significantly depending on where you live and what type of data is being collected.

At the federal level, key laws include the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for healthcare data, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) for credit information, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for children under 13 years. While these provide important protections in specific areas, they leave significant gaps in comprehensive consumer data privacy protection.

To fill these gaps, California established crucial precedents through the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and its successor, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). Other states are also now enacting comprehensive privacy laws, including Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act, Colorado Privacy Act, Connecticut’s Data Privacy Act, and Utah’s Consumer Privacy Act. Each provides residents with fundamental rights over their personal data while requiring businesses to implement stronger protection measures.

Extra care for highly sensitive personal data

Sensitive personal data represents the most valuable and vulnerable information about you—the details that, if compromised, could cause significant harm to your finances, safety, and peace of mind. Unlike basic contact information, sensitive data requires stronger legal protections and your extra vigilance because of its potential for misuse.

Health Information

Your health information deserves particular care because it reveals intimate details about your physical and mental well-being. HIPAA protections cover medical records, but health data collected by fitness apps, mental health platforms, or wellness websites may not receive the same legal safeguards.

Biometric data

Biometric data—your unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints, voice patterns, or facial features—can’t be changed if stolen, making this information particularly precious.

Children’s Information

Children’s data receives special attention under privacy laws because minors can’t meaningfully consent to data collection. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act requires explicit parental consent before companies can collect information from children under 13, while some state laws extend these protections to older teens.

GDPR for the global services

Meanwhile, global services such as Google, Facebook, or Netflix apply the Europe-established General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws worldwide to maintain consistent data practices.

GDPR personal data includes obvious identifiers such as your name, email address, phone number, and Social Security number. But it also covers less obvious information, such as IP addresses, device IDs, location data, and even your online shopping habits or social media activity. Essentially, if data points can be combined to create a profile of you, they qualify as personal data under GDPR standards. This broader definition gives you stronger control over your information and has influenced many U.S. companies to offer the same rights to all users, not just those in the European Union.

Whether a company follows GDPR, California’s privacy laws, or other frameworks, the core principle remains the same: you deserve transparency and control over your personal information.

How can you celebrate Data Privacy Day?

Your privacy rights are expanding, but exercising them effectively requires staying informed and taking proactive steps. As we celebrate Data Privacy Day, we recommend you participate by taking simple, practical steps to exercise your data privacy rights.

Review your privacy settings regularly

Start with the platforms and services you use most frequently. Look for the privacy or data protection section in your account settings and review the information being collected and shared.

Submit data access requests

Many major companies now provide online forms or dedicated email addresses for privacy requests. Take advantage of these to understand what data they have about you. Popular platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon have streamlined processes for data downloads.

Opt out of data sales

Look for “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” links on websites, typically found in footers or privacy policy pages. You can also use opt-out tools such as the Global Privacy Control browser setting that automatically signals your opt-out preferences.

Use data broker opt-out services

Many data brokers now offer opt-out mechanisms, though the process can be time-consuming. Consider using privacy services that handle multiple opt-out requests on your behalf.

Monitor your digital footprint

Regularly search for your name and personal information online. Set up Google Alerts for your name and key personal details to stay informed about new appearances of your information. In addition, monitor your credit reports for unauthorized changes, and use identity monitoring services that watch for your personal information appearing in data breaches or on the dark web.

Use reputable websites and tools

When sharing sensitive information online, verify that websites use https:// in the address bar and read privacy policies before providing personal details. Only use well-established, privacy-focused health, financial, and communication platforms with a strong track record of privacy and data protection.

Oversee your kids’ online activities

For children’s data, maintaining active oversight will help you stay ahead of potential problems in their online activities. Review the apps and websites they use, understand what information these platforms collect, and use parental controls to limit data sharing. Teach your children about privacy and the risks of sharing personal information online.

Everyday tips to maintain your privacy

Protecting your personal data doesn’t have to feel like a giant, technical project. Most privacy wins come from small, repeatable habits that you can do in minutes to shrink your digital footprint, and use the internet on your terms.

• Limit what you share online: Review your social media privacy settings and share only what’s necessary to reduce your exposure to identity thieves and the potential for your data to be used against you.
• Review your location permissions: For location data, regularly review and delete location history from your devices and disable location sharing for apps that don’t need it.
• Crumble that cookie: You can turn cookies off in your browser settings. This step may prevent you from using certain websites, but it is a step toward privacy.
• Stay private while browsing: Use a virtual private network from a reputable, reliable company to keep your online activities private, especially when using unsecured Wi-Fi in public places such as cafes, airports, and libraries.

Your personal information has value, so make sure you’re getting a fair return through services that respect your privacy.

FAQs about data privacy

What counts as personal data?

Personal data includes any information that can directly or indirectly identify you. This covers obvious details such as your name, email, and Social Security number, but also extends to IP addresses, device identifiers, location data, browsing history, and even inferences about your preferences or behavior.

How can I opt out of data sale and sharing?

On company websites, look for “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” or “Your Privacy Choices” links, usually found in the footer. You can also use the Global Privacy Control browser signal to send opt-out requests automatically. Services such as DeleteMe or manual removal requests can help you reclaim control of your information from data brokers and multiple platforms.

What should I do after a data breach?

First, change passwords for affected accounts and enable two-factor authentication. Next, monitor your credit reports and bank statements for unusual activity. If Social Security numbers or financial data were involved, place a credit freeze with all three major credit bureaus. Sign up for identity monitoring services if offered by the breached company. Be sure to document everything and report identity theft to the FTC if you notice fraudulent activity.

How do I spot dark consent patterns?

Watch for manipulative design tricks that push you toward sharing more data. Red flags include pre-checked boxes for marketing emails, making privacy-friendly options harder to find or understand, using confusing language that hides the intent, or making it much easier to accept all cookies than to customize your preferences. Legitimate consent should be freely given, specific, informed, and easily withdrawn.

What rights do I have over my personal data?

Depending on your location, you may have the right to know what data companies collect about you, request copies of your data, correct inaccurate information, delete your data, and opt out of its sale or use for targeted advertising. Some laws also give you the right to data portability and protect you from discrimination for exercising these rights. Check if your state has comprehensive privacy laws or if you’re covered by GDPR.

What essential resources can I read to stay informed?

To stay current with your privacy rights and the evolving legal landscape, bookmark these authoritative resources:

• Federal Trade Commission Privacy and Security Guidelines – Comprehensive guidance on federal privacy requirements and consumer rights
• International Association of Privacy Professionals State Privacy Tracker – Real-time updates on state privacy legislation across America
• NIST Privacy Framework – Technical guidance for organizations and insight into privacy best practices
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse Consumer Guides – Practical advice for exercising your privacy rights
• Electronic Frontier Foundation Privacy Resources – Advocacy and educational materials about digital privacy rights

Final thoughts

Data Privacy Day serves as an important annual reminder, but your commitment to privacy and data protection shouldn’t end when January 28th passes. The digital threats we face continue to evolve throughout the year, making ongoing vigilance essential to protect your personal details.

Small, consistent habits can make a profound difference in your digital security. By regularly updating your passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, reviewing privacy settings on your accounts, and staying informed about emerging threats, you create layers of protection that work together to safeguard your information.

Invest in McAfee+ identity protection, which includes proactive identity surveillance to monitor subscribers’ credit and personal information, as well as access to live fraud resolution agents who help subscribers work through the process of resolving identity theft issues.

The post Celebrate Data Privacy Day by Applying These Best Practices appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Oh what a difference an “o” can make!

I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas in Australia, long summer days, the sound of cicadas at night, seafood on Christmas day, or traditional ham with roasted veggies. I just love the festive season. And I must confess that I love Christmas shopping. Yep, I’m one of those people! Once I’ve put some time and thought into what gift I’d like to give to my family members, I go online and surf for the perfect bargain, or simply to find out which retailers have the gifts I want.

But in my haste to type in an address I do make typos, and I’ve just read a report that tells me one little typo like missing the “o” in “.com” could land me somewhere I don’t want to be! This seemingly innocent misspelling in domain names is actually a criminal scheme to direct you to scam websites.

In the past, McAfee released a report that revealed .vn as the riskiest country code domain name. In 2024, the winner was .su, which stands for the former Soviet Union. Although the country is defunct, scammers continue to use this domain for phishing attacks that spread viruses and other nasties designed to cause havoc on your home computer. Certainly not what you need this Christmas. Australia’s domain “.au” is relatively safe in comparison to the rest of the web, but it certainly doesn’t mean we’re safe while surfing the wild, wild web.

Another 2024 report showed that .com, aside from being the most popular top-level domain, is now also the most abused one used in typosquatting.

As you go online to shop for holiday presents, make your banking payments, or book your holiday travel, you’ll need to be more alert about typing those domain names on the address bars to avoid being a victim of typosquatting. Here’s a more detailed look at this scam, its dangers, and what you do if you accidentally end up on a dangerous site.

What is typosquatting?

Typosquatting is a cybercriminal tactic where attackers register domain names that closely resemble legitimate websites, specifically targeting common typing mistakes you might make when entering URLs. Google is the top impersonated brand, being misspelled online as goggle, closely followed by Microsoft as microsfot, and Amazon as amaz0n.

Malicious actors take advantage of the small slip-ups we all make, such as missing a letter, swapping characters, or hitting the wrong key, to redirect you to fake websites that steal your usernames, passwords, and personal information. Others may automatically download malware onto your device.

According to research in 2024, internet services are the most targeted names in typosquatting (29.2%), followed by professional services (26.09%) and online shopping websites (22.3%). The consequences can include identity theft, financial fraud, compromised accounts, and infected devices that put your entire digital life at risk.

Factors that enable typosquatting

Typosquatting thrives because it sits at the intersection of human habits and internet mechanics. Cybercriminals are banking on these small human blunders to direct you to their malicious look-alike domains, using visual tricks such as similar-looking characters or misleading subdomains. Throw in search ads and SEO that push these sites in front of us even without a typo, and you get a perfect storm for typosquatting. Once you understand the factors that allow typosquatting to flourish, you can avoid falling victim to it.

• Human error. The most common cause is simply how we type and interact with devices. We could be typing hurriedly, multitasking, or distracted, and using small mobile screens where errors can be easily made. Miss a letter, swap characters, or rely on predictive or autocorrect spelling, and you could end up on a compromised website.
• Visual deception. Cybercriminals create domains that look almost identical to legitimate ones using visual tricks such as replacing characters in a domain name. They also use lookalike subdomains that appear official, such as “secure-login.amazon-customer.com,” which isn’t Amazon at all.
• Domain system vulnerabilities. The global domain name system’s complexity creates multiple avenues for deception. Alternative top-level domains (TLDs) like .cm, .co, or .net can be registered to capture traffic meant for .com sites, creating more opportunities for lookalike domains that can bypass traditional security filters.
• Search result manipulation. Through search engine optimization tactics and paid advertisements, cybercriminals can position fraudulent sites prominently, increasing the likelihood you’ll click on them even though you haven’t made a typing error.

Common typosquatting tactics

Typosquatters use a playbook of tweaks built around the typing mistakes people make. The goal is always the same: catch you in a moment of hurry and usher you to a fake page before you notice anything’s off. Being aware of these common typosquatting techniques will teach you to recognize when you might be in danger of visiting a fake website.

• Keyboard-adjacent typos: These tactics exploit common typing mistakes when your fingers mistakenly hit nearby keys, such as typing “gnail.com” instead of “gmail.com”. Cybercriminals register these predictable mistyped domains to capture your traffic.
• Missing or extra letters: Attackers register domains with one letter removed or added to popular sites. You might type “amazo.com” or “amazoon.com” in your mad rush to shop online, landing on a fake site.
• Swapped characters: This involves switching the order of letters in familiar domains. Instead of “paypal.com,” you could accidentally visit “payapl.com” or “paypla.com.”
• Wrong top-level domains (TLDs): Scammers register the same domain name with different TLDs, which could host malicious content, including phishing pages. You might mean to visit “banking.com” but end up at “banking.net” or “banking.org.”
• Subdomain impersonation: These attacks use legitimate-looking subdomains to fool you. A URL like “secure-update.microsoft-login.com” might look official, but the actual domain is “microsoft-login.com,” not Microsoft’s real site.
• Homoglyph attacks: These use visually similar characters from different writing systems or symbol sets. In certain fonts or symbols, the letters “rn” together can look like “m,” so “arnazon.com” might appear as “amazon.com.” International characters and symbols make these attacks particularly deceptive.
• Brand + keyword combinations: Attackers combine popular brand names with common keywords to create convincing fake domains. Sites like “apple-support.com,” “google-security.com,” or “microsoft-updates.com” aren’t official company sites but can appear legitimate enough to trick you into entering personal information.

The dangers of typosquatting

Typosquatting puts you at risk in several ways, one of which is that cybercriminals can steal your personal information through convincing phishing pages that look identical to legitimate sites. You might unknowingly enter your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive data directly into their hands.

Malware downloads represent another significant threat. Some fraudulent sites automatically install harmful software onto your device, potentially giving attackers remote access to your computer or mobile device. Payment fraud is particularly concerning when typosquatting targets banking or shopping websites, as you could complete transactions that go straight to scammers instead of legitimate businesses.

Your privacy could also suffer when malicious sites steal cookies and session data, allowing criminals to impersonate you on legitimate websites. They can access your accounts, view your browsing history, and monitor your online activities without your knowledge.

Immediate action plan if you end up on a typosquatted site

1. Stop entering any information immediately. The moment you realize you’ve landed on a suspicious site, don’t move a finger to enter passwords, personal details, or payment information. Typosquatted sites are specifically built to capture this data, so your first defense is simply stopping any interaction with the page.
2. Close the browser tab or window right away. Don’t click any links, buttons, or ads on the suspicious site. Quickly close the tab or window to prevent any potential malware downloads or further data collection. If your browser warns you about leaving the page, ignore the warning and close it anyway.
3. Clear your browser data for that specific site. Go to your browser’s settings and clear the cookies, cache, and browsing data related to the suspicious domain you just visited. Google recommends this step to remove any tracking elements or malicious cookies that may have been installed during your brief visit.
4. Run a comprehensive security scan on your device. Use your antivirus software to perform a full system scan immediately to detect any malware that might have been downloaded while you visited the typosquatted site. Consider downloading a reputable solution like McAfee+ for complete protection.
5. Check your recent account activity on major services. Log into your banking, email, and social media accounts to review recent activity, login attempts, unauthorized access, and suspicious changes. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency recommends monitoring account activity after potential security incidents.
6. Change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. If you entered any credentials on the suspicious site, change those passwords immediately across all your accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible to provide extra protection.
7. Report the suspicious domain. To protect others, report the fake website to your browser provider (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and to the Anti-Phishing Working Group.

Protect yourself against typosquatting

So here are my tips on how to stay safe while surfing:

Tip #1: Apply sunscreen

Well, the number one tip goes without saying, Slip, Slop, and Slap when you’re lapping up the glorious Aussie sun, and don’t forget to reapply!

Tip #2: Update your security software

I only have one word for you: Antivirus!

Now I’ve got to admit, since starting out on this quest as Cybermum, I’ve learnt a few things, and I think one of the most important lessons has been that you can never have too much protection when it comes to your home computer. I liken having up-to-date security software to reapplying your sunscreen. Just because you loaded some security software a couple of years ago, doesn’t mean you’re safe now! You’re bound to get burnt unless you reapply, so for your computer, this means update! Check out McAfee Total Protection.

Tip #3: Double-check before hitting enter

If you can end up in Cameroon surrounded by infected sites simply by missing an “o,” it’s certainly worthwhile checking your spelling before hitting the enter key!

I know I find it difficult to determine when a site is safe or not. I certainly know that my kids wouldn’t have even given it a second thought until I loaded McAfee’s WebAdvisor on our home computer. It’s pretty cool and it’s been really easy for my kids to understand as it provides a traffic light system of red, yellow and green icons to indicate a website’s risk level, so I know when my kids are surfing the net this summer they’ve got their own little traffic warden steering them away from sites that could have seen them surfing in Cameroon instead of Australia!

Aside from these key tips and the immediate steps listed above, I’ve rounded up a few other reminders to make sure you end up on a legitimate website and keep your device and information safe:

• Bookmark your trusted websites. Create bookmarks for your frequently used banking, shopping, and social media sites. This way, you can click directly on the bookmark instead of typing the URL and risking an error that could take you to a malicious site.
• Type URLs directly in your browser’s address bar. When accessing sensitive accounts such as online banking or shopping, always type the website address directly into your browser’s address bar rather than using search engine results, which might include malicious lookalike sites that aim to capture your information.
• Double-check domain names and extensions carefully. Before entering any personal information, take a moment to verify the exact spelling of the website address and its domain extension (.com, .org, .gov). Look for subtle changes such as extra letters, hyphens, or different extensions that signal a fake site.
• Enable your browser’s built-in security features. Turn on safe browsing warnings in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge to help detect and warn you about potentially dangerous websites.
• Consider secure DNS settings. Consider switching to secure DNS services such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8), and enable HTTPS-only mode in your browser to ensure encrypted connections to websites.
• Never click links in unexpected emails or text messages. In 2024, phishing continued to be the top method that scammers used to contact people and direct them to typosquatted domains. So instead of clicking links, type the website address directly or use your bookmarks.
• Trust your instincts. If a website looks different than usual, has unusual pop-ups, asks for unexpected information, or just feels strange, close your browser tab or window immediately. Trusting your instincts could be one of your best defenses against online threats.

Final thoughts

Typosquatting may seem like a small concern, but knowing its risks of typos can make a big difference in your online safety. Simple typing mistakes in domains can redirect you to malicious sites designed to steal your information or infect your devices.

To avoid becoming a victim of typosquatting, the key is for you to develop mindful habits such as bookmarking trusted sites and double-checking URLs before hitting the enter key on your keyboard, or before typing sensitive information or downloading files. Always look for secure connection indicators such as the padlock icon to confirm you’re on the correct website.

In addition, using reliable tools such as McAfee WebAdvisor and McAfee Total Protection gives you the assurance of safety while you browse, bank, and shop online. McAfee security solutions work quietly in the background, alerting you to suspicious sites and keeping you on the safe path. Share this knowledge with your family and friends, because when we’re all aware of these simple tricks that criminals use, we can all enjoy the internet more safely together.

Happy Christmas shopping and safe surfing.

The post Oh what a difference an “o” can make! appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Stop Fake Antivirus Popups on Your Mac

Mac users often say, “I don’t have to worry about viruses. I have a Mac!” But that sense of safety is outdated. Macs face real threats today, including scareware and fake antivirus pop‑ups designed specifically for macOS. One of the most infamous examples is the Mac Defender family, which appeared around 2011 under names like “Mac Defender,” “Mac Security,” and “Mac Protector,” luring users with fake security alerts and then installing malicious software.

These scams have long targeted Windows PCs and later expanded to Macs, using similar tactics: bogus scan results, alarming pop-ups, and fake security sites that push users to download “protection” software or pay to remove nonexistent threats. Once installed, these programs can bombard you with persistent warnings, redirect you to unwanted or explicit sites, and may even try to capture your credit card details or other sensitive information under the guise of an urgent upgrade.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how you become a target for these fake antivirus pop‑up ads, how to remove them from your Mac, and practical steps you can take to block them going forward.

What is fake antivirus software?

Fake antivirus software is malicious software that tricks you into believing your Mac is infected with viruses or security threats when, in fact, it isn’t. These deceptive programs, also known as rogue antivirus or scareware, masquerade as legitimate security tools to manipulate you into taking actions that benefit cybercriminals.

On your Mac, fake antivirus pop-up ads typically appear as urgent browser warnings or system alerts claiming to have detected multiple threats on your computer. These fraudulent notifications often use official-looking logos, technical language, and alarming messages like “Your Mac is infected with 5 viruses” or “Immediate action required” to create a sense of urgency and panic.

These scams manipulate you by:

• Requesting payment: They’ll prompt you to purchase their “premium” software to remove the fake threats, often charging $50-200 for worthless programs.
• Providing fake phone numbers: The pop-up ads will display fake support numbers you can call for “immediate technical assistance.”
• Requesting personal information: Once you call the number, the scammer on the other end of the line will request your credit card details, personal information, or remote access to your computer.
• Encouraging malicious downloads: The ads will trick you into downloading actual malware disguised as security software.

Tactics scammers use to infect your device with fake antivirus pop-up ads

Fake antivirus popups are almost always the result of a sneaky delivery method designed to catch you off guard. Scammers rely on ads, compromised websites, misleading downloads, and social engineering tricks to get their scareware onto your Mac without you realizing what’s happening. Let’s take a look at the common ways these scams spread so you can avoid them.

• Deceptive online advertisements: Fake antivirus software often appears through misleading ads that claim your Mac is infected or at risk. These ads can appear on legitimate websites and use urgent language, such as “Your Mac has 3 viruses!” to create a sense of panic.
• Malvertising campaigns: Cybercriminals purchase legitimate advertising space and inject malicious code that automatically redirects you to fake antivirus download pages. This can happen even on reputable websites you trust.
• Drive-by downloads: Simply visiting a compromised website can trigger automatic downloads of fake antivirus software without your knowledge. Your Mac may store these files in your Downloads folder, where they wait for you to accidentally open them.
• Bundled software installers: Fake antivirus programs often hide in free applications from unofficial sources. During installation, you might unknowingly agree to install additional “security” software that’s actually malicious.
• Pirated applications and media: Illegal downloads of software, movies, or music frequently contain fake antivirus programs as hidden payloads. These files install malware alongside the content you wanted.
• Typosquatted domains: Scammers register URLs that are slightly altered or are misspellings of legitimate websites, such as Apple-support.com. These typosquatted links are sent via phishing emails that claim to have detected a virus on your Mac. If you click on the fake link, you could be infected with malware that displays alarming security warnings and promotes fake antivirus downloads.
• Fake technical support pages: Scammers create convincing replicas of Apple Support or legitimate security company websites that promote fake antivirus solutions. These pages often include official-looking logos and professional language to appear trustworthy.
• Browser notification abuse: Some websites request permission to send you notifications, then later spam you with fake virus alerts. Clicking on these notifications could download fake antivirus software that mimics macOS system alerts.
• Malicious configuration profiles: Fake antivirus installers may request permission to download configuration profiles onto your device, granting them deep access to your Mac’s settings and network traffic. Once installed, these profiles will redirect your browser traffic through malicious servers and display fake security warnings.

Elements of a fake virus alert

Fake virus alerts use a mix of visual tricks and psychological pressure to push you into clicking, calling, or paying before you have time to think. This section breaks down the common elements scammers use in these alerts so you can recognize a fake warning instantly and ignore it.

• Blaring alarm and full-screen browser takeover: If your browser suddenly goes full-screen with flashing red warnings and audio alarms, you’re looking at a scam designed to panic you into taking immediate action. Real Mac security notifications never lock your entire screen or play loud, startling sounds. Legitimate macOS alerts appear as small, quiet dialogs in the upper-right corner of your screen.
• Urgent countdown timers: The high-pressure countdown clocks claiming your Mac will be “permanently damaged” in minutes are artificial psychological tactics that scammers use to pressure and prevent you from thinking clearly. Apple’s real security notifications give you time to review and respond thoughtfully
• Spelling and grammar mistakes: Fake alerts often contain telltale errors such as “Your computer has been infected” or “Immediate action required.” Apple invests heavily in polished, professional communications to produce macOS security dialogs with error-free language that reflects the company’s attention to detail.
• Requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency payments: Any request for unconventional payment methods is an immediate indicator of a scam. Apple will never ask you to purchase iTunes gift cards, Amazon cards, or Bitcoin to “clean” your Mac. Authentic Apple security software uses traditional payment methods through official app stores or verified websites.
• Suspicious phone numbers for “tech support”: Scammers use phone numbers that connect you directly with fraudsters who will remotely access your Mac or extract personal information. Legitimate macOS alerts don’t include phone numbers to call for immediate help. Apple provides support through official channels, which are clearly marked on their website.
• Generic or mismatched company logos: Fake alerts often use distorted Apple logos, outdated designs, or generic “security shield” graphics instead of authentic branding. Real macOS notifications maintain consistent visual elements that match your system’s appearance and Apple’s official style guidelines.
• Misleading URLs: Scam pages often use suspicious addresses such as “apple-security-center.net” or “mac-virus-removal.com.” Authentic security alerts from macOS appear in System Settings or from apps you’ve knowingly installed from the official Apple App Store.
• Persistent pop-up ads that won’t close: Fake virus warnings often spawn multiple windows, reappear after being closed, or make it difficult to exit. Authentic macOS security features respect your control and don’t bombard you with alerts.
• Warnings that bypass System Settings: Fake alerts typically appear only as web pages or unauthorized pop-ups that don’t connect to your actual system security settings. Genuine Mac security notifications integrate with your system properly, appearing through official macOS notification systems or System Settings under Privacy & Security.
• Claims “hundreds of viruses found” without scanning: Fake alerts instantly claim to have found dozens or hundreds of viruses without performing a legitimate scan. Real security scans, however, take time to complete and provide specific, verifiable results about actual threats.

Examples of fake antivirus software and pop-ups

• Mac “Defender” variants: This notorious family of fake antivirus programs includes variants such as Mac Security, Mac Protector, and Mac Guard, appearing through deceptive search results or malicious websites. They display fake system scans that allegedly found threats on your Mac to trick you into paying $50-$99 for a useless antivirus tool. Once you enter payment information, cybercriminals will access your financial data and may continue charging your card for bogus services.
• Generic “antivirus” popups: These fake alerts have generic names such as Antivirus 10, Mac Antivirus Pro, or Advanced Mac Cleaner. These ads pop up while you browse, often accompanied by loud alarms and urgent countdown timers, claiming your Mac is infected and demanding immediate action. The scam journey involves clicking the alert, downloading malicious software disguised as security tools, and potentially compromising both your system and personal information.

Verify that an antivirus alert is fake

If you’re not sure whether an antivirus warning is real or just scareware, a quick verification is the safest next step. There are steps you can take and settings on your macOS you can check without putting your Mac at further risk.

1. Disconnect from the internet immediately: When you suspect a fake antivirus alert, the first step is to break the connection between your Mac and the internet to stop malicious processes from communicating with remote servers or downloading additional threats.
2. Check the URL and certificate details: If the alert appeared in your web browser, examine the web address carefully. Legitimate security warnings from Apple or trusted vendors will come from official domains, not URLs with misspellings or random characters.
3. Verify the app’s developer signature and source: To verify that the developer signatures are from recognized companies, open Finder, navigate to Applications, and locate the security software. Right-click the application and select “Get Info” to view the developer information. In macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia, you can also go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > More Info > System Report > Applications to view information about the software.
4. Review configuration profiles and login items: Navigate to Apple Menu > System Settings or System Preferences > Privacy & Security to find and remove any configuration profiles you didn’t install. Next, check Login Items & Extensions or Users & Groups > Login Items for suspicious applications set to launch automatically.
5. Inspect LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders: Fake antivirus software often installs persistent components in these system folders. Go to Finder > Go to Folder > ~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchAgents, and /Library/LaunchDaemons. Fake antivirus files typically have .plist extensions.
6. Check browser extensions and notification permissions: Fake antivirus alerts often originate from malicious browser extensions or abusive notification permissions. Review your extensions and remove those you didn’t install or revoke permissions that might be generating fake security alerts.
7. Run legitimate security scans from trusted sources: Use reputable security tools downloaded only from the Apple App Store or directly from the websites of legitimate vendors to scan your system. Apple’s built-in XProtect and Malware Removal Tool (MRT) run automatically, but you can also use the system’s First Aid feature in Disk Utility to check for file system issues.

Your action plan when a fake virus warning pops up

The moment a fake virus warning pops up, scammers are hoping you’ll react fast, click a button, call a number, or download their “fix.” However, the safest approach is the opposite: take a moment to think, don’t interact with the alert, close the browser, and clear any files it may have tried to leave behind. Here’s exactly what to do right away to stay safe.

1. Stay calm and don’t interact with the alert: Resist the urge to click anywhere on the fake virus warning pop-up window, including any “X” buttons, “OK” buttons, or phone numbers. These elements are designed to trick you into downloading malware or connecting with scammers. Avoid touching your mouse or trackpad while the alert is displayed.
2. Force-quit your browser immediately. Press Command + Option + Esc to open the Force Quit Applications window, select your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge), and click “Force Quit.” If the pop-up has taken over your entire screen, try pressing Command+Q to quit the browser directly. This breaks the connection to the malicious website without triggering any hidden downloads.
3. Clear your browser’s site data and disable notifications. When you restart your browser, immediately go to Preferences/Settings and clear your browsing data, cookies, and cache. Then navigate to the Notifications section and remove permissions for suspicious websites to block the fake antivirus from returning.
4. Check and remove any malicious configuration profiles. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Profiles or System Preferences > Profiles, and look for profiles you didn’t install, especially those with generic names or suspicious publishers. Select unknown profiles and click the minus (-) button to remove them.
5. Restart your Mac to clear temporary threats: A simple reboot helps clear any temporary malicious processes that might be running in memory. After restarting, check your desktop and Downloads folder, move unfamiliar files to the Trash, and empty it completely.
6. Update your macOS and browser to the latest versions: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install macOS updates. Update your browsers as well to protect against the latest fake antivirus tactics and browser exploits.
7. Run a full security scan with trusted software: Use reputable security software to scan your entire system for lingering threats. Focus on applications that have been specifically designed for Mac and have current threat definitions.
8. Monitor and validate financial statements: If you provided payment information to what you now suspect was fake antivirus software, immediately check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. Report these fraudulent charges to your financial institutions and place fraud alerts on your accounts over the next few weeks.
9. Report the scam to protect others: Report the fake antivirus website to the Federal Trade Commission and to Google’s Safe Browsing if you encountered it through search results. You can also report it to your browser manufacturer. Your report helps security teams identify and block these threats more quickly, thereby protecting other Mac users from falling victim to the same scam.

Final thoughts

Your Mac experience should be enjoyable and secure. With the right awareness and tools, it absolutely can be, especially when you know what to look for and follow the right practices. By recognizing the warning signs of fake antivirus pop-ups, downloading software only from trusted sources, keeping your macOS and applications updated, and following the prevention tips outlined above, you can avoid falling victim to these fake antivirus scams.

Remember that legitimate security alerts from Apple come through System Preferences and official macOS notifications, not through alarming browser pop-ups demanding immediate payment or phone calls. Use reputable security tools from a trusted vendor, such as McAfee, that provides real-time protection and regular updates about emerging threats.

Share these tips with your family and friends, especially those who might be less tech-savvy and more vulnerable to these deceptive tactics. The more people understand how fake antivirus schemes operate, the safer our entire digital community is.

The post Stop Fake Antivirus Popups on Your Mac appeared first on McAfee Blog.

5 Signs Your Device May be Infected with Malware or a Virus

The malware landscape is growing more complex and costly by the minute, as indicated by the rising number of cyberattacks that grow each year. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2024, approximately $1.4 million in losses were reported due to malware. Meanwhile, complaints of ransomware, a type of malware that locks your files until a ransom is paid to release them, rose by 9% from the year prior, with losses totaling nearly $12.5 million. 

With the continued growth of e-commerce, online banking, and artificial intelligence, we can count on even more new cyber threats for all kinds of devices—be it Android, iPhone, PC, or Mac. No device under your family’s roof is immune to cyberattacks. As we speak, one or more of your devices may have already been infected. But would you know it?

In this blog, we’ll dive into the types of viruses and malware that infiltrate devices and their indications, the ways you can remove them, and tips to protect your phones moving forward.

What is malware? 

Malware is malicious software designed to harm your device, steal your personal information, or disrupt your digital life. On mobile devices, malware can take many forms—from apps that secretly collect your data to programs that bombard you with unwanted ads or even lock your device for ransom.

No mobile device is impervious to cyber threats

Mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, can be infected with malware and other digital threats, even when their operating systems have built-in security features. How does this happen? Your phone can catch viruses and malware in several ways:

• Malicious apps from unofficial sources. This is the most common way your device could be infected by malware or viruses. Downloading unofficial apps from unvetted third-party websites or app stores significantly increases your device’s risk of being infected with malware that steals your personal information or damages your device.

• Phishing links. Cybercriminals send deceptive text messages, emails, or social media direct messages that have malicious links. When you tap on these links, they can automatically download malware to your device or redirect you to fake websites that capture your login credentials.
• Drive-by downloads. This happens when you visit compromised websites that automatically install malware onto your device without your consent or knowledge. Similarly, malicious advertisements on legitimate websites can contain embedded code that infects your device even when just viewed. 
• Unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Through public Wi-Fi, cybercriminals can create fake networks, monitor traffic on legitimate ones, intercept data, or push malicious content to your device.
• Outdated operating systems and apps. When you delay or disregard system or software updates, you weaken your security and leave it vulnerable to hackers. Enable automatic updates whenever possible, and regularly check for system and app updates manually, as these include security patches.

Signs of malware or a virus

Malware doesn’t always announce itself with a big flashing sign. On the contrary, it slips quietly into your devices and starts causing trouble behind the scenes. Before long, you will see noticeable changes in its behavior. Here are five key signs of malware or a virus to watch for and catch the problem early, before the damage spreads:

1. Your device is hot to the touch. When you accidentally download malware, your device’s internal components work harder to support the malware or virus that has been embedded. This may cause your device to feel hot to the touch or even overheat.
2. Everything feels off. A digital virus can impact every area of a device’s performance, such as causing websites to load more slowly, apps to crash, or your battery to drain more quickly. Overall performance will be sluggish no matter how many times you reboot or delete large files.
3. More random pop-ups and unfamiliar apps. You may notice an increase in random pop-ups. And if you take a closer look at your app library, you may even see apps you never downloaded.
4. Fraudulent links sent from your accounts. It’s common for malware to gain access to your phone and then send messages to your contacts to spread the malware. This can happen via email, text, and even social media accounts. You could even see unexpected charges in your phone bill for premium services.
5. You have unauthorized charges. If you notice unauthorized charges on your credit card or bank statement, a malicious app or malware may have accessed your personal information to make fraudulent purchases or subscriptions. 
6. Browser redirects or changed search settings. Your web searches redirect to unfamiliar sites, or your default search engine changes without your input. Search malware may have hijacked your browser to generate ad revenue or expose you to harmful websites that can compromise your browsing privacy.
7. Unknown accessibility services running. Your phone’s accessibility settings show services you didn’t enable. These could have generic names or be disguised as system apps to monitor your activity, capture passwords, and control your device.
8. Excessive data usage spikes. A dramatic increase in your monthly data consumption while your device usage habits are the same often indicates malware is transmitting your personal information, downloading additional malicious content, or participating in botnet activities using your cellular data.

Viruses and malware that infect mobile devices 

As our phones and tablets become extensions of our daily lives, cybercriminals have developed sophisticated malware explicitly designed to infiltrate them, such as:

• Adware. This is unwanted software that displays intrusive pop-up ads on your device, invading your privacy by tracking your browsing habits and significantly slowing down your device.
• Spyware and Stalkerware. These types of malware secretly monitor your activities, including messages, calls, and location data, risking your personal safety and privacy and potentially enabling harassment or abuse.
• Banking Trojans. These target your financial information by mimicking legitimate banking apps or intercepting login credentials, then access your bank accounts, steal your money, or make payments using your accounts.
• Ransomware. Here, the malware encrypts and locks your personal files, then demands payment before restoring your access to your own data. Whether or not you pay, you could lose important photos, documents, and files.
• SMS Trojans. These apps send premium-rate text messages or make unauthorized calls without your knowledge, racking up unexpected charges on your phone bill that can accumulate quickly. 
• Fleeceware. These apps appear legitimate but charge excessive subscription fees after a short trial period, often making cancellation difficult. The frustrating thing is that you face ongoing financial charges for apps that provide no value.
• Rogue configuration profiles. Unauthorized settings will be installed on your device, enabling cybercriminals to gain access and monitor your activities.

Find the proof of a virus or malware

Sometimes the warning signs are obvious, but at other times, malware operates quietly in the background, stealing data or draining resources without drawing attention. Find out for sure if your device has a virus or malware by following these steps:

1. Check battery usage statistics. To check this on Android, navigate to Settings > Battery to see which apps are consuming the most power. On iPhone, check Settings > Battery > Battery Usage by App. Look for unfamiliar apps that use excessive power or apps you rarely use that appear at the top of the list.
2. Inspect your data usage. Review your data consumption on Android by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage. For iPhone, head to Settings > Cellular. Look for apps that use more data than expected or unfamiliar apps that consume significant amounts.
3. Look for apps you didn’t download. Review your app list regularly for unfamiliar applications by going to Android’s Settings > Apps, or check your app drawer. On iPhone, swipe through your home screens and check your App Library. Remove apps you didn’t install, especially those with generic names or no clear purpose.
4. Review app permissions. Malware sometimes modifies app permissions to access your personal information. On Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager to seeAdmin Apps to view which apps have access to your camera, microphone, location, and contacts. On iPhone, check Settings > Privacy & Security. Revoke permissions for apps that don’t need them.
5. Look deeper into security warnings. Both Android and iOS will alert you to potential security threats. Don’t ignore notifications about potentially harmful apps, suspicious activity, or unknown device logins. Take these alerts seriously and investigate immediately.
6. Run comprehensive scans with reputable security tools. Use trusted antivirus software to perform full system scans on your mobile devices. Many device manufacturers also provide built-in security scanning features, such as Windows Defender on PCs or Google Play Protect on Android devices.
7. Review account security alerts and login activity. Major platforms provide account activity logs showing recent logins and locations. Check your email, social media, and banking accounts for alerts about suspicious login attempts or password changes you didn’t initiate.

Here are more specific measures to ascertain the presence of a virus or malware, based on your mobile device’s operating system:

Android phones and tablets

1. Test your device in Safe Mode. Restart your Android device. As it boots up, tap and hold “Power off” until you see “Reboot to safe mode.” In this mode, only pre-installed apps will run. If your device performs normally here but has issues in regular mode, a downloaded app is likely the culprit.
2. Review device admin and accessibility services. Go to Settings > Security > Device admin apps to see which apps have administrative privileges. Remove any unfamiliar apps immediately. Also, check Settings > Accessibility for services you haven’t enabled and prevent malware from controlling your device.
3. Run a Google Play Protect scan. Open Google Play Store, tap your profile picture, then select “Play Protect.” Tap the gear icon and ensure that “Scan apps with Play Protect” is enabled. Then, run a manual scan to check for harmful apps.

iPhone or iPad

1. Check for unexpected configuration profiles. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management (or Profiles & Device Management). If you see vaguely named profiles that you didn’t install, they could be the culprit. Legitimate profiles from your workplace, school, and services will have clear, recognizable names.
2. Look for unknown enterprise certificates. Navigate to Settings > General > About > Certificate Trust Settings. Any certificates you don’t recognize, particularly those enabled for full trust, warrant investigation.
3. Review installed apps and web clips. Check your home screen and App Library for applications you didn’t download. Also, examine Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity to identify apps that consume unusual amounts of time or data. Web clips—website shortcuts that mimic apps—from unknown sources could indicate a compromise.
4. Examine Safari settings changes. Open Settings > Safari and verify your search engine hasn’t been changed. Also, under Settings > Safari > Extensions, check if new content blockers or extensions have been installed. Unexpected changes to your default search engine or new extensions could redirect your browsing activity and compromise your privacy.
5. Watch for account compromise indicators. Be alert for unexpected password reset emails, new device logins, or changes to your Apple ID settings that you didn’t make. Check Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security for any unrecognized devices or suspicious activity.

Action plan to remove viruses from your mobile device 

If you discover malicious apps and profiles in your phone, a clear, step-by-step action plan will help you remove them and restore your device to a secure state. Here’s how to tackle mobile malware confidently and get your device back to normal:

1. Isolate your device immediately. Turn on airplane mode to stop malware from communicating with external servers while you clean your phone. You can still access your device’s settings and installed apps in airplane mode.
2. Remove suspicious apps and configuration profiles. On Android, go to Settings > Apps and look for unfamiliar applications, especially those requesting excessive permissions. On iPhone, check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management for unknown configuration profiles. Uninstall any apps you didn’t download from official stores and remove suspicious profiles immediately. Pay attention to apps that appeared recently or have names similar to legitimate apps.
3. Clear your cache. Open your browser settings and clear all browsing data, including history, cookies, cached files, and saved passwords to remove potentially malicious scripts and tracking elements. On Android Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data. On iPhone Safari, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. 
4. Revoke risky app permissions. Revoke unnecessary permissions for all apps, especially those that access your camera, microphone, location, or contacts. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > App Permissions. On iPhone, check Settings > Privacy & Security. Take note, particularly for recently installed or suspicious applications.
5. Update your operating system and all apps. Install all available system updates through Settings > System Update (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iPhone). Download apps only through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
6. Run a comprehensive security scan. Use a reputable mobile security app to scan your device thoroughly for malware, potentially unwanted programs, and security vulnerabilities. To know if you have McAfee on your phone, search “McAfee” in your device settings.
7. Restore from a clean backup if necessary. If the infection persists or causes significant damage, consider restoring your device from a backup that was created before the infection occurred. Both Android and iPhone offer cloud backup services via Google Drive/iCloud that let you restore your data while starting fresh. Ensure the backup version isn’t infected by checking when symptoms first appeared versus when the backup was created.
8. Escalate to professionals if issues persist. Contact cybersecurity professionals or your device manufacturer if your browser continues to redirect to suspicious websites or if you see evidence of credential or financial theft.

Best digital habits to safeguard your family devices

With a few smart habits and simple tools, you can create a safer digital environment for your family members. Here are some practical ways to safeguard family devices and keep threats at bay.

• Stay on top of updates. Aside from installing comprehensive security software, be sure to update your device’s security features to have the latest protection from specific attacks.
• Use strong, unique passwords. Every family device should have a strong password and a unique username. This means changing your factory settings immediately and getting your family on a schedule to change passwords.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Double the security to your important accounts by requiring a second form of verification. 2FA significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, even if your password is stolen.
• Know your apps. Avoid third-party apps and download apps only from trusted sources. Research the app’s safeguards and read reviews before installing. A best practice is to stick to apps from the officially verified app stores.
• Don’t click that link. Slow down and note your digital surroundings. Does that link or attachment look dubious? Malware and viruses are usually loaded onto your devices through unsolicited emails and text messages, or via trusted social media circles.
• Lock settings and limit app permissions. A great way to block malware is to make all accounts private and limit app permissions. Instead of keeping an app’s permissions “always-on,” change the setting so it asks permission every time. Decline an app’s request to access your contacts or connect to other apps in your digital ecosystem.
• Clear browsing history. Go through your history and data to check for suspicious links. Clear browsing history regularly by going to your browser, clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner, and clicking “delete browsing data.”

• Avoid public Wi-Fi or use a secure VPN. Public networks are often unsecured and can expose your data to cybercriminals. If you must connect while in public, consider using a virtual private network or your mobile data hotspot instead.

Final thoughts

While the threat of malware and viruses continues to evolve, you now have the knowledge and tools to stay digitally protected. The signs we’ve discussed—from unexpected device behavior to suspicious pop-ups—serve as warnings, helping you catch problems before they escalate into major security incidents.

Your best defense combines proactive security measures and vigilant behavior. Applying simple, solid digital habits such as updating software, using strong passwords, and staying alert to suspicious activity will thwart the vast majority of common threats. By incorporating these practices into your routine, along with the right online security tools, you are building a robust defense that works around the clock.

The post 5 Signs Your Device May be Infected with Malware or a Virus appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How to Delete Your Browser History

Deleting your browsing history has its benefits. Firstly, it can improve the performance of your device. Secondly, it can help make you more private online to a point. In fact, clearing your history periodically is just one of several steps you can take to enhance your privacy. It won’t erase you from the internet, but it does reduce the data stored on your devices and in your accounts.

To help you understand the benefits of deleting your browser history, we’ll walk you through what your browsing history includes, how to clear it in popular browsers, the pros and cons of using incognito mode, as well as additional tips for enhancing your privacy and optimizing your device’s performance.

Clearing your browsing and search history matters

The two ways your browser uses to build your history are remembering the websites you visit and saving the topics that you search for. Together, they paint a comprehensive picture of your digital life. 

Over time, the cached browsing data, such as files, cookies, and stored history consume valuable storage space and slow down your computer, especially on older devices or those with limited storage capacity.

Although your browsing or search history may seem harmless, the bigger concern about this stored information goes deeper than device performance. They create detailed profiles of your interests, habits, and personal information that can impact your privacy in ways you might not expect.

Your search history directly feeds into the hidden processes that customize your online experience, allowing companies to build detailed profiles about the interests, relationships, health concerns, and financial situations that you research. What’s more, tracking technologies in the search engine follow you across websites, collecting more data about you.

Similarly, your browser saves your preferences and the sites you visit to load pages faster. That’s a convenience for you, but browsers also share this data with data brokers, advertising networks, and analytics companies, who use it to customize the ads displayed on your browser.

Additionally, data brokers frequently purchase and resell browsing and search data to create consumer profiles for marketing, insurance, and even employment purposes. Your search for health information might influence insurance rates, while your browsing patterns could affect loan approvals or job opportunities. Additionally, this aggregated data makes you vulnerable during security breaches, potentially exposing sensitive personal information to malicious actors.

Benefits of regularly clearing your browser history 

When you regularly delete your browsing and search history, you gain several immediate advantages, such as greater control over your digital footprint and online reputation by limiting data collection and profiling. You will also enjoy the improved performance of your device as a result of freeing up storage space, and you will receive fewer targeted advertisements, as algorithms have less data to work with. Most importantly, you reduce your risk of data exposure in the event of a security breach or device theft.

Taking control of your browsing and search history puts you back in charge of your digital privacy. 

Delete your internet history in the browser

There’s no fixed or recommended time for deleting your browsing history, cache, and cookies. It’s all relative to your system’s storage space and personal preferences. To get started, refer to this step-by-step guide when you believe it’s time to clear your browser.

Google Chrome

To delete your browser history on Google Chrome:

• Open the Chrome browser on your laptop or computer.
• Select the three vertical dots in the upper right corner.
• Find an option that says “Clear browsing data.”
• Select your preferred time range near the top of the screen. To delete all data since you first used your browser, select “All time.” If you want to delete history from the past hour, select “Last hour.”
• Next, check the boxes saying “Cookies and other site data” and “Cache images and files,” and select “Clear data.”

Some of your settings may be deleted when you clear your browser history. For example, you might have to re-sign into your accounts. But that is a small price to pay for keeping your privacy. If you want to delete cookies and cache for a specific site, you can check out Google’s Chrome support page.

Microsoft Edge

Clearing your Microsoft Edge browsing data is similar to the process in Chrome. On your device, turn off sync before clearing the data, as the selected data will be deleted across all your synced devices if sync is turned on.

• Open the Microsoft Edge browser on your device.
• Select the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner.
• Find the option that says “Delete browsing data.”
• You will be prompted to select the time range from a dropdown list, ranging from “Last hour” to “All time.”

• You’ll see an option to select which types of browsing data to clear. Select the data you want to delete, such as browsing or download history, cookies, and cached images and files. You may keep the saved passwords and autofill data unchecked.
• Select the “Clear now” option.

Mozilla Firefox

To delete your browsing, search, and download history on Mozilla Firefox, follow these basic steps:

• Select “Menu” and select “History.”
• Select the “Clear recent history” option.
• In “Time range to clear,” select “Everything” from the drop-down menu.
• Select “Cache” and other items to delete in the options list.
• Ensure the files you want to keep aren’t selected.
• Select “OK.”

Safari

Here are simple steps to clear browser cache and cookies on Safari on the Apple macOS, but an iPad or iPhone might have slightly different steps.

• Go to the Safari app on your Mac.
• Choose Safari > Settings, then click Privacy.
• Click Manage Website Data.
• Select one or more websites, then click Remove or Remove All.

That’s all! You’ve now deleted your browser history on Safari.

Opera

To clear the cache and browser history in Opera:

• On your Opera browser, go to Settings (Alt+P).
• Select Privacy & Security on the left, then click “Delete browsing data.”
• Select a time range and the data you wish to clear, and click “Delete data.”

Delete your history at the account level, across all devices

After clearing your browser and search history, you may also want to consider deleting your account-level history. While browser-level history encompasses the searches and websites stored locally on your device, your account-level history refers to the searches that are logged and stored when you’re signed into that account. 

Related to this, when you’re signed into accounts such as Google, Microsoft, or other services on several devices at once, your search and browsing activity is automatically synchronized across all the devices you are signed into. Deleting the search and browsing history on your phone won’t remove it from your laptop. To clear history on all your devices where you are signed in, you will need to delete it at the account level, where the syncing happens. In doing so, you are addressing the source of data collection that follows you across all your devices and online activities. This action provides genuine privacy protection, rather than just cleaning up individual browsers.

Here’s how to delete your search history so it disappears from every device where you’re signed in:

1. Access your account activity center on Google or your Microsoft Privacy Dashboard. Other services have similar activity management pages.
2. Look for “Web & App Activity” or “Search History” sections on the respective accounts. Choose to delete by time range (last hour, day, week) or select “All time” to delete search history from your account completely. The automatic synchronizing typically takes a few minutes to propagate across your devices.
3. Verify on another device. To check another device where you’re signed in, type previous search terms to see if autocomplete suggestions appear. Also, check that your search history pages show no recent activity. You may need to refresh your browser or restart your search app.

Manage multiple accounts and profiles

Many people use multiple accounts or browser profiles for work, personal use, or family sharing. Each requires separate attention:

• Make sure to clear your history for each account. Log into each Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, or other account you use and clear the search history separately. The deletion of one account doesn’t affect another.
• Check browser profiles individually. If you use multiple browsers or browser profiles, each may be signed into different accounts. Clear the history for each profile separately.
• Don’t forget your guest or incognito usage. While private browsing doesn’t save history locally, you might still be signed into accounts that track your activity.

Other accounts you need to wipe clean

Now you know that your browsers and search engines aren’t the only accounts you need to scrub, here is a short list of other online services that you will need to check and clear:

Bing

1. Sign in to your Microsoft account and navigate to the Privacy dashboard to access all your account-level privacy settings across Microsoft services. This central hub controls how Microsoft collects and uses your data across all its services.
2. Locate search history settings. In the Privacy dashboard, find the “Search history” section under your activity data to view all the search queries you’ve made while signed into your Microsoft account on Bing.
3. Choose your deletion method.

• Delete individual searches: Click the “X” next to each query you want to remove from your search history.
• Clear all search history: Select “Clear all search history” to delete search history completely and start fresh
• Delete by date range: Choose a specific time period to clear history from just that timeframe

Confirm your deletion. Microsoft will ask you to confirm your choice before permanently removing your search history. Remember, this action cannot be undone, so make sure you’re comfortable with losing this data.

Disable future personalization (optional). To prevent Bing from saving future searches, turn off the “Search history” collection in your privacy settings. 

To see the synchronized changes in your search history across all devices and all Microsoft accounts, including Windows PCs, Xbox, and mobile devices, you will need to refresh Bing. The caveat to deleting your Bing search history is that it prevents the engine from personalizing your search results and ads. You will notice fewer relevant suggestions and more generic search experiences until you build up new search patterns.

Yahoo!

1. Sign in to your Yahoo.com using your Yahoo email address and password, and navigate to your search history settings. Click on your profile icon or name and select “Account Info” from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, go to Privacy or Privacy Dashboard > Manage your data and activity.
2. Find and select “Search History” or “Web Search History” to display all the search queries you’ve made while signed into your Yahoo account on different devices and browsers.
3. To remove a specific search, click the “X” or “Delete” button next to the individual query. You can also use the search bar in your history to find specific terms you want to delete.
4. To delete your entire Yahoo search history, choose the “Clear All” or “Delete All” option at the top of your search history page. 
5. To review ad personalization settings in your privacy dashboard, navigate to “Ad Interest Manager” or “Advertising Preferences.” You can turn off personalized advertising or modify your ad interests.

After the deletions, you may need to sign out and back in to see the changes reflected across all your devices. You can verify the deletion by rechecking your search history or noticing changes in your personalized search suggestions. However, it doesn’t affect data that Yahoo may have already collected and shared with advertising partners.

Brave

1. Open the Brave browser on your computer.
2. Click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
3. Select “History” from the dropdown menu, then choose “Clear browsing data” to see options for different time ranges from the dropdown menu.
4. Check the boxes for the data you want to delete: Browsing history, cookies and other site data, and cached images and files
5. Click on the “Advanced” tab to access more clearing options, including saved passwords, autofill data, and site settings.
6. Click “Clear data” to delete your selected browsing information.

Keep in mind that Brave’s built-in privacy settings, including Brave Shields, already block many trackers and ads by default. You can adjust these settings by clicking on the Brave Shields icon (lion logo) in the address bar. Brave offers a private browsing mode that doesn’t save your history automatically.

Other Google accounts

Google offers auto-delete features for three main types of activity data, each with flexible time intervals that let you balance convenience with privacy.

Google auto-delete

To enable auto-delete in your other Google services, visit myactivity.google.com, click “Web & App Activity,” then select “Auto-delete.” You can choose to remove activity older than 3 months, 18 months, or 36 months. The 18-month option strikes a good balance, retaining sufficient data for personalized use while preventing excessive accumulation.

YouTube history

YouTube watch and search history can be managed separately from your general web activity. In your Google Account settings under “YouTube History,” you’ll find auto-delete options for both the videos you’ve viewed and what you’ve searched for on YouTube. The same time intervals apply: 3, 18, or 36 months.

Location history auto-delete

Given the sensitive nature of location data, you can set Google to delete it automatically through your Google account’s “Location History” settings. You can choose the 3-month option for more frequent cleanup, although the 18-month option works well if you use location-based features regularly.

Combine auto-delete with pausing

For maximum control, combine auto-delete with the strategic pausing of history collection. When you’re researching sensitive topics, planning surprises, or conducting confidential work, you can pause your Web & App Activity in your Google Account settings to prevent those searches from being saved. Once you’re finished, turn the history collection back on and let your auto-delete selection handle the routine cleanup. This approach enables you to maintain your privacy protection while still receiving personalized search results for your regular online activities.

Incognito history

While incognito mode prevents your browser from storing your browsing history, cookies, and search history locally, it does not make you completely invisible online. Your internet service provider, workplace network administrators, and the websites you visit can still track your online activity. Additionally, any accounts you log into during private browsing will still have records of your activity. 

Meanwhile, some types of data can remain on your device, such as the downloaded files. Your DNS cache may also keep records of your browsing activity, while websites and bookmarks may leave traces on your local storage data. To clear these completely, you’ll need to take a few additional steps. 

• Delete downloads. Manually delete any files you downloaded during your private session. Don’t forget to clear your trash bin as well.
• Clear your DNS cache. Clear your DNS cache by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and typing “ipconfig /flushdns” on Windows, or using “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache” on Mac. 
• Check browser data and bookmarks. Clear your browser’s site data and local storage through your browser settings, even after using incognito mode. Finally, check and remove any bookmarks you may have accidentally saved.

• Review stored site permissions and data. Some websites can still store permissions you granted during incognito sessions. Review your browser’s site permissions in Settings > Privacy and Security to see what data the websites collected.
• Remove cached images and temporary files. Some cached images or temporary files might remain in system folders after your private sessions. Use disk cleanup tools or manually check your browser’s temporary file folders to remove them.

Social media

Most social platforms store search history in Privacy, Security, or Data settings sections of your account. Look for terms such as “Activity,” “Search History,” or “Personalization” to find these options. For specific social media, here are some quick instructions:

• Facebook: Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Activity Log. Filter by “Search” to find and delete individual search queries, or go to “Search History” to clear all searches at once.
• Instagram: Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings > Security > Search History. You can delete individual searches or tap “Clear All” to remove your entire search history.
• Twitter/X: Access Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Data Sharing and Off-Twitter Activity. Look for “Personalization and Data” settings where you can manage and delete your search history data.
• TikTok: Open Settings and Privacy > Privacy > Personalization and Data. Select “Search History” to view and delete individual searches or clear your entire search history.
• LinkedIn: Go to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > How LinkedIn uses your data. Look for “Search History” options to manage what you’ve searched for on the platform.

Make your browsing more private

Clearing your cache is only the first step. Preventing others from gathering info about you while you browse is the next. So keeping your browsing private from advertisers, websites, ISPs, and other third parties calls for extra measures:

Use a VPN

When you use a VPN, you can hide several things from your ISP and other third parties, like the websites and apps you use, the time spent on them, your search history, and downloads. As for websites and apps, a VPN can hide your IP address and your location, all of which can thwart ad tracking on those sites and apps.

A strong VPN service offers yet another benefit. It protects you from hackers and snoops. Our VPN uses bank-grade encryption to keep your data and info secure. With a VPN, a snoop would only see garbled content thanks to your VPN’s encryption functionality.

Clean up your info online

One major privacy leak comes at the hands of online data brokers, companies that collect and resell vast amounts of personal information about millions of people. In fact, they make up a multibillion-dollar industry that spans worldwide. Additionally, there are so-called “White Pages” and “people finder” sites that post info like names, addresses, and other public records that anyone can access.

With all this information collected in a central location that’s easily searchable and accessible, these sites can be an ideal resource for hackers, spammers, and thieves. McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can help you take control. It scans high-risk data broker sites and lets you know which ones are selling your data, and depending on your McAfee+ plan, it can remove it for you, too.

Delete old accounts

Consider all those dozens and dozens of old (and forgotten) online accounts you don’t use anymore. Several might have various pieces of personal info stored on them, even though it’s been ages since you used them. Deleting these accounts and the info linked with them can improve your privacy. What’s more, deleting them can help prevent identity theft if those sites get breached.

Our Online Account Cleanup can save you hours and hours of time by cleaning things up with just a few clicks. It shows you which accounts are tied to your email address and what info is usually shared with each account. It also shows you which are riskiest to keep, helping you determine which ones to delete.

One step closer to better online privacy 

Deleting your browser history can give you a performance boost and delete tracking cookies used by third parties. To prevent others from collecting your information while you browse and to clean up the online places where it appears, get comprehensive online protection software like our McAfee+.

It offers several features that can help you be safer and more private online:

• Identity monitoring can track several pieces of personal info and alert you if it’s found on the dark web.
• Identity theft coverage & restoration, which covers you with $2 million for legal fees, travel expenses, and stolen funds reimbursement, along with help from a licensed recovery pro to repair your identity and credit.
• Other features like web protection can help you avoid dangerous links, bad downloads, malicious websites, and more when you’re online—all of which scammers and thieves can use to steal personal info.

With all this data collection happening online, there’s still plenty you can do to take control. With the steps outlined above and strong online protection software at your back, you can keep your personal info more private and secure.

Final Thoughts

Taking control of your digital privacy only requires small actions to make a significant difference in protecting your personal information. By routinely clearing your search history and browser data, setting up auto-delete features, and combining these practices with privacy tools such as VPNs and data cleanup services, you’re building a stronger foundation for your online security. These simple steps you can take today will compound over time, giving you greater control over your digital footprint and reducing unwanted tracking. Staying private online is an ongoing journey. Continue to explore new ways to protect yourself and stay informed about emerging privacy practices that can benefit you.

The post How to Delete Your Browser History appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Does PC Cleaning Improve Performance?

Is your personal computer (PC) feeling a bit sluggish? Giving it a good, old-fashioned cleaning can improve its performance, and it only takes minutes. If you’ve never cleaned your PC before, you have a few options to speed up the process.

In this guide, we explain why computers slow down over time, set expectations for what a cleaning routine can and can’t do, and share step-by-step instructions to help you clean your PC and restore optimal performance. 

PCs perform more slowly over time

For the most part, PCs don’t slow down on their own. It’s rarely one single problem. It’s how we accumulate apps, files, and services that slow your PC down as it ages. A few examples come to mind:

• You create files: These personal files that you create take up increasing amounts of disk space. When your drive gets crowded, Windows has less room to perform its background tasks, so everything feels slower.
• Temporary files add up: These are created constantly for updates, browsing, and app activity, and they don’t always clean up after themselves.
• You collect unused apps: Old apps consume storage, and some keep running services even when you never open them.
• Windows adds services: When Windows updates, it further accumulates background services and other processes that reduce performance.
• Startup programs multiply: Many apps sneak into your startup list, which makes your computer boot slower and run “busy” right from the start.
• Dust builds up inside the machine: Dust traps heat, and when your PC gets too warm, it automatically slows down to protect itself.

What PC cleaning can and can’t do for performance

Cleaning is definitely worth doing, but you should set realistic expectations for how much your PC’s performance can improve. Similar to decluttering your home, you are not rebuilding your house, but it will feel much easier to live in.

What PC cleaning can accomplish

PC cleaning addresses software-level performance bottlenecks. When you remove temporary files, clear browser caches, and delete unused applications, you’re freeing up valuable disk space and reducing the workload on your system. This directly impacts how quickly your computer can access and process information.

Startup optimization also delivers some of the most noticeable improvements. If your computer takes several minutes to boot because too many programs are launching automatically, trimming your startup list can cut boot times significantly. You’ll also notice improved responsiveness during everyday tasks when fewer background processes compete for system resources.

You will also notice faster web browsing when you clear accumulated browser data, quicker file searches when your system isn’t indexing thousands of temporary files, and smoother multitasking when background services aren’t consuming unnecessary memory. With proper system maintenance, you can restore 15-30% of lost performance on aging computers.

What PC cleaning cannot fix

Hardware limitations represent the biggest constraint on what cleaning can accomplish. If your processor struggles with modern software demands or your RAM is maxed out during normal use, no amount of cleaning will change these hardware realities. Cleaning your PC to make it faster depends largely on whether software bloat or hardware constraints are your primary bottleneck.

Gaming performance, video editing, and other intensive tasks rely heavily on central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) capabilities. While a clean system ensures these components aren’t fighting unnecessary background processes, cleaning won’t magically boost frame rates or rendering speeds beyond your hardware’s capabilities.

But first, back up your files

Any cleanup is safer when you know your important stuff is protected. You don’t have to do a complicated backup routine; just make sure the essentials are safe.

• Check your cloud backups: If you use OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud, you may already be backed up without realizing it. Give those files a quick review. It only takes two minutes to confirm that your data is backed up in the cloud.
• Consider an external backup: An external drive gives you a second copy of your files in case something goes wrong. It’s especially helpful for photos, work documents, or anything you’d hate to lose.

In newer versions of Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup to set up File History, or use Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings for cloud backup. This ensures you won’t lose important files.

Step by step: Clean up your computer

Now that you’ve ensured your important files are safe, you can start the cleanup process that makes a noticeable difference in PC performance. You don’t need advanced technical skills, and you don’t need to do everything at once.

Remove temporary files and unused apps

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files and review the categories. This will take you to a screen that gives you insight into what your drive space looks like and allow you to safely remove many of them with a few clicks, especially cache and old system leftovers. 

In Windows 10/11, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then sort apps by size or installation date to identify large or forgotten programs. Click any app and select “Uninstall” to remove it. 

You can also use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool by typing “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu search. Select categories such as “Temporary files,” “Recycle Bin,” and “System cache” to review the files and remove any that are not needed. If you’re unsure what a program does, research it online before removing it, as some applications may be essential for your system’s operation. For example, you might want to keep “Windows update log files,” in case you ever need to troubleshoot Windows.

Set Windows Storage Sense for automatic cleanup

Instead of performing a manual cleanup, you can use Windows Storage Sense to keep your system clean. Navigate to Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense to configure this powerful feature. You can set it to automatically remove temporary files, empty your recycle bin, and clear your Downloads folder of files older than 30 days.

Removing old and unused apps benefits you in two ways. First, it frees up disk space. Second, outdated apps can contain security loopholes that hackers may exploit. Older apps might have gone without an update, which can lead to security loopholes that hackers can exploit. Remove the old app, and you remove the loophole.

Use Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is an older Windows tool, but it’s still reliable. It can clear system files and cached data safely when used carefully. In Disk Cleanup, you can confidently delete Temporary files, Recycle Bin contents, System error memory dump files, and old Windows Update cleanup files. Temporary Internet Files and Downloaded Program Files are also safe to remove, as your browser will recreate what it needs.

To access this tool, search “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu, and choose your main drive (usually C:) when prompted. Review the temporary file categories before removing them. Just read descriptions, and avoid deleting anything you might need for troubleshooting.

Manage large files effectively

Identify space-consuming files by looking for large video files, old software installers, or duplicate files that you no longer need. Move important large files to external storage or cloud services to free up local space while keeping them accessible.

Clear your browser cache and cookies

This one is a bit of a double-edged sword. Your cache and cookies make many web pages load faster. By storing images, preferences, and other info, cookies speed up load times. However, the data that cookies store can get bloated over time. If the disk space they use looks a little high to you, clean them out. You can do this in Windows by typing “Cookies” in your search bar or selecting “Delete browsing data” from your browser’s menu.

Note that this may remove any saved passwords stored in your browser. However, if you’re using a password manager, this isn’t a worry. The manager does the remembering for you.

Shut off startup apps

Windows runs several apps at startup, some of which you certainly need, such as antivirus software or online protection software. Other apps, however, might not be needed to run right away and just slow down startup.

To review your startup apps, type “Startup” in the Windows search bar or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click the Startup tab to see a list of apps and their impact on performance. Disable programs you don’t need immediately, but keep essential security software enabled. Focus on applications marked with “High” startup impact. 

Keep essential security software enabled at startup, and research unfamiliar programs before disabling them or just leave them alone.

Erase sensitive files from the recycle bin

You’d think that deleting files in the recycle bin erases them entirely. Not so. It only removes the “pointer” to those files, but the data remains on the drive. The only way to completely remove files is when something new overwrites them, which can take time.

To completely erase files with sensitive info, use a file shredder tool similar to that in McAfee+. Although this doesn’t necessarily improve performance, it helps prevent identity theft.

Update your operating system and drivers

Ensure optimal performance and security with the latest updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” For driver updates, visit Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates, or use Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it. Updated drivers improve hardware compatibility and can resolve performance issues.

Run a comprehensive security scan

If your PC feels abnormally slow, malware may be the real cause. Complete your cleanup by scanning for malware and other threats that may be causing the slowdown. Some threats run quietly in the background, consuming system resources and compromising privacy.

• Use built-in Windows Security or trusted tools: Start with a quick scan, and follow up with a deeper scan if anything looks suspicious. This can remove hidden processes that slow down your system.
• Avoid random “free cleaners”: Many of them bundle adware or unwanted programs. Stick to well-known security vendors and official sources.

Deep clean with a PC Optimizer

For a deeper clean, consider PC cleaning software such as McAfee PC Optimizer, designed to detect and clear out unnecessary files, manage startup apps, and even clean the registry at the press of a button. These cleaners usually come with customizable settings to suit your preferences. You can set automatic clean-ups at regular intervals, thus saving time, and freeing you from the hassle of remembering to run the cleanup.

To choose reliable and safe PC cleaning software, read reviews and understand what each feature does. Always use a trusted, reputable security software and avoid downloading PC cleaners from unknown sources, as some may contain malware.

Special considerations for SSD drives

If your PC uses a solid-state drive (SSD), avoid traditional defragmentation as it can reduce the drive’s lifespan without providing performance benefits. Windows automatically runs TRIM commands to instruct your SSD to delete data blocks that are no longer used. 

You can manually enable TRIM by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and running “fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0” to confirm it’s enabled. However, we do not recommend doing this. It’s best to let Windows handle optimization automatically. 

Windows registry: To clean or not to clean

The Windows registry is your computer’s central database, storing critical configuration settings for your operating system and installed programs. Registry cleaning is a misunderstood part of PC optimization. Many people think it’s essential, but modern Windows systems usually don’t benefit from it. In addition, today’s Windows versions manage registry complexity more effectively than older versions. 

Unlike clearing temporary files or uninstalling old apps, manual registry changes can have far-reaching consequences and serious issues if done incorrectly. A single incorrect change can prevent apps from opening or cause system instability. Unless you’re troubleshooting a specific issue, it’s safer to skip it.

A clean slate for you and your PC

Restart your computer after completing these steps to ensure all changes take effect properly. Regular maintenance every 3-6 months will help keep your PC running smoothly and securely.

Physically clean your computer

Another aspect of cleaning your PC to improve its performance entails physical cleanup, specifically dust removal. When dust builds up, your PC can’t cool itself properly, leading to slower speeds, louder fans, and random stuttering. Follow this quick guide:

• Power down and disconnect everything: Turn off your computer entirely and unplug all cables before cleaning. This prevents electrical damage and keeps you safe during the cleaning process.
• Discharge static electricity: Touch a grounded metal object or use an anti-static wrist strap before handling internal components. Static electricity can damage sensitive computer parts.
• Use compressed air for dust removal: Blow out dust from vents, fans, and internal components using short bursts of compressed air. Hold the can upright and maintain a few inches of distance to avoid moisture buildup.
• Support fan blades while cleaning: Gently hold fan blades in place when using compressed air to prevent them from spinning too fast, which can damage the motor or create electrical feedback.
• Clean case vents and intake areas: Remove dust from all ventilation openings, especially intake fans and exhaust vents, which tend to accumulate dust.
• Avoid liquids near electronics: Never use water, cleaning solutions, or damp cloths on internal components. If you must clean the exterior case, use slightly damp cloths only on plastic surfaces, avoiding all ports and openings.
• Focus on heat-generating components: Pay special attention to the CPU cooler, graphics card fans, and power supply vents, as dust here directly impacts cooling performance.
• Clean regularly for sustained performance: Dust-free systems run cooler and prevent thermal throttling, where your CPU or GPU reduces performance to avoid overheating. This keeps your computer running at optimal speed.
• Know when to seek professional help: If you’re uncomfortable opening your computer case or notice excessive dust buildup in hard-to-reach areas, consider having a professional service perform a thorough cleaning.
• Reassemble and test: Once you have completed the cleaning, reconnect all cables and secure the side panel. Power on your system and check that the CPU fan spins properly. Monitor temperatures during initial use to ensure adequate cooling.

Clean your PC to improve your game, somewhat

If you’re asking this question, you’re probably gaming — and yes, cleaning can help restore lost frames per second (FPS), but it won’t magically exceed your hardware’s capabilities. 

Dust buildup causes thermal throttling, which leads to frame drops and stuttering. Physical cleaning will reduce overheating, improve airflow, and help maintain stable frame rates.

Meanwhile, too many processes can consume CPU time and RAM, hindering your gaming experience. Trimming startup apps and closing unused background tools can improve gaming smoothness.

Remember, though, that cleaning won’t address your PC’s hardware limitations. If your GPU can’t handle your settings, no amount of cleanup will make it a high-end card. Cleaning keeps your current hardware running at its best.

Find the best PC cleaner

For most users, combining manual cleaning with reputable automated tools provides the best results. Quality PC optimizers can safely handle routine maintenance tasks, but it’s also important to choose trusted solutions that won’t cause more problems than they solve.

Make safe choices

The market offers both legitimate optimization software as well as potentially harmful programs that could compromise your system’s security and privacy. Red flags to watch for include solutions that:

• Bundle adware or unwanted programs that install alongside the cleaner
• Promise unrealistic performance gains through aggressive registry modifications
• Exaggerate scan results, claiming thousands of “critical errors” to pressure you into purchasing
• Request excessive system permissions beyond what’s needed for basic cleanup tasks
• Lack of transparency about what files or settings will be modified

Choose trustworthy PC cleaning tools by:

• Downloading only from official vendors and verified software repositories
• Reading user reviews and expert evaluations from reputable technology publications
• Verifying the software publisher’s reputation and track record in cybersecurity
• Checking for clear privacy policies that explain data collection practices
• Looking for tools that provide detailed cleanup reports before making changes
• Considering integrated solutions that include PC optimization and protection capabilities for better compatibility and coordinated system management

Consider hardware upgrades

If you have done everything you can to clean your PC systemically and physically, and it is still running slow, it might be time to consider a hardware upgrade. Modern computers with sufficient RAM and processing power respond well to maintenance, while older systems may need hardware upgrades to see meaningful improvements. In this day and age, upgrading to 8GB or 16GB will likely deliver more dramatic performance improvements than any cleaning routine. 

Similarly, switching from a traditional hard drive to an SSD provides speed boosts that far exceed what software optimization can do. For example, upgrading to an SSD can dramatically reduce boot times, while routine PC cleaning typically produces more modest improvements. The sweet spot for PC cleaning benefits occurs when you can balance adequate hardware and software accumulation. 

Final thoughts

Cleaning your PC is an essential part of maintaining its performance. While it might not drastically increase your PC’s speed, it contributes to overall efficiency, responsiveness, and longevity.

The key to lasting results is establishing a consistent maintenance routine, whether it means weekly disk cleanups, monthly startup reviews, or quarterly deep cleans with trusted tools. Take note that it is best to approach PC cleaning carefully, deleting with discretion to avoid accidentally removing necessary files or applications. For those who aren’t comfortable doing it manually, reliable PC cleaning software like McAfee+ can simplify the process and save time.

The post Does PC Cleaning Improve Performance? appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How To Tell If Your Smart TV Spying on You

From their original design as simple broadcast receivers, today’s televisions have evolved into powerful, internet-connected entertainment hubs. Combining traditional viewing with online capabilities, smart TVs provide instant access to streaming platforms, web browsing, voice assistants, and personalized recommendations. 

As our TVs have grown smarter, however, they’ve also become gateways to new privacy and security challenges. In a chilling echo of George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984, it’s possible that Big Brother, or in this case, Big Hacker, might be surveilling you through your own television.

In 2013, evidence emerged that smart TVs can be just as vulnerable to hacking as home computers, following an investigation by security analysts Aaron Grattafiori and Josh Yavor at iSEC Partners. Working with smart TV manufacturers to address potential vulnerabilities, the analysts presented their findings at the Black Hat network security conference in Las Vegas. Their demonstration highlighted the concerning possibility of smart TVs not only physically surveilling you through the built-in camera but also prying deeper into your personal life by collecting data on your web searches, app usage, and preferences.

Smart TV hacking entry points

Smart TVs can be hacked in several ways, but the gateway that opens your smart TV to these attacks is the IP address, which links with internet-driven apps such as Facebook and YouTube, as well as video streaming services, microphones, and even internal cameras. Because smart TVs often run the same code as computers and smartphones, such as JavaScript or HTML5, they are also susceptible to malware and spyware attacks. These are some of the ways your device can be hacked:

• Outdated firmware: When you don’t regularly update your TV’s software, you leave known security holes wide open for cybercriminals to enter. These updates often include security patches, but many users ignore update notifications.
• Unsecure downloads or sideloads: When you download apps from unofficial sources or use older apps with poor security, you invite malware into your living room. Additionally, weak Wi-Fi settings at home create an opening for hackers to access not just your TV but your entire network.
• Weak login habits: Using the may include background services you are unaware of, which allow criminals to access your smart TV once they’ve compromised your other accounts. Smart TVs could even have background services you might not know about, creating additional attack points.
• Compromised physical connections: Infected HDMI devices or USB drives could introduce malware into your system. Once hackers gain access to your smart TV, they can use it to move through your home network and other connected devices.

Spying beyond physical surveillance

Once a hacker has compromised your smart TV, they can spy on you through several built-in technologies that collect data on your viewing habits, conversations, and online activities.

• Automatic Content Recognition (ACR): This is a common spying method that analyzes audio or video snippets from your content. It then packages and sells this data to advertisers, who use it to create profiles of your entertainment preferences for customized advertising. 
• Voice assistants and listening microphones: Many smart TVs include voice control features that activate when you say specific wake words. These microphones can capture private conversations, even when the TV is “off” and on standby mode. This data could be processed by third-party voice recognition services, creating potential eavesdropping risks.
• Built-in or plug-in cameras: These enable video calling and gesture control features, but they also create opportunities for unauthorized surveillance and privacy vulnerabilities. Smart TVs with cameras could be accessed by hackers or malicious software.
• App-level tracking and advertising IDs: Similar to smartphone apps, smart TV apps also collect data on your usage and preferences through unique advertising identifiers, which build comprehensive profiles for targeted marketing. Your Netflix viewing habits might influence ads you see on YouTube or other platforms.
• Data sharing with third parties: TV manufacturers often share collected data with advertising networks, content providers, and data brokers to create extensive digital profiles. This information can include viewing schedules, app usage, voice recordings, and even household demographic insights.
• Privacy settings: Most smart TVs offer settings to disable ACR, limit voice recording, and opt out of personalized advertising. Look for “Privacy,” “Viewing Data,” or “Interest-Based Advertising” options in your TV’s settings menu. However, these settings may reset after software updates.
• Network behaviors: Your smart TV communicates with various servers, sending viewing data, software telemetry, and usage statistics even when you’re not actively using smart features. Router logs often show smart TVs making hundreds of network connections per day to advertising and analytics services.

The key to managing these privacy risks is understanding what data your TV collects and taking control through privacy settings, network restrictions, and informed usage decisions. 

Types of data that smart TVs collect

• Viewing history, content preferences, and navigation patterns: Your smart TV tracks what shows, movies, and channels you watch, how long you view them, and when you pause or skip content. This data helps TV manufacturers and streaming app providers understand your entertainment preferences and suggest personalized content.
• Device identifiers and technical data: Your TV collects unique device identifiers, IP addresses, Wi-Fi network information, and technical specifications. In turn, manufacturers use this data for device management, software updates, and to link your viewing activity across different sessions and devices.
• Advertising IDs and marketing data: Smart TVs generate unique advertising identifiers that track your activity for targeted advertising. Third-party advertisers and data brokers use these IDs to build detailed profiles for marketing campaigns and to measure ad effectiveness across different platforms.
• Voice recordings and search queries: Your voice commands or searches are recorded and processed by the manufacturer’s servers or third-party speech-recognition services to improve voice-recognition accuracy and deliver search results.
• Geolocation and network information: Your smart TV can determine your approximate location through your IP address and Wi-Fi network details. This geographic data helps content providers offer region-specific programming and advertising.
• Diagnostic and performance data: Smart TVs collect technical performance metrics, error logs, and usage statistics to help manufacturers and software partners identify issues, improve software performance, and develop new features. 

Take control of your data

Your smart TV data typically flows to multiple parties. It starts with the device manufacturer for product improvements, then to streaming app providers for content recommendations, on to advertising networks for targeted marketing, and analytics companies for usage insights. Recent regulatory guidance emphasizes that you should have clear visibility into these data-sharing relationships through your TV’s privacy policy.

You can limit data collection by disabling Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) in your TV’s privacy settings, turning off personalized advertising, and regularly reviewing app permissions. Consumer protection agencies require smart TV manufacturers to provide opt-out mechanisms for advertising personalization and data sharing with third parties.

Stop the spying

Fortunately, you can significantly reduce your smart TV risks with some simple preventive measures:

1. Check your TV’s privacy and ACR settings: Navigate to your smart TV’s settings menu and look for privacy, data collection, or “Automatic Content Recognition” (ACR) options, and disable or limit that function to prevent the tracking of your viewing behaviors and preferences. 
2. Review consent prompts after software updates. When you see pop-ups asking for consent to new terms, take a moment to read what you’re agreeing to. You can often decline optional data sharing while keeping essential functionality. 
3. Monitor your ad personalization settings: Look for advertising or marketing preferences in your settings menu, and opt out of personalized advertising to reduce the data collected about your viewing patterns.
4. Audit app permissions and microphone access: Smart TV apps may request access to features such as your microphone, camera, or network information. Review which apps have these permissions. Voice assistants and video calling apps may need microphone access, but streaming apps typically don’t require these sensitive permissions.
5. Monitor network activity: Check your router’s device list to see if your smart TV is unusually chatty with unknown servers. Many modern routers also offer parental controls or privacy features that can limit your TV’s internet access to only essential functions.
6. Perform security audits on major platforms: Roku, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, and Android TV each offer basic privacy controls in their main settings. Look for “Privacy,” “Ads,” “Data Collection,” or “Viewing Information” to take control regardless of your TV model.
7. Check for physical indicators and hardware controls: Many newer smart TV models don’t include cameras, but if yours does, you’ll often find a physical privacy shutter or the ability to disable it in settings. For voice features, look for microphone mute buttons on your remote or TV itself.
8. Stay updated: Ensure your apps are updated regularly to maintain the security of your TV and its apps. The digital world is full of bugs waiting for a chance to invade your device, so don’t let outdated apps provide them the perfect entry point. 
9. Use social media sparingly: Social media sites are notorious hunting grounds for identity thieves. Restrict the use of these apps to your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and ensure they have comprehensive security protection to guard your devices, identity, and data.

Standby versus fully off

Most smart TVs don’t fully turn off when you press the power button; they enter standby mode to enable quick startup. In this state, certain components may remain active and continue collecting data. It might maintain network connectivity to receive software updates, keep microphones and voice assistants ready to respond to wake words, or continue ACR that tracks your viewing habits.

To truly disconnect your TV from potential monitoring, you have several options:

1. Look for a physical mute switch on your remote or TV for the microphone. This provides a hardware-level disconnect that software can’t override.
2. You can unplug your TV entirely when not in use or connect it to a power strip that you can easily switch off to cut all power.
3. For a more permanent solution, dive into your TV’s privacy settings to disable ACR tracking, turn off voice activation features, and restrict background data collection. 
4. You can also disconnect your TV from Wi-Fi entirely if you primarily use external streaming devices, which gives you more control over what data gets shared.

FAQs about Smart TVs

Do all smart TVs have cameras?

It depends on your specific smart TV model and its manufacturing date. Most modern smart TVs manufactured after 2022 do not include built-in cameras. Major manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL have largely moved away from integrating cameras directly into their television sets due to privacy concerns and limited consumer adoption. 

Some premium models and older smart TVs from 2018-2021 may still feature built-in cameras designed typically used for:

• Video calling: Apps such as Zoom or Google Meet allow you to make calls from your TV
• Gesture control: Hand movements enable you to navigate menus and control functions 
• Facial recognition: Based on who is watching, smart TVs can personalize content recommendations
• Voice assistant integration: Some cameras work with microphones to enhance smart assistant features

If your smart TV does have a camera, you still have control, as most smart TVs with cameras include physical privacy shutters, software controls to disable the camera, or the option to cover the lens. For external USB cameras, simply unplugging it ensures that no one can see you through the smart TV.

How do I know if my smart TV has a camera?

To determine if your smart TV has a camera, check the following:

1. The physical TV: Check the top, bottom, and side edges of your TV screen for a small circular lens, typically about the size of a coin. Built-in cameras are typically small lenses located on the top bezel or may retract into the frame. 
2. Quick detection test: In a dimly lit room, shine a flashlight across your TV’s bezel while looking for reflective surfaces. Camera lenses will reflect light differently than the surrounding plastic, appearing as small, glassy circles that catch and reflect the light beam.
3. Camera shutter or privacy cover: TVs with built-in cameras often include a sliding privacy shutter or removable cover. Look for a small plastic piece that can slide over the camera lens area, or a hinged cover that flips up and down.
4. User manual: Your manual will clearly list the camera functionality if it is present. You can also find detailed specs on the product packaging. Look for terms such as “built-in camera,” “video calling,” or “gesture control” in the feature list.
5. Manufacturer’s website: Visit your TV manufacturer’s official support page and enter your exact model number. The detailed product specifications should confirm whether your model includes camera hardware.
6. Camera-related settings: Go to your smart TV’s main settings menu and look for sections labeled “Camera,” “Privacy,” “Microphone,” or “Gesture Control.” If these options exist, your TV likely has camera capability. Many TV models from 2023 include dedicated privacy toggles that let you fully disable camera functions.

If you discover your smart TV has a camera, you can take control of your privacy by disabling it in your TV’s settings, covering it with tape when not in use, or using any built-in privacy shutters.

How can I disable or manage my smart TV camera?

Aside from the precautions listed above, there are other ways you can disable your smart TV’s camera:

• Privacy settings: Navigate to your smart TV’s Settings menu, then look for “Privacy,” “Security,” or “Camera” options. Most modern TVs group these controls together to limit the data your device collects and shares.
• Specific apps: Review which apps have camera permissions by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions. Turn off camera access for apps that don’t need it, like streaming services or games. Video calling apps will need camera access to function properly.
• Gesture and voice control: Disable motion-sensing and voice-recognition features in your TV’s accessibility or interaction settings, as these features often require the camera and microphone to be active.
• System update resets: Smart TV updates can sometimes reset your privacy settings to defaults. After each update, take a few minutes to verify your camera and microphone settings remain off as you configured them.
• Network-level protection: For tech-savvy users, consider setting up router-level controls to monitor or restrict your smart TV’s internet connections. Some routers allow you to block specific domains or limit device communication, adding another layer of control over what data your TV can share.
• Automatic security updates: Keep your smart TV’s firmware up to date by enabling automatic updates. Manufacturers regularly release security patches that address vulnerabilities to protect you from potential threats.
• Dedicated guest network: Consider connecting your smart TV to a separate Wi-Fi network from your main devices. This limits potential access to other connected devices in your home if your TV’s security is ever compromised.

Final thoughts

If the thought of your living room turning into a hacker’s surveillance paradise sends a chill down your spine, you’re not alone. Fortunately, you can take some protective measures that keep your smart TV safe.

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to stay informed about the latest developments in smart TV security. Attend webinars, read articles, and follow experts in the field to stay current with the latest security threats and fixes. 

Just as importantly, small but effective digital habits will also fortify your smart TV security: keep your TV’s firmware updated, stick to official app stores, secure your home Wi-Fi with strong encryption, use unique passwords for your devices, limit the use of social media and messaging apps on your TV, and be cautious about what you plug into your TV’s ports. 

By following these recommendations, you can continue to relax in your living room and enjoy your digital entertainment experience without compromising your privacy and security.

The post How To Tell If Your Smart TV Spying on You appeared first on McAfee Blog.

What Are the Risks of Clicking on Malicious Links?

A simple click of a link can’t cause any trouble, right? Wrong.

It doesn’t matter if you quickly close out of a window. It doesn’t matter if you only take a quick peek and don’t touch anything else while you’re on a risky webpage. Often, just clicking on a single link can compromise your device, online privacy, and even your personal information. The mere action of clicking a suspicious link could expose you to malware, scams, or identity theft.

Here’s everything you need to know to recognize, steer clear of, and take the proper action in case you accidentally click on a questionable link.

Consequences of clicking on a risky link

A risky link is any hyperlink that redirects you to an unexpected and possibly compromised webpage. Often, these webpages trick visitors into divulging personal information or automatically download malicious payloads (viruses, malware, spyware, etc.) onto your device. 

Email remains the most frequent delivery method, with phishing messages designed to look like urgent notifications from trusted companies. A variation of this is SMS phishing or “smishing,” where attackers send sketchy links through text messages claiming package delivery issues. Another common method involves sending malicious links via direct messages on social media, where compromised accounts target their contact lists. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), $70 million was lost to phishing and spoofing in 2024. 

Hackers could also use your browser to deliver their criminal work. In drive-by downloads, for instance, simply visiting a compromised webpage can automatically install malware on your device without any additional action from you. Outdated browsers and plugins are another entry point for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your system. 

A bad link might also direct you to a fake login page that looks identical to a legitimate site, such as your bank. Any information you enter on these fraudulent pages goes directly to scammers, who can then access your real accounts.

Meanwhile, mobile malware is a vast category of malicious software that often makes its way onto devices through infected links. Malware can spy on you, monitor your keystrokes, infect your device with a botnet, and ultimately compromise your device and the information it stores.

Risk factors as entry points 

As threat actors continuously adapt their tactics to circumvent security solutions, one critical factor that determines your risk level is your device’s security posture. A device with updated software, a modern browser, active antivirus protection, and restricted permissions is far less likely to be compromised by a malicious site or download. Conversely, outdated systems, unpatched vulnerabilities, or disabled security features create easy openings for attackers to exploit. 

Another risk factor is the rhythm or pace at which you operate your devices. As artificial intelligence tools are increasingly helping scammers and phishers disguise their malicious links to look more believable, you will need to slow down, control the impulse to click, and take a minute to intentionally look at what you are doing. If you read quickly, you could accidentally click a malicious link and fall for a scam.

Check before you click

Even the most convincing messages can hide dangerous links. Before you click on anything, it’s worth taking a few seconds to verify where that link actually leads. These quick checks can help you spot red flags and avoid landing on malicious or fraudulent websites designed to steal your information.

• Be skeptical: It seems pessimistic, but reserve a bit of skepticism for every incredible deal, unbelievable discount, or free download you encounter online. Just because an email advertises on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s a legitimate organization. Its real business might not be selling t-shirts but phishing for personal information. Scammers often hide their malicious links behind clickbait.
• Look before you click: On your desktop, hover over any link to see the destination URL appear at the bottom of your browser window or in a tooltip. On mobile, press and hold your finger over the link for a few seconds to preview where it leads. Look for misspellings in domain names, suspicious characters, or URLs that don’t match what you’d expect from the sender.
• Pay attention to prompts: When a website requests your approval to download files, access your camera, or run scripts, pay careful attention. Legitimate sites rarely need extensive permissions for basic browsing, so unusual permission requests should raise immediate red flags.
• Verify website security indicators: Check that the site uses HTTPS, viewable through a lock icon in your browser’s address bar. Be especially cautious with shortened links such as bit.ly or tinyurl.com. Expand them first using preview tools or browser extensions that show the full destination before clicking.
• Use URL inspection tools: When you’re unsure about a link, copy and paste it into reputable URL checking services that scan for malicious content. Many browsers have built-in safe browsing warnings that alert you to potentially dangerous sites.
• Analyze the context and sender: Consider the sender and whether the message feels urgent or too good to be true. Scammers often create artificial urgency with phrases such as “act now” or “limited time.” If the sender is someone you know, verify through a different channel that they actually sent it.
• For sensitive activities, go directly to official sites: Open a new browser tab and type the website address yourself to avoid convincing-looking fake sites designed to steal your credentials. Never click links in emails or messages for banking, shopping, or other sensitive activities.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off about a message or a link, take a moment to think and investigate. A few seconds of caution can prevent hours of cleanup and millions of dollars in recovery.

So you clicked. What next?

If you’ve accidentally clicked a phishing link, don’t panic, but do act fast. Quick, calm steps can make all the difference in preventing further damage. Here’s what to do right away to secure your device, accounts, and personal information.

1. Disconnect from the internet immediately: If you’re on Wi-Fi, turn off your wireless connection or unplug your ethernet cable. This prevents malicious software from communicating with remote servers or downloading cyber threats onto your device.
2. Do not enter any personal information: If the bad link directed you to a login page or form requesting credentials, close the browser tab immediately. Never input passwords, Social Security numbers, banking details, or other sensitive data on pages you’ve reached through suspicious links.
3. Run a comprehensive security scan: Perform a full system scan using your antivirus software to detect and remove any malware that may have been downloaded when you clicked the link. Allow the scan to complete entirely, even if it takes several hours.
4. Change your passwords immediately: From another uncompromised device, revise your login credentials. Start with your most critical accounts, email, banking, and financial services, followed by social media, work accounts, and shopping sites. Use strong, unique passwords for each account to prevent credential stuffing attacks.
5. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Strengthen the security of your accounts by enabling MFA wherever possible to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, even if criminals have obtained your login credentials through a phishing attempt.
6. Review your account activity: Check recent login attempts, transaction histories, and account settings across all your important accounts. Look for unauthorized changes, unfamiliar devices, or suspicious activity that occurred around the time you clicked the link.
7. Review and revoke access for suspicious apps: Review and remove any unfamiliar applications or browser extensions that have access to your accounts. Phishing attacks sometimes attempt to install malicious browser extensions or authorize fraudulent apps.
8. Clear your browser data: Delete your browsing history, cookies, and cached files to remove any potentially malicious code or tracking cookies that could compromise your future browsing sessions.
9. Report the phishing attempt: Forward suspicious emails to your email provider’s spam team and report the incident to the FTC. If you received the link via text, report it to your mobile carrier. These steps protect others from falling victim to the scheme.
10. Consider credit monitoring and identity protection: If you suspect your personally identifiable information was compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit reports and consider freezing your credit. Monitor your financial statements closely for unauthorized transactions and unusual activity in the weeks following the incident.

Get support from the right tools

Even with your strong digital habits and awareness, it’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. With the right technology that catches potential threats before they reach you, you can browse, message, and shop online without worry.

McAfee’s Scam Detector proactively alerts you and automatically protects you the moment it detects a scam link in your texts, emails, or on social media. If you accidentally click on a scam link, the app will block the malicious webpage from loading. The more you use this artificial intelligence-powered tool, the smarter it becomes. 

Final thoughts

Protecting yourself from those risky phishing links doesn’t require becoming a security expert. It only takes simple habits to dramatically reduce these threats. Take a moment to be intentional and alert, and make informed choices about the links you encounter. 

By taking time to verify URLs, staying reasonably skeptical, enabling automatic updates, trusting your instincts, and relying on trusted security tools for safe browsing and scam detection, you can create powerful barriers against cybercriminals.

Whether you’re browsing social media, checking emails, or exploring new websites, that brief pause to assess whether a link looks legitimate can be the difference between safety and falling victim to sketchy links and credential theft. Share these simple safety practices with your family members, especially those who might be less familiar with online threats, because collective awareness makes everyone safer.

The post What Are the Risks of Clicking on Malicious Links? appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Black or Scrambled Phone Screen? Here’s How to Spot a Hacked vs Broken Phone

It’s the screen you never want to see.

Something is seriously wrong with your phone. Or is it? You might not have a broken phone at all. Instead, you might have a hacked phone.

What you see above is a form of scareware, an attack that frightens you into thinking your device is broken or infected with a virus. What the hacker wants you to do next is panic. They want you to tap on a bogus link that says it’ll run a security check, remove a virus, or otherwise fix your phone before the problem gets worse.

Of course, tapping that link takes you to a malware or phishing site, where the hacker takes the next step and installs an even nastier form of malware on your phone. In other cases, they steal your personal info under the guise of a virus removal service. (And yes, sometimes they pose as McAfee when they pull that move. In fact,

Note that in this example above, the hacker behind the phony broken screen is arguably going for a user who’s perhaps less tech savvy. After all, the message atop the “broken” screen appears clear as day. Still, in the heat of the moment, it can be convincing enough.

How does scareware get on phones?

Scareware typically finds its way onto phones through misleading ads, fake security alerts, or hacked websites. In other cases, downloading apps from places other than an official app store can lead to scareware (and other forms of malware too).

As for malware on phones, you’ll find different risk levels between Android and iOS phones. While neither platform is completely immune to threats, Android phones are reportedly more susceptible to viruses than iPhones due to differences in their app downloading policies. On Android phones, you can install apps from third-party sources outside the official Google Play Store, which increases the risk of downloading malicious software.

In contrast, Apple restricts app installations to its official App Store, making it harder for malware to get on iOS devices. (That’s if you haven’t taken steps to jailbreak your iPhone, which removes the software restrictions imposed by Apple on its iOS operating system. We absolutely don’t recommend jailbreaking because it may void warranties and make it easier for malware, including scareware, to end up on your phone.)

If you think you’ve wound up with a case of scareware, stay calm. The first thing the hacker wants you to do is panic and click that link. Let’s go over the steps you can take.

How to remove malware from your Android phone

If you don’t already have mobile security and antivirus for your phone, your best bet is to get the latest virus removal guidance from Android, which you can find on this help page.

Moving forward, you can get protection that helps you detect and steer clear of potential threats as you use your phone. You can pick up McAfee Security: Antivirus VPN in the Google Play store, which also includes our Scam Detector and Identity Monitoring. You can also get it as part of your McAfee+

How to remove malware from your iPhone

Step 1: Restart your phone

Hold down the iPhone power button until you see slide to power off on your screen. Slide it, wait for the phone to power down, and then press the power button to restart your iPhone.

Step 2: Download updates 

Having the latest version of iOS on your phone ensures you have the best protection in place. Open the Settings app.  Look for Software Update in the General tab. Select Software Update. Tap Download and Install to the latest iPhone update.

Step 3: Delete suspicious apps 

Press a suspicious app icon on your screen and wait for the Remove App to pop up. Remove it and repeat that as needed for any other suspicious apps.

More steps you can take …

If those steps don’t take care of the issue, there are two stronger steps you can take. The first involves restoring your phone from a backup as described by Apple here.

The most aggressive step you can take is to reset your phone entirely. You can return it to the original factory settings (with the option to keep your content) by following the steps in this help article from Apple.

How to avoid malware on your phone

Clearly these attacks play on fear that one of the most important devices in your life has a problem—your phone.

1. Protect your phone.

Comprehensive online protection software can secure your phone in the same ways that it secures your laptops and computers. Installing it can protect your privacy, keep you safe from attacks on public Wi-Fi, automatically block unsafe websites and links, and detect scams, just to name a few things it can do.

2. Update your phone’s operating system.

Along with installing security software, keeping your phone’s operating system up to date can greatly improve your security. Updates can fix vulnerabilities that hackers rely on to pull off their malware-based attacks. It’s another tried-and-true method of keeping yourself safe—and for keeping your phone running great too.

3. Avoid third-party app stores.

Google Play and Apple’s App Store have measures in place to review and vet apps to help ensure that they are safe and secure. Third-party sites might very well not, and they might intentionally host malicious apps as part of a front. Further, Google and Apple are quick to remove malicious apps from their stores when discovered, making shopping there safer still.

The post Black or Scrambled Phone Screen? Here’s How to Spot a Hacked vs Broken Phone appeared first on McAfee Blog.

This Year in Scams: A 2025 Retrospective, and a Look Ahead at 2026

They came by phone, by text, by email, and they even weaseled their way into people’s love lives—an entire host of scams that we covered here in our blogs throughout the year.

Today, we look back, picking five noteworthy scams that firmly established new trends, along with one in particular that gives us a hint at the face of scams to come.

Let’s start it off with one scam that pinged plenty of phones over the spring and summer: those toll road texts.

1 – The Texts That Jammed Everyone’s Phones: The Toll Road Scam

It was the hot new scam of 2025 that increased by 900% in one year: the toll road scam.

There’s a good chance you got a few of these this year,scam texts that say you have an unpaid tab for tolls and that you need to pay right away. And as always, they come with a handy link where you can pay up and avoid that threat of a “late fee.”

2 – Romancing the Bot: AI Chatbots and Images Finagle Their Way Into Romance Scams

It started with a DM. And a few months later, it cost her $1,200.

Earlier this year, we brought you the story of 25-year-old computer programmer Maggie K. who fell for a romance scam on Instagram. Her story played out like so many. When she and her online boyfriend finally agreed to meet in person, he claimed he missed his flight and needed money to rebook. Desperate to finally see him, she sent the money and never heard from him again.

But here’s the twist—he wasn’t real in the first place.

When she reported the scam to police, they determined his images were all made with AI. In Maggie’s words, “That was the scariest part—I had trusted someone who never even existed.”

Maggie isn’t alone. Our own research earlier this year revealed that more than half (52%) of people have been scammed out of money or pressured to send money or gifts by someone they met online.

Moreover, we found that scammers have fueled those figures with the use of AI. Of people we surveyed, more than 1 in 4 (26%) said they—or someone they know—have been approached by an AI chatbot posing as a real person on a dating app or social media.

We expect this trend will only continue, as AI tools make it easier and more efficient to pull off romance scams on an increasingly larger scale.

Even so, the guidelines for avoiding romance scams remain the same:

• Never send money to someone you’ve never met in person.
• Things move too fast, too soon—like when the other person starts talking about love almost right away.
• They say they live far away and can’t meet in person because they live abroad, all part of a scammers story that they’re there for charity or military service.
• Look out for stories of urgent financial need, such as sudden emergencies or requests for help with travel expenses to meet you.
• Also watch out for people who ask for payment in gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or other forms of payment that are tough to recover. That’s a sign of a scam.

3 – Paying to Get Paid: The New Job Scam That Raked in Millions

The job offer sounds simple enough … go online, review products, like videos, or do otherwise simple tasks and get paid doing it—until it’s time to get paid.

It’s a new breed of job scam that took root this spring, one where victims found themselves “paying to get paid.”

The FTC dubbed these scams as “gamified job scams” or “task scams.” Given the way these scams work, the naming fits.

It starts with a text or direct message from a “recruiter” offering work with the promise of making good money by “liking” or “rating” sets of videos or product images in an app, all with the vague purpose of “product optimization.” With each click, you earn a “commission” and see your “earnings” rack up in the app. You might even get a payout, somewhere between $5 and $20, just to earn your trust.

Then comes the hook.

Like a video game, the scammer sweetens the deal by saying the next batch of work can “level up” your earnings. But if you want to claim your “earnings” and book more work, you need to pay up. So you make the deposit, complete the task set, and when you try to get your pay the scammer and your money are gone. It was all fake.

This scam and others like it fall right in line with McAfee data that uncovered a spike in job-related scams of 1,000% between May and July,which undoubtedly built on 2024’s record-setting job scam losses of $501 million.

Whatever form they take, here’s how you can avoid job scams:

Step one—ignore job offers over text and social media

A proper recruiter will reach out to you by email or via a job networking site. Moreover, per the FTC, any job that pays you to “like” or “rate” content is against the law. That alone says it’s a scam.

Step two—look up the company

In the case of job offers in general, look up the company. Check out their background and see if it matches up with the job they’re pitching. In the U.S., The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers a list of businesses you can search.

Step three—never pay to start a job.

Any case where you’re asked to pay to up front, with any form of payment, refuse, whether that’s for “training,” “equipment,” or more work. It’s a sign of a scam.

4 – Seeing is Believing is Out the Window: The Al Roker Deepfake Scam

Prince Harry, Taylor Swift, and now the Today show’s Al Roker, too, they’ve all found themselves as the AI-generated spokesperson for deepfake scams.

In the past, a deepfake Prince Harry pushed bogus investments, while another deepfake of Taylor Swift hawked a phony cookware deal. Then, this spring, a deepfake of Al Roker used his image and voice to promote a bogus hypertension cure—claiming, falsely, that he had suffered “a couple of heart attacks.”

 

The fabricated clip appeared on Facebook, which appeared convincing enough to fool plenty of people, including some of Roker’s own friends. “I’ve had some celebrity friends call because their parents got taken in by it,” said Roker.

While Meta quickly removed the video from Facebook after being contacted by TODAY, the damage was done. The incident highlights a growing concern in the digital age: how easy it is to create—and believe—convincing deepfakes.

Roker put it plainly, “We used to say, ‘Seeing is believing.’ Well, that’s kind of out the window now.”

In all, this stands as a good reminder to be skeptical of celebrity endorsements on social media. If public figure fronts an apparent deal for an investment, cookware, or a hypertension “cure” in your feed, think twice. And better yet, let our Scam Detector help you spot what’s real and what’s fake out there.

5 – September 2025: The First Agentic AI Attack Spotted in The Wild

And to close things out, a look at some recent news, which also serves as a look ahead.

Last September, researchers spotted something unseen before:a cyberattack almost entirely run by agentic AI.

What is Agentic AI?

Definition: Artificial intelligence systems that can independently plan, make decisions, and work toward specific goals with minimal human intervention; in this way, it executes complex tasks by adapting to new info and situations on its own.

Reported by AI researcher Anthropic, a Chinese state-sponsored group allegedly used the company’s Claude Code agent to automate most of an espionage campaign across nearly thirty organizations. Attackers allegedly bypassed guardrails that typically prevent such malicious use with jailbreaking techniques, which broke down their attacks into small, seemingly innocent tasks. That way, Claude orchestrated a large-scale attack it wouldn’t otherwise execute.

Once operational, the agent performed reconnaissance, wrote exploit code, harvested credentials, identified high-value databases, created backdoors, and generated documentation of the intrusion. By Anthropic’s estimate, they completed 80–90% of the work without any human involvement.

According to Anthropic: “At the peak of its attack, the AI made thousands of requests, often multiple per second—an attack speed that would have been, for human hackers, simply impossible to match.”

We knew this moment was coming, and now the time has arrived: what once took weeks of human effort to execute a coordinated attack now boils down to minutes as agentic AI does the work on someone’s behalf.

In 2026, we can expect to see more attacks led by agentic AI, along with AI-led scams as well, which raises an important question that Anthropic answers head-on:

If AI models can be misused for cyberattacks at this scale, why continue to develop and release them? The answer is that the very abilities that allow Claude to be used in these attacks also make it crucial for cyber defense. When sophisticated cyberattacks inevitably occur, our goal is for Claude—into which we’ve built strong safeguards—to assist cybersecurity professionals to detect, disrupt, and prepare for future versions of the attack.

That gets to the heart of security online: it’s an ever-evolving game. As new technologies arise, those who protect and those who harm one-up each other in a cycle of innovation and exploits. As we’re on the side of innovation here, you can be sure we’ll continue to roll out protections that keep you safer out there. Even as AI changes the game, our commitment remains the same.

Happy Holidays!

We’re taking a little holiday break here and we’ll be back with our weekly roundups again in 2026. Looking forward to catching up with you then and helping you stay safer in the new year.

The post This Year in Scams: A 2025 Retrospective, and a Look Ahead at 2026 appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How To Spot Health Insurance Scams This Open Enrollment Season

If you’re in the market for insurance right now, keep an eye out for scammers in the mix. They’re out in full force once again this open enrollment season.

As people across the U.S. sign up for, renew, or change their health insurance plans, scammers want to cash in as people rush to get their coverage set. And scammers have several factors working in their favor.

For starters, many people find the insurance marketplace confusing, frustrating, and even intimidating, all feelings that scammers can take advantage of. Moreover, concerns about getting the right level of coverage at an affordable price also play into the hands of scammers.

Amidst all this uncertainty and time pressure, health insurance scams crop up online. Whether under the guise of helping people navigate the complex landscape or by offering seemingly low-cost quotes, scammers prey on insurance seekers by stealing their personal information, Social Security numbers, and money.

According to the FBI, health insurance scams cost families millions each year. In some cases, the costs are up front. People pay for fraudulent insurance and have their personal info stolen. And for many, the follow-on costs are far worse, where victims go in for emergency care and find that their treatment isn’t covered—leaving them with a hefty bill.

Like so many of the scams we cover here in our blogs, you can spot health insurance scams relatively quickly once you get to know their ins and outs.

What Kind Of Health Insurance Scams Are Out There Right Now?

Here’s how some of those scams can play out.

The Phishing Strategy

Some are “one and done scams” where the scammer promises a policy or service and then disappears after stealing money and personal info—much like an online shopping scam. It’s a quick and dirty hit where scammers quickly get what they want by reaching victims the usual ways, such as through texts, emails, paid search results, and social media. In the end, victims end up on a phishing site where they think they’re locking in a good deal but handing over their info to scammers instead.

The Long Con

Other scams play a long con game, milking victims for thousands and thousands of dollars over time. The following complaint lodged by one victim in Washington state provides a typical example:

A man purchased a plan to cover himself, his wife, and his two children, only to learn there was no coverage. He was sold a second policy, with the same result, and offered a refund if he purchased a third policy. When he filed a complaint, his family still had no coverage, and he was seeking a refund for more than $20,000 and reimbursement for $55,000 in treatments and prescriptions he’d paid out of pocket.

Scams like these are known as ghost broker scams where scammers pose as insurance brokers who take insurance premiums and pocket the money, leaving victims thinking they have coverage when they don’t. In some cases, scammers initially apply for a genuine policy with a legitimate carrier, only to cancel it later, while still taking premiums from the victim as their “broker.” Many victims only find out that they got scammed when they attempt to file a claim.

The “Fake” Cancellation Scam

Another type of scam comes in the form of policy cancellation scams. These work like any number of other account-based scams, where a scammer pretends to be a customer service rep at a bank, utility, or credit card company. In the insurance version of it, scammers email, text, or call with some bad news—the person’s policy is about to get cancelled. Yet not to worry, the victim can keep the policy active they hand over some personal and financial info. It’s just one more way that scammers use urgency and fear to steal to commit identity theft and fraud.

What Are The Signs Of A Health Insurance Scam?

As said, health insurance scams become relatively easy to spot once you know the tricks that scammers use. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers up its list of the ones they typically use the most:

1)Someone says they’re from the government and need money or your personal info.Government agencies don’t call people out of the blue to ask them for money or personal info. No one from the government will ask you to verify your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number, and they won’t ask you to wire money or pay by gift card or cryptocurrency.

If you have a question about Health Insurance Marketplace®, contact the government directly at: HealthCare.gov or 1-800-318-2596

2) Someone tries to sell you a medical discount plan. Legitimate medical discount plans differ from health insurance. They supplement it. In that way, they don’t pay for any of your medical expenses. Rather, they’re membership programs where you pay a recurring fee for access to a network of providers who offer their services at pre-negotiated, reduced rates. The FTC strongly advises thorough research before participating in one, as some take people’s money and offer very little in return. Call your caregiver and see if they really participate in the program and in what way. And always review the details of any medical discount plan in writing before you sign up.

3) Someone wants your sensitive personal info in exchange for a price quote. The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) official government site is HealthCare.gov. It lets you compare prices on health insurance plans, check your eligibility for healthcare subsidies, and begin enrollment. But HealthCare.gov will only ask for your monthly income and your age to give you a price quote. Never enter personal financial info like your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number to get a quote for health insurance.

4) Someone wants money to help you navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace. The people who offer legitimate help with the Health Insurance Marketplace (sometimes called Navigators or Assisters) are not allowed to charge you and won’t ask you for personal or financial info. If they ask for money, it’s a scam. Go to HealthCare.govand click “Find Local Help” to learn more.

How to Avoid Health Insurance Scams

1)For health insurance, visit a trusted source like HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace. Doing so helps guarantee that you’ll get the kind of fully compliant coverage you want.

2) Make sure the insurance covers you in your state. Not every insurer is licensed to operate in your state. Double-check that the one you’re dealing with is. A good place to start is to visit the site for your state’s insurance commission. It should have resources that let you look up the insurance companies, agents, and brokers in your state.

3) For any insurance, research the company offering it. Run a search with the company name and add “scam” or “fraud” to it. See if any relevant news or complaints show up. And if the plan you’re being offered sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4) Watch out for high-pressure sales. Don’t pay anything up front and be cautious if a company is forcing you to make quick decisions.

5) Guard your personal info. Never share your personal info, account details, or Social Security number over text or email. Make sure you’re really working with a legitimate company and that you submit any info through a secure submissions process.

6) Block bad links to phishing sites. Many insurance scams rely on phishing sites to steal personal info. A  combination of our Web Protection and Scam Detector can steer you clear of them. They’ll alert you if a link might take you to one. It’ll also block those sites if you accidentally tap or click on a bad link.

7) Monitor your identity and credit. In some health insurance scams, your personal info winds up in wrong hands, which can lead to identity fraud and theft. And the problem is that you only find out once the damage is done. Actively monitoring your identity and credit can spot a problem before it becomes an even bigger one. You can take care of both easily with our identity monitoring and credit monitoring.

Additionally, our identity theft coverage can help if the unexpected happens with up to $2 million in identity theft coverage and identity restoration support if determined you’re a victim of identity theft.​

You’ll find these protections and more in McAfee+.

The post How To Spot Health Insurance Scams This Open Enrollment Season appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Why “Strong Passwords” Aren’t Enough Anymore—and What to Do Instead

Imagine a day where you didn’t have to juggle passwords.

No more sticky notes. No more notebooks with dozens of passwords scribbled in, crossed out, and scribbled in again. No more forgetting and resetting. No more typing them in all the time.

And even better, imagine secure accounts, likely even more secure than you could keep them on your own.

That’s the power of a password manager in your life.

A password manager does the work of creating strong, unique passwords for each and every one of your accounts. And considering the hundred or so accounts you have, that’s something that would take plenty of time if you did all that work on your own.

In all, a password manager can turn the pain of juggling passwords into a real comfort.

What’s a bad password?

Before we get into how a password manager can make your life easier while making your accounts more secure, let’s look at what makes up a bad password. Here are a few examples:

Obvious passwords: Password-cracking programs start by entering a list of common (and arguably lazy) passwords. These may include the simple “password” or “1234567”. Others include common keyboard paths like “qwerty.” Even longer keyboard paths like “qwertyuiop” are well known to hackers and their tools as well. 

Dictionary words: Hacking tools also look for common dictionary words strung together, which helps them crack longer passwords in chunks. The same goes for passwords that contain the name of the app or service in them. These are “no brainer” words found in passwords that make passwords even easier to crack.

Repeated passwords: You may think you have such an unbreakable password that you want to use it for all your accounts. However, this means that if hackers compromise one of your accounts, all your other accounts are vulnerable. This is a favorite tactic of hackers. They’ll target less secure accounts and services and then attempt to re-use those credentials on more secure services like online bank and credit card companies. 

Personal information passwords: Passwords that include your birthday, dog’s name, or nickname leave you open to attack. While they’re easy for you to remember, they’re also easy for a hacker to discover—such as with a quick trip to your social media profile, particularly if it is not set to private.

If any of the above sounds familiar, you’ll want to replace any of your bad passwords with strong ones.

What’s a good password?

We can point to three things that make up a strong password, which makes it difficult to hack.

Your password is:

Long: A longer password is potentially a stronger password when it comes to a “brute force” attack, where a hacker uses an automated trial-and-error system to break it. For example, an eight-character password using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols can get hacked in minutes. Kick it up to 16 characters and it becomes incredibly more difficult to break—provided it doesn’t rely on common words or phrases. McAfee can help you generate a strong password, for stronger security with our random password generator.

Complex: To increase the security of your password, it should have a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers like mentioned above.

Unique: Every one of your accounts should have its own password.

Now, apply this to the hundred or so accounts you keep and creating strong passwords for all of them really does call for a lot of work.

Should I use a password manager?

Given its ease of use and the big security boost it gives you and all your accounts, the answer is yes.

A password manager does the work of creating strong, unique passwords for your accounts. These will take the form of a string of random numbers, letters, and characters. They won’t be memorable, but the manager does the memorizing for you. You only need to remember a single password to access the tools of your manager.

A strong password manager also stores your passwords securely. Our password manager protects your passwords by scrambling them with AES-256, one of the strongest encryption algorithms available. Only you can decrypt and access your info with the factors you choose. Additionally, our password manager uses multi-factor authentication (MFA), so you’ll be verified by at least two factors before being signed in.

Aside from the comfort of convenience a password manager can give you, it gives you another level of assurance—extra protection in an age of data breaches, because you’ll have unique passwords where one compromise won’t lead to others.

And whether or not you go with a password manager to create those strong and unique passwords, make sure you use MFA on every account that offers it. MFA offers another layer of protection by adding another factor into the login process, such as something you own like a text to your phone or notification to an authentication app. That way if a hacker has your password, they’ll still be locked out of your account because they lack that MFA code.

One more smart move: delete your old accounts

In some cases, you really don’t need some of your old accounts and the passwords that come along with them. Maybe they’re old and unused. Or maybe they were for a one-time purchase at an online store you won’t visit again. Deleting these accounts is a smart move because they’re yet more places where your personal info is stored—and subject to a data breach.

Our Online Account Cleanup can help, which you can find in all our McAfee+ plans. It scans for accounts in your name, gives you a full list, and shows you which types of accounts might be riskier than others. From there you can decide which ones you want to delete, along with the personal info linked to them. In our McAfee+ Ultimate plans, you get full-service Online Account Cleanup, which sends the data deletion requests for you.

Between this and a password manager, you’ll have one less thing to juggle—your passwords, and one less thing to worry about—if they’re secure from hackers.

The post Why “Strong Passwords” Aren’t Enough Anymore—and What to Do Instead appeared first on McAfee Blog.

This Week in Scams: Petco Breach Warning, and Watch Out for Fake Federal Calls

Pets, poisoned AI search results, and a phone call that sounds like it’s coming straight from the federal government, this week’s scams don’t have much in common except one thing: they’re getting harder to spot.

In today’s edition of This Week in Scams, we’re breaking down the biggest security lapses and the tactics scammers used to exploit them, and what you can do to stay ahead of the latest threats.

Two data security lapses discovered at Petco in one week put pet parents at risk

If you’re a Petco customer, you’ll want to know about not one but two data security lapses in the past week.

First, as reported by TechCrunch on Monday, Petco followed Texas data privacy laws by filing a data breach with the attorney general’s office. In that filing, Petco reported that the affected data included names, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers. Further info including account numbers, credit and debit card numbers, and dates of birth were also mentioned in the filing.

Also according to Techcrunch, the company filed similar notices in California and Massachusetts.

To date, Petco has not made a comment about the size of the breach and the number of people affected.

Different states have different policies for reporting data breaches. In some cases, that helps us put a figure to the size of the breach, as some states require companies to disclose the total number of people caught up in the breach. That’s not the case here, so the full scope of the attack remains in question, at least for right now.

As of Thursday, we know Petco reported that 329 Texans were affected along with seven Massachusetts residents, per the respective reports filed. California’s report does not contain the number of Californians affected, yet laws in that state require businesses to report breaches that affect 500 or more people, so at least 500 people were affected there.

Below you can see the form letter Petco sent to affected Californians in accordance with California’s data privacy laws:

 

In it, you can see that Petco discovered that “a setting within one of our software applications … inadvertently allowed certain files to become accessible online.” Further, Petco said that it “immediately took steps to correct the issue and to remove the files from further online access,” and that it “corrected” the setting and implemented unspecified “additional security measures.”

So while no foul play appears to have been behind the breach, it’s still no less risky and concerning for Petco’s customers. We’ll cover what you can do about that in a moment after we cover yet another data issue at Petco through its Vetco clinics.

Also within the same timeframe, yet more research and reporting from Techcrunch uncovered a second security lapse that exposed personal info online. From their article:

“TechCrunch identified a vulnerability in how Vetco’s website generates copies of PDF documents for its customers.

“Vetco’s customer portal, located at petpass.com, allows customers to log in and obtain veterinary records and other documents relating to their pet’s care. But TechCrunch found that the PDF generating page on Vetco’s website was public and not protected with a password.

“As such, it was possible for anyone on the internet to access sensitive customer files directly from Vetco’s servers by modifying the web address to input a customer’s unique identification number. Vetco customer numbers are sequential, which means one could access other customers’ data simply by changing a customer number by one or two digits.”

What to do if you think you had info stolen in the Petco breach

With the size and reach of the Petco breach still unknown, and the impact of the Vetco security lapse also unknown, we advise caution for all Petco customers. At minimum, monitor transactions and keep an eye on your credit report for any suspicious activity. And it’s always a good time to update a weak password.

For those who received a notification, we advise the following:

Check your credit, consider a security freeze, and get ID theft protection. You can get all three working for you with McAfee+ Advanced or McAfee+ Ultimate.

Monitor transactions across your accounts, also available in McAfee+ Advanced and Ultimate.

Keep an eye out for phishing attacks. Use our Scam Detector to spot any follow-on attacks.

Update your passwords. Strong and unique passwords are best. Our password manager can help you create and store them securely.

And use two-factor authentication on all your accounts. Enabling two-factor authentication provides an added layer of security.

 

What to do if your Social Security number was breached.

If you think your Social Security number was caught up in the breach, act quickly.

1. First, contact one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and place a fraud alert on your credit report.
2. That will cover all three bureaus and make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can also quickly freeze your credit altogether with McAfee+ Ultimate.
3. Also notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) along with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and file a police report immediately if you believe your number is being misused.

The call center number that connects you to … scammers?

You might want to be careful when searching for customer service numbers while in AI mode. Or with an AI search engine. It could connect you to a scammer.

From The Times comes reports of scammers manipulating the AI in platforms like Google and Perplexity so that their search results return scam numbers instead of a proper customer service numbers for, say, British Airways.

How do they manipulate those results? By spamming the internet with false info that gets picked up and then amplified by AI.

“[S]cammers have started seeding fake call center numbers on the web so the AI is tricked into thinking it is genuine …

“Criminals have set up YouTube channels with videos claiming to help with customer support, which are packed with airline brand names and scam numbers designed to be scraped and reused by the AI.

“Bot-generated reviews on Yelp or video descriptions on YouTube are filled with fraudulent numbers as are airline and travel web forums.”

And with these tactics, scammers could poison the results for just about any organization, business, or brand. Not just airlines. Per The Times, “The scammers have also hijacked government sites, university domains, and even fitness sites to place scam numbers, which fools the AI into thinking they are genuine.”

This reveals a current limitation with many AI platforms. Largely they can’t distinguish when people deliberately feed them bad info, as seen in the case here.

Yet even as this attack is new, our advice remains the same: any time you want to ring up a customer service line, get the number directly from the company’s official website. Not from AI search and not by clicking a paid search result that shows up first (scammers can poison them too).

Is that a call from an FTC “agent?” If so, it’s a scam.

Are you under investigation for money laundering? Of course not. But this scam wants you to think so—and to pay up.

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a consumer alert warning that people are reporting getting unexpected calls from someone saying they’re “FTC agent” John Krebs. Apparently “Agent Krebs” is telling people that they’re under investigation for money laundering—and that a deposit to a Bitcoin ATM can resolve the matter.

Of course, it’s a scam.

For starters, the FTC doesn’t have “agents.” And the idea of clearing one’s name in an investigation with a Bitcoin payment is a sure-fire sign of a scam. Lastly, any time someone asks for payment with Bitcoin or other payment methods that are near-impossible to recover (think wire transfers and gift cards), those are big red flags.

Apart from hanging up and holding on to your money, the FTC offers the following guidance, which holds true for any scam call:

• Never transfer or send money to anyone in response to an unexpected call or message, no matter who they say they are.
• Know that the FTC won’t ask for money. In fact, no government agency will ever tell you to deposit money at a cryptocurrency ATM, buy gift cards and share the numbers, or send money over a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
• Don’t trust your caller ID. A call might look like it’s coming from the government or a business, but scammers often fake caller ID.

And we close things out a quick roundup …

As always, here’s a quick list of a few stories that caught our eye this week:

AI tools transform Christmas shopping as people turn to chatbots

National cybercrime network operating for 14 years dismantled in Indonesia

Why is AI becoming the go-to support for our children’s mental health?

We’ll see you next Friday with a special edition to close out 2025 … This Year in Scams.

The post This Week in Scams: Petco Breach Warning, and Watch Out for Fake Federal Calls appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Think That Party Invite Is Real? Fake E-Vite Scams Are the New Phishing Trap

It looks harmless enough.

A digital party invitation lands in your inbox or phone. You click to see the details. Then it asks you to log in or create an account before revealing the event. 

That’s where the scam begins. 

Fake e-vite phishing scams are on the rise, and they take advantage of something simple: social trust. You’re far more likely to click an invitation than a generic “account alert” or “delivery notice.” 

And that’s exactly why scammers are using them. 

In fact, here’s a screenshot of a fake phishing email I recently got this holiday season:

When you click the “open invitation” link, it immediately asks you to sign in or create an account with your personal information. That’s the step where scammers steal your private data. 

What Is a Fake E-Vite Scam? 

A fake e-vite scam is a phishing attack that pretends to be a real invitation from platforms like Paperless Post or other digital invitation services. 

The goal is to trick you into: 

• Entering your email and password 
• Creating a fake account on a malicious site 
• Clicking links that lead to credential-stealing pages 
• Downloading malware disguised as an invitation 

Once scammers have your login information, they can: 

• Take over your email 
• Reset passwords on other accounts 
• Send scams to your contacts 
• Launch identity theft attempts 

How These Fake Invitation Scams Usually Work 

Here’s the most common flow: 

1. You receive a digital invitation that looks normal 
2. The message prompts you to “view the invitation” 
3. You’re redirected to a login or signup page 
4. You enter your email, password, or personal info 
5. The invitation never appears 
6. Your credentials have now been stolen 

Because this starts with something familiar and social, many people don’t realize it’s phishing until accounts are already compromised. Plus, scammers then use your email and name to trick friends and family into trusting more fake e-vites from your account.

How to Tell If a Paperless Post Invite Is Real 

Paperless Post has publicly acknowledged these scams and shared what legitimate messages actually look like. 

Legitimate Paperless Post Emails Will Never: 

• Include .EXE attachments 
• Include .PDF attachments 
• Include any attachments other than image files 

Official Paperless Post Email Domains: 

Legitimate invitations and account messages only come from: 

• paperless@email.paperlesspost.com 
• paperlesspost@paperlesspost.com 
• paperlesspost@accounts.paperlesspost.com 

Official support emails only come from: 

• help@paperlesspost.com 
• pds@paperlesspost.com 
• security@paperlesspost.com 
• privacy@paperlesspost.com 
• agent@paperlesspost.com 
• optout@paperlesspost.com 

If the sender does not match one of these exactly, it’s a scam. 

Paperless Post also notes that verified emails may display a blue checkmark in supported inboxes to confirm authenticity.  

The Biggest Red Flags of a Fake E-Vite 

If you see any of the following, do not click: 

• You’re forced to log in to “see” who invited you 
• The sender email doesn’t match the official domains above 
• The invitation creates urgency 
• You’re asked for payment to view the event 
• The message feels generic instead of personal 
• The site address looks slightly off 

Why These Scams Are So Effective Right Now 

Modern phishing attacks don’t rely on sloppy design anymore. Many now use: 

• Polished branding 
• Clean layouts 
• Familiar platforms 
• Friendly language 
• Social pressure 

Invitation phishing is especially powerful because: 

• It triggers curiosity 
• It feels harmless 
• It mimics real social behavior 
• It doesn’t start with fear or threats 
• By the time the scam turns risky, your guard is already down. 

What To Do If You Clicked a Fake E-Vite 

If you entered any information into a suspicious invitation page: 

1. Immediately change your email password 
2. Change any other account that reused that password 
3. Enable two-factor authentication 
4. Check for unknown login activity 
5. Warn contacts if your email may have been compromised 
6. Run a security scan on your device 

The faster you act, the more damage you can prevent. 

The post Think That Party Invite Is Real? Fake E-Vite Scams Are the New Phishing Trap appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How to Stay Safe on Your New AI Browser

AI-powered browsers give you much more than a window to the web. They represent an entirely new way to experience the internet, with an AI “agent” working by your side.

We’re entering an age where you can delegate all kinds of tasks to a browser, and with that comes a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when using AI browsers like ChatGPT’s Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet, and others.

What are agentic AI browsers?

So, what’s the allure of this new breed of browser? The answer is that it’s highly helpful, and plenty more.

By design, these “agentic” AI browsers actively assist you with the things you do online. They can automate tasks and interpret your intentions when you make a request. Further, they can work proactively by anticipating things you might need or by offering suggestions.

In a way, an AI browser works like a personal assistant. It can summarize the pages in several open tabs, conduct research on just about any topic you ask it to, or even track down the lowest airfare to Paris in the month of May. Want it to order ink for your printer and some batteries for your remote? It can do that too. And that’s just to name a few possibilities.

As you can see, referring to the AI in these browsers as “agentic” fits. It truly works like an agent on your behalf, a capability that promises to get more powerful over time.

Is it safe to use an AI browser?

But as with any new technology, early adopters should balance excitement with awareness, especially when it comes to privacy and security. You might have seen some recent headlines that shared word of security concerns with these browsers.

The reported exploits vary, as does the harm they can potentially inflict. That ranges from stealing personal info, gaining access to Gmail and Google Drive files, installing malware, and injecting the AI’s “memory” with malicious instructions, which can follow from session to session and device to device, wherever a user logs in.

Our own research has shown that some of these attacks are now tougher to pull off than they were initially, particularly as the AI browser companies continue to put guardrails in place. If anything, this reinforces a long-standing truth about online security, it’s a cat-and-mouse game. Tech companies put protections in place, bad actors discover an exploit, companies put further protections in place, new exploits crop up, and so on. It’s much the same in the rapidly evolving space of AI browsers. The technology might be new, but the game certainly isn’t.

While these reports don’t mean AI browsers are necessarily unsafe to use, they do underscore how fast this space is evolving…and why caution is smart as the tech matures.

How To Use an AI Browser Safely

It’s still early days for AI-powered browsers and understanding the security and privacy implications of their use. With that, we strongly recommend the following to help reduce your risk:

Don’t let an AI browser do what you wouldn’t let a stranger do. Handle things like your banking, finances, and health on your own. And the same certainly goes for all the info tied to those aspects of your life.

Pay attention to confirmations. As of today, agentic browsers still require some level of confirmation from the user to perform key actions (like processing a payment, sending an email, or updating a calendar entry). Pay close attention to them, so you can prevent your browser from doing something you don’t want it to do.

Use the “logged out” mode, if possible. As of this writing, at least one AI browser, Atlas, gives you the option to use the agent in the logged-out mode.ⁱ This limits its access to sensitive data and the risk of it taking actions on your behalf with your credentials.

If possible, disable “model learning.” By turning it off, you reduce the amount of personal info stored and processed by the AI provider for AI training purposes, which can minimize security and privacy risks.

Set privacy controls to the strictest options available. Further, understand what privacy policies the AI developer has in place. For example, some AI providers have policies that allow people to review your interactions with the AI as part of its training. These policies vary from company to company, and they tend to undergo changes. Keeping regular tabs on the privacy policy of the AI browser you use makes for a privacy-smart move.

Keep yourself informed. The capabilities, features, and privacy policies of AI-powered browsers continue to evolve rapidly. Set up news alerts about the AI browser you use and see if any issues get reported and, if so, how the AI developer has responded. Do routine searches pairing the name of the AI browser with “privacy.”

How McAfee Can Help

McAfee’s award-winning protection helps you browse safer, whether you’re testing out new AI tools or just surfing the web.

McAfee offers comprehensive privacy services, including personal info scans and removal plus a secure VPN.

Plus, protections like McAfee’s Scam Detector automatically alert you to suspicious texts, emails, and videos before harm can happen—helping you manage your online presence confidently and safeguard your digital life for the long term. Likewise, Web Protection can help you steer you clear of suspicious websites that might take advantage of AI browsers.

The post How to Stay Safe on Your New AI Browser appeared first on McAfee Blog.

What Is Internet Security?

Internet security refers to the tactics that protect your online activities from various cyber threats, including malware, phishing attacks, scams, and unauthorized access by hackers. In this article, we will highlight the importance of internet security in safeguarding your digital network and outline the steps you can take to establish a comprehensive online security system.

Why internet security matters

Internet usage has become central to our daily lives. In 2024 alone, DataReportal reported that around 5.56 billion, that’s 67.9% of the world’s population, were connected to the internet. This was 136 million more than the year before, resulting in the creation of approximately 402.7 million terabytes of data each day. With this wealth of information, it is no wonder that cybercriminals are scrambling to make billions of dollars off the internet.

Globally, the average cost of data breaches rose by 10% between 2023 and 2024, totaling an estimated $4.88 million. This staggering amount included not only the loss in business revenues but also recovery costs and regulatory fines. For this reason, it has become important to implement internet security to protect our online personal data, activities, and devices from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

While internet security is sometimes confused with it, it’s important to point out their subtle distinctions. Internet security focuses on protecting your activities and data as they travel across the web. In contrast, cybersecurity focuses on protecting digital assets, including systems, networks, and data, from cyber threats. These two concepts work together to create your complete digital protection environment.

The importance of internet security

Internet security threats come in a variety of forms, complexities, and detectability. Some of the common threats we face today include:

• Malware: Malicious software is an umbrella term that refers to any program that exploits system vulnerabilities to damage a computer system or network and steal sensitive information from users. Examples of malware include viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and worms.
• Phishing: Phishing is a social engineering scam that involves stealing a user’s sensitive data by deceiving them into opening an email or an instant message and clicking a malicious link or attachment. The data that cybercriminals target can range from login credentials to credit card numbers and other sensitive information. You may unknowingly provide access codes to fake tech support or transfer money to scammers posing as family members in emergency situations. Phishing attacks are often used for identity theft purposes.
• Spam: Spam refers to unwanted email messages sent in bulk to your email inbox. This tactic is generally used to promote goods and services that users aren’t interested in. Spam emails can also contain links to malicious websites that automatically install harmful programs that help hackers gain access to your data.
• Botnets: This contraction of “robot network” refers to a network of computers that have been infected with malware. The computers are then prompted to perform automated tasks without permission, such as sending spam and carrying out denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
• Wi-Fi threats: Hackers exploit unprotected public Wi-Fi connections to breach data security and obtain sensitive information, including login credentials, emails, and browsing activity. Your personal information could be stolen when you check your email, shop online, or access your bank accounts on public networks.
• Ransomware: This malicious software locks your files and demands payment for their release. You could lose precious family photos, important documents, or access to your devices until you pay, with no guarantee you’ll get your files back. The FBI reported nearly $12.5 billion in ransomware losses in 2024.
• Credential stuffing: Cybercriminals use automated tools to test stolen username and password combinations across multiple sites, hoping you’ve reused the same login credentials. This can give hackers access to your online banking, shopping accounts, and social media profiles.
• Account takeovers: When criminals gain control of your online accounts through stolen passwords or security vulnerabilities, they can lock you out while using your accounts for fraudulent activities such as draining your bank account, making unauthorized purchases, or damaging your reputation on social media. In the U.S. alone, approximately 77 million Americans fell victim to account takeover fraud in 2024.
• Browser hijacking: This occurs when unwanted software changes your browser settings, redirecting you to malicious websites, flooding you with unwanted ads and pop-ups, then stealing your information or installing more malware on your device. A recent investigation revealed that at least 16 malicious extensions in Chrome alone have affected over 3.2 million users.

While internet security threats may seem overwhelming at first glance, solutions are available to safeguard your computer or mobile devices. Below is a detailed look at some security measures.

Network security basics

Your home network serves as the foundation of your digital life, connecting all your devices and enabling your online activities. Having a strong network security foundation with multiple layers of protection will keep your connections and data safe from cyber threats.

Secure the router

Your router serves as the gateway between your home devices and the internet, making it a critical security component. Start by changing your router’s default administrator username and password immediately after setup. These factory defaults are widely known and easily exploited by attackers. Choose a strong, unique password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent unauthorized access to your router’s settings.

Encrypt your Wi-Fi

Enable WPA3 encryption on your wireless network, as it provides the strongest protection for your Wi-Fi connections. If your router doesn’t support WPA3, use WPA2 as a minimum standard. These protocols scramble your data as it travels between devices and your router, making it unreadable to anyone attempting to intercept your communications.

Fortify network names and passwords

Create a unique network name or service set identifier (SSID) that doesn’t reveal your router manufacturer or model number, and pair it with a complex Wi-Fi password at least 12 characters long with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information such as your address or name in either your network name or password, as this information can help attackers guess your password.

Update firmware

Regularly update your router’s firmware to patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Check your router manufacturer’s website quarterly for updates if automatic updates aren’t available, as outdated firmware often contains known security flaws that cybercriminals actively exploit.

Set up guest networks

Separate the guest network for visitors and smart home devices to protect your primary network where you store sensitive data. If a guest’s device is compromised or if a smart device has security vulnerabilities, the threat can’t easily spread to your main computers and phones. Configure your guest network with a strong password and consider time limits for access.

Isolate devices and segment the network

Enable access point isolation, also called client isolation, on your wireless network to prevent potentially compromised devices from attacking other devices on the same network. If you are an advanced user, consider creating separate virtual networks (VLANs) for different device types, such as keeping work computers on a different network segment than entertainment devices.

Activate the firewall

Modern routers include built-in firewalls that monitor suspicious activity in both incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking potentially harmful connections and unnecessary ports and services.

Install an antivirus

Antivirus programs are engineered to prevent, detect, and remove viruses and other types of malicious software. Antivirus software can run automatic scans on specific files or directories to make sure no malicious activity is present, and no network or data breach has occurred.

McAfee’s antivirus software features key security capabilities, including malware detection, quarantine, and removal, as well as options for scanning files and applications, and an advanced firewall for home network security.

Use multi-factor authentication when possible

Multi-factor authentication is an authentication method that requires at least two pieces of evidence before granting access to a website. Using this method adds another layer of security to your applications and reduces the likelihood of a data breach.

Choose a safe web browser

Web browsers vary widely in terms of the security features, with some offering just the basics and others providing a more complete range of features. Ideally, you should opt for a browser that offers the following security features:

• Private session browsing
• Pop-up blocking
• Privacy features
• Anti-phishing filter
• Automatic blocking of reported malicious sites
• Cross-site script filtering

When properly implemented, these steps help ensure that your internet connection remains private, your data stays secure, and unauthorized users can’t access your network resources. Regular maintenance of these security settings, combined with staying informed about emerging threats, provides a solid foundation for safe and confident internet use.

Internet mobile security

These days, smartphones and tablets hold more personal information than ever before—from banking details and photos to work emails and location data. While this convenience makes life easier, it also creates new opportunities for cybercriminals to target your mobile devices. As you secure your network and desktop or laptop devices, so should you treat your mobile devices with the same care. Here are some straightforward security practices that you can implement to reduce your exposure to mobile threats significantly:

• Keep your operating system and apps updated: Software updates often include critical security patches that fix vulnerabilities criminals could exploit. Enable automatic updates for your device’s operating system and apps if possible, or check regularly for available updates in your device settings.
• Download apps only from official stores: Stick to official app stores, such as Google Play Store or Apple App Store, which employ security measures to screen for malicious apps. Before downloading, read app reviews, check the developer’s reputation, and review what permissions the app requests.
• Manage app permissions carefully: Regularly review and adjust app permissions in your device settings, limiting access to sensitive data like your camera, microphone, contacts, and location, unless absolutely necessary for the app’s core functionality.
• Stay alert to SMS and messaging scams: Text message scams are increasingly becoming sophisticated, often impersonating legitimate companies or services. Never click links in unexpected text messages, and verify requests for personal information by contacting the company directly through official channels.
• Use secure mobile browsers and settings: Configure your mobile browser with privacy and security settings that protect your data. Enable features such as pop-up blocking, disable location sharing unless needed, and consider using private browsing modes.
• Activate device locks and biometric security: Use screen locks with PINs, passwords, patterns, or biometric authentication such as fingerprints or face recognition. Set your device to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity, and avoid using easily guessable codes, such as “1234” or your birthday.
• Encrypt devices and backups: Turn on your device’s built-in encryption and create secure, encrypted backups of your important data to protect your information even if your smartphone is lost or stolen.
• Set up remote lock and wipe capabilities: Enable remote tracking, lock, and wipe features on your devices. Services like Find My iPhone or Google’s Find My Device allow you to locate, lock, or remotely erase your entire device if it’s lost or stolen.
• Exercise caution on public Wi-Fi networks: Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or conducting financial transactions on public networks, and consider using your phone’s mobile hotspot feature instead when you need internet access.

FAQs about internet security

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about online protection.

What does internet security cover?

Internet security protects you from a wide range of online threats, including viruses, malware, phishing attacks, identity theft, and data breaches. It also covers your devices, personal information, online accounts, and network connections to help you browse, shop, and communicate safely online.

How is internet security different from antivirus software?

While antivirus software focuses specifically on detecting and removing malicious programs, internet security provides comprehensive protection that includes antivirus software plus additional features such as firewalls, web protection, email security, identity monitoring, and safe browsing tools.

Do Macs and smartphones need internet security protection?

Yes, all devices that connect to the internet can be targeted by cybercriminals. Mobile devices and Macs face increasing security threats, including malicious apps, phishing attempts, and network attacks, making protection essential regardless of your device type.

How can I stay safe on public Wi-Fi?

Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making purchases on public Wi-Fi networks. When using public Wi-Fi, stick to encrypted websites with “https” in the URL, avoid automatic connections, and consider using a VPN for added protection.

How can you keep children safe online?

As children grow older, their internet use becomes more extensive. To keep them safe online, educate them about the risks of web browsing and best practices to avoid online threats, such as not sharing passwords. Explain which information should be shared and which should be kept private. Instruct them to never click on links from unknown sources. Set up parental controls on certain websites to filter out inappropriate content and maintain a child-friendly interface.

What are the signs that my account has been compromised?

Watch for unexpected password reset emails, unfamiliar login notifications, unusual account activity, friends receiving spam from your accounts, or unauthorized charges on your financial statements. If you notice any of these signs, change your passwords immediately and contact the relevant service providers.

How often should I update my software and devices?

Enable automatic updates whenever possible and install security patches as soon as they become available. Regular updates address security vulnerabilities that criminals actively exploit, making staying current one of your best defenses against cyber threats.

Final thoughts

As more cyber threats emerge and expand in both scope and sophistication, it’s essential that you protect your online activities. Adequate protection doesn’t have to be complicated. Taking steps to install antivirus software, create strong and unique passwords, enable your firewall, and use multi-factor authentication will help build a strong defense against online threats.

Start implementing these internet security measures today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected online.

For added security, consider using an all-in-one antivirus solution, such as McAfee, to safeguard your devices from online threats. Let McAfee handle your security, so you can focus on enjoying the internet.

The post What Is Internet Security? appeared first on McAfee Blog.

This Week in Scams: Phony AI Ads, Apple Account Takeover Attempts, and a PlayStation Scam

For this week in scams, we have fake AI-generated shopping images that could spoil your holidays, scammers use an Apple Support ticket in a takeover attempt, and a PlayStation scam partly powered by AI.

Let’s start with those fake ads, because holiday shopping is in full swing.

Keep a sharp eye out for fake AI shopping ads that sell knockoff goods

Turns out that three-quarters of people (74%) can’t correctly identify a fake AI-generated social media ad featuring popular holiday gifts—which could leave them open to online shopping scams.

That finding, and several others, comes by way of research from Santander, a financial services company in the UK.

Here’s a quick rundown of what else they found:

• Less than one in 10 (8%) people feel “very confident” in their ability to spot an AI-generated ad on social media.
• More than half (56%) fear that they or a family member could get scammed as a result.
• About two-thirds (63%) said that they won’t purchase anything from social media platforms because they’re not sure what’s real and what’s fake.

From the study … could you tell these ads are both fake?

 

 

 

 

In all, cheap and readily available AI tools make spinning up fake ads quick and easy work. The same goes for launching websites where those “goods” can get sold. In the past, we’ve seen scammers take two different approaches when they use social media ads and websites to lure in their victims:

Phishing sites

During the holidays, scammers pump out ads that offer seemingly outstanding deals on hot items. Of course, the offer and the site where it’s “sold” is fake. Victims hand over their personal info and credit card number, never to see the items they thought they’d purchased. On top of the money a victim loses, the scammer also has their card info and can run up its tab or sell it to others on the dark web.

Knock-off sites

In this case, the scammer indeed sells and delivers something. But you don’t get what you paid for. The item looks, feels, fits, or works entirely differently than what was advertised. In this way, people wind up with a cheaply made item cobbled together with inferior materials. Worse yet, these scams potentially prop up sweatshops, child labor, and other illegal operations in the process. Nothing about these sites and the things they sell on them are genuine.

So, fake AI shopping ads are out there. What should you look out for? Here’s a quick list:

• First off, any offer that sounds too good to be true and heavy discounts on hard-to-find or popular items are major signs of a scam—and have been for years running now.
• See if the image looks a little too polished or even cartoony in some cases. As for people in AI ads, they can look airbrushed and have skin tones that seemingly give off an odd glow.
• Look up reviews of the company. Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau offer great resources for that. Even simple a search using “CompanyName scam” can give you an idea if it’s a scam or not.
• And lastly, the combination of our Scam Detector and Web Protection can help sniff out a scam for you.

The Apple Support scam that came from … Apple? (Not really. We’ll explain.)

“I almost lost everything—my photos, my email, my entire digital life.”

So opens a recent Medium post from Eric Moret recounting how he almost handed over his Apple Account to a scammer armed with a real Apple Support ticket to make this elaborate phishing attack look legit.

Over the course of nearly 30 minutes, a scammer calmly and professionally walked Moret through a phony account takeover attempt.

It started with two-factor authentication notifications that claimed someone was trying to access his iCloud account. Three minutes later, he got a call from an Atlanta-based number. The caller said they were with Apple Support. “Your account is under attack. We’re opening a ticket to help you. Someone will contact you shortly.”

Seconds later came another call from the same number, which is where the scam fully kicked in. The person also said they were from Apple Support and that they’d opened a case on Moret’s behalf. Sure enough, when directed, Moret opened his email and saw a legitimate case number from a legitimate Apple address.

The caller then told him to reset his password, which he did. Moret received a text with a link to a site where he could, apparently, close his case.

Note that at no time did the scammers ask him for his two-factor authentication code throughout this process, which is always the sign of a scam. However, the scammers had another way to get it.

The link took him to a site called “appeal-apple dot com,” which was in fact a scam site. However, the page looked official to him, and he entered a six-digit code “confirmation code” sent by text to finish the process.

That “confirmation code” was actually a fresh two-factor authentication code. With that finally in hand, the scammers signed in. Moret received a notice that a new device had logged into his account. Moret quickly reset his password again, which kicked them out and stopped the attack.

So, what went wrong here? Let’s break down three key moments in this account takeover scam:

• The unsolicited phone calls. That’s an immediate sign to hang up and call an official support number to confirm the “issue” yourself.
• The fake website. A site with a URL like “appeal-apple dot com” is a scam site, even if it looks “official.” Scammers can create them easily today.
• The code heist. Scammers trick people into handing over their authorization code by calling it something else, like a “confirmation code.”

So, how can you protect yourself from account takeover scams? Let’s break that down too.

• Know that Apple Support won’t call you or open a case on your behalf.
• Also know that anyone can create an Apple Support ticket for anyone else, without verification. If you didn’t create it yourself, it’s a strong sign of a scam.
• If you have concerns, call Apple yourself at 1-800-275-2273 or contact them through their Apple Support App, available here on Apple’s support page.
• Only interact with Apple through sites and emails with the proper “apple dot com” address. Watch out for altered addresses like the “appeal-apple dot com” used here.
• Never, ever share your authentication code in any way … verbally, in an email, in a text, or a website. Any request for it from anyone is a scam.
• You can see the devices signed into your account any time. Go to Settings, tap your Name, and scroll to see all devices linked to your Apple ID.
• Get protection that blocks links to scam sites, like our Scam Detectorand Web Protection.

The FCC takes aim at the Wal-Mart PlayStation 5 Robocall Scam

Maybe you didn’t get a scam call from “Emma” or “Carl” at Wal-Mart, but plenty of people did. Around eight million in all. Now the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Enforcement Bureau wants to put a stop to them.

“Emma” and “Carl” are in fact a couple of AI voices fronting a scam framed around the bogus purchase of a PlayStation. It’s garnered its share of complaints, so much that the FCC has stepped in. It alleges that SK Teleco, a voice service provider, provisioned at least some of these calls, and that it must immediately stop.

According to the FCC, the call plays out like this:

“A preauthorized purchase of PlayStation 5 special edition with Pulse 3D headset is being ordered from your Walmart account for an amount of 919 dollars 45 cents. To cancel your order or to connect with one of our customer support representatives, please press ‘1.’ Thank you.”

Pressing “1” connects you to a live operator who asks for personal identifiable such as Social Security numbers to cancel the “purchase.”

If you were wondering, it’s unlawful to place calls to cellphones containing artificial or prerecorded voice messages absent an emergency purpose or prior express consent. According to the FCC’s press release, SK Teleco didn’t respond to a request to investigate the calls. The FCC further alleges that it’s unlikely the company has any such consent.

Per the FCC, “If SK Teleco fails to take swift action to prevent scam calls, the FCC will require all other providers to no longer accept call traffic from SK Teleco.”

We’ll see how this plays out, yet it’s a good reminder to report scam calls. When it comes to any kind of scam, law enforcement and federal agencies act on complaints.

Get a scam call? Who’s here you can report it to:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud, especially if you lost money, at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Report unwanted calls, texts, and caller ID spoofing at DoNotCall.gov.
• Your State Attorney General: You can find yours through https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/.

And we close things out a quick roundup …

Here’s a quick list of a few stories that caught our eye this week:

Scammers pose as law enforcement, threaten jail time if you don’t pay (with audio)

Deepfake of North Carolina lawmaker used in award-winning Brazilian Whirlpool video

What happens when you kick millions of teens off social media? Australia’s about to find out

We’ll see you next Friday with more updates, scam news, and ways you can stay safer out there.

The post This Week in Scams: Phony AI Ads, Apple Account Takeover Attempts, and a PlayStation Scam appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Ways to Tell if a Website Is Fake

Unfortunately, scammers today are coming at us from all angles, trying to trick us into giving up our hard-earned money. We all need to be vigilant in protecting ourselves online. If you aren’t paying attention, even if you know what to look for, they can still catch you off guard. There are numerous ways to detect fake sites, phishing, and other scams, including emails.

Before we delve into the signs of fake websites, we will first take a closer look at the common types of scams that use websites, what happens when you accidentally access a fake website, and what you can do in case you unknowingly purchased items from it.

What are fake or scam websites?

Fake or scam websites are fraudulent sites that look legitimate while secretly attempting to steal your personal information, money, or account access.

These deceptive platforms masquerade as trustworthy businesses or organizations, sending urgent messages that appear to be from popular shopping websites offering fantastic limited-time deals, banking websites requesting immediate account verification, government portals claiming you owe taxes or are eligible for refunds, and shipping companies asking for delivery fees.

The urgency aims to trick you into logging in and sharing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security details, login credentials, and personal data. Once you submit your data, the scammers will steal your identity, drain your accounts, or sell your details to other criminals on the dark web.

These scam websites have become increasingly prevalent because they’re relatively inexpensive to create and can reach millions of potential victims quickly through email and text campaigns, social media ads, and search engine manipulation.

Cybersecurity researchers and consumer protection agencies discover these fraudulent sites through various methods, including monitoring suspicious domain registrations, analyzing reported phishing attempts, and tracking unusual web traffic patterns. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, losses from cyber-enabled fraud totaled $13.7 billion, with fake websites accounting for a significant portion of these losses.

Consequences of visiting a fake website

Visiting a fake website, accidentally or intentionally, can expose you to several serious security risks that can impact your digital life and financial well-being:

• Credential theft: Scammers can capture your login information through fake login pages that look identical to legitimate sites. Once they have your username and password, they can access your real accounts and steal personal information or money.
• Credit card fraud: When you enter your bank or credit card details on fraudulent shopping or fake service portals, scammers can use your payment information for unauthorized purchases or sell these to other criminals on the dark web.
• Malware infection: Malicious downloads, infected ads, or drive-by downloads may happen automatically when you visit certain fake sites. These, in turn, can steal personal files, monitor your activity, or give criminals remote access to your device.
• Identity theft: Fake sites can collect personal information, such as Social Security numbers, addresses, or birthdates, through fraudulent forms or surveys.
• Account takeovers: Criminals can use stolen credentials to access your email, banking, or social media accounts, potentially locking you out and using your accounts for further scams.

Common types of scam websites

Scammers employ various tactics to create fake websites that appear authentic, but most of these techniques follow familiar patterns. Knowing the main types of scam sites helps you recognize danger faster. This section lists the most common categories of scam websites, explains how they operate, and identifies the red flags that alert you before they can steal your information or money.

• Fake shopping stores: These fraudulent e-commerce sites steal your money and personal information without delivering products. They offer unrealistic discounts (70%+ off), have no customer service contact information, or accept payments only through wire transfers or gift cards. These sites often use stolen product images and fake customer reviews to appear legitimate.
• Phishing login pages: These sites mimic legitimate services such as banks, email providers, or social media platforms to harvest your credentials. Their URLs that don’t match the official domain, such as “bankofamerica-security.com” instead of “bankofamerica.com.” Their urgent messages claim your account will be suspended unless you log in immediately.
• Tech support scam sites: These fake websites claim to detect computer problems and offer remote assistance for a fee. They begin with a pop-up ad with a loud alarm to warn you about viruses, providing phone numbers to call “immediately” or requesting remote desktop access from unsolicited contacts.
• Investment and crypto sites: These sites guarantee incredible returns on cryptocurrency or investment opportunities, feature fake celebrity endorsements, or pressure you to invest quickly before a “limited-time opportunity” expires.
• Giveaway and lottery pages: You receive notifications with a link to a page that claims you’ve won prizes In contests you never entered, but require upfront fees or personal information to receive them. They will request bank account details to “process your winnings” or upfront processing fees.
• Shipping and parcel update portals: These typically appear as tracking pages that mimic delivery services, such as USPS, UPS, or FedEx, to steal personal information or payment details. The pages ask for immediate payment to release and deliver the packages, or for login credentials to accounts you don’t have with that carrier.
• Malware download pages: These ill-intentioned sites offer “free” but uncertified software, games, or media files that contain harmful code to infect your device once you click on the prominent “Download” button.
• Advance fee and loan scams: These sites claim to guarantee approved loans or financial services, regardless of your credit score. But first, you will have to post an upfront payment or processing fees before any actual assistance is rendered.

Understanding these common scam types helps you recognize fake sites before they can steal your information or money. When in doubt, verify legitimacy by visiting official websites directly through bookmarks or search engines rather than clicking suspicious links.

For the latest warnings and protection guidance, check resources from the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Recognize a fake site

You can protect yourself by learning to recognize the warning signs of fake sites. By understanding what these scams look like and how they operate, you’ll be better equipped to shop, bank, and browse online with confidence. Remember, legitimate companies will never pressure you to provide sensitive information through unsolicited emails or urgent pop-up messages.

1. Mismatched domain name and brand: The website URL doesn’t match the company name they claim to represent, like “amazoon-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Scammers use similar-looking domains to trick you into thinking you’re on a legitimate site.
2. Spelling mistakes and poor grammar: Legitimate businesses invest in professionally created content to ensure clean and error-free writing or graphics. If you are on a site with multiple typos, awkward phrasing, or grammatical errors, this indicates that it was hastily created and not thoroughly reviewed, unlike authentic websites.
3. Missing or invalid security certificate: The site lacks the “https://” prefix in the URL or displays security warnings in your browser. Without proper encryption, any information you enter can be intercepted by criminals.
4. Fantastic deals: Look out for prices that are dramatically low—like designer items at 90% off or electronics at impossibly low costs. Scammers use unrealistic bargains to lure victims into providing payment information.
5. High-pressure countdown timers: The site displays urgent messages such as “Only 2 left!” or countdown clocks with limited-time offers that reset when you refresh the page. These fake urgency tactics push you to make hasty decisions without proper research.
6. No physical address, contact information, or legitimate business details: The site provides only an email address or contact form. In the same vein, any email address they provide may look strange, like northbank@hotmail.com. Any legitimate business will not use a public email account, such as Hotmail, Gmail, or Yahoo.
7. Missing or vague return policy: Legitimate businesses want satisfied customers and provide clear policies for returns and exchanges. Scams, however, often fail to provide clear refund policies, return instructions, or customer service information.
8. Stolen or low-quality images: Scammers often steal images from legitimate sites without permission, making their product photos look pixelated, watermarked, or inconsistent in style and quality.
9. Fake or generic reviews: Authentic reviews include specific details and a mix of ratings and comments. On fake websites, however, customer reviews are often overly positive, using generic language, posted on the same dates, or containing similar phrasing patterns.
10. Limited payment options: Legitimate businesses offer secure payment options with buyer protection. Fake websites, however, only accept wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or other non-reversible or untraceable payment methods.
11. Recently registered domain: The website was created very recently—often just days or weeks ago, whereas established businesses typically have older, stable web presences.
12. Fake password: If you’re at a fake site and type in a phony password, the fake site is likely to accept it.

Recognize phishing, SMiShing, and other fake communications

Most scams typically start with social engineering tactics, such as phishing, smishing, and fake social media messages containing suspicious links, before directing you to a fake website.

From these communications, the scammers impersonate legitimate organizations before finally executing their malevolent intentions. To avoid being tricked, it is essential to recognize the warning signs wherever you encounter them.

Email phishing red flags

Fake emails are among the most common phishing attempts you’ll encounter. If you see any of these signs in an unsolicited email, it is best not to engage:

• One way to recognize a phishing email is by its opening greeting. A legitimate email from your real bank or business will address you by name rather than a generic greeting like “Valued Customer” or something similar.
• In the main message, look for urgent language, such as “Act now!” or “Your account will be suspended immediately.” Legitimate organizations rarely create artificial urgency around routine account matters. Also, pay attention to the sender’s email address. Authentic companies use official domains, not generic email services like Gmail or Yahoo for business communications.
• Be suspicious of emails requesting your credentials, Social Security number, or other sensitive information. Banks and reputable companies will never ask for passwords or personal details via email.
• Look closely at logos and formatting. Spoofed emails often contain low-resolution images, spelling errors, or slightly altered company logos that don’t match the authentic versions.

SMS and text message scams

Smishing messages bear the same signs as phishing emails and have become increasingly sophisticated. These fake messages often appear to come from delivery services, banks, or government agencies. Common tactics include fake package delivery notifications, urgent banking alerts, or messages claiming you’ve won prizes or need to verify account information.

Legitimate organizations typically don’t include clickable links in unsolicited text messages, especially for account-related actions. When in doubt, don’t click the link—instead, open your banking app directly or visit the official website by typing the URL manually.

Social media phishing

Social media platforms give scammers new opportunities to create convincing fake profiles and pages. They might impersonate customer service accounts, create fake giveaways, or send direct messages requesting personal information. These fake sites often use profile pictures and branding that closely resemble legitimate companies.

Unusual sender behavior is another indicator of a scam across all platforms. This includes messages from contacts you haven’t heard from in years, communications from brands you don’t typically interact with, or requests that seem out of character for the supposed sender.

Examples of fake or scam websites

Scammers have become increasingly cunning in creating fake websites that closely mimic legitimate businesses and services. Here are some real-life examples of how cybercriminals use fake websites to victimize consumers:

USPS-themed scams and websites

Scammers exploit your trust in the United States Postal Service (USPS), designing sophisticated fake websites to steal your personal information, payment details, or money. They know you’re expecting a package or need to resolve a delivery issue, making you more likely to enter sensitive information without carefully verifying the site’s authenticity.

USPS-themed smishing attacks arrive as text messages stating your package is delayed, undeliverable, or requires immediate action. Common phrases include “Pay $1.99 to reschedule delivery” or “Your package is held – click here to release.”

Common URL tricks in USPS scams

Scammers use various URL manipulation techniques to make their fake sites appear official. Watch for these red flags:

• Misspelled domains: Sites like “uspps.com,” “uspo.com,” or “us-ps.com” instead of the official “usps.com”
• Extra characters: URLs containing hyphens, numbers, or additional words like “usps-tracking.com” or “usps2024.com”
• Different extensions: Domains ending in .net, .org, .info, or country codes instead of .com
• Subdomain tricks: URLs like “usps.fake-site.com” where “usps” appears as a subdomain rather than the main domain
• HTTPS absence: Legitimate USPS pages use secure HTTPS connections, while some fake sites may only use HTTP

Verify through official USPS channels

Always verify package information and delivery issues through official USPS channels before taking any action on suspicious websites or messages:

• Official USPS website: Report the incident directly to usps.com by typing the URL into your browser rather than clicking links from emails or texts. Use the tracking tool on the homepage to check your package status with the official tracking number.
• Official USPS mobile app: The USPS mobile app, available from official app stores, provides secure access to tracking, scheduling, and delivery management. Verify that you are downloading from USPS by checking the publisher name and official branding.
• USPS Customer Service: If you receive conflicting information or suspect a scam, call USPS Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) to verify delivery issues or payment requests.
• Your local post office: When you need definitive verification, speak with postal workers at your local USPS location who can access your package information directly in their systems.

Where and how to report fake USPS websites

Reporting fake USPS websites helps protect others from falling victim to these scams and assists law enforcement in tracking down perpetrators.

• Report to USPS: Forward suspicious emails to the United States Postal Inspection Service and report fake websites through the USPS website’s fraud reporting section. The Postal Inspection Service investigates mail fraud and online scams targeting postal customers.
• File with the Federal Trade Commission: Report the fraudulent website at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, providing details about the fake site’s URL, any money lost, and screenshots of the fraudulent pages.
• Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Submit reports through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, especially if you provided personal information or lost money to the scam.
• Alert your state attorney general: Many state attorneys general’s offices track consumer fraud and can investigate scams targeting residents in their jurisdiction.

Remember that legitimate USPS services are free for standard delivery confirmation and tracking. Any website demanding payment for basic package tracking or delivery should be treated as suspicious and verified through official USPS channels before providing any personal or financial information.

Tech support pop-up ads scams

According to the Federal Trade Commission, tech support scams cost Americans nearly $1.5 billion in 2024. These types of social engineering attacks are increasingly becoming sophisticated, making it more important than ever to verify security alerts through official channels.

Sadly, many scammers are misusing the McAfee name to create fake tech support pop-up scams and trick you into believing your computer is infected or your protection has expired, and hoping you’ll act without thinking.

These pop-ups typically appear while you’re browsing and claim your computer is severely infected with viruses, malware, or other threats. They use official-looking McAfee logos, colors, and messaging to appear legitimate to get you to call a fake support number, download malicious software, or pay for unnecessary services.

Red flags of fake McAfee pop-up

Learning to detect fake sites and pop-ups protects you from scams. Be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Offering phone numbers to call immediately: Legitimate McAfee software never displays pop-ups demanding you call a phone number right away for virus removal.
• Requests for remote access: Authentic McAfee alerts won’t ask you for permission to control your computer to “fix” issues remotely.
• Immediate payment demands: Real McAfee pop-ups don’t require instant payment to resolve security threats.
• Countdown timers: Fake alerts often include urgent timers claiming your computer will be “locked” or “damaged” if you don’t act immediately.
• Poor grammar and spelling: Many fraudulent pop-ups contain obvious spelling and grammatical errors.
• Browser-based alerts: Genuine McAfee software notifications appear from the actual installed program, not through your web browser.

Properly close a McAfee-themed pop-up ad

If you see a suspicious pop-up claiming to be from McAfee, here’s exactly what you should do:

1. Close the tab immediately: Don’t click anywhere on the pop-up, not even the “X” button, as this might trigger malware downloads.
2. Use keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Command+Option+Escape (Mac) to force-close your browser safely.
3. Don’t call any phone numbers: Never call support numbers displayed on the pop-ups, as these connect you directly to scammers.
4. Avoid downloading software: Don’t download any “cleaning” or “security” tools offered through pop-ups.
5. Clear your browser cache: After closing the pop-up, clear your browser’s cache and cookies to remove any tracking elements.

Verify your actual McAfee protection status

To check if your McAfee protection is genuinely active and up-to-date:

• Open your installed McAfee software directly: Click on the McAfee icon in your system tray or search for McAfee in your start menu.
• Visit the official McAfee website: Go directly to mcafee.com by typing it into your address bar.
• Log in to your McAfee account: Check your subscription status through your official McAfee online account.
• Use the McAfee mobile app: Download the official McAfee Mobile Security app to monitor your protection remotely.

Remember, legitimate McAfee software updates and notifications come through the installed program itself, not through random browser pop-ups. Your actual McAfee protection works quietly in the background without bombarding you with alarming messages.

Crush fake tech support pop-ups

Stay protected by trusting your installed McAfee software and always verifying security alerts through official McAfee channels, such as your installed McAfee dashboard or the official website.

1. Close your browser safely. If you see a fake McAfee pop-up claiming your computer is infected, don’t click anything on the pop-up. Instead, close your browser completely using Alt+F4 (Windows) or Command+Q (Mac). If the pop-up does not close, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end the browser process. This prevents any malicious scripts from running and stops the scammers from accessing your system.
2. Clear browser permissions. Fake security pop-ups often trick you into allowing notifications that can bombard you with more scam alerts. Go to your browser settings and revoke notification permissions for suspicious sites. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications, then remove any unfamiliar or suspicious websites from the list of allowed sites.
3. Remove suspicious browser extensions. Malicious extensions can generate fake McAfee alerts and redirect you to scam websites. Check your browser extensions by going to the extensions menu and removing any that you don’t recognize or that you didn’t intentionally install.
4. Reset your browser settings. If fake pop-ups persist, reset your browser to its default settings to remove unwanted changes made by malicious websites or extensions, while preserving your bookmarks and saved passwords. In most browsers, you can find the reset option under Advanced Settings.
5. Run a complete security scan. Use your legitimate antivirus software to perform a full system scan. If you don’t have security software, download a reputable program from the official vendor’s website only, such as McAfee Total Protection, to detect and remove any malware that might be generating the fake pop-ups.
6. Update your operating system and browser. Ensure your device has the latest security and web browser updates installed, which often include patches for vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Enable automatic updates to stay protected against future threats.
7. Review and adjust notification settings. Configure your browser to block pop-ups and block sites from sending you notifications. You could be tempted to allow some sites to send you alerts, but we suggest erring on the side of caution and just block all notifications.

Steps to take if you visited or purchased from a fake site

Be prepared and know how to respond quickly when something doesn’t feel right. If you suspect you’ve encountered a fake website, trust your instincts and take these protective steps immediately.

1. Disconnect immediately: Close your browser by using Alt+F4 (Windows), Ctrl + W (Chrome), or Command+Q (Mac) on your keyboard.
2. Run a comprehensive security scan: If you suspect a virus or malware, disconnect from the internet to prevent data transmission. Conduct a full scan using your antivirus software to detect and remove any potential threats that may have been downloaded.
3. Contact your credit card issuer: Call the number on the back of your card and report the fraudulent charges for which you can receive zero liability protection. Card companies allow up to 60 days for charge disputes under federal law and can refund payments made to the fake store. Consider requesting a temporary freeze on your account while the investigation proceeds.
4. Cancel your credit card: Request a replacement card with a new number to give you a fresh start. Your card issuer can expedite the request if needed, often within 24-48 hours.
5. Document everything thoroughly: Save all emails, receipts, order confirmations, and screenshots of the fake website before it potentially disappears. This documentation will be crucial for your chargeback and insurance claims, and any legal proceedings.
6. Update passwords on other accounts: Scammers often test stolen credentials across multiple platforms, so if you reused the same password on the fake site that you use elsewhere, change those passwords immediately. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts like email, banking, and social media.
7. Stay alert for follow-up scams: Scammers may attempt to contact you via phone, email, or text claiming to “resolve” your situation through fake shipping notifications, additional payments to “release” your package, or “refunds” on your money in exchange for personal information.
8. Monitor your credit and financial accounts. Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for several months and place a fraud alert on your credit reports through one of the three major credit bureaus—TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Consider a credit freeze for maximum protection.
9. Check for legitimate alternatives. If you were trying to purchase a specific product, research authorized retailers or the manufacturer’s official website. Verify business credentials, secure payment options, and return policies before making new purchases.

Report a scam website, email, or text message

• Federal Trade Commission: Report fraudulent websites to the FTC, which investigates consumer complaints and uses this data to identify patterns of fraud and take enforcement action against scammers.
• FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center: Submit detailed reports to the IC3 for suspected internet crimes. IC3 serves as a central hub for reporting cybercrime and coordinates with law enforcement agencies nationwide.
• State Attorney General: If the fake store claimed to be located in your state, consider reporting to your state attorney general’s office, as these have dedicated fraud reporting systems and can take action against businesses operating within state boundaries. Find your state’s reporting portal through the National Association of Attorneys General website.
• Domain registrar, hosting provider, social media: Look up the website’s registration details using a WHOIS tool, then report abuse to both the domain registrar and web hosting company. Most providers have dedicated abuse reporting emails and will investigate violations of their terms of service. If the fake page is on social media, you can report it to the platform to protect other consumers.
• Search engines: Report fraudulent sites to Google through their spam report form and to Microsoft Bing via their webmaster tools to prevent the fake sites from appearing in search results.
• The impersonated brand: If scammers are impersonating a legitimate company, report directly to that company’s fraud department or customer service. Most brands have dedicated channels for reporting fake websites and will work to shut them down.
• Share your experience to protect others: Leave reviews on scam-reporting websites such as the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker or post about your experience on social media to warn friends and family. Your experience can help others avoid the same trap and contribute to the broader fight against online fraud.
• Essential evidence to gather:
  • Full website URL and any redirected addresses
  • Screenshots of the fraudulent pages, including fake logos or branding
  • Transaction details, if you made a purchase (receipts, confirmation emails, payment information)
  • Email communications from the scammers
  • Date and time when you first encountered the site
  • Any personal information you may have provided

• Additional reporting resources: The CISA maintains an updated list of reporting resources, while the Anti-Phishing Working Group investigates cases of fake sites that appear to be collecting personal information fraudulently. For text message scams, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).

Final thoughts

Recognizing fake sites and emails becomes easier with practice. The key is to trust your instincts—if something feels suspicious or too good to be true, take a moment to verify through official channels. With the simple verification techniques covered in this guide, you can confidently navigate the digital world and spot fake sites and emails before they cause harm.

Your best defense is to make these quick security checks a regular habit—verify URLs, look for secure connections, and trust your instincts when something feels off. Go directly to the source or bookmark your most frequently used services and always navigate to them. Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts, and remember that legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive information via email. Maintaining healthy skepticism about unsolicited communications will protect not only your personal information but also help create a safer online environment for everyone.

For the latest information on fake websites and scams and to report them, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s scam alerts or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The post Ways to Tell if a Website Is Fake appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How to Spot Charity Scams and Donate Safely this Giving Season

The holidays are the season of giving; unfortunately, it’s also the season when scammers try to cash in on the spirit of generosity

If you’re seeing a heartfelt charity ad on social media, a touching email, or a surprise text asking you to donate, it’s worth pausing for a moment. Is it genuine charity—or a scam built to tug at your heartstrings?

The good news: staying safe doesn’t mean stopping your generosity. With a few quick checks, you can give confidently and protect yourself.

What is charity fraud?

Charity fraud is when scammers pose as legitimate nonprofits—or misuse the name of a real charity—to trick people into donating money or giving away personal information.

In some cases, the organization is completely fake. In others, it’s a real charity that uses donations in misleading or unethical ways, passing very little money to the actual cause.

Type 1: Fully fake charities

The first type involves flat-out fraud, where the organization is a front for a scam, through and through. Any money you give goes straight into the scammer’s pocket. As does your personal and payment info, which can lead to further fraud.

Type 2: Low impact “charities”

These are real, registered charities. But They keep the majority of donations for overhead instead of helping the cause.

This second type often involves questionable practices by the organization. According to the Better Business Bureau, reputable organizations keep 35% or less of their funds for operations.

Meanwhile, some less-than-reputable organizations keep up to 95% of funds, leaving only 5% for advancing the cause they advocate. (For a closer look at some examples, the independent watchdog group Charity Watch published a blog highlighting some of the worst charities they audited in 2024.)

Common to both, they’ll indeed play on your emotions, and they’ll urge you to donate now. As it is with so many scams and shady deals on the internet, you’ll find a sense of urgency central to their message.

How to spot a charity scam

1. Look for a dot-org domain

For starters, reputable charities often have dot-org as their domain extension—versus dot-com or any one of the hundreds of permutations available today.

2. Research the organization

Charities leave a paper trail, one that can get audited. And fake ones won’t leave a trail at all. With a quick look at some reputable online resources, you can quickly find out if the charity you want to support is legit.

In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a site full of resources so that you can make your donation truly count. Resources like Charity Watch and Charity Navigator, along with the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance can also help you identify the best charities. You can also look up a charity’s Form 990 tax return online.

3. Take your time

This goes hand-in-hand with the above. If you feel like you’re getting rushed to donate, it could be a sign of a scam. Step back and indeed do your research with a few clicks to the resources listed above.

4. Pay with a credit card

This protects you in two ways. If you fall victim to a scam, you can contest the charges with your credit card company. And if a scammer tries to use your card again for other purchases, you can contest those too. Also, in the U.S., credit cards offer you additional protection that debit cards don’t. That’s thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). It limits your liability to $50 for fraudulent charges on a credit card if you report the loss to your issuer within 60 days.

5. Avoid sketchy payment methods

The following is a sure-fire red flag: requests for payment in cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Don’t ever use these forms of payment for charities, let alone anything else online.

6. Donate directly

Better yet, donate directly. Rather than respond to calls, ads, emails or texts, donate on your terms. After you give your possible donation some time and thought, you can go directly to the website of a charitable organization that you’ve researched.

And here’s how McAfee can help you stay safer still.

Get a scam detector. You can combine your healthy skepticism and awareness with the right technology, like our Scam Detector and Web Protection.

Both will alert you if a link you received might take you to a sketchy site. It’ll also block those sites if you accidentally tap or click on a bad link.

Clean up your personal info online. Scams over email, phone, and text all require the same thing: your contact info.

In many cases, scammers get it from data broker sites. Data brokers buy, collect, and sell detailed personal info, which they compile from several public and private sources, such as local, state, and federal records, plus third parties like supermarket shopper’s cards and mobile apps that share and sell user data.

Moreover, they’ll sell it to anyone who pays for it, including people who’ll use that info for scams. You can help reduce those scam texts and calls by removing your info from those sites. Our Personal Data Cleanup scans some of the riskiest data broker sites and shows you which ones are selling your personal info.

Monitor your identity and credit. The problem with many scams is that you only find out about it once the damage is done, like when a scammer uses your phished card number to make additional purchases in your name.

Actively monitoring your identity and credit can spot a problem before it becomes an even bigger one. You can take care of both easily with our credit monitoring and identity monitoring.

Additionally, our identity theft coverage can help if the unexpected happens with up to $2 million in identity theft coverage and identity restoration support if determined you’re a victim of identity theft.​

You’ll find these protections, and plenty more, in McAfee+.

A safe way to support the fight against cybercrime

If you want to give back and help protect people from online fraud, McAfee has partnered with Fight Cyber Crime, a legitimate U.S. nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of online scams.

You might remember them from our Scam Stories partnership earlier this year, sharing real stories from real scam victims to raise awareness about threats facing us every day on and offline.

Why we recommend them

• They provide free support and recovery guidance to scam victims.
• They raise nationwide awareness about cybercrime.
• They’re a vetted, established organization doing real work in online safety.

How you can help

Visit their site to learn more or make a donation: https://fightcybercrime.org/about/donate/

Supporting validated charities like Fight Cyber Crime is one way to make a real impact this holiday season—without putting yourself at risk.

The post How to Spot Charity Scams and Donate Safely this Giving Season appeared first on McAfee Blog.

McAfee Named ADVANCED+ in Real-World Protection — What That Means for You

When it comes to online safety, independent testing matters. And in the latest AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test, McAfee earned the highest possible rating, ADVANCED+, with a 99.5% protection rate. It’s the kind of recognition that helps shoppers understand which tools truly hold up in real-life conditions, not just in controlled lab environments.

For anyone navigating today’s mix of emails, downloads, suspicious links, and AI-driven scams, independent results like these are a clear signal: strong protection still makes a real difference.

What Is the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test?

The Real-World Protection Test is an independent evaluation run by AV-Comparatives, a trusted third-party security testing lab. The test measures how well antivirus and online protection tools block real threats that people encounter every day, including dangerous URLs, malicious downloads, phishing pages, and harmful files attempting to run on a device.

This type of testing is widely cited by major tech publications and review sites because it reflects actual user behavior rather than controlled lab simulations.

Why This Recognition Matters

According to AV-Comparatives, their Real-World Protection Test is designed to measure how security products perform in situations people face every day: clicking a link, opening a file, visiting a site for the first time.

It’s one of the most widely cited sources in tech journalism and consumer product reviews, and it often shapes how online shoppers evaluate cybersecurity tools.

Here’s why tests like these are used in tech reviews, buying guides, and search engine rankings:

• They compare multiple brands under the same conditions
• They use real-world threats, not theoretical malware
• They measure false positives, which impact everyday usability
• They influence third-party reviews and product roundups
• They help shoppers choose trustworthy protection without guesswork

McAfee has earned an ADVANCED+ rating in all tests since June 2022, demonstrating our consistency and reliability in the moments that matter most: when a threat appears disguised as something routine.

About the AV-Comparatives Real-World Protection Test

The latest evaluation included 19 consumer security products, each tested across the full attack chain, from the moment a malicious URL is accessed to the instant a dangerous file tries to execute.

Unlike benchmark tests that focus on one part of the process, this assessment mirrors real user behavior. AV-Comparatives notes that the methodology is meant to be “as realistic as possible,” and the results often reveal meaningful differences in both protection and false positives.

With this round of testing, McAfee maintains its cycle of highest ratings in every Real-World Protection Test, while several well-known competitors were downgraded due to high false-positive counts.

What This Means for Everyday Users

A high protection score matters most when you’re simply going about your day — shopping, banking, downloading a file, or clicking a link you think is safe. Independent recognition signals three core things:

1. Trustworthy Protection

Strong results indicate that advanced threats, misleading links, and malicious downloads are blocked before they can cause harm.

2. Fewer False Alarms

With only four false positives out of nearly 500 samples, McAfee flagged less than 1% of clean files incorrectly. For context: the industry average in this test was 10 false positives, and one competitor even misidentified 75, meaning it labeled nearly 16% of harmless activity as a threat.

The takeaway is simple: strong protection shouldn’t get in your way, and these results show it doesn’t.

3. Innovation That Keeps Pace With Scammers

Criminals now use AI to make fake emails, websites, and support messages look real. Testing that mirrors those real-world conditions helps consumers see which tools stay ahead of that curve.

A Note on McAfee Protection Tools

McAfee’s threat protection, the same technology validated in this test, is built into McAfee+ Premium, McAfee+ Advanced, McAfee+ Ultimate, McAfee Total Protection, and McAfee LiveSafe.

McAfee’s built-in Scam Detector, included in all core plans, automatically detects scams across text, email, and video, blocks dangerous links, and identifies deepfakes—stopping harm before it happens.

The post McAfee Named ADVANCED+ in Real-World Protection — What That Means for You appeared first on McAfee Blog.

The Most Impersonated Brands in Holiday Shopping, Ranked

Scammers aren’t worried about ending up on the naughty list. If anything, they’re doubling down in 2025.  

This year, scammers are impersonating major brands with startling accuracy, from fake delivery updates to cloned checkout pages.

Our McAfee Labs researchers analyzed real scam texts, emails, and URLs from October through early November, along with consumer survey data, to identify the patterns shaping this season’s fraud.

Here’s what shoppers need to know, what’s trending upward, and how to spot the fakes before they reach your cart.

What Is a Holiday Brand-Impersonation Scam?

A brand-impersonation scam is when criminals copy a real brand, like a retailer, tech company, bank, or delivery service, to make fake emails, texts, ads, or websites that look legitimate.

Their goal is to trick shoppers into clicking, entering account details, or making a payment.

McAfee Labs’ brand impersonation analysis shows criminals focusing on the items people shop for most — tech gifts, luxury goods, and high-demand drops.

Fake versions of these brands typically include:

• Copied product photos
• Familiar layouts
• Holiday sale graphics
• Support pages designed to capture logins

Which Brands Are Being Faked the Most This Holiday Season?

Top 5 most impersonated luxury brands

1. Coach
2. Dior
3. Ralph Lauren
4. Rolex
5. Gucci

Top 5 most impersonated mainstream consumer brands

1. Apple
2. Nintendo
3. Samsung
4. Disney
5. Steam

Other Key Research Takeaways US:

• Email scams are exploding, up ~50% in retail and ~85% in tech as the holidays approach.
• Fake storefronts are rising, with technology URL scams up nearly 50% and consumer URL scams up ~5%.
• Trusted brands are the most impersonated, including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Walmart, and Costco.
• 96% plan to shop online
• 91% see ads from unfamiliar retailers
• 37% may buy from brands they don’t recognize
• AI is reshaping scams, with 46% of Americans encountering fake celebrity or influencer endorsements.

Other Key Research Takeaways UK:

• 97% plan to shop online
• 86% see ads from unfamiliar retailers
• 30% may buy from brands they don’t recognize
• AI is reshaping scams, with 42% of Americans encountering fake celebrity or influencer endorsements.

How to Stay Safe While Brands Are Being Faked This Season

Scammers are getting better at copying the brands you trust, but avoiding the fakes gets much easier when you slow down, verify what you see, and use tools that check links and messages before you click.

Here’s what actually helps during a season when realistic-looking scams are everywhere:

1. Go straight to the source

If you get a message about an order, refund, delivery issue, or account lockout, don’t click the link.

Go directly to the retailer’s app or type the URL manually.

This single habit eliminates most holiday scams.

2. Inspect the sender, not the graphics

Scammers can recreate logos, colors, and templates perfectly.

What they can’t easily mimic:

• A legitimate domain
• A verified phone number
• A support email that matches the company’s format

If the sender looks off, the message is off.

3. Let security tools check the link for you

McAfee’s online protection adds a critical layer of holiday safety, especially when scammers imitate retailers with near-perfect accuracy.

Key protections include:

Web Protection
Blocks malicious or suspicious websites before they load — including fake checkout pages, login portals, and support sites.

Scam Detector
Built into all core McAfee plans. It flags scam texts, emails, and even deepfake-style video promotions, letting you know a link or message is unsafe before you interact with it.

Password Manager
Creates and stores strong, unique passwords so a stolen login from one retailer doesn’t unlock your whole digital life.

Identity & Financial Monitoring
Transaction Monitoring and Credit Monitoring can alert you to unusual activity — a crucial safety net when stolen logins, card numbers, or personal details circulate quickly during the holidays.

These tools help counter the exact tactics scammers rely on: cloned websites, fake brand emails, and phishing links disguised as legitimate retailers.

4. Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere you shop

Even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t get in without your one-time code.

5. Treat urgency as a red flag

Legitimate companies don’t ask you to “act in minutes,” pay fees to “unlock” an account, or claim you must stay on the line.

Pressure is a tactic — not customer service.

6. Keep an eye on your accounts

Check your banking and shopping accounts weekly.

Small unauthorized charges often appear before large ones.

The post The Most Impersonated Brands in Holiday Shopping, Ranked appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Protect the Whole Family with McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan

Many content creators highlight the differences between today’s most prominent generations: the Silent Generation, baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generations Z and Alpha. No generation seems to have much in common with the others. In truth, there is something that people can agree on: identity and online privacy protection. Young or old, cybercriminals don’t discriminate against who they target. In fact, some generations are more prone to certain scams than others. Educating yourself and your family members on current cyberthreats is the first step to defending against them. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how to protect every age group from online threats.

Family protection matters

Your family faces an onslaught of online threats that didn’t exist just a decade ago, and growing. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report shows that Americans alone lost over $18 billion to cybercrime since 2020. That’s why protecting your family entails more than just antivirus software. Digital protection now encompasses safeguarding your household’s online privacy, monitoring for identity threats, and securing every family device that connects to the internet. This is how risks impact different family members differently:

• Your children and teens, 97% of whom own a smartphone, face vulnerabilities through social media platforms, gaming networks, and school devices. They’re naturally curious and trusting, making them prime targets for social engineering scams disguised as friend requests or free game downloads.
• Adults in your household juggle multiple online responsibilities—banking, shopping, work communications, and managing family accounts. The rush of daily life can make you more susceptible to phishing emails that look legitimate or malicious links embedded in seemingly innocent messages.
• Senior family members often become targets because they may be less familiar with evolving online scams. In 2024, the FTC received 147,127 complaints from adults aged 60 years and above, resulting in $4.8 billion in losses. But since many of these incidents go unreported, that figure may actually go as high as $61.5 billion.

Depending on the age group, criminals adapt their tactics based on who they’re targeting. With the right protection, you can expand your family’s digital life with confidence. When you have the right safeguards in place, your family can fully embrace the incredible opportunities that technology offers. Your kids can safely research school projects, your teens can connect with friends responsibly, and you can manage your household efficiently online. The most effective digital safety approach is to create a safety net with layered protection, one that works across all your devices and considers each family member’s technology usage—whether that’s helping your teenager safely explore career interests online, ensuring your online banking stays secure, or giving grandparents peace of mind when video chatting with distant relatives. This means combining real-time threat detection, safe browsing tools, identity monitoring, and secure connections through a virtual private network.

Distinct protections per age group

No two generations use technology the same way—and cybercriminals know it. Children, teens, adults, and seniors each face unique digital risks shaped by their habits, confidence levels, and online environments. That’s why effective cybersecurity isn’t one-size-fits-all. Tailoring protection to each age group ensures that everyone—from curious kids to tech-savvy adults—can navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Safeguard childhood

Cybercriminals can buy Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of minors on the dark web or gather them through medical records or school system breaches. SSNs are valuable to a cybercriminal because the theft can go undetected for years since children aren’t yet opening credit cards or applying for mortgages. It’s never too early to start identity monitoring. For the same reason, you might consider putting a credit freeze on behalf of your child since they won’t be needing it for several years. A credit freeze makes your child’s credit inaccessible to everyone, including criminals, and won’t negatively affect their credit score.

Digital safety with tween and teen independence

Once your child becomes a teenager, they can be allowed to open their first email addresses and social media profiles independently. It’s an important life lesson in organization, responsibility, and digital literacy. However, these platforms could open them to risks such as cyberbullying, fake news, and social engineering. The best way to avoid being cyberbullied is through education. Ensure that your tweens and teens who spend unsupervised time on their devices know what to do if they encounter cyberbullying. The best course of action is to report the incident to an adult and, in the meantime, to suspend their accounts.

Prepare the seniors

Cybercriminals often seek out seniors as easy targets for online scams because they are typically less digitally savvy. They may not realize that some emails in their inbox could be sent by someone with bad intentions. What can start out as a friendly email pal can quickly spiral into divulging sensitive personal information or sending huge sums of money to a criminal. The best way to prepare the seniors in your life for online safety is to impart a few, easy-to-follow absolutes. Start with these three rules:

• Never tell anyone your password. Your bank, tax filing service, nor the IRS will ever need it.
• Never divulge your SSN over email.
• Never send money to a stranger, no matter how much their “sob story” tugs at your heartstrings.

Manage what’s right for your family online

Creating a safer digital environment for your children doesn’t require you to become a tech expert. With the right approach and tools, you can establish healthy digital boundaries that protect your children while allowing them to enjoy the benefits of our connected world.

Start with open conversation

Before implementing any technical measures, have honest discussions with your family about online safety to build trust and help you recognize each family member’s digital journey. Explain that protective measures will not restrict freedom, but reduce risks such as phishing attempts, malware infections, and exposure to inappropriate content.

Create a family technology agreement

A family tech agreement serves as your household’s digital constitution. Work together to establish rules about screen time, appropriate websites, social media use, and consequences for breaking agreements, including guidelines about sharing personal information, downloading apps, and what to do if they encounter something concerning online.

Enable parental controls

Most devices and platforms offer robust parental control features. iOS devices’ Screen Time and Android’s Family Link allow you to set app limits and content restrictions, while Windows and macOS can filter content and set time limits. The Federal Communications Commission recommends router-level filtering as the first line of defense because it automatically protects all devices connected to your network.

Set up app and content filters

Configure age-appropriate content filters on streaming services, gaming platforms, and app stores. Netflix, Disney+, and other services allow you to create child-friendly profiles with content restrictions, while gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch include comprehensive parental controls for game ratings, online interactions, and spending limits. For web browsing, enable SafeSearch on Google, Bing, and other search engines to create clarity and keep harmful content from appearing in search results.

Optimize privacy settings across platforms

Because social media platforms often favor data collection over privacy, it is critical that you adjust privacy settings on all social media accounts and apps your family uses. Turn off location sharing and disable targeted advertising when possible, and limit who can contact your children online. To reduce younger children’s exposure to social engineering attempts and inappropriate contact from strangers, make their profiles private by default and require approval for new followers or friend requests.

Deploy safe browsing tools

Your teen could be so focused on downloading a “free” TV or video game that they may not recognize the signs of malicious sites such as typos, blurry logos, or incredible offers. Trustworthy safe browsing extensions and software could protect your teen from these unsafe downloads, as well as from risky websites, hidden malware, phishing, and social media bots. Safe browsing extensions could teach your family members to develop better security instincts when they see warnings about suspicious URLs, poor website design, and too-fantastic offers.

Make protection age-appropriate

Tailor your approach to each family member’s age, digital maturity, and comfort level with technology. Younger children will need more restrictive settings and closer supervision, while teenagers are more open when they understand the reason behind the rules and can have some autonomy with clear consequences for misuse.

Regular check-ins and updates

As technology evolves, ongoing conversation about responsible usage will allow you to address new apps, games, or websites your family wants to explore. Set a monthly family meeting to discuss online experiences, review your technology agreement, and adjust settings as needed. When you implement these strategies consistently, your family will experience fewer security incidents, reduced exposure to inappropriate content, and better digital habits overall. These tools and strategies work best when combined with ongoing communication and a family culture that prioritizes both digital exploration and safety. In addition, children who grow up with these protections develop stronger security awareness and are less likely to fall victim to online scams as they become more independent digital users.

Mindfulness is safety

As an adult, you typically have better street smarts than teens. However, the daily rush of juggling work, social obligations, and running a household could leave you without much time to spare, even for romance. As a result, living life in the fast lane makes you more susceptible to scams, phishing, malware, and computer viruses. The best way to prevent falling for these digital threats is this: slow down! Take your time when you receive any message from someone you don’t know or have never met in person. If you feel even an iota of suspicion, don’t engage with the sender. Delete the message. If it’s important, the person or organization will follow up. To fully protect your connected devices and the personally identifiable information they store, consider investing in safe browsing, antivirus software, and identity monitoring and restoration services to catch any threats that may have passed under your watchful eye.

Modern antivirus for today’s cyberthreats

While you might think your devices are already secure, modern cyberthreats have evolved to become more virulent, far beyond what traditional built-in protections can handle. In response, antivirus solutions have transformed into intelligent security systems that provide comprehensive, real-time protection using behavioral analysis, machine learning, and cloud-based threat detection. These advanced technologies actively identify and block phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, and malicious websites that traditional security measures often miss. While operating systems such as Windows and macOS include basic security features, they’re designed as general safeguards rather than comprehensive family protection solutions. Built-in protections typically focus on known threats, but do not detect zero-day attacks, sophisticated phishing schemes, or emerging malware variants that cybercriminals specifically design to evade standard defenses. Consider these daily family scenarios where your teenager brings home their school laptop. It may have been exposed to threats through shared networks or downloads from classmates. That family tablet everyone uses for streaming and games becomes a potential entry point for malicious apps or compromised websites. When you connect to public Wi-Fi at the coffee shop, airport, or hotel during family travel, you’re exposing your devices to network-based attacks that built-in protections weren’t designed to handle. Your modern family needs a comprehensive antivirus solution that monitors all your family’s devices continuously, learns each member’s online behavior patterns, and adapts its protection accordingly. This means blocking that suspicious email before your spouse clicks on it, preventing your child from accidentally downloading malware disguised as a game, and ensuring your smart home devices remain secure. The best value comes from bundled services that address your family’s complete digital life. Identity monitoring services watch for signs that your family members’ personal information has been compromised in data breaches. A family VPN service encrypts your internet connection, protecting sensitive information when family members use public Wi-Fi networks for school projects, work calls, or entertainment. This integrated protection works seamlessly not just to protect individual devices, but to safeguard your entire family’s digital ecosystem. With cybercrime damages projected to continue growing significantly each year, investing in comprehensive family protection is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your household’s digital well-being.

The ultimate protection plan

Get the whole family committed to safer and more private online lives with the help of McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan. This plan covers up to six individuals in your family with an entire suite of comprehensive privacy, identity, and device security features. The plan also includes preventive measures to fight online crime, such as safe browsing tools, an advanced firewall, unlimited VPN, and antivirus software for unlimited devices. Your family can also receive up to $2 million in identity theft recovery and $50,000 in ransomware coverage. With the McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan, device security extends across unlimited computers, smartphones, and tablets, while its advanced antivirus software automatically updates to defend you against the latest threats. Safe browsing tools block malicious websites before they can cause harm, and the unlimited VPN encrypts internet connections on public networks, while the built-in firewall monitors incoming and outgoing traffic. All your family’s login credentials on all devices will be secure with password management, while secure cloud storage protects important documents and family photos. Real-time alerts notify you immediately when scams are detected or suspicious activity occurs.

Protection tailored for every family member

Every family member faces different online risks, shaped by their age, habits, and digital experience. Children need safeguards against identity theft and unsafe content, while teens require protection that balances independence with security. Adults juggle multiple connected accounts that demand advanced monitoring, and seniors benefit from simplified defenses against scams and fraud. A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works. The McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan effectively adapts to each person’s unique digital life, ensuring that everyone stays safe, confident, and connected online:

• Your young children’s Social Security Numbers will be monitored for misuse, while your teens will be protected from risky downloads and phishing attempts and still maintain their online autonomy.
• The adults in your family will benefit from comprehensive identity theft protection that monitors credit reports, bank accounts, and personal information across the dark web. Meanwhile, your email and social media accounts will be continuously surveilled for unauthorized access.
• Seniors will receive simplified alerts and protection specifically designed for common online scams and be supported by top-notch identity restoration specialists to resolve any issues that arise.

Quick start checklist

Getting started with the McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan takes only minutes. Simply follow this short list to start protecting your family’s digital life:

• Account creation: Create a master account at mcafee.com using the primary family email address. This account becomes your central dashboard for managing all family members’ protection.
• Add family profiles: Add family profiles by entering each member’s basic information. You can include up to six family members with personalized settings—spouses, children, and other household members. Each person receives their own unique protection settings based on their age and device usage patterns.
• Install on devices: Download the McAfee app on every family device—computers, phones, and tablets. The software automatically synchronizes with your primary family account and begins protecting all devices immediately. The installation process typically completes in under five minutes per device.
• Enable key protections: Once installation is done, you can start activating identity monitoring, VPN, and safe browsing for each member.
• Turn on alerts: You will also need to configure notification preferences for each device to activate alerts when security events and threats occur.
• Test your setup: To see if the installation works, run initial antivirus scans on all devices. You can also test the VPN to ensure that the connection works.

Essential tips to protect your family online

A comprehensive online security solution combined with best digital practices can go a long way in protecting your loved ones from identity theft, scams, and online risks. These essential tips will help you strengthen your family’s digital defenses, build safer online routines, and give everyone the confidence to explore the internet securely.

• Use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication: Doing this prevents hackers from accessing multiple accounts even if one password is compromised. Enable MFA on all critical accounts.
• Enable automatic updates on all devices: Configure automatic security updates to keep your family’s devices protected against the latest security threats without requiring constant manual action from you.
• Turn on safe browsing and firewall protection: Enabling safe browsing features blocks malicious websites and unauthorized network access before they can harm your family’s devices and data.
• Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks: A VPN protects your data on public networks by encrypting your family’s internet connection in hotel, coffee shop, or airport Wi-Fi to prevent data theft.
• Set device-level parental controls: Configure age-appropriate content filters to protect children from inappropriate content while teaching responsible digital habits.
• Consider freezing minors’ credit reports: Credit freezing will prevent identity thieves from opening fraudulent accounts in your children’s names, as they won’t need credit yet.
• Teach family members to recognize phishing red flags: Educating your family to identify common phishing tactics empowers them to spot red flags in suspicious emails, texts, and websites that try to steal personal information.
• Back up important family files regularly: Create a comprehensive backup strategy to ensure precious photos, documents, and memories are safe even if devices are lost, stolen, or infected with ransomware.
• Monitor identities for the whole family: Use family plans to catch suspicious activity early, allowing you to respond quickly if someone’s personal information is compromised.

Final thoughts

Protecting your family’s digital life doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right knowledge, best digital practices, and a comprehensive security solution like McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan, you can safeguard everyone against today’s online threats. A comprehensive family plan will help you enable safe browsing tools, monitor your family members’ identities, educate each family member about their unique risks, and build a strong foundation of online security. Start implementing these protective measures today, and stay informed about emerging threats and security best practices to keep your loved ones safe in our connected world.

The post Protect the Whole Family with McAfee+ Ultimate Family Plan appeared first on McAfee Blog.

This Week in Scams: DoorDash Breach and Fake Flight Cancellation Texts

Leading off our news on scams this week, a heads-up for DoorDash users, merchants, and Dashers too. A data breach of an undisclosed size may have impacted you.

Per an email sent by the company to “affected DoorDash users where required,” a third party gained access to data that may have included a mix of the following:

• First and last name
• Physical address
• Phone number
• Email address

You might have got the email too. And even if you didn’t, anyone who’s used DoorDash should take note.

As to the potential scope of the breach, DoorDash made no comment in its email or a post on their help site. Of note, though, is that one of the help lines cited in their post mentions a French-language number—implying that the breach might affect Canadian users as well. Any reach beyond the U.S. and Canada remains unclear.

Per the company’s Q2 financial report this year, “hundreds of thousands of merchants, tens of millions of consumers, and millions of Dashers across over 30 countries every month.” Stats published elsewhere put the user base at more than 40 million people, which includes some 600,000 merchants.

The company underscored that no “sensitive” info like Social Security Numbers (and potentially Canadian Social Insurance Numbers) were involved in the breach. This marks the third notable breach by the well-known delivery service, with incidents in 2019 and 2022

What to do if you think you got caught up in the DoorDash breach

While the types of info involved here appear to be limited, any time there’s a breach, we suggest the following:

Protect your credit and identity. Checking your credit and getting identity theft protection can help keep you safer in the aftermath of a breach. Further, a security freeze can help prevent identity theft if you spot any unusual activity. You can get all three in place with our McAfee+ Advanced or Ultimate plans.

Keep an eye out for phishing attacks. With some personal info in hand, bad actors might seek out more. They might follow up a breach with rounds of phishing attacks that direct you to bogus sites designed to steal your personal info. As with any text or email you get from a company, make sure it’s legitimate before clicking or tapping on any links. Instead, go straight to the appropriate website or contact them by phone directly. Also, protections like our Scam Detector and Web Protection can alert you to scams and sketchy links before they take you somewhere you don’t want to go.

Update your passwords and use two-factor authentication. Changing your password is a strong preventive measure. Strong and unique passwords are best, which means never reusing your passwords across different sites and platforms. Using a password manager helps you stay on top of it all while also storing your passwords securely.

Attention travelers: Now boarding, a rise in flight cancellation scams

Even as the FAA lifted recent flight restrictions on Monday morning, scammers are still taking advantage of lingering uncertainty, and upcoming holiday travel, with a spate of flight cancellation scams.

How the scam works

Fake cancellation texts

The first comes via a text message saying that your flight has been cancelled and you must call or rebook quickly to avoid losing your seat—usually in 30 minutes. It’s a typical scammer trick, where they hook you with a combination of bad news and urgency. Of course, the phone number and the site don’t connect you with your airline. They connect you to a scammer, who walks away with your money and your card info to potentially rip you off again.

Fake airline sites in search results

The second uses paid search results. We’ve talked about this trick in our blogs before. Because paid search results appear ahead of organic results, scammers spin up bogus sites that mirror legitimate ones and promote them in paid search. In this way, they can look like a certain well-known airline and appear in search before the real airline’s listing. With that, people often mistakenly click the first link they see. From there, the scam plays out just as above as the scammer comes away with your money and card info.

How to avoid flight cancellation scams

Q: How can I confirm whether my flight is really canceled?
A: Check directly in your airline’s official app or website. Never click links in texts or emails.

Q: How can I spot a fake airline search result?
A: Look for “Ad”/“Sponsored,” confirm the URL, and check that the site uses HTTPS, not HTTP.

Q: Is there a tool that flags fake booking sites?
A: Scam-spotting tools like Scam Detector and Web Protection can identify sketchy links before you click.

In search, first isn’t always best.

Look closely to see if your top results are tagged with “Sponsored” or “Ad” in some way, realizing it might be in fine print. Further, look at the web address. Does it start with “https” (the “s” means secure), because many scam sites simply use an unsecured “http” site. Also, does the link look right? For example, if you’re searching for “Generic Airlines,” is the link the expected “genericairlines dot-com” or something else? Scammers often try to spoof it in some way by adding to the name or by creating a subdomain like this: “genericairlines.rebookyourflight dot-com.”

Get a scam detector to spot bogus links for you.

Even with these tips and tools, spotting bogus links with the naked eye can get tricky. Some look “close enough” to a legitimate link that you might overlook it. Yet a combination of features in our McAfee+ plans can help do that work for you.  Our Scam Detector helps you stay safer with advanced scam detection technology built to spot and stop scams across text messages, emails, and videos. Likewise, our Web Protection will alert you if a link might take you to a sketchy site. It’ll also block those sites if you accidentally tap or click on a bad link.

Scammers Hijack a Trusted Mass Texting Provider

You’ve probably seen plenty of messages sent by short code numbers. They’re the five- or six-digit codes used to send texts instead of by a phone number. For example, your cable company might use one to send a text for resetting a streaming password, the same goes for your pharmacy to let you know a prescription is ready or your state’s DoT to issue a winter travel alert, and so on.

According to NBC News, scammers sent hundreds of thousands of texts using codes used by the state of New York, a charity, and a political organizing group. The article also cites an email sent to messaging providers by the U.S. Short Code Registry, an industry nonprofit that maintains those codes in the U.S. In the email, the registry said attempted attacks on messaging providers are on the rise.

What this means for the rest of us is that just about any text from an unknown number, and now short codes, might contain malicious links and content. It’s one more reason to arm yourself with the one-two punch of our Scam Detector and Web Protection.

What are short codes?
Short codes are 5–6 digit numbers used by pharmacies, utilities, banks, and government agencies to send official alerts.

Why this attack is unusual
Scammers didn’t spoof short codes—they gained access to real ones used by:

• The State of New York
• A charity
• A political organizing group

Why this matters
Even texts from legitimate short-code numbers can no longer be trusted at face value.

What to do now

• Treat any unexpected text—even from a short code—as suspicious.
• Don’t tap links.
• Verify by going directly to the official website or app.

Quick Scam Roundup

Consumers warned over AI chatbots giving inaccurate financial advice 

• Our advice: Always verify recommendations with trusted financial sources

Why our own clicks are often cybercrime’s greatest allies

• Our advice: Many attacks rely on rushed or emotional decisions, slow down before clicking

TikTok malware scam uses fake software activation guides to steal data

• Our advice: Download software only from official sources

 

We’ll be back after the Thanksgiving weekend with more updates, scam news, and ways to stay cyber safe.

The post This Week in Scams: DoorDash Breach and Fake Flight Cancellation Texts appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How to Follow McAfee on Google News in One Simple Step

Want McAfee’s latest scam alerts, cybersecurity tips, and safety updates to show up automatically in your Google News feed? You can follow McAfee directly on Google News with a single tap.

Google News now gives every official publisher a dedicated page — and McAfee has one. Once you follow us, our newest articles will appear in your Following tab and throughout your personalized news feed whenever they’re relevant to you.

Here’s how to do it in seconds.

Follow McAfee on Google News

Step 1: Go to our official Google News page

Tap or click this link:

McAfee Official Google News Source Page

This opens McAfee’s verified publisher page inside Google News.

Step 2: Tap the “Follow” button

You’ll see a star icon at the top of the page.

Tap Follow and you’re done.

That’s it — McAfee is now part of your personalized news feed.

What happens after you follow McAfee

When you tap the star:

• McAfee appears under Following → Sources in Google News
• Our stories show up more often when you search for cybersecurity topics
• You’ll see McAfee alerts, safety tips, and threat updates sooner
• Google prioritizes McAfee when we publish on topics you care about (AI scams, malware, identity theft, etc.)

No settings menus. No advanced search. Just one tap.

How to Unfollow or Manage Your Sources

If you ever want to update your feed:

1. Open Google News

2. Go to Following → Sources

3. Tap the star again to unfollow

4. Or rearrange which sources matter most to you

 

---

FAQs

Do I need the Google News app?

No. Following works in both browsers and the app.

Will this make McAfee show up first for every search?

Not automatically — but Google does prioritize publishers you follow when the content is relevant.

Can I follow McAfee on multiple devices?

Yes. It’s tied to your Google account, not your phone or laptop.

Is the follow button safe?

Absolutely. This is Google’s built-in publisher follow system.

Stay Updated, Stay Safer

Cyber threats move fast — following McAfee on Google News makes it easier to stay ahead of scams, breaches, and emerging AI risks.

The post How to Follow McAfee on Google News in One Simple Step appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Ghost Tapping: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Stay Safe

Contactless payments make everyday purchases fast and easy. Yet with that convenience comes a risk: ghost tapping.

In crowded spaces or rushed moments, a scammer could trigger a small tap-to-pay charge or push through a higher amount without your clear consent. Understanding what ghost tapping is, how it happens, and what to do next helps you keep your money and identity secure.

What Is Ghost Tapping?

Ghost tapping is a form of contactless fraud where someone attempts to initiate a tap-to-pay transaction without your approval.

Tap-to-pay cards and mobile wallets on phones use a technology called “near-field communication,” or NFC. That lets them communicate with things like a point-of-sale device for payment at a very close range. It’s generally quite safe, particularly because of the “near” part. You have to get very close to make the connection.

Even so, proximity and distraction can be exploited. Attackers may try to skim limited details from RFID (Radio Frequency Identification technology) cards or NFC cards, or nudge you into approving a payment you didn’t intend. If you’ve ever wondered what ghost tapping is, think of it as an opportunistic, in-person scam that abuses the tap-to-pay moment rather than a remote hack.

How Ghost Tapping Happens

Most schemes rely on getting close and catching you off guard. A criminal might carry a portable reader, press into a pocket or bag, and attempt a low-value charge. Others set up tampered terminals, rushing you so you don’t check the amount.

Consider These Two Scenarios:

You’re at a busy farmer’s market. A scammer with a phone equipped with a point-of-sale app stumbles into you and gets close enough to your card to trigger a transaction. It’s almost like a modern-day pickpocket move, where the bump distracts the victim from the theft as it happens.

In another case, you might come across a phony vendor. Maybe someone’s selling cheap hats outside a football game or someone’s going around your neighborhood selling candy, supposedly to support a charity. In scenarios like these, you tap to pay with your phone just as you’d expect… but with one exception: the “vendor” jacks up the purchase price. They hurry you through the transaction, so quickly that you don’t review the screen before you confirm payment.

We’ve also seen reports of people getting Apple Pay scammed by impostor merchants who exploit quick taps and small screens. While mobile wallets add strong safeguards, poor visibility and social pressure can still lead to losses.

The Better Business Bureau on Ghost Tapping:

A report posted on the Scam Tracker at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) shows how the phony vendor version of this scam allegedly played out:

“An individual is going door to door in [location redacted] claiming to be selling chocolate on behalf of [redacted] to support special needs students. He says that he can only accept tap-to-pay to get people to pay with a card. He then charges large amounts to the card without the cardholder being able to see the amount. He got my mother for $537… Another victim for $1100… He changes neighborhoods frequently to avoid getting caught.”

Signs of Ghost Tapping and Common Myths

Early ghost detecting starts with vigilance. Watch for unfamiliar small charges, especially after crowded events, and alerts tied to contactless transactions. If you see odd activity tied to RFID cards or NFC cards, act quickly.

Common myths persist. Attackers can’t drain accounts from far away, clone full cards via a tap, or bypass wallet protections easily. Most successful cases hinge on proximity, distraction, and human error. Meanwhile, Apple Pay scam stories often involve rushed taps and unverified totals.

Effective ghost detecting focuses on timely alerts, careful review, and immediate response.

How to Protect Yourself from Ghost Tapping Scams

The BBB, which recently broke the story of these scams, offers several pieces of advice. We have some advice we can add as well.

From the BBB…

• Store your cards securely. An RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve can help stop wireless skimming.
• Always confirm payment details. Before tapping your card or phone, check the merchant’s name and amount on the terminal screen.
• Set up transaction alerts. Many banks allow real-time notifications for every charge.
• Keep an eye on your accounts. Daily checks help you spot fraud faster.
• Limit tap-to-pay use in high-risk areas. Consider swiping or inserting your card instead.

From us at McAfee…

Monitor your identity and your credit.

The problem with many card scams is that they can lead to further identity theft and fraud, which you only find out about once the damage is done. Actively monitoring your identity and credit goes beyond single transaction alerts from your bank and can spot an emerging problem before it becomes an even bigger one. You can take care of both easily with timely notifications from our credit monitoring and identity monitoring features, all as part of our McAfee+ plans.

When you’re out and about, consider what you’re carrying—and where you carry it.

The physical safety of your phone and cards counts as well. While ghost tapping scams are new, old-school physical pickpocketing attempts persist. When it comes to devices and things like debit cards, credit cards, and even cash, keep what you bring with you to the bare minimum when you go out. This can cut your losses if the unfortunate happens. If you have a credit card and ID holder attached to the back of your phone, you may want to remove your cards from it. That way, if your phone gets snatched, those important cards don’t get snatched as well.

When in doubt, shop with a credit card.

In the U.S., credit cards offer you additional protection that debit cards don’t. That’s thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). It limits your liability to $50 for fraudulent charges on a credit card if you report the loss to your issuer within 60 days.

The post Ghost Tapping: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Stay Safe appeared first on McAfee Blog.

Venmo 101: Making Safer Payments with the App

As the holiday season ramps up, so do group dinners, shared travel costs, gift exchanges, and all the little moments where someone says, “Just Venmo me.”

With more people sending and splitting money this time of year, scammers know it’s prime time to target payment apps. Here’s how to keep your Venmo transactions safe during one of the busiest — and riskiest — payment seasons.

What kind of scams are on Venmo?

Venmo scams come in all shapes, and many of them look like variations of email phishing and text scams. The scammers behind them will pose as Venmo customer service reps who ask for your login credentials. Other scammers offer bogus cash prizes and pyramid schemes that lure in victims with the promise of quick cash. Some scammers will use the app itself to impersonate friends and family to steal money.

Venmo has a dedicated web page on the topic of scams, and lists the following as the top Venmo scams out there:

·       Fake Prize or Cash Reward ·       Call from Venmo ·       Call from Tech Support ·       Fake Payment Confirmation ·       Pre-payment for Goods and Services

·       Stranger Posing as a Friend ·       Payments from Strangers ·       Offers to Make Money Fast ·       Paper Check Scam ·       Romance Scam

 

Venmo has thorough instructions to combat these scams and breaks them down in detail on its site. They also provide preventative tips and steps to take if you unfortunately fall victim to one of these scams. Broadly speaking, though, avoiding Venmo scams breaks down into a few straightforward steps.

How to avoid getting scammed on Venmo

1) Never share private details.

Scammers often pose as customer service reps to pump info out of their victims. They’ll ask for things like bank account info, debit card or credit card numbers, or even passwords and authentication codes sent to your phone. Never share this info. Legitimate reps from legitimate companies like Venmo won’t request it.

2) Know when Venmo might ask for your Social Security number.

In the U.S., Venmo is regulated by the Treasury Department. As such, Venmo might require your SSN in certain circumstances. Venmo details the cases where they might need your SSN for reporting, here on their website. Note that this is an exception to what we say about sharing SSNs and tax ID numbers. As a payment app, Venmo might have legitimate reasons to request it. However, don’t send this info by email or text (any email or text that asks you to do that is a scam). Instead, always use the mobile app by going to Settings  –> Identity Verification.

3) Keep an eye out for scam emails and texts.

Venmo always sends communications through its official “venmo.com” domain name. If you receive an email that claims to be from Venmo but that doesn’t use “venmo.com,” it’s a scam. Never click or tap on links in emails or texts supposedly sent by Venmo.

4) Be suspicious of the messages you get. Imposters are afoot.

Another broad category of scams includes people who aren’t who they say they are. In the case of Venmo, scammers will create imposter accounts that look like they might be a friend or family member but aren’t. If you receive an unexpected and likely urgent-sounding request for payment, contact that person outside the app. See if it’s really them.

5) When sending money, keep an eye open for alerts from the app.

Just recently, Venmo added a new feature, dynamic alerts, which helps protect people when sending money via the “Friends and Family” option. It pops up an alert if the app detects a potentially fraudulent transaction and includes info that describes the level of risk involved. In the cases of highly risky payments, Venmo might decline the transaction altogether. This adds another level of protection to Friends and Family payments, which are non-refundable in cases of fraud. Further, this underscores another important point about using Venmo: only pay people you absolutely know and trust.

More ways to stay safe on Venmo

Keep your transactions private. Venmo has a social component that can display a transaction between two people and allow others to comment on it. Payment amounts are always secret. Yet you have control over who sees what by adjusting your privacy settings:

• Public – Everyone on the internet can see and comment on the transaction.
• Friends – Only your Venmo friends and the other participant’s friends can see and comment on the transaction. (Note that the friends of the other participant might be strangers to you, so “friends and friends of friends” is more accurate here.)
• Private – Here, only the participants can view and comment on the transaction.

This brings up the question, what if the participants in the transaction have different privacy settings? Venmo uses the most restrictive one. So, if you’re paying someone who has their privacy set to “Public” and you have yours set to “Private,” the transaction will indeed be private.

We suggest going private with your account. The less financial information you share, the better. You can set your transactions to private by heading into the Settings of the Venmo app, tapping on Privacy, and then selecting Private.

In short, just because something is designed to be social doesn’t mean it should become a treasure trove of personal data about your spending habits.

Add extra layers of security. Take extra precautions that make it difficult for others to access your Venmo app.

• First off, lock your phone. Whether with a PIN or other form of protection, locking your phone prevents access to everything you keep on it, which is important in the case of loss or theft. Our own research found that only 58% of adults take the vital step of locking their phones. If you fall into the 42% of people who don’t, strongly consider changing that.
• Within the Venmo app, you can also enable Face ID and a PIN (on iOS) or a PIN and biometric unlock (Android). These add a further layer of security by asking for identification each time you open the app. That way, even if someone gets access to your phone, they’ll still have to leap through that security hurdle to access your Venmo app.
• Use a strong, unique password for your account. That’s a password with at least 13 characters using a mix of cases, numbers, and symbols that you don’t use anywhere else. You can also have a password manager do that work for you across all your accounts.

Keep your online finances even more secure with the right tools

Online protection software like ours offers several additional layers of security when it comes to your safety and finances online.

For starters, it includes Web Protection and Scam Detector that can block malicious and questionable links that might lead you down the road to malware or a phishing scam, such as a phony Venmo link designed to steal your login credentials. It also includes a password manager that creates and stores strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.

Moreover, it further protects you by locking down your identity online. Transaction Monitoring and Credit Monitoring help you spot any questionable financial activity quickly. And if identity theft unfortunately happens to you, up to $2 million in ID theft coverage & restoration can help you recover quickly.

The post Venmo 101: Making Safer Payments with the App appeared first on McAfee Blog.

This Week in Scams: New Alerts for iPhone and Android Users and a Major Google Crackdown

Welcome back to another This Week in Scams.

This week,  have attacks that take over Androids and iPhones, plus news that Google has gone on the offensive against phishing websites.

First up, a heads-up for iPhone owners.

The “We found your iPhone” scam

In the hands of a scammer, “Find My” can quickly turn into “Scam Me.”

Switzerland’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) shared word this week of a new scam that turns the otherwise helpful “Find My” iOS feature into an avenue of attack.

Now, the thought of losing your phone, along with all the important and precious things you have on it, is enough to give you goosebumps. Luckily, the “Find My” can help you track it down and even post a personalized message on the lock screen to help with its return. And that’s where the scam kicks in.

From the NCSC:

When a device is marked as lost, the owner can display a message on the lock screen containing contact details, such as a phone number or email address. This can be very helpful if the finder is honest – but in dishonest hands, the same information can be used to launch a targeted phishing attack.

With that, scammers send a targeted phishing text, as seen in the sample provided by the NCSC below …

What do the scammers want once you tap that link? They request your Apple ID and password, which effectively hands your phone over to them—along with everything on it and everything else that’s associated with your Apple ID.

It’s a scam you can easily avoid. So even if you’re still stuck with a lost phone that’s likely in the hands of a scammer the point of consolation is that, without your ID, the phone is useless to them.

Here’s what the NCSC suggests:

Ignore such messages. The most important rule is Apple will never contact you by text message or email to inform you that a lost device has been found.

Never click on links in unsolicited messages or enter your Apple ID credentials on a linked website.

If you lose your device, act immediately. Enable Lost Mode straight away via the Find My app on another device or at iCloud.com/find. This will lock the device.

Be careful about which contact details you show on your lost device’s lock screen. For example, use a dedicated email address created specifically for this purpose. Never remove the device from your Apple account, as this would disable the Activation Lock.

Make sure your SIM card is protected with a PIN. This simple yet effective measure prevents criminals from gaining access to your phone number.

Android phone takeover scam

Now, a different attack aimed at Android owners …

A story shared on Fox this week breaks down how a combination of paid search ads, remote access tools, and social engineering have led to hijacked Android phones.

It starts with a search, where an Android owner looks up a bank, a tech support company, or what have you. Instead of getting a legitimate result, they get a link to a bogus site via paid search results that appear above organic search results. The link, and the page it takes them to, look quite convincing, given the ease with which scammers can spin up ads and sites today. (More on that next.)

Once there, they call a support number and get connected to a phony agent. The agent convinces the victim to download an app that will help the “agent” solve their issue with their account or phone. In fact, the app is a remote access tool that gives control of the phone, and everything on it, to the scammer. That means they can steal passwords, send messages to friends, family, or anyone at all, and even go so far as to lock you out.

Basically, this scam hands over one of your most precious possessions to a scammer.

Here’s how you can avoid that:

Skip paid search results for extra security. That’s particularly true when contacting your bank or other companies you’re doing business with. Look for their official website in the organic search results below paid ads. Better yet, contact places like your bank or credit card company by calling the number on the back of your card.

Get a scam detector. A combination of our Scam Detector and Web Protection can call out sketchy links, like the bogus paid links here. They’ll even block malicious sites if you accidentally tap a bad link.

Never download apps from third-party sites outside of the Google Play Store. Google has checks in place to spot malicious apps in its store.

Lastly, never give anyone access to your phone. No bank rep needs it. So if someone on a call asks you to download an app like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or AirDroid, it’s a scam. Hang up.

Beyond that, you can protect yourself further by installing an app like our McAfee Security: Antivirus VPN. You can pick it up in the Google Play store, which also includes our Scam Detector and Identity Monitoring. You can also get it as part of your McAfee+ protection.

Google takes aim at phishing scams with a lawsuit against an alleged criminal organization

Just Wednesday, Google took a first step toward making the internet safer from bogus sites, per a story filed by National Public Radio.

A lawsuit alleges that a China-based company called “Lighthouse” runs a “Phishing-as-a-Service” operation that outfits scammers with quick and easy tools and templates for creating convincing-looking websites. According to Google’s general counsel, these sites could “compromise between 12.7 and 115 million credit cards in the U.S. alone.”

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, which, of course, has no jurisdiction over a China-based company. The aim, per Google’s counsel, is deterrence. From the article:

“It allows us a legal basis on which to go to other platforms and services and ask for their assistance in taking down different components of this particular illegal infrastructure,” she said, without naming which platforms or services Google might focus on. “Even if we can’t get to the individuals, the idea is to deter the overall infrastructure in some cases.”

We’ll keep an eye on this case as it progresses. And in the meantime, it’s a good reminder to get Scam Detector and Web Protection on all your devices so you don’t get hoodwinked by these increasingly convincing-looking scam sites.

Again, scammers can roll them out so quickly and easily today.

And now for a quick roundup …

Here’s a quick list of a few stories that caught our eye this week:

Alarmingly realistic deepfake threats now target banks in South Africa

Nearly 80% of parents fear their kids will fall for an AI scam, but they aren’t sure how to talk about it

Hyundai data breach exposes 2.7 million Social Security numbers

 

And that’s it for this week! We’ll see you next Friday with more updates, scam news, and ways you can stay safer out there.

The post This Week in Scams: New Alerts for iPhone and Android Users and a Major Google Crackdown appeared first on McAfee Blog.

The World’s Most Deepfaked Celebrities Revealed

You’ve seen the videos: a too-perfect Taylor Swift promoting free cookware. A fake Tom Hanks offering dental insurance.

They look real—but they’re not.

New research from McAfee Labs shows just how common these scams have become.

Our 2025 Most Dangerous Celebrity: Deepfake Deception List ranks the stars and influencers whose likenesses are most hijacked by scammers, and reveals a growing market for AI-powered fake endorsements.

At the top of the list? Taylor Swift, followed by Scarlett Johansson, Jenna Ortega, and Sydney Sweeney. Globally, names like Brad Pitt, Billie Eilish, and Emma Watson also appear among the most exploited.

McAfee also released its first-ever Influencer Deepfake Deception List, led by gamer and streamer Pokimane, showing that scammers are now targeting social platforms just as aggressively as Hollywood.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Celebrities (2025): U.S 

Top 10 Most Dangerous Celebrities (2025): Global

Top 10 Most Dangerous Influencers  (2025): Global 

Why Scammers Love Famous Faces

The formula is simple: use someone people trust to sell something that doesn’t exist.

Criminals clone celebrity voices and faces with AI to promote fake giveaways, skincare products, crypto investments, or “exclusive” deals that lead straight to malware or payment fraud.

According to McAfee’s survey of 8,600 people worldwide:

• 72% of Americans have seen fake celebrity or influencer endorsements.
• 39% have clicked on one.
• 1 in 10 lost money or personal data, an average of $525 per victim.

Scammers exploit trust. When you see a familiar face, your brain automatically lowers its guard. And that’s exactly what they count on.

How Deepfakes Are Making Headlines

AI has made these scams look frighteningly real.

Modern deepfake generators can mimic voices, facial movements, and even micro-expressions with uncanny precision. Only 29% of people feel confident identifying a fake, and 21% admit to having low confidence spotting deepfakes.

That’s how fake endorsements and AI romance scams have exploded online.

• A woman in France lost nearly $900,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt, complete with AI-generated images and voice messages.
• TV host Al Roker was recently targeted by a fake deepfake video claiming he’d suffered heart attacks.
• Tom Hanks, Oprah, and Scarlett Johansson have all been used in fraudulent ads for products they never touched.

“Seeing is believing” doesn’t apply anymore, and scammers know it.

The Psychology of The Scam

Deepfake scams don’t just rely on technology; they prey on parasocial relationships, the one-sided emotional bonds fans form with public figures.

When a “celebrity” DMs you, it doesn’t always feel strange. It feels personal. That sense of intimacy makes people act before thinking.

It’s the same psychological playbook behind romance scams, now supercharged by AI tools that make fake videos and voice messages sound heartbreakingly real.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Pause before you click. If an ad or post seems out of character or “too good to be true,” it probably is.
2. Verify at the source. Check the celebrity’s verified account on social media. Scammers often copy profile photos and bios but miss subtle details like posting style or engagement patterns.
3. Look for signs of AI manipulation. Watch for off-sync lip movements, robotic tone, or lighting that looks inconsistent.
4. Never share personal or payment details via messages, even if the sender appears to be verified.
5. Use McAfee’s Scam Detector, included in all core plans, to automatically analyze texts, emails, and videos for signs of fraud or deepfake manipulation.

Key Takeaways

Celebrity and influencer culture has always shaped what we buy, but now it’s shaping how scammers deceive. These deepfakes don’t just steal money; they chip away at our trust in what we see, hear, and share online.

The celebrities at the center of these scams aren’t accomplices, they’re victims, too, as criminals hijack their likenesses to exploit the bond between fans and the people they admire. And as deepfake tools become easier to use, the line between real and fake is vanishing fast.

The next viral “giveaway” might not be an ad at all…it could be bait.

You can’t stop scammers from cloning famous faces, but you can stop them from fooling you. Use McAfee’s Scam Detector to scan links, messages, and videos before you click.

The post The World’s Most Deepfaked Celebrities Revealed appeared first on McAfee Blog.

How to Remove Your Personal Information From the Internet

Chances are, you have more personal information posted online than you think.

In 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that 1.1 million identity theft complaints were filed, where $12.5 billion was lost to identity theft and fraud overall—a 25% increase over the year prior.

What fuels all this theft and fraud? Easy access to personal information.

Here’s one way you can reduce your chances of identity theft: remove your personal information from the internet.

Scammers and thieves can get a hold of your personal information in several ways, such as information leaked in data breaches, phishing attacks that lure you into handing it over, malware that steals it from your devices, or by purchasing your information on dark web marketplaces, just to name a few.

However, scammers and thieves have other resources and connections to help them commit theft and fraud—data broker sites, places where personal information is posted online for practically anyone to see. This makes removing your info from these sites so important, from both an identity and privacy standpoint.

What are data brokers?

Data broker sites are massive repositories of personal information that also buy information from other data brokers. As a result, some data brokers have thousands of pieces of data on billions of individuals worldwide.

What kind of data could they have on you? A broker may know how much you paid for your home, your education level, where you’ve lived over the years, who you’ve lived with, your driving record, and possibly your political leanings. A broker could even know your favorite flavor of ice cream and your preferred over-the-counter allergy medicine thanks to information from loyalty cards. They may also have health-related information from fitness apps. The amount of personal information can run that broadly, and that deeply.

With information at this level of detail, it’s no wonder that data brokers rake in an estimated $200 billion worldwide every year.

Sources of your information

Your personal information reaches the internet through six primary methods, most of which are initiated by activities you perform on a daily basis. Understanding these channels can help you make more informed choices about your digital footprint.

Digitized public records

When you buy a home, register to vote, get married, or start a business, government agencies create public records that contain your personal details. These records, once stored in filing cabinets, are now digitized, accessible online, and searchable by anyone with an internet connection.

Social media sharing and privacy gaps

Every photo you post, location you tag, and profile detail you share contributes to your digital presence. Even with privacy settings enabled, social media platforms collect extensive data about your behavior, relationships, and preferences. You may not realize it, but every time you share details with your network, you are training algorithms that analyze and categorize your information.

Data breaches

You create accounts with retailers, healthcare providers, employers, and service companies, trusting them to protect your information. However, when hackers breach these systems, your personal information often ends up for sale on dark web marketplaces, where data brokers can purchase it. The Identity Theft Research Center Annual Data Breach Report revealed that 2024 saw the second-highest number of data compromises in the U.S. since the organization began recording incidents in 2005.

Apps and ad trackers

When you browse, shop, or use apps, your online behavior is recorded by tracking pixels, cookies, and software development kits. The data collected—such as your location, device usage, and interests—is packaged and sold to data brokers who combine it with other sources to build a profile of you.

Loyalty programs

Grocery store cards, coffee shop apps, and airline miles programs offer discounts in exchange for detailed purchasing information. Every transaction gets recorded, analyzed, and often shared with third-party data brokers, who then create detailed lifestyle profiles that are sold to marketing companies.

Data broker aggregators

Data brokers act as the hubs that collect information from various sources to create comprehensive profiles that may include over 5,000 data points per person. Seemingly separate pieces of information become a detailed digital dossier that reveals intimate details about your life, relationships, health, and financial situation.

The users of your information

Legally, your aggregated information from data brokers is used by advertisers to create targeted ad campaigns. In addition, law enforcement, journalists, and employers may use data brokers because the time-consuming pre-work of assembling your data has largely been done.

Currently, the U.S. has no federal laws that regulate data brokers or require them to remove personal information if requested. Only a few states, such as Nevada, Vermont, and California, have legislation that protects consumers. In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has stricter rules about what information can be collected and what can be done with it.

On the darker side, scammers and thieves use personal information for identity theft and other forms of fraud. With enough information, they can create a high-fidelity profile of their victims to open new accounts in their name. For this reason, cleaning up your personal information online makes a great deal of sense.

Types of personal details to remove online

Understanding efforts to remove personal information, which data types pose the greatest threat, can help you prioritize your removal efforts. Here are the high-risk personal details you should target first, ranked by their potential for harm.

Highest priority: Identity theft goldmines

• Social Security Number (SSN) with full name and address: This combination provides everything criminals need for identity theft, leading to fraudulent credit accounts, tax refund theft, and employment fraud that may take years to resolve, according to the FTC.
• Financial account information: Bank account numbers, credit card details, and investment account information enable direct financial theft. Even partial account numbers can be valuable when combined with other personal details from data breaches.
• Driver’s license and government-issued ID information: These serve as primary identity verification for many services and can be used to bypass security measures at financial institutions and government agencies.

High priority: Personal identifiers

• Full name combined with home address: This pairing makes you vulnerable to targeted scams and physical threats, while enabling criminals to gather additional information about your household and family members.
• Date of birth: Often used as a security verification method, your date of birth, combined with other identifiers, can unlock accounts and enable age-related targeting for scams.
• Phone numbers: This information enables SIM swapping, where criminals take control of your phone number to bypass two-factor authentication and access your accounts.

Medium-high priority: Digital and health data

• Email addresses: Your primary email serves as the master key to password resets across multiple accounts. In contrast, secondary emails can reveal personal interests and connections that criminals exploit in social engineering.
• Medical and health app data: This is highly sensitive information that can be used for insurance discrimination, employment issues, or targeted health-related scams.
• Location data and photos with metadata: Reveals your daily patterns, workplace, home address, and frequented locations. Photos with embedded GPS coordinates can reveal your exact location and potentially enable stalking or burglary.

Medium priority: Account access points

• Usernames and account handles: These help criminals map your digital footprint across platforms to discover your personal interests, connections, and even potential security questions and answers. They also enable account impersonation and social engineering against your contacts.

When prioritizing your personal information removal efforts, focus on combinations of data rather than individual pieces. For example, your name alone poses minimal risk, but when combined with your address, phone number, and date of birth, it creates a comprehensive profile that criminals can exploit. Tools such as McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can help you identify and systematically remove these high-risk combinations from data broker sites.

Step-by-step guide to finding your personal data online

1. Targeted search queries: Search for your full name in quotes (“John Smith”), then combine it with your city, phone number, or email address. Try variations like “John Smith” + “123 Main Street” or “John Smith” + “555-0123”. Don’t forget to search for old usernames, maiden names, or nicknames you’ve used online. Aside from Google, you can also check Bing, DuckDuckGo, and people search engines.
2. Major data broker and people search sites: Search for yourself in common data aggregators: Whitepages, Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius, PeopleFinder, and Radaris. Take screenshots of what you find as documentation. To make this process manageable, McAfee Personal Data Cleanup scans some of the riskiest data broker sites and shows you which ones are selling your personal info.
3. Social media platforms and old accounts: Review your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms for publicly visible personal details. Check old accounts—dating sites, forums, gaming platforms, or professional networks. Look for biographical information, location data, contact details, photos, and even comment sections where you may have shared details.
4. Breach and dark web monitoring tools: Have I Been Pwned and other identity monitoring services can help you scan the dark web and discover if your email addresses or phone numbers appear in data breaches.
5. Ongoing monitoring alerts: Create weekly Google Alerts for your and your family members’ full names, address combinations, and phone numbers. Some specialized monitoring services can track once your information appears on new data broker sites or gets updated on existing ones.
6. Document everything in a tracker: Create a spreadsheet or document to systematically track your findings. Include the website name and URL, the specific data shown, contact information for removal requests, date of your opt-out request, and follow-up dates. Many sites require multiple follow-ups, so having this organized record is essential for successful removal.

This process takes time and persistence, but services such as McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can continuously monitor for new exposures and manage opt-out requests on your behalf. The key is to first understand the full scope of your online presence before beginning the removal process.

Remove your personal information from the internet

Let’s review some ways you can remove your personal information from data brokers and other sources on the internet.

Request to remove data from data broker sites

Once you have found the sites that have your information, the next step is to request that it be removed. You can do this yourself or employ services such as McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup, which can help manage the removal for you depending on your subscription. ​It also monitors those sites, so if your info gets posted again, you can request its removal again.

Limit the data Google collects

You can request to remove your name from Google search to limit your information from turning up in searches. You can also enable “Auto Delete” in your privacy settings to ensure your data is regularly deleted. Occasionally, deleting your cookies or browsing in incognito mode prevents websites from tracking you. If Google denies your initial request, you can appeal using the same tool, providing more context, documentation, or legal grounds for removal. Google’s troubleshooter tool may explain why your request was denied—either legitimate public interest or newsworthiness—and how to improve your appeal.

It’s important to know that the original content remains on the source website. You’ll still need to contact website owners directly to have your actual content removed. Additionally, the information may still appear in other search engines.

Delete old social media accounts

If you have old, inactive accounts that have become obsolete, such as Myspace or Tumblr, you may want to deactivate or delete them entirely. For social media platforms that you use regularly, such as Facebook and Instagram, consider adjusting your privacy settings to keep your personal information to the bare minimum.

Remove personal info from websites and blogs

If you’ve ever published articles, written blogs, or created any content online, it is a good time to consider taking them down if they no longer serve a purpose. If you were mentioned or tagged by other people, it is worth requesting them to take down posts with sensitive information.

Delete unused apps and restrict permissions in those you use

Another way to tidy up your digital footprint is to delete phone apps you no longer use, as hackers are able to track personal information on these and sell it. As a rule, share as little information with apps as possible using your phone’s settings.

Remove your info from other search engines

• Bing: Submit removal requests through Bing’s Content Removal tool for specific personal information like addresses, phone numbers, or sensitive data. Note that Bing primarily crawls and caches content from other websites, so removing the original source content first will prevent re-indexing.
• Yahoo: Yahoo Search results are powered by Bing, so use the same Bing Content Removal process. For Yahoo-specific services, contact their support team to request the removal of cached pages and personal information from search results.
• DuckDuckGo and other privacy-focused engines: These search engines don’t store personal data or create profiles, but pull results from multiple sources. We suggest that you focus on removing content from the original source websites, then request the search engines to update their cache to prevent your information from reappearing in future crawls.

Escalate if needed

After sending your removal request, give the search engine or source website 7 to 10 business days to respond initially, then follow up weekly if needed. If a website owner doesn’t respond within 30 days or refuses your request, you have several escalation options:

• Contact the hosting provider: Web hosts often have policies against sites that violate privacy laws
• File complaints: Report to your state attorney general’s office or the Federal Trade Commission
• Seek legal guidance: For persistent cases involving sensitive information, consult with a privacy attorney

For comprehensive guidance on website takedown procedures and your legal rights, visit the FTC’s privacy and security guidance for the most current information on consumer data protection. Direct website contact can be time-consuming, but it’s often effective for removing information from smaller sites that don’t appear on major data broker opt-out lists. Stay persistent, document everything, and remember that you have legal rights to protect your privacy online.

Remove your information from browsers

After you’ve cleaned up your data from websites and social platforms, your web browsers may still save personal information, such as your browsing history, cookies, autofill data, saved passwords, and even payment methods. Clearing this information and adjusting your privacy settings helps prevent tracking, reduces targeted ads, and limits the amount of personal data websites can collect about you.

• Clear your cache: Clearing your browsing data is usually done by going to Settings and looking for the Privacy and Security section, depending on the specific browser. This is applicable in Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, as well as mobile phone operating systems such as Android and iOS.

• Disable autofill: Autofill provides the convenience of not having to type your information every time you complete a form. That convenience has a risk, though, autofill saves addresses, phone numbers, and even payment methods. To prevent websites from automatically populating forms with your sensitive data, disable the autofill settings independently. For better security, consider using a dedicated password manager instead of browser-based password storage.
• Set up automatic privacy protection: Set up your browsers to automatically clear cookies, cache, and site data when you close them. This ensures your browsing sessions don’t leave permanent traces of your personal information on your device.
• Use privacy-focused search engines: Consider using privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo as your default. These proactive steps significantly reduce the amount of personal information that browsers collect and store about your online activities.

Get your address off the internet

When your home address is publicly available, it can expose you to risks like identity theft, stalking, or targeted scams. Taking steps to remove or mask your address across data broker sites, public records, and even old social media profiles helps protect your privacy, reduce unwanted contact, and keep your personal life more secure.

1. Opt out of major data broker sites: The biggest address exposers are Whitepages, Spokeo, and BeenVerified. Visit their opt-out pages and submit removal requests using your full name and current address. Most sites require email verification and process removals within 7-14 business days.
2. Contact public records offices about address redaction: Many county and state databases allow address redaction for safety reasons. File requests with your local clerk’s office, voter registration office, and property records department. Complete removal isn’t always possible, but some jurisdictions offer partial address masking.
3. Enable WHOIS privacy protection on domain registrations: If you own any websites or domains, request your domain registrar to add privacy protection services to replace your personal address with the registrar’s information.
4. Review old forums and social media profiles: Check your profiles on forums, professional networks, and social platforms where you may have shared your address years ago. Delete or edit posts containing location details, and update bio sections to remove specific address information.
5. Verify removal progress: Every month, do a search of your name and address variations on different search engines. You can also set up Google Alerts to monitor and alert you when new listings appear. Most data broker removals need to be renewed every 6-12 months as information gets re-aggregated.

The cost to delete your information from the internet

The cost to remove your personal information from the internet varies, depending on whether you do it yourself or use a professional service. Read the guide below to help you make an informed decision:

DIY approach

Removing your information on your own primarily requires time investment. Expect to spend 20 to 40 hours looking for your information online and submitting removal requests. In terms of financial costs, most data brokers may not charge for opting out; however, other expenses could include certified mail fees for formal removal requests, which range from $3 to $8 per letter, and possibly notarization fees for legal documents. In total, this effort can be substantial when dealing with dozens of sites.

Professional removal services

Depending on which paid removal and monitoring service you employ, basic plans typically range from $8 to $25 monthly, while annual plans, which often provide better value, range from $100 to $600. Premium services that monitor hundreds of data broker sites and provide ongoing removal can cost $1,200-$2,400 annually.

The difference in pricing is driven by several factors. This includes the number of data broker sites to be monitored, which could cover more than 200 sites, and the scope of removal requests, which may include basic personal information or comprehensive family protection. The monitoring frequency and additional features, such as dark web monitoring, credit protection, identity restoration support, and insurance coverage, typically command higher prices.

The value of continuous monitoring

The upfront cost may seem significant, but continuous monitoring provides essential value. A McAfee survey revealed that 95% of consumers’ personal information ends up on data broker sites without their consent. It is possible that after the successful removal of your information, it may reappear on data broker sites without ongoing monitoring. This makes continuous protection far more cost-effective than repeated one-time cleanups.

Services such as McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can prove invaluable, as it handles the initial removal process, as well as ongoing monitoring to catch when your information resurfaces, saving you time and effort while offering long-term privacy protection.

Aside from the services above, comprehensive protection software can help safeguard your privacy and minimize your exposure to cybercrime with these offerings, such as:

• An unlimited virtual private network to make your personal information much more difficult to collect and track
• Identity monitoring that tracks and alerts you if your specific personal information is found on the dark web
• Identity theft coverage and restoration helps you pay for legal fees and travel expenses, and further assistance from a licensed recovery pro to repair your identity and credit
• Other features, such as safe browsing to help you avoid dangerous links, bad downloads, malicious websites, and more online threats when you’re online

So while it may seem like all this rampant collecting and selling of personal information is out of your hands, there’s plenty you can do to take control. With the steps outlined above and strong online protection software in place, you can keep your personal information more private and secure.

Essential steps if your information is found on the dark web

Unlike legitimate data broker sites, the dark web operates outside legal boundaries where takedown requests don’t apply. Rather than trying to remove information that’s already circulating, you can take immediate steps to reduce the potential harm and focus on preventing future exposure. A more effective approach is to treat data breaches as ongoing security issues rather than one-time events.

Both the FTC and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have released guidelines on proactive controls and continuous monitoring. Here are the key steps of those recommendations:

1. Change your passwords immediately and enable multi-factor authentication. Start with your most critical accounts—banking, email, and any services linked to financial information. Create unique, strong passwords for each account and enable MFA where possible for an extra layer of protection.
2. Monitor your financial accounts and credit reports closely. Check your bank statements, credit card accounts, and investment accounts for any unauthorized activity. Request your free annual credit reports from all three major bureaus and carefully review them for accounts you didn’t open or activities you don’t recognize.
3. Place fraud alerts or credit freezes. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place fraud alerts, which require creditors to verify your identity before approving new accounts. Better yet, consider a credit freeze to block access to your credit report entirely until you lift it.
4. Replace compromised identification documents if necessary. If your Social Security number, driver’s license, or passport information was exposed, contact the appropriate agencies to report the breach and request new documents. IdentityTheft.gov provides step-by-step guidance for replacing compromised documents.
5. Set up ongoing identity monitoring and protection. Consider using identity monitoring services that scan the dark web and alert you to new exposures of your personal information.
6. Document everything and report the incident. Keep detailed records of any suspicious activities you discover and all steps you’ve taken. File a report with the FTC and police, especially if you’ve experienced financial losses. This documentation will be crucial for disputing fraudulent charges or accounts.

Legal and practical roadblocks

As you go about removing your information from the internet, it is important to set realistic expectations. Several factors may limit how completely you can remove personal data from internet sources:

• The United States lacks comprehensive federal privacy laws requiring companies to delete personal information upon request.
• Public records, court documents, and news articles often have legal protections that prevent removal.
• International websites may not comply with U.S. deletion requests.
• Cached copies could remain on search engines and archival sites for years.
• Data brokers frequently repopulate their databases from new sources even after opt-outs.

While some states like California have stronger consumer privacy rights, most data removal still depends on voluntary compliance from companies.

Final thoughts

Removing your personal information from the internet takes effort, but it’s one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from identity theft and privacy violations. The steps outlined above provide you with a clear roadmap to systematically reduce your online exposure, from opting out of data brokers to tightening your social media privacy settings.

This isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing process that requires regular attention, as new data appears online constantly. Rather than attempting to completely erase your digital presence, focus on reducing your exposure to the most harmful uses of your personal information. Services like McAfee Personal Data Cleanup can help automate the most time-consuming parts of this process, monitoring high-risk data broker sites and managing removal requests for you.

The post How to Remove Your Personal Information From the Internet appeared first on McAfee Blog.