Privacy & Security Articles

Here We Go Again: 127 Million Accounts Stolen From 8 More Websites

Several days ago, a hacker put 617 million accounts from 16 different websites for sale on the dark web. Now, the same hacker is offering 127 million more records from another eight websites.

Chris Hoffman Feb 15th

Are IR Scanners in Phones Bad for Your Eyes?

New Apple and Samsung phones use infrared light to verify your identity. It’s like a hands-free version of the fingerprint scanner. But can the infrared lights used for Face ID and Iris Scanner hurt your eyes?...

Do You Miss Touch ID? I Certainly Don’t

With the launch of the iPhone XS and XR last year, Apple has gone all-in on Face ID. And while there may be some users who miss the fingerprint sensor, I’m not one of them.

Craig Lloyd Feb 14th

What is Doxxing, and Why Is It Bad?

Doxxing is the collection and publishing of someone’s private information online, usually done with the intent of inciting harassment in real life. While not technically illegal, it’s considered harassment by mos...

Anthony Heddings Feb 13th

Why Do Some Websites Block VPNs?

One of the only ways to protect your right to privacy and information online is to use a VPN. Some websites infringe on those rights by blocking VPNs, but they do it for a good reason.

Android’s Real Security Problem is the Manufacturers

If you’re running a Google Pixel handset, your phone is safe from a security hole that could let a PNG file completely wreck the system. If you’re using nearly any other Android handset, then your phone is vulnerable. Thi...

Are Apps Really Recording Your iPhone’s Screen?

TechCrunch claims many iPhone apps “secretly record your screen.” Is that true? Well, yes, kind of—but their recording abilities are limited. Apple is now cracking down on these apps and requiring more trans...

Chris Hoffman Feb 8th

Update Now to Fix Group FaceTime on Your iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple just released iOS 12.1.4 and a macOS 10.14.3 patch. These updates fix the huge group FaceTime flaw that could let anyone call your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and hear audio or see video—even if you don’t accept t...

Chris Hoffman Feb 7th

RIP “Do Not Track,” the Privacy Standard Everyone Ignored

As we pointed out back in 2012, the “Do Not Track” option doesn’t stop you from being tracked. It just sends a special piece of information whenever you connect to a website, asking that website not to track...

Chris Hoffman Feb 7th

How to Lock Your Windows 10 PC Remotely

Android and Apple have long given people a way to track and disable your gadgets remotely. Microsoft has also joined the club by letting you track and lock your Windows PC using the “Find My Device” on Windows 10....

Brady Gavin Jan 29th

How to Remove Your Windows Password

Not everyone likes having to enter a password every time they need to sign in to their computer. Windows lets you get rid of the password without too much hassle. Here’s how.

Brady Gavin Jan 28th

Facebook Fudges Your Password for Your Convenience

If you think the only correct version of your password is the exact capitalization and letter/symbol sequence you use, you may be in a shock. Facebook will accept slight variations of your password, for your convenience. And ...

Josh Hendrickson Jan 24th

Your Expensive Smart Appliance May Not Last A Decade

When you buy a new appliance, you’re making an investment that should last a while, but that may not be true for smart appliances. Manufacturers aren’t obligated to keep your machine up to date, which could turn y...

How to Disable Remote Assistance in Windows 10

Open up Control Panel by clicking the Start Menu, typing “Control Panel,” and then clicking the application’s icon.

Brady Gavin Jan 22nd

How Phone Companies Are Finally Verifying Caller ID Numbers

Robocalls are a scourge, leaving many people unwilling or afraid to pick up their phone unless they know the caller. If you’re waiting for a job interview or support callback, this is incredibly stressful—but now phon...

Josh Hendrickson Jan 22nd

Can Anyone Really Track My Phone’s Precise Location?

It’s the year 2019, and everyone willingly carries a tracking device in their pockets. People can have their precise locations tracked in real time by the government, advertising companies, and even rogue bounty hunters...

What are Office Intelligent Services and Should You Turn Them Off?

Microsoft’s core Office 365 client apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook—all contain a setting that lets you enable “Office Intelligent Services.” So, what are these, why are they turned on...

Rob Woodgate Jan 17th

Don’t Downgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 8.1

Windows 10 can sometimes be a real mess. Between botched updates, treating its users as beta testers, and adding features we never wanted it can be tempting to downgrade. But you shouldn’t go back to Windows 8.1, and we...

How to Revoke Face ID Access For Apps

Face ID is a great addition to iPhone and iPad, and it still feels like magic every time it works. But, just like Touch ID before it, you may need to prevent apps from using it. Here’s how to do that....

Oliver Haslam Jan 9th

How to Remove Old Configuration Files from Your iPhone or iPad

You might not know it, but there’s a chance your iPhone or iPad might have one or more old configuration profiles installed, and that could be a security risk. But don’t worry, we’re going to tell you how to...

Oliver Haslam Jan 7th

[Updated] Google Drive Has a Serious Spam Problem, But Google Says a Fix is Coming

Google Drive has a pretty bad spam problem, and it seems Google doesn’t care. Spammers can share files that automatically appear in your Drive, and there’s no way to stop it.

Why Your PC’s UEFI Firmware Needs Security Updates

Microsoft just announced Project Mu, promising “firmware as a service” on supported hardware. Every PC manufacturer should take note. PCs need security updates to their UEFI firmware, and PC manufacturers have don...

How to Use Windows 10’s New Sandbox (to Safely Test Apps)

Microsoft has released an Insider Preview Build that includes the new Windows Sandbox feature. If you’re on the Fast track, you can download and start using it today.