Spam. Everyone gets it. Everyone hates it. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to spot it.
Spam emails are becoming more sophisticated and harder to recognize unless you know what to look for. Phishing emails are the worst kind of spam. These are messages that try to trick the user into infecting their computer so a cybercriminal can exploit them somehow.
Check out these tips below to help, but keep in mind that they are not entirely foolproof due to spam’s sneaky nature.
Who is sending the email? Is it an email you recognize? Are there bunches of numbers and letters all garbled up in the address? If so, a lot of the time, the sender is not who they say they are.
How is the email written? Many spam emails will be composed with very poor grammar, almost as if they’ve been translated from another language.
Are there any links to click on? Malicious emails often contain hyperlinks that will automatically download nasty stuff to your computer. If the email is encouraging you to click on one, think twice before you click. You can also scroll over (BUT NOT CLICK) a link and see the full address at the bottom left of your screen. If it’s a jumbled mess or says it’s something different than what’s being advertised, a lot of the time, it’s not safe.
Is there an attachment to download? Instead of a website to visit, cybercriminals will often send attachments that do the same thing as bogus links; download viruses to your device. Oftentimes, an email will look like it’s from a bank, and the attachment is your account statement. If you’re not sure, call the bank and ask them to verify the email is real.
Is the email asking for personal information. The most common free email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not encrypted by default. Your bank account information, credit card numbers, passwords, and the like can be intercepted before they are received on the other end. If you have to get this information to someone else, pick up the phone instead.
Spam and phishing emails are more than just an everyday annoyance. They can lead to anything from adware making its way onto your computer to identity theft. Keeping an eye out for a few of the red flags can help to keep you and your data safe.
For continued advice and learnings on how to help your family stay safe and smart with the technology you use, follow
I break it down and let you know why you should be using an Ad Blocker and how it can help keep your family safe online.
Many people shy away from using ad blockers because they want to support the free websites that they frequently use and trust.
But is there ever a good time to use an Ad Blocker?
The average internet user knows the frustration of clicking on a link to a website they’ve never been to only to be bombarded with loud, obnoxious, and intrusive ads. Even those who staunchly refuse to install an ad blocker are tempted to make an exception for these kinds of sites. But ads aren’t just annoying, they can even be Dangerous as many ads contain methods to track the user, and worse, some even contain malware.
For most adults, avoiding clicking on suspicious ads seems pretty straightforward, and running antivirus software regularly in order to catch well-disguised viruses is a fairly common routine.
However, this isn’t something that young children are typically concerned about. It can be difficult to convince even teenage kids that it’s important to regularly run antivirus scans when they’re probably only interested in using their devices for entertainment purposes, especially if they’ve never had to deal with malware before.
And the younger kids are even more susceptible to malicious advertising…
They might not even understand that what they’re seeing is an ad. Most adults know to be skeptical of a popup telling them that they’ve won a cash prize for being the 1,000,000th visitor to a website, but does the average 11-year-old know better?
According to the American Psychological Association, “Mature comprehension of advertising occurs no earlier than age 7–8 years on average.” In other words, they might not be able to tell the difference between the YouTube videos that they watch and the ads that play in the middle of them, or between the funny comic or memes they’re viewing and the banner ad above it. There’s also no shortage of ads that will offer free stuff to users willing to give them personal information, which can seem very tantalizing to young kids who don’t yet understand the value of privacy.
But on top of protecting your kid from seeing ads in the first place, Ad Blockers will also prevent the ads from tracking your child’s internet activity and from gathering data on them.
Many websites and search engines will build a profile for each user and cater to the advertising to them specifically.
It’s important to also make sure that you’re using the right adblocker. Try to find the ones that have a large user base already and have received positive reviews. Some sketchier ad blocking extensions have been proven to sell user information to third parties in order to garner a profit.
What is a VPN? Can it really protect you and your family? Do I really need a VPN? Are there benefits of a VPN? What are the downsides of a VPN? There are a lot of questions surrounding the purpose and utility of a VPN and VPNs are becoming a popular thing. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get a VPN, you’ll want to read on as we try to sort through the noise on this technology. We’ll highlight the benefits of using a VPN and why it’s worth considering adding one to your online security arsenal. We’ll also dispel some of the myths that often keep people from using a VPN and provide tips on how to choose the right VPN for your needs. So read on to find out the important deets on why you might need a VPN.
The Many Benefits Of A VPN
Let me break it down for you and show you the benefits of using a VPN.
Ask yourself these quick questions:
Are you afraid of websites you visit having access to your location?
Do you ever avoid using public Wi-Fi due to the possibility that someone on that same network could steal your passwords, banking information, or card numbers?
Do you ever get extremely specific ads that feel like they were made for you in particular that make you wonder how much privacy do you really have online?
All of these valid concerns have led millions of internet users to start using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
A VPN is a service that allows you to connect your computer to another computer (also called a server) online in a completely different location and allows you to surf the net via that server’s internet connection.
What this means is that your web traffic and location are now hidden from anyone trying to snoop on your browsing habits to steal your personal information. You can read more about VPNs here.
When a VPN is activated, your connection to said VPN’s server becomes encrypted. Anyone trying to determine your location is instead given the location of the VPN’s server. You can connect to a VPN from your personal Wi-Fi at home, or you can connect to it using the free Wi-Fi available at many public spaces such as restaurants, coffee shops, or libraries. VPNs are especially crucial in the latter case. With public Wi-Fi, you never know who may be monitoring the devices that connect to it.
To recap, here are some of the most important benefits of a VPN:
Hidden geo-location while accessing the internet
Encrypted connection!
Protect your privacy online. Your privacy is your personal currency. Protect it!
To access websites that are blocked in your country (this includes Netflix and Disney+)
To prevent hackers from stealing your personal data
Protect your data from Governments (domestic and foreign)
VPNs are surprisingly easy to use
Security when on public WiFi or someone else’s network
Affordable security. You can break the bank on antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware really quickly. For the most part, VPNs are very cheap security that works really well.
Can help escape data caps. Many internet service providers will cap your data (or throttle your speeds way down) once you’ve hit a limit. A VPN may help you avoid these data caps.
Unfortunately, I often get asked, “Does Using a VPN really protect you?” I have to roll my eyes because usually, the type of person asking is a skeptic to begin with. And that’s okay. We should be skeptical when it comes to things like this. But don’t let what you’ve heard in social circles or on some YouTube video lead you to your definitive conclusion about something. Spend a little time doing a little bit of research. Because when someone does ask if a VPN offers viable protection, I resoundingly answer, “Yes!” every time.
Does The Average Person Need A VPN?
Absolutely and undoubtedly YES! The biggest reason is the average person who uses the internet at an average rate just doesn’t understand the benefits of a VPN and doesn’t know how to set one up. A VPN (virtual private network) isn’t just a service for tech-geeks and high-volume internet users. If anything, the average person NEEDS a secure, encrypted connection between their computer and the VPN provider’s server because they may not be aware of all the malicious cyberattacks and data-hacking that goes on. The average person, one could argue, is the most vulnerable and most targeted individual. A VPN connection isn’t just secure access for the nerds of the world, it’s for everyone who accesses the internet from anywhere.
VPNs should always be used on any Wi-Fi networks that aren’t your own. As long as your home Wi-Fi requires a password, your connection is encrypted. This means that your information is generally safe from snoopers. Your connection to the Wi-Fi at Starbucks, at an airport or even a hotel however, is unencrypted.
This means that anyone within range of the Wi-Fi can see what websites you’re visiting. The average person won’t see what you’re doing on those websites, however. Yet there is software that allows others to monitor your traffic that’s becoming increasingly commonplace, so it’s best to try to protect yourself in any way that you can.
Installing a VPN on your children’s devices means drastically decreasing the possibility that anyone interacting with them online will be able to use malicious software that will figure out their location. This is admittedly a very rare occurrence, but using a VPN, for this reason, helps some parents rest easy.
The Most Popular Myths About VPNs
In case you are still on the fence about how important a VPN is, let’s sift through some of the myths because chances are…one of these is why you have hangups about them. It’s okay. You’re not alone. Many people are hesitant to invest in a VPN because they’re not sure what they stand to gain. Here are some of the most popular myths about VPNs….
VPNs Can Slow Down My Connection
This is true. But let’s discuss why. There are a lot of different VPN options out there and not all of them are created equally. Some are just better than others. But generally speaking, if you set a VPN up properly, a slow connection isn’t an issue at all. You have to consider the trade-off here. The amount of protection coupled with the slight drop in browsing and streaming to me is well worth it.
Don’t Need A VPN Because I Don’t Go Anywhere Suspicious
Pump the brakes!! The main purpose of a VPN isn’t to protect you from suspicious or questionable content you may be accessing. This is probably the biggest misconception that leads to the “I don’t need a VPN” attitude. For the record, if you do access questionable content, then you definitely need a VPN. But many websites, apps, data sources, etc. all have the capability of accessing your personal data. It’s not just protection for the nerds and people looking at bad stuff. A VPN is for everyone.
I’m Not Tech-Savvy So I Don’t Need A VPN
Again…VPNs are for anyone who accesses the internet at all. It’s not just for the geeks, developers, programmers, and hackers out there. VPNs aren’t only for the advanced user. Don’t let all of these misconceptions and misnomers about the internet, data, and privacy scare you away. For the most part, VPNs are really easy to configure and you don’t have to worry about screwing something up.
VPNs: Will They Completely Protect Me?
Of course, VPNs aren’t a perfect solution. First it’s important to know that you can still get a virus or ransomware. A VPN is only protecting your connection. Second and this is a scary one if you don’t watch yourself, if you have any parental control settings enabled through your home router at home, then your kids could use a VPN to bypass those settings. This is an important aspect you need to be aware of. You would need a parental control app installed on their device instead of using your Wi-Fi settings in this case. Bark, Circles, Our Pact, Firewalla Purple, and Apple’s Screentime are great options in this regard.
Keeping your and your family’s information private while using the internet can be tricky. Using a paid VPN service is certainly an option to consider.
My Favorite Paid VPNs
I have tried a few VPN paid services and my favorite by far is with ExpressVPN. Not only is ExpressVPN a major player in this VPN niche, but they have servers in 90 countries, unlimited bandwidth (no more worrying about drastically slowed down VPN connections), have great support, and is easy to install. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Another great option for a paid VPN is Norton Secure VPN. Like other VPN services where you can secure information like passwords, personal data, banking info, credit cards…Norton has a new Split tunneling feature that allows users to choose which data to secure without losing access to local services. Other really nice features with Norton Secure VPN include: anonymous browsing, a new kill switch to automatically disconnect if the VPN connection is low, and a no-log policy so you don’t have to worry about online purchases being tracked. You also get a reputable brand like Norton behind this product so you know you’re in good hands with support and service.
Before we dive into these, let’s discuss why these are free. Their whole aim is to deliver a free service that’s good enough to do the basic VPN benefits you’re looking for. BUT…as you engage and use the free service, you’ll often find that there are some additional features you want that the free version just isn’t cutting for you.
Hotspot Shield is just that. They have a free version that includes 1 device connection, military-grade encryption, limited streaming access, up to 2 Mbps connection speed, a 500 MB daily data limit, and 1 virtual location (in the U.S.). There aren’t any free advanced features, but this is a great entry-level option to get your feet wet with how VPNs work.
ProtonVPN is another up-and-coming free VPN that has some overall great features that come standard with a VPN service. The free version has 24 servers in three countries, has no data of speed limits, 1 VPN connection, medium speed, is protected by Swiss privacy laws (which are some of the most strict and protective in the world), and a strict no-logs policy. Do you know what else we like about the free version? No ads! It probably is one of the best free VPNs available and another great entry-level service.
It depends. If you’re someone who considers yourself an advanced user of tech and the internet, then you definitely should opt-in for a paid version because you know what you’re getting. You probably understand the value of paying a minimal fee for great protection. It won’t take much to sell you on getting a paid VPN. But..if you’re new to VPNs and what they do, I’d definitely start out with a free version. And here’s why: because those companies who are offering a free version of their paid service eventually want you to buy their paid version. Why does that matter? Because when you’re in their free version they will do everything possible to make sure you have the BEST experience with VPN. You’ll get great support, great tutorials, great service which will all but guarantee you have a great experience with their product.
If You’re Still On The Fence About A VPN…
So…should you get a VPN? The answer is an unequivocal, “Yes!” A VPN will protect your online privacy, secure your devices when using public Wi-Fi, and give you access to content that may be blocked in your location PLUS a lot more benefits anyone can take advantage of. And the best part is that most VPNs are easy to download and use. Some of our favorite VPNs come with user-friendly apps, great install instructions that are easy to follow and simple to set up. What are you waiting for? Protect yourself and your data today by downloading a VPN.
The creative act of convincing people to give up their personal and sensitive information is one type of social engineering. We’ve ALL been victims of social engineering in one way or another.
Sometimes it’s called “Click-bait” (a catchy title that makes you want to click an infected link, like “YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT WE CAUGHT DALE DOING!” Click below to see what he’s doing!)
The scammer is looking to take advantage of your natural human reactions, and turn them against you for their benefit.
The type of information that the scammer is after will vary depending on their ultimate intentions. Typically these scams are designed to access your passwords, bank and credit card numbers, or login information to a particular site.
Stay alert and watch for these social engineering schemes. They come at you in many ways. Many come from a friend’s email that was hacked or, from a hacked Facebook account with the scammer masquerading as if they are your friend. It may be an email pretending to be from your bank, an urgent request for support, or someone offering a donation to a charity. Be vigilant, and QUESTION EVERYTHING!
Dale here- keeping you and your family safe and smart with technology!
For continued advice and learnings on how to help your family stay safe and smart with the technology you use, follow
Your search for certain items and you are redirected somewhere else? This is called redirected internet searches.
You experience frequent and random pop-ups.
Your friends receive fake emails from your account.
Your on-line password changes or doesn’t work.
Your antimalware software or task manager is disabled and can’t be restarted.
You observe strange network traffic.
You get a fake antivirus message
You receive a ransomware message
Now, what do you do if you’ve been hacked?
First, have a seat, I’ve got some news that you won’t like if you’re not backing up your data or using a cloud storage system. A system that has been hacked can NEVER be trusted. You will need to restore your system to its factory defaults by launching the “restore system” feature. If your data isn’t backed up it will be lost.
For continued advice and learnings on how to help your family stay safe and smart with the technology you use, follow
There’s so much to remember about staying safe online, believe me, I know! I am often asked, what’s the most important thing I can do to protect myself and my data online? My answer is always, ‘Use a password manager!
These applications allow you to create unique, hard to guess passwords, and they do all the work for you. I have over 340 different passwords, for real!
I use LastPass, which not only tracks my passwords but also suggests new passwords for new sites and apps, it then recalls them for me when I need them. Seriously, I have no idea what my password is for Facebook, Instagram, my credit card company, or even my Gmail accounts. It’s AWESOME!
It’s important to know that right now because of #Covid19 with so many working from home, many businesses security measures have been lightened creating greater exposure and risk to our home data so this reminder about passwords is more important than ever!
Now, when using a password manager there is one password you do need to remember; it’s the “Master-Password.” This password allows you to use the password manager app, and it’s also how the program verifies that it really is you.
So, make sure your “Master-Password” is complicated. It should be at least 14-20 characters, and it should NOT be anything someone can guess about you. Let me give you a great way to create this type of password. Let’s use a syntax that we’re all familiar with. How about a password “wWw.myGrandkidsAreCuterThanYours!.c0m“. Look at how long that is! And I’m using special characters, and a number, as well as lower and uppercase letters. That password is easy for me to remember because my grandkids are cuter than yours! No, this isn’t ‘my’ master password, it’s just an example. 🙂
I have a Youtube Series dedicated to how to install and use LastPass – The password manager I recommend Here
For continued advice and learnings on how to help your family stay safe and smart with the technology you use, follow
