Online Privacy and Security

Understanding online privacy, how to protect your devices from hackers and threats, and how to avoid common online scams.

Online Security

How To Protect Your Phone From Hackers

Four steps to protect your phone from hackers.

How To Recognize, Remove, and Avoid Malware

Malware is a big threat you to your devices' security. Here's how to recognize, remove, and avoid malware.

How To Recover Your Hacked Email or Social Media Account

What to do if you think your email or social networking account has been hacked.

How To Remove Your Personal Information Before You Get Rid of Your Computer

How to remove your personal information from your computer so it doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief.

How To Remove Your Personal Information Before You Get Rid of Your Phone

Before you trade in, sell, give away, or recycle your phone, remove your personal information.

How To Safely Use Public Wi-Fi Networks

Here are some ways to safely use public Wi-Fi when you're out and about.

How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

How to protect your home wireless network.

Mobile Payment Apps: How To Avoid a Scam When You Use One

Learn how mobile payment apps work and how to avoid sending money to a scammer.

Password Checklist

Here’s a checklist to make sure your passwords are secure.

Protect Your Personal Information and Data

How to protect your devices, networks, and information from scammers.

Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home

Steps that can help protect your internet-connected devices.

Use Two-factor Authentication to Protect Your Accounts

Use two-factor authentication to protect your accounts from hackers.

Using IP Cameras Safely

When you shop for an internet camera, put security features at the top of your list. Here are tips to help.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Apps on Mobile Devices

If you’re looking for a more secure way to use public Wi-Fi, know the benefits and risks of Virtual Private Network (VPN) apps.

Online Privacy

How To Protect Your Privacy on Apps

What you can do to protect your privacy on mobile apps.

How To Protect Your Privacy Online

When you do anything online, you leave a trail. Learn how online tracking works and what you can do about it.

How To Secure Your Voice Assistant and Protect Your Privacy

Here's what you can do to keep your voice assistant and recordings private and secure.

Stalking Apps: What To Know

Stalking apps on your phone can track or monitor your behavior.

What To Do if You’re the Target of Revenge Porn

Did someone share an intimate image of you without your OK? Find out what you can do about it.

What To Know About People Search Sites That Sell Your Information

Learn how people search sites work and how to ask them to stop selling your information.

Online Scams

How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information. But there are several ways to protect yourself.

How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams

Tech support scammers want you to pay them to fix a non-existent computer problem. Learn how to avoid and report tech support scams.

What to Know About Romance Scams

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and ask for money. Learn how to avoid romance scams.

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

View all Online Privacy and Security alerts

Consumer Alert

Identity Theft Awareness Week events focus on how to reduce your risk

Seena Gressin

January 24, 2023

As unique as we each are, we all look the same to identity thieves: like good targets. To them, it’s all about our Social Security numbers, birth dates, account login credentials, and other personal

Consumer Alert

Don’t answer another online quiz question until you read this

Terri Miller

January 11, 2023

What do the model of your first car, your favorite hobby, and the high school you attended have in common? If you said they’re questions commonly used for online account security and online quizzes

Consumer Alert

Data breaches were missed learning opportunities for ed tech company

Seena Gressin

October 31, 2022

An easy step can help protect your online accounts from hackers. Whenever you can, make sure your accounts ask for two credentials to verify your identity when you log in. It’s called multifactor, or

Consumer Alert

How to recognize a fake Geek Squad renewal scam

Alvaro Puig

October 25, 2022

Scammers are at it again, impersonating well-known businesses and trying to rip people off. This time they’re pretending to be from Geek Squad, Best Buy’s tech support service. Here’s what we’re