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

Are Public Wi-Fi Networks Safe? What You Need To Know

Here’s what you need to know about your safety when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network.

Creating Strong Passwords and Other Ways To Protect Your Accounts

Here’s how to protect your accounts with strong passwords and other security methods.

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 Secure Your Home Security Cameras

There are steps you can take to secure your home security camera. Read on to learn more.

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.

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.

Online Privacy

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.

How Websites and Apps Collect and Use Your Information

Learn how and why websites track you — and what to do about it.

Stalkerware: What To Know

Do you think an abusive partner or ex is monitoring you through your phone? They might be using stalkerware to secretly track your device activity. Learn more about stalkerware, how to tell if it’s on your device, and what to do if it is.

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

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal your information

Alvaro Puig

December 6, 2023

QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity. Unfortunately, scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal personal information. Here’s what to know.

Consumer Alert

Announcing the FTC’s Voice Cloning Challenge

Alvaro Puig

November 16, 2023

Voice cloning technologies can generate a near-perfect voice clone based on a short audio clip or snippet of someone’s voice. The technology has potential to help people—for example, people who've lost their ability to speak, offering them a powerful and valuable means of communication. But, in the wrong hands, voice cloning technologies can do harm.

Consumer Alert

Scammers are impersonating FTC Inspector General Andrew Katsaros

Alvaro Puig

October 30, 2023

Scammers are using the names of FTC employees, including the FTC’s Inspector General, to trick people into sending money or giving up their personal information. Here’s what you need to know.

Consumer Alert

Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this

Amy Hebert

August 14, 2023

Ever send money through an app like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? They make it easy to send money fast to friends or family. But what happens when it’s a scammer on the other end?