Optery offers a unique approach to data removal, but its expensive plans and lack of online safety tools mean it may not be right for everyone.

If you receive a data breach alert or discover that your SSN was leaked on the Dark Web, act quickly to secure your online accounts and finances.

Incogni and DeleteMe can help remove your personal information from hundreds of data broker sites, but both services lack critical online safety features.

Scammers create fake stores, send phishing emails, and use generative AI tools to scam shoppers who are trying to take advantage of Black Friday deals.

Data broker removal services promise to clean up your digital profile and increase your online privacy — but not all of them deliver on that promise.

Kroll provides identity monitoring to customers of companies impacted by data breaches — but its lack of features could make you think twice before signing up.

Signs of a hacked phone include reduced battery life, higher data usage, unusual device behavior, new apps, locked accounts, and receiving 2FA codes.

Incogni can help remove your personal information from a large number of data brokers, but there are alternatives that can do more to keep you safe online.

Both Aura and Incogni help remove your data from data broker and people search sites — but only Aura actively protects you from hacking and identity theft.

Aura and Bark are both great options for parents, but potential customers need to understand their different approaches to child and family online safety.

While it’s impossible to completely remove yourself from the internet, these steps and tools will help you clean up and minimize your digital footprint.

The main safety question isn’t, “AI chatbots: yes or no?” but “Which chat experiences, for which ages, under what controls?” Companion bots could be highest-risk.

LifeLock offers strong protection against identity thieves, but its pricing plans are confusing and costly compared to alternatives like Aura.

Prospective LifeLock customers should weigh the company’s well-known brand name against its past data security concerns and lack of transparent pricing.

Identity Guard is one of the original (and best) identity theft protection services — but you still might be better off with an alternative.

The data broker industry runs on a grey-area business model, propped up by weak privacy laws — but there are steps you can take to protect your data.

LifeLock is a well-known name in identity theft protection, though its pricing and past security issues may prompt you to explore other options.

Guardio has gained popularity for its browser-based approach to digital security — but it has limitations when it comes to other online threats.

Older adults lost over $4.85 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FBI, with tech support, extortion, and phishing scams being the most common.

Free Dark Web scanners can tell you if your data is at risk — but 24/7 monitoring is the best way to take action if your information has been leaked.

Hackers and scammers can use your leaked phone number to intercept 2FA codes, access your online accounts, and target you with phishing and scam calls.

Freeze their credit with all three bureaus, keep their SSN and other personal information safe, teach them online privacy, and sign up for fraud alerts.

A data breach alert tells you what information was leaked and provides guidance on how to stay safe — but there’s more you can do to protect yourself.

Both Aura and LifeLock provide similar features to protect your identity — but there are important distinctions between them that you need to know about.

Identity theft insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides financial coverage for losses and recovery costs after identity theft.

Zelle scams occur when fraudsters trick you into sending money over Zelle, giving up access to your Zelle account, or investing in fraudulent ventures.

Telegram offers a high level of anonymity to users, making it an attractive option for scammers who want to hide their true identities or impersonate others.

Scammers use Cash App scams, including accidental payments and fake giveaways, to trick you into sending them money or giving them access to your account.

Scammers exploit Venmo to trick victims into sending money, giving up bank account access, or providing sensitive info that can be used for identity theft.

Scammers impersonate Best Buy’s Geek Squad technical support team to send fake renewal emails and texts, or call to offer bogus services.

Etsy is a legitimate platform for buying unique goods from creators — but scammers also use the platform to advertise fake or counterfeit products.

Your ID contains enough sensitive personal information to steal your identity, access your bank accounts, and forge official documents in your name.

As soon as you discover your SSN has been compromised, freeze your credit, secure your online accounts, and report the crime to the FTC and local police.

The identity theft recovery process involves freezing your credit, filing an official report, disputing fraudulent transactions and securing your accounts.

Impersonation fraud, phishing messages, and “sugar daddy” scams are just a few ways scammers can take over your account and extort money.

Hackers and cybercriminals use fake websites to trick you into entering passwords, payment details, and other sensitive information.

McAfee provides some of the most well-known antivirus and malware protection — but its identity theft protection services fall behind competitors.

If you suspect that someone has access to your SSN, you should freeze your credit, report the crime to the proper authorities, and secure your identity.

Wells Fargo no longer offers dedicated identity theft protection services; only basic fraud tools tied to your bank account are available.

Aura has won accolades from tech reviewers and customers — but is it right for you? Here’s what you need to know to decide if Aura is worth it for you.

Start by deleting unknown apps, updating your software, and running a security scan. Change passwords to any affected accounts and turn on 2FA.

Whether you’ve sent scammers gift cards, crypto, cash, or sensitive financial information, you may be able to get your lost money back — if you act quickly.

DeleteMe was one of the first services to help users remove personal information from data brokers — but some competitors do more to keep you safe online.

Credit monitoring apps help track your credit score, warn you of fraud, and educate you about building credit — but not all are worth your time and money.

Aura and Identity Guard both offer all-in-one protection plans — but there are several differences in their services that can help you decide between them.

The first warning signs of identity theft include unusual financial transactions and hacked accounts — but there are other red flags that you should know.

Data brokers put your online privacy and safety at risk — but there are several methods you can use to help remove your data from their websites.

With a bit of work, you can remove your personal info from Google search results, websites, and data broker sites — and you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Government agencies can legally require your SSN under federal law. Private companies can request it, but unless a law applies, you can refuse.

Signs of SSN misuse can be hard to spot. Look for data breach alerts, unexpected earnings on your Social Security statement, and credit report errors.

The simplest way is to set a SIM PIN, enable number transfer protection with your carrier, and use an authenticator app instead of SMS for 2FA.

Coinbase is considered safe due to strong technical and regulatory protections, but user-side risks like password reuse remain outside its control.

Credit Karma offers "free" credit monitoring and personal financial tools to millions of Americans — but it's not the only (or best) option available.

It can feel overwhelming to be the victim of a scam — but there are steps you can take to protect yourself, recover lost funds, and get back on your feet.

IDShield is worth it if you want licensed private investigators and can pay extra for three-bureau credit monitoring. It’s less ideal for broader coverage.

Current Amazon scams include calls from imposters claiming there are issues with your Amazon account, phishing emails, and fake order confirmation texts.

The most common text scams claim to be about missed deliveries, job offers, or fraud alerts. Others start as wrong-number texts that rope you into investment scams.

If you’ve been part of a data breach, there’s a good chance that your email can now be found on the Dark Web — but is this something you need to worry about?

Scammers use spoofed, fake, or masked phone numbers to try and trick you into answering their calls — but you can spot a scammer if you know these tips.

Scammers send text messages and emails claiming to be from UPS saying that there’s an issue with your package — and you need to click a link to fix it.

Fraudsters use fake Facebook accounts to target you with impersonation scams, spread misinformation, or trick you into paying for fake Marketplace items.

The number of child identity theft victims has increased over 150% in recent years — but you can keep your kids safe by knowing the common warning signs.

Canopy and Bark block adult content and send alerts of online threats against your children — but reviewers question if they live up to their promises.

The best credit monitoring services provide three-bureau monitoring, fast alerts of all changes, and include additional identity and fraud protection.

Despite LifeLock’s recognizable brand name and IdentityForce’s backing by a major credit bureau, both have issues you should know about before buying.

LifeLock’s new offering is a budget-friendly plan for identity alerts and restoration only — which means it's missing critical features that keep you safe.

Hackers use advanced tools and personal information leaked in data breaches to target victims — but you can stay safe by following a few security measures.

Aura and IdentityForce both offer "all-in-one" solutions to protect your identity — but there are specific differences that make one the clear winner.

Americans lost nearly $12.5 billion to scams in 2025. If you’ve been a victim, these are the steps you should take to recover and protect yourself.

If you receive an alert on your mobile device stating that your password has been leaked in a data breach, you need to secure your accounts ASAP.

Requesting a credit freeze is one of the best things you can do to protect against identity fraud — but there are some downsides that you should consider.

Stalkerware — or spyware — gives hackers or abusive partners an excessive amount of access to your devices and data, and needs to be dealt with carefully.

Data breaches and AI have helped scammers become more convincing — but there are still common red flags that can warn you if you’re being scammed.

As soon as you know your personal data is compromised, change your passwords, enable 2FA, freeze your credit, and monitor your accounts for fraud.

You may be getting spam calls because your number has likely been leaked in data breaches, sold by data brokers, or flagged as active by scammers.

While you can pay for an ad-free YouTube experience with YouTube Premium, third-party extensions and privacy-focused browsers are often cheaper and better.

Ads and pop-ups aren’t just annoying; they can also put your online privacy and safety at risk — luckily you can block them on almost every platform.

Identity theft insurance helps reimburse stolen funds, legal fees, and other recovery costs associated with ID fraud. Coverage may vary by plan.

Google Chrome includes built-in tools to help block some ads and pop-ups — but a third-party ad blocker is a better bet for an ad-free browsing experience.

Hackers use malware to infect your Mac, spy on you, or hold your sensitive files hostage — but with a few steps, you can clear your Mac of most infections.

If you’d rather text than talk, how likely are you to fall for these WhatsApp scams? Here are 10 scams to know and how you can avoid them.

While you can delete (or deactivate) your Facebook account at any time, Meta may hold onto your data for up to another six months afterward.

While you can’t be hacked simply by responding to a text message, it makes you vulnerable to more serious scams and threats that could put you in danger.

If scammers have spoofed your phone number, you could end up with a massive phone bill or worse. Learn what to do if your phone number is being spoofed.

If someone used your personal information and SSN to file taxes, you need to report the issues immediately and protect yourself against identity theft.

Criminals use your stolen information to file fraudulent tax returns in your name and pocket the refund — unless you know how to spot the warning signs.

Scammers impersonate the IRS during tax season to trick you into sending them money or providing sensitive information — here’s what you need to know.

If scammers use stolen information to file taxes in your name, it can cost you time, energy, and even money — unless you put protective measures in place.

The IRS begins accepting most tax returns on January 27th, 2025 — but the earlier you submit, the better chance you have of receiving your refund and avoiding scams.

Basic screen time limiting apps can help parents take control of how their children use digital devices — but the best apps do even more to keep your kids safe.

You can manually check for viruses on your Mac using built-in tools — or use antivirus software that will dig deeper and root out the worst Mac viruses.

Using antivirus software, removing suspicious apps, and checking your app permissions, cache, and accounts can help you quickly shut down hackers.

Scammers build fake websites to steal your personal information, passwords, and money. Here’s how to identify fake websites before it's too late.

Android devices are typically more vulnerable to viruses and malware — luckily, you can scan for and delete malicious apps in a few quick steps.

Police don’t always investigate credit card fraud — however, filing a fraud and identity theft report with law enforcement can help you recover lost funds.

Norton Privacy Monitor Assistant can help with data broker opt-outs, but its add-on cost and quarterly scans may not make it the best choice.

While Allstate is well-known for car and home protection, its identity monitoring may not offer some of the usability available in newer products.

Did an identity thief ruin your credit with fraudulent charges? Here’s what you can do to repair your credit score after identity theft.

Almost every online website and service tracks you in some way — but while trackers are mostly harmless, they can put your privacy and identity at risk.

Three-bureau credit monitoring is an essential tool if you’ve been the victim of identity theft or a data breach — but not all services are equal.