5 must-do spy hacks you need to use now
Privacy and security seem to be on everyone's mind today. Which makes sense, because cybercriminals are constantly on the attack.
It doesn't matter if you're waiting for a connecting flight at the airport or in the comfort of your own home, hackers will find you. They might be watching your every move over public Wi-Fi or trying to get an up close and personal look at you through your webcam.
No matter what the situation, you don't want critical data falling into the wrong hands. Fending off these attacks is something everyone should know how to do.
That's why we're going to tell you about five must-do spy hacks you didn't know until now.
1. Stop your Smart TV from spying on you
Of all the "smart" devices, few are more controversial than the smart TV. The idea makes a lot of sense: Combine the best parts of a computer and a television into one super-machine. What could go wrong?
Well, as popular as smart TVs are – especially in the luxury tech department – many critics dislike the format, and the technology is surprisingly susceptible to ransomware. Companies have had to defend their inventions again and again and compared to simpler and less expensive forms of entertainment, the smart TV is struggling to earn its place in your family room.
The latest issue: privacy. Certain models keep tabs on their owners in uncomfortable ways, and there's really no good reason for this kind of shifty behavior.
Our advice: Turn the feature off. For the step-by-step instructions click here.
Psst! Smart TVs tend to be a target for hackers. Listen to Kim's free podcast to hear why you should be worried and what you can do about it by clicking the link below.
That's just one of the great topics from the Komando On Demand Podcast, but Kim shares a new podcast each week on her site and on iTunes and Google Play.
She also shares the latest updates from the tech world in her other free podcasts. Consumer Tech Update, Tech News Today and Tech News This Week. Take a listen!
2. See all the information Google has on you
You've probably heard us talk about being tracked by companies like Facebook and Google. They say the purpose is so they can provide you with targeted ads.
That might be the case but the amount of information Google actually has on you is shocking! If you use Google services, it has more information on you than you think. That means Gmail, Google+, Google Contacts, Google Docs, Google Calendar and other Google applications, along with Android.
The good news is that you can find out how much of your information has been logged with Google so you can take steps to get rid of it. The better news is that you can download all that information to your computer for your personal records so you don't lose it in the cleanup.
To find out everything Google knows about you and how to clean it up, click here.
3. Check your smartphone for any spy apps
Are spying apps a good thing? Honestly, it depends on who's doing the spying.
They're a great way for parents to make sure their children are staying safe online. But, in the wrong hands, they can become problematic.
There might be an app on your phone right now sending all your calls, texts, photos, and more to who knows? So, if someone you know seems to know a little too much about your life, they could be spying on you right now.
That's why you should check your gadget immediately to see if there are any spy apps on it. Click here to learn about 5 smartphone spy apps that could be listening and watching you right now.
4. Turn on these Amazon Echo privacy settings
Smart assistant enabled speakers like Amazon's Echo, and Echo Dot can be extremely helpful around the house. You can use them to control smart appliances, lights, listen to music, get the daily news and so much more.
However, there are some privacy concerns that you need to be aware of before bringing them into your home. One is the fact that Alexa is always listening. It listens constantly to hear the "wake word" so it can perform whatever function that you need.
The good news is there are ways to make things more secure. Click here to learn about 3 Amazon Echo privacy settings you should turn on now.
5. Turn your webcam into a spy cam
When you're walking out the door for a vacation or even just a normal workday, it's easy to be thinking about what's ahead, not what you're leaving behind. Sure, you locked the doors, but what if you want to check up on your home while you're gone?
Most people don't think about setting up a monitoring system until they're already out of the house. An internet-enabled security camera will do the trick, but most people don't bother buying and installing one, even though they should.
If cost or complexity is holding you back, I have a less-expensive solution. You probably have a webcam for your desktop or laptop computer, which means you already have almost everything you need for serious spy-grade home surveillance (when you and Fido simply can't be there to secure the home front old-school style).
For a step-by-step guide on how to turn your webcam into a surveillance cam, click here.
Bonus: Stop hackers from spying through your webcam
Now that you've learned how to use your webcam as a surveillance tool, you should also know how to protect yourself from having the tables turned against you. Webcam hacking is a real threat facing computer users every day.
Believe me, you don't want hackers taking over your webcam and watching your every move. That's creepy!
A webcam cover is the easiest way to prevent your webcam from being used to spy on you. Simply slide it over the camera and it's all set.
You're going to love this one! There's no better webcam cover to own, this is deep blue with the Kim Komando Show logo printed on it. Just like Kim keeping you up to date on the latest in security and safety, she will now keep your webcam safe too. The best part, there's no sticky residue left on your computer and it comes with a screen cleaning pad.
You can get your very own Kim Komando Show webcam cover for just $6.95 from the Komando Shop. Simply click the link below and your webcam will be protected from hackers in style.
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