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Avoid the Tinder Swindler: how to date online safely

Bianca Moura — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:18:16 +0000

Good con artists have a strange relationship with emotion: many of them demonstrate an almost uncanny ability to manipulate and elicit emotions in others, yet they’re often detached from their own emotions. This frightening combination is in evidence throughout the recent independent film sensation The Tinder Swindler.

The film tells the story of a conman who uses the Tinder app to insinuate himself into the lives of three female victims. In the film, Simon Leviev sets up elaborate romantic cons to appear as a wealthy diamond heir, then uses the trust he has gained to steal information, then money – only to use that money to fund the con for his next victim.

It’s a taut and dramatically told story, but without a clear moral or ending. (The New York Post has reported that Leviev has signed with a Hollywood agent, and “wants his own dating show.”)

How To Stay Safe: Five Scammer Prevention Keys

But the moral for users of Tinder — and social media in general — are still the same: proceed with caution! Below are a Five Keys to help you stay safe as you navigate dating apps like Tinder — they’re also useful guidelines for people you might meet on any other social app like Facebook:

Do some research — and take your time. Before meeting in real life with anyone you’ve met online, take the time to do a little background research and find out if the person you’re speaking to is who they say they are.

Consider bringing a friend for the first date(s), and meet in public. Yes, this will keep you safer, and it might also help provide a more casual atmosphere where you can learn a little bit more about your new friend.

Be sensitive about peculiar information requests. Spoiler alert: The Tinder Swindler orchestrated reasons to get Passport information, and then quickly put it to nefarious use. Whatever the reason given, a quick pivot to requests for detailed personal data is always a sure warning sign, especially in a new relationship.

Keep your purse, phone, and ID’s close. Don’t overlook simple physical sources of data like these. Don’t leave them unattended.
If you have any suspicions, check in to things. If anything seems odd in terms of your interactions, don’t bury your head in the sand. A good security solution like dfndr security can help you track where your data is going and also protect your physical phone from theft. Stay on top of your bank and credit card accounts.

Remember: Most Scammers Don’t Do A Lot of Romancing

The Tinder Swindler is also a healthy reminder that most scams are not quite as elaborate as those cooked up by Simon Leviev. But most scams operate on the same human emotions of romance and self-interest.

Set some clear rules for yourself in the dating world – and also for when you’re answering emails and text messages — or when you’re looking for work on a job site. If it looks too good to be true – it probably is!

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Best Apps for Book Lovers

PSafe Newsroom — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 13:00:28 +0000

If you love to read, then you probably have a long to-read list that grows longer by the day. It’s time to quickly make it through your reading list with the following apps for book lovers. These apps are the perfect go-to when you have a long subway commute, travel plans, or even a night to yourself.

Goodreads

This is definitely one of the best apps for keeping track of your reading, because the app will update with how far you are in your book. Goodreads also has a social aspect so you can see what your friends are currently reading. It’s great if you want recommendations because you can simply scroll through the books that your friends and family are reading now, and find out what they’ve read in the past. You can also take part in virtual book clubs that have monthly discussions. Goodreads even has the occasional giveaway where you set yourself a reading goal for the year to enter to win a prize.

Libib

Have you ever wanted to have a better organizational system for the mess of books on your bookshelf? Libib is the perfect solution to your problem because it is an app with an easily searchable database of books. This database even has a bar code scanner feature so you can look up what books you have. With Libib, you can virtually catalogue your books, so if you lend a book to someone, you will know exactly where it goes and who has it.

Scribd

Fair warning, this app isn’t free. But many believe that the small subscription fee is worth it. If you’re the forgetful type of reader who always forgets to bring a book anywhere you go, then Scribd is perfect because it gives you access to tons of books all on your phone. It even has a great selection of audiobooks and magazines.

Serial Reader

So, you love to read, but you can’t seem to find the time to read. You can never say you don’t have time to read if you have this app on your Android. With Serial Reader, you get daily bite-sized passages from classic books. Each of these short passages can be read in 20 minutes or less so it’s sure to fit into a busy schedule. This app is perfect because many people are too intimidated to read classic books because they’re too long or too confusing. Serial Reader boils down these classic books into easy-to-read paragraphs.

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How to Tell When Streaming Videos Online is Unsafe

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 23:00:23 +0000

There are so many videos that we stream every day that it can be tough to keep track of whether or not everything we’re streaming is completely legal and virus-free. However, it’s an important thing to focus on, as you don’t want to open yourself up to vulnerabilities. These sites could be dangerous as they are not only illegal to use, they also could present the possibility of infecting your device with a virus. To ensure that you aren’t using sites that create that vulnerability, take advantage of the security scan feature for safe browsing and streaming. Click here to download dfndr security to scan your device for viruses:

To help make it easier for you to understand how to avoid these harmful video sites, keep reading for some great tips and tricks. You definitely want to stay clear of any sites that are pushing illegal video content, so hopefully you will soon have a better indication of how to do so.

How to Tell if a Streaming Site is Illegal
There are a few ways to tell whether or not you’re streaming videos, television shows, and movies legally or illegally.

Legitimate sites are likely to have normal-looking advertisements on their website. If you end up on a site that bombards you with clickbait ads or has ads that deviate from the norm, then odds are, the site could be unsafe to use. Click here to use Anti-Hacking to protect yourself from phishing attempts and malicious video sites:
Sites that are legitimate will usually divulge where their information and content is coming from. These streaming sites are likely to be affiliated with another organization or site that is providing them with content, so look for this information before you stream.
Another sign of a legitimate site is if there is contact information listed. Sites that allow users to stream illegally would never provide contact information, so it’s important to look for and locate that information when you’re about to stream content so that you know a site is safe and legal.
Sites that are safe, secure, and legal aren’t likely to have many new or recently released films on their site. Thus, if you see any movies that are in theaters or that have just been released for streaming, the site is likely to be illegal — so stay away!
Sites that are accompanied by mobile apps available in the Play store are likely to be legitimate, so always look to see if they advertise for one on their site or do a quick search on the app store. Of course, if they don’t have one, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re illegal — just keep that in mind.

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Best Apps for New Parents

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 21:00:22 +0000

While being a new parent is an exciting journey filled with love, joy, and adoration, it’s also an overwhelming, scary, and challenging time, too. Thankfully, new moms and dads can take advantage of technology to make it a bit easier to get through each day, to answer questions, and to gain a better understanding of how to provide the best possible care for their offspring.

Use all of these Android apps and more to make parenting a little bit easier, and to ensure that you get your baby into a great routine in no time. These apps will help you with all of those middle of the night questions and help you to stay organized during a very hectic time. Check out some of the best Android apps for new parents below.

Baby MedBasics
The most important thing is your baby’s safety. When you’re a new parent, it can be tough to diagnose the ailments or health issues of a newborn. This app makes it easier to diagnose issues, gives you potentially life-saving tips, and has a wide range of facts surrounding things like CPR and poison. This is a great app to have on hand in case of an emergency.

My Baby Today
This app can truly do it all. As new parents, it’s tough to find a good way to stay organized, but with the help of this app, it’s a breeze. Use My Baby Today to track your little one’s development. The app offers helpful information about your child’s health, happiness, and safety. It’ll also keep your baby’s appointments and milestones organized in one place.

Magic Sleep
Getting your baby to sleep well is undoubtedly one of the toughest things about coming home from the hospital. With the help of this app, your little angel will be sleeping more soundly, much to your relief. This sleep aid recreates sounds that your baby heard while inside the womb, which is very calming for a newborn. You set the length of sleep time on the app and stream it through speakers. You’ll be happily off to dreamland, soon!

Baby Feed Timer
Your baby needs great nutrition, so why not get an app that helps make that happen? Baby Feed Timer works to help you keep track of when you’ve fed your little one and when the next feeding is scheduled for. Additionally, it’ll help you to record how long each feeding lasted, the medium that was used to feed, pumping sessions, and more.

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What’s With Downloading Software to Access University Wi-Fi?

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 21:00:34 +0000

Gone are the days of students plugging in Ethernet cables in their dorms or heading to the library just to check their emails. University campuses now have high-speed Wi-Fi in almost every spot you can imagine — from the lecture halls to the lawn outside — but is sharing Wi-Fi with so many people really that secure? Click here to use the wi-fi check feature to check the security of your campus Wi-Fi:

It’s reasonable to be wary, what with the rise of increasingly stealthy phishing attacks and all the sensitive information we share over Wi-Fi. The wi-fi check feature is designed to test the speed and security of your Wi-Fi network. It helps you verify the download speed, check the DNS security, and ensure that your network is safeguarded overall.

Many universities now have their own software that you have to download to access the Wi-Fi, promising greater security and giving the institution greater control, supposedly to your benefit. But, as always, whether it’s for desktop or mobile, there are risks in downloading new software online.

The bring your own device (BYOD) classroom has brought on all sorts of changes and challenges to how education works. Now, classrooms are filled with laptops and tablets of students doing their work, taking notes (or, let’s be honest, slacking off). However, all these random devices bring their own security risks to these large-scale networks. That’s why many universities have opted to use software to manage certificates, help with device onboarding, and check the security of their system.

Of course, this often means that you, the consumer, have to download this product, too. While this may seem odd at first, especially if you’re used to just tapping into Wi-Fi at home or at your favorite café, universities are managing giant networks of students, faculty, and guests — they need the additional security.

While, overall, universities are using software that is designed to keep you protected and safe, double-checking your online security never hurts. Download the software you need to connect, but be smart about it by having software installed to protect you beforehand and to check the security of the network you’re on. A little vigilance goes a long way in cybersecurity.

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How Safe Is It to Use Public, Unprotected Wi-Fi Networks?

PSafe Newsroom — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 00:00:02 +0000

Just because public Wi-Fi is free and easy doesn’t mean that it’s safe to use. Whenever you join a public network on your phone, you’re not alone when you’re using it. If a hacker gets access to the public Wi-Fi router then they can use it to access your private information like your credit card numbers, bank passwords, or even social media accounts. You should use the wi-fi check feature to test for speed and security. Click here to check your network:

The Dangers of “Eavesdropping”
When your phone is connected to a public Wi-Fi network, hackers can use a Man-in-the-Middle style attack to eavesdrop on your personal information. With this type of hack, the criminal hacks into the public Wi-Fi router and can “eavesdrop” on your data as it goes from your phone to any website you may be using. So if you log in to your social media accounts on public Wi-Fi the hackers can watch as you put your username and password into the website. This means that the hacker now has that username and password so your account is no longer secure.

Using Virtual Private Network
The only ways to guarantee that your phone will not be hacked is to either stay off of public Wi-Fi altogether or to connect to a virtual private network, or VPN. These virtual private networks encrypt your private information as it goes from your phone to any website you may be using. This means that, even if hackers somehow get into the Wi-Fi router, they will not be able to see your data because it is encrypted and unreadable by others.

Stay Safe Using wi-fi check
wi-fi check is a tool that will verify the download speed and network security of your phone. It can tell you how fast your Internet connection is and whether or not it’s a secure network that your phone is connected to. It’s an important tool to take advantage of when using a public network.

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How to Connect an Android Phone to TV

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 23:00:27 +0000

Android phones have become a daily utilization tool for just about everything — including watching movies or videos. Which means you might have an occasion to connect your Android to a TV, but may not know how. This terrific mini-guide to connecting an Android to a TV should have your entertainment needs up and running in no time.

Connect to a Smart TV via Wi-Fi
With a Smart TV and home Wi-Fi, it is usually possible to connect with the TV’s screen mirroring capability. Each device comes with specific instructions for use.

Connect via Google Cast, Chromecast, or Miracast
Wirelessly connect an Android phone to a TV using a dongle such as Google Cast, Chromecast, Miracast, or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick. These are not compatible with all Androids and TVs, so check to be sure that your devices are in fact appropriate before purchasing. Additionally, double-check to be sure that the dongle in question is capable of streaming the desired content to your TV’s screen. Different devices support different Digital Rights Management protected content.

Before choosing this option, be aware that you need a home WiFi network. The dongle will need to be connected before you can pair your Android with your TV.

Both Chromecast and Miracast are relatively inexpensive, and they come with complete, user-friendly instructions for use:

Download the appropriate app from the Play Store, if indicated on the device’s instructions.
Follow the device’s instructions for connecting to your TV’s HDMI port and your home’s WiFi network. The Android’s screen should be mirrored on the TV.
Keep your Android battery charged by connecting to a power source (and consider using PowerPro to lengthen your battery life).
Choose which content you’d like to view and press “Play.”

Connect via HDMI
Many Androids are fitted with HDMI ports. It is very simple to pair an Android with a TV this way: Just plug the small end of the cable into the device’s micro-HDMI port, and then plug the larger end of the cable into the standard HDMI port on the TV.

Note that this is the best way to connect an Android phone to a TV without a separate WiFi service.

Once you have made the connection, you may need to take a few more steps before viewing content on the TV screen.

Launch the “Gallery” app.
Choose the video or photo to view.
Select the “Play” icon marked HDMI. If this is not visible, you should be able to locate it by tapping a dark or empty area on the screen.
Tapping the “Play” icon should launch your phone’s HDMI viewer panel.
Select the “Play” button. Your content should now be visible on your TV screen.

Connect via HDMI Converter and HDMI Cable
Some Androids have no HDMI ports, but this doesn’t prevent an HDMI connection. It simply means that besides an HDMI cable, you will need a micro USB to HDMI converter – preferably one that is fitted with a USB power cable for charging. This crucial piece connects the device’s charging port, which is designated as a micro USB outlet, to the HDMI cable, which in turn connects to the TV.

When purchasing the HDMI converter, it is important to ensure that it is compatible with your phone or other Android device. You can easily double-check by running a quick search online. If you don’t know which version of Android your phone is running, use the following steps to check:

Choose “Settings”
Select “General”
Choose “About Phone”
Phone name should be listed near the top of the screen that is displayed. Scroll until you find “Software Info.”
This will show you which version of Android is running on your device, plus which version of the software is running. This information can help you determine compatibility.

Once you have confirmed that your Android and TV are suitable for pairing, and have gathered the required components, connecting is simple.

Set up your Android before turning on the TV.
Locate the micro USB port in your Android. It is the same port that you use to charge your device.
Fit the smaller portion of the HDMI converter into the micro USB port. If there is a USB power cable attached to the converter, you can either plug it into the TV’s USB port to keep your device charged during use or you can plug it into a wall charger.
Add the HDMI cable to the converter.
Locate the TV’s HDMI port, which is usually marked “HDMI”. Some models have multiple ports, and any of them should work.
When you have chosen an HDMI port, check to see which input is listed alongside or beneath it, i.e. “Video 2”.
Turn on the TV, and then use the remote control or the “input” button located on the TV itself to change the display input to match the HDMI port that is connected to your Android device.
Activate your device. You should see the screen mirrored within a few moments. If nothing happens, leave the Android connected to the TV and restart the Android while leaving the TV’s power on.
Choose a movie or TV show to watch.

Troubleshooting
Connecting an Android phone to a TV is often simple and straightforward, however, there are certain problems that may need to be solved before you can view content.

Some apps may not allow for content viewing via HDMI. You may be able to resolve the issue by saving the content to your phone’s Gallery app and then viewing from there. Alternately, you may be able to connect you Android to a projector and use a blank wall, a whiteboard, or a screen to view content.
If your Android has an HDMI port, it may also have an HDMI settings control with a variety of resolutions and refresh rates listed. The “Automatic” setting is usually selected. If this does not work, try other settings until you find the one that looks best. You can access this control by choosing “Settings” and then selecting “HDMI.” Next, select “HDMI Settings” and tap the resolution / refresh rate combination.
If your TV has no HDMI port, it cannot be paired with your Android device.

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Ideas for Minimizing Permission Requests on Android

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 22:00:15 +0000

If an app has too many permission requests, it can quickly overwhelm the average user. It should go without saying that the ultimate goal for a developer is to make an app as easy and stress-free as possible for a user. Not to mention that a user may become quickly frustrated if the app asks too much of them. Also, a user may become worried that the app may be using their personal information for nefarious purposes and they may refuse to download the app, uninstall the app, or stop using the app altogether. So, the following are some helpful hints to minimize the permission requests on Android.

Test for Various Permissions Models
First, you should test for both permissions models. Starting with Android 6.0, users don’t actually grant or cancel app permissions when they install the app; they actually do those functions when they run the app. This means that you will have to use a wider range of conditions to test your app under. So, under the new permissions model, you can no longer assume that when your app is running, it has all the permissions it declares in the app manifest.

Don’t Overdo It: Only Ask for Necessary Permissions
Next, and arguably most importantly, only ask for the permissions that you need the most. A great way to cut down on the permissions you ask for is by going through and cutting the ones that aren’t absolutely necessary. Each time you ask for a new permission, you’re making the user take the time to accept or deny the permission request. And if the list of requests you have is too long, then you may run the risk of the user deciding not to download the app.

Don’t Overwhelm Users with Permissions
Finally, be sure that the permissions that you’re requesting don’t overwhelm the user. If the user must stop the app and grant your permissions, they may become overwhelmed and quit your app altogether. If you ask for too many at one time, the user will likely not want to take the time to grant them all at once. A good solution to this issue would be to ask for the permissions as you need them. You could also have the user grant just a few permissions when launching the app for the first time and then have them grant additional permissions as the need arises.

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What You Need To Know About Twitter’s New Privacy Policy

PSafe Newsroom — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 21:00:04 +0000

Everyone loves Twitter. You can write whatever you want in 140 characters or less, tweet out links to articles, share memes and GIFs, and learn more about what people think. You might even become a viral hit. Yet, have you ever thought about its privacy policy?

When Twitter announced changes to its privacy policy this past May, most people probably didn’t pay much mind or felt it was too confusing to look at. If you were one of the curious people, but couldn’t quite make it out, here are some of the basics you should know about the latest update, which was put into effect on June 18, 2017.

30-Day Collection of Off-Twitter Web Browsing
With the update, Twitter can use the information it collects on people’s off-Twitter web browsing for up to 30 days after it accessed it. This means that they can hold onto the information about which sites you click on. Before the update, there was a 10-day maximum set. The new policy would enable Twitter to effectively target key audiences for certain ads, reversing its struggling ad revenue decline.

Transparency
Twitter also added a new section to the settings menu on its site and in mobile apps that details how Twitter picks which users to target with certain ads. It also allows users to deselect certain individual interest categories, and request a list of companies that use Twitter’s Tailored Audiences option to target them with ads based on information from information like email addresses, Twitter handles, or which users look at the advertiser’s site and used its mobile app.

No More “Do Not Track”
The update also led Twitter to remove the Do Not Track feature, which allowed users to ask every website not to track their behavior in order to target them with ads. Back in 2012, Twitter refused to remove the Do Not Track feature. However, the trend for most ad-supported platforms is to opt out of the feature entirely.

Disabling Ads
However, there are still options for users who want to disable the information that is collected for targeted ads. Users can pull up Twitter’s settings menu, click on “Privacy and Safety,” then “Personalization and Data,” and turn off “Personalize Ads.” There is also an option to disable Twitter from the ability to see when users visit a site that features a tweet button or embedded tweet, and an option to prevent Twitter from sharing user data, using location-based data to personalize content, and connecting that data across different devices.

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3 Reasons to Keep Your Password Storage Low-Tech

PSafe Newsroom — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 20:00:59 +0000

When it comes to storing your passwords somewhere, it’s definitely a good idea. You don’t want to lock yourself out of any important accounts or profiles. With passwords having strict requirements to help keep your information secure — the need for numbers, symbols, and uppercase and lowercase letters — it can be very tough to remember your passwords across the board, especially since you shouldn’t be making them all the same.

Keeping track of all your passwords by relying on just your memory can be a complete disaster. It’s also a big pain to go through the “Forgot your password?” prompt every time you’re locked out of a site, and no one wants to deal with the extra hassle. Continue reading to find out why you should keep your password storage low-tech.

It Makes Your Life Easier
Why complicate your life when you don’t have to? A complex password storage app or extension on your tech devices can be cumbersome to manage, confusing to navigate, and possibly negate the point of using the tool. After all, the whole reason you are looking to store your passwords is to make your life easier. While there are certainly some in-depth password storage options out there, it’s not always easiest or most effective to go with the one with all of the bells and whistles. Remember that if you can’t use the storage solution effectively, there’s no point in having it.

It May Not Be the Most Secure
A password storing application on your Android device or other tech gadgets may not be the most secure way to store your passwords. If your device is ever lost or stolen, you would then have to worry about all of your passwords to sensitive accounts being at risk of being hacked. That’s certainly not a fun item to have hanging over your head, so it may be a better idea to keep your password database off your tech device altogether.

You Don’t Want to Lose the List
Since you need these passwords to enter accounts you’re constantly using without the hassle, you definitely won’t want to lose access to this information. Losing your device could result in this, so that is certainly a danger of keeping this information in a high-tech spot.

The solution? The “KISS” method, or “Keep it simple, stupid!” Write down your passwords and store them safely in the same spot in your home where you know they’re protected from prying eyes and where they won’t be lost. While our mobile devices are great for a lot of things, sometimes it’s easier and safer to do things the old-fashioned way!

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