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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Windows
A simple trick for Windows is to merely place your sensitive information within a folder and then mark the folder as ‘hidden,’ which will hide it within the file explorer. To hide a folder, right click on the folder and select the properties option. Once the properties dialogue is open, ensure there is a checkmark next to the hidden label – that’s all there is to this method! When you want to view that hidden folder, simply select the view tab within the file explorer and check the option to display hidden items.

Read More: 3 Private Messenger Apps That’ll Keep It Confidential

MacOS
The process isn’t as easy on Mac and does involve a bit of time in the Terminal application. If you’re unfamiliar with using Terminal, we suggest checking out a quick tutorial first. Start by opening the Terminal app from your Applications folder and navigate to the directory in which your folder is placed. Once you are within the proper directory type the following command, followed by the enter key,’ to hide the folder: “chflags hidden [name of folder].” For example, if we have a folder named ‘photos’ which we want to keep hidden, we would type: “chflags hidden photos.”

Android
Due to the open nature of the Android platform, one of the best options for hiding sensitive data is a third-party solution. One such option is dfndr vault, an app that easily allows you to create a hidden gallery of photos and videos; it even offers a feature known as applock, which can prevent access to certain apps by letting you add a secure passcode. No need to worry anymore about friends snooping around your Tinder profile or co-workers discovering embarrassing snapshots. Android users can also take advantage of dfndr performance, which has a ‘quick cleaner’ feature to remove any private information that might be in your device’s temporary files.

iOS
If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, you can choose to add your private photos or videos to a ‘hidden gallery’ built into the device. Simply visit your Photo app and navigate to the media you wish to hide, once there tap the share button (the square with the upward facing arrow), and select hide from the menu. The photo you just chose to hide will no longer be viewable from the main camera roll or any of the adjacent photo features. To view the private collection, head to your albums and locate the folder named Hidden. Sadly this option won’t keep the most curious of individuals out, but it will prevent any private images from popping up while scrolling through your camera roll.

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Read More: My Apps Gave Up Personal Info Again

One wickedly smart way to protect your Android or IOS phone is by using dfndr vpn, a virtual private network that hides your IP address and location, especially on campus Wi-Fi. With a VPN, you can keep your gaming, snapchatting, or Facebook sessions totally anonymous from snoops or hackers.

Here’s what you should know about cyber attacks before you land at college.

The Stats
Last year alone, there was an average of 12 DDoS attacks per week. These types of attacks can infect entire colleges by hitting multiple computers or devices at once, causing them to lose Internet access. Additionally, about a quarter of all colleges or universities were the victim of cyber attacks in 2017.

Devices Get Targeted
Plenty of institutions have a policy that requires you to bring your own device, which can expose any personal info stored on tablets or smartphones to potential hacking attempts. Criminals sometimes take advantage of anyone not using security apps or VPNs and hack into their devices to steal data, oftentimes planting ransomware in order to get a fast payoff.

Your devices should always have security software downloaded, as well as the right authentication methods to make sure cybercriminals have a hard time gaining access.

How Do Hackers Target College Kids
In addition to attacking single devices, hackers also target full-on networks with DDoS attacks and viruses. Phishing scams are also common, so steer clear of any weird emails that could contain malware. Make sure your password is randomized and has a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. While it feels like a hassle, change your passwords frequently, at least every 6 months during college life.

And while it’s fun to exchange files with your friends, don’t download any files when using a public computer because these are accessed by other people (ahem, potential hackers). Always log out of public computers after you use them, especially if you send a file from your smartphone to your email or vice versa.

Bad News… Colleges are Huge Targets
The main reason why hackers go after higher education institutions is that they can easily access a lot of personally identifiable information (PID) such as social security numbers, payment information, medical records, and more. Also, the average cost of a data record belonging to a university is worth roughly $200 with registration, which can net hackers money if they steal school records and put it for ransom.

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How to Check if You’ve Been Compromised
To begin, head over to Equifax’s security website and use your social security number to check if your private information was included in the stolen data. Unfortunately, Equifax does not detail exactly what parts of your private data was compromised. With the scary possibility that your personal information is going to the highest bidder, we recommend obtaining identity theft protection as soon as possible. Luckily, Equifax provides this service at no charge.

Read More: What Should You Do After Losing Your Phone?

If you have reason to believe that your passport may have been included in the Equifax breach, take a few measures to enhance your security. For example, the DMV recommends that you contact them in regards to the stolen document. A passport is an official piece of government identification that could allow malicious individuals to impersonate you.

Replace Your Passport
If you’re a frequent traveler, you can quickly replace your passport through a United States passport agency office in under 2 weeks. Otherwise, you can visit a local post office to have your passport renewed, but the process may take over 2 weeks to complete. Don’t forget to bring a secondary piece of identification such as a driver’s license when applying.

Besides replacing your passport, you should also be aware of any activity on future credit reports. If a cybercriminal decides to use your information, your credit report will log this. To be safe, consider ‘freezing’ your credit report so that none of them can be used without prior authorization.

Look Ahead at Credit Reports
If you discover possible fraudulent activity on your credit report, go to this Equifax page to report any fraudulent activity, The reporting tool will also alert the 2 other major U.S credit bureaus, Experian and TransUnion that fraud may be at play.

Equifax’s critical data breach is a cybersecurity blunder that affected us all, but with careful attention, we can all remain safe by being diligent and aware.

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Read More: Why Bother Protecting Your Social Media Apps

Sounds so simple, but some users would like this option to be more obvious; however, learn more about this new feature and how it works.

What Brought This About?
Facebook faced plenty of backlash over the Cambridge Analytica scandal that revealed the company was harvesting the personal information of users, and selling the information to third-party companies so specific ads could be targeted to users that search for products or services.

Zuckerberg admitted at the company’s recent F8 conference that, by default, Facebook still tracks the activity of users and sends them ads connected to the information they search for. In the immediate future, users will be able to stop this practice with a new feature.

How Can Users Change This?
Supposedly the new feature will be similar to how you clear cookies and history in your web browser. Facebook’s feature will allow you to view your browsing history on the site and clear it, including what you’ve clicked on, app history, websites you’ve visited, and more.

Essentially, you’ll be able to choose to not have this information stored in your account. But, Zuckerberg warns that turning off function will eliminate some of your preferences the same way deleting cookies does, which will require you to sign onto sites again since the information in any auto-fill forms will be gone.

The Effect This Could Have
The move could bring many users back to Facebook because the will have the power to not have their preferences tracked. Zuckerberg added that the new privacy control will be called Clear History. He warned it would take the company about 3 years to become more proactive at policing content, which means you might still see content that doesn’t fit your preferences if you choose to keep your data tracking intact.

However, deleting your browsing history will result in the company removing identifying information so a log of sites and apps you’ve used won’t be connected to your account, which is a step toward more privacy.

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Read More: Get to Know These Cybercrime Trends

There are only a few reports of hotels receiving complaints about a small subset of criminals entering rooms and taking personal items through this technology, but the vulnerabilities in keycard technology suggest it’s only a matter of time before these crimes go mainstream.

How the Master Key Works and is Built
To get a master key to access a room, hackers book a hotel room and copy the data on an electronic keycard, which then gives them access to any room. In some cases, they don’t even need a keycard because the process can be done remotely by standing close to a hotel guest or a hotel employee. The ‘Master Key’ can be unlocked through a design flaw that’s common in most electronic lock systems.

Hackers then buy a portable programmer for a few hundred dollars to overwrite the key and create a master key within minutes. Once this is accomplished, the cybercriminals generally target travelers who store their laptops, passports, and cash in hotel rooms.

How the Key Opens Doors
This device, which is an RFID reader and writer, is simply held close to a door lock. The Master Key will run different key combinations within a hotel’s electronic database in less than a minute, cracking the master key combination to a particular room and unlocking the door. This can be done with a custom-tailored device or by writing the master key back to a hacker’s keycard.

A Temporary Fix
Being alerted to this flaw, Assa Abloy, the company who manufactures the portable programmer issued a software fix to keep hotel guests and their personal items safe. The company recommends that hotels worldwide update their keycard software to ensure these cyber attacks don’t occur in their facilities since new vulnerabilities can show up over time.

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How Tabnapping Attempts to Trick You
This is how tabnabbing works. Say you stumble onto a website – maybe you found an interesting web article, clicked on a link sent by a friend, or are researching a specific topic. Often when we’re busy, opening several tabs to save a page or blog post to read later is normal multitasking, but this is where tabnabbers get you. When you open a new tab to work on something else, the malicious page begins to transform in the background while you’re occupied and not looking.

Read More: Phishing Attacks Can Be Stealthier Than You Think

The bogus website’s icon, known as a favicon, suddenly changes to something else like the Google logo, with the entire webpage following suit. When you tab back to where you were before, you’re presented with a fake Google account login box. You quickly assume that you were automatically logged out of something and enter your credentials, but what you don’t realize is you just fell for a dubious phishing attack. And now a hacker has your login information.

Tabnabbing are targeted attacks — hackers scour for vulnerabilities in HTML script, image loads, and various web browsers. Methods like this allow hackers to detect which site a user is visiting, or what sites a user visits regularly. For example, if you use Facebook daily, a hacker could simply switch out a tab to the Facebook login screen and ensnare you to enter personal details.

There is Hope for Protection
Keep following necessary security standards such as always checking the website URL, not only once it loads, but whenever you’re being prompted for a password or other personal information. Implementing two-factor authentication can also make it more difficult for hackers to access your account even if they’ve managed to get a hold of your password.

Finally, always have an antivirus software installed on all your devices, both computer, and smartphone. dfndr security is a well-rated app for Android devices and offers advanced technology based on AI machine learning. There is a full virus scan feature that scans your device from top to bottom and detects malware or viruses, and the anti-hacking feature blocks any malicious links before you even click on them.

The big lesson here? Your data is at risk, but the good news is you don’t have to go it alone.

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Read More: What You Need to Know About Twitter’s New Privacy Policy

When you’re on the go and tweeting for pleasure or for work, make sure you follow common sense, especially with your Android phone. Download a security app like dfndr security, which has a full virus scan feature that does a thorough scan of your device, memory card, and SD card for any threats, promptly eliminating them. Things do happen, so remain aware of how this latest Twitter scam operates.

“Who Visits Your Twitter Profile?”
These online scam artists are talented because they’ve advertised the fake app as a tool to see who is visiting your Twitter profile. However, divulging this information is a breach of privacy and Twitter doesn’t allow this type of information to be shared. The phony app counts on people who want to grow their follower base or just terribly curious, and have successfully lured in victims with hollow promises.

Once downloaded, the app asks for permission to read tweets from your timeline, see your followers, follow new people, update your profile, and post tweets on your behalf. Yup, it can actually tweet for you, but in the form of spam. Scams, fake news, and even phishing scams are all taking your Twitter name in vain. The ultimate goal for these cybercriminals is to hook more people in and rack up a financial gain.

How to Get Rid of It?
Many have gone on Twitter to warn users about the pitfalls of this app, which seems enticing on the outside, but has caused a world of pain to many who’ve fallen for it. Thankfully, you can get rid of it without much hassle when you access Twitter on a computer.

Go to your Settings section on the site, then click Privacy, scroll down to Apps until you find the app that says “Last visits 24 hours.” Once you reach this point, click “Revoke Access” and you should be free from the app once and for all.

What Else Should I Know?
Be wary of anything you see on Twitter that seems too good to be true or asks you to click on a link without any information preceding it. These kinds of tweets are likely a scam or a phishing trap to get you to click through. Having a security app installed can help thwart threats and guard your social media accounts.

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These often go unnoticed because of how small each transaction is, but the severity of these crimes is still massive because when the toll is added up — hackers end up accumulating millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims. Cybercriminals don’t just ‘break-in’ to a company’s network, they actually use various techniques to begin their online assault. Malware, phishing scams, ransomware, and other trojan horses are a few ways information is stolen from companies, employees, and their customers.

Read More: Get to Know These Cybercrime Trends

Understanding how credit and debit card breaches are carried out and what to do about them can help you not fall prey to these attacks.

How They Happen
Cybercriminals first look for vulnerabilities in a company’s security protocols and exploit these by targeting specific people, systems or networks. Network attacks and social attacks are the 2 main ways hackers strike.

With network attacks, hackers are monitoring for weaknesses in applications, infrastructure, or in an entire system itself.

Social attacks entail phishing scams or other ways of tricking employees into providing hackers with access to a company’s network. These attacks can be done through fraudulent emails with malicious attachments that appear to be from an important figure in the company, or through fake login screens that an unaware employee populates with a username and password, thus giving full access to a hacker.

After a hacker gains access to a computer or device, the network is cracked open and confidential company data is stolen, such as credit and debit card numbers.

You Aren’t Helpless if Your Info is Compromised
The Office of Consumer Protection urges consumers to watch out for these scams and data breaches. One thing you should do is periodically look at your credit card statements for any odd or unknown charges. If there is any, contact your bank to report suspicious activity.

We recommend setting up new login information for your account immediately, but don’t stop there. Take further measures by placing a fraud alert and a security freeze on your credit bureau reports. Make sure you frequently check these reports for any strange activity.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that you’re eligible for a free annual credit report from each of these 3: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Call 877-322-8228 or visit AnnualCreditReport.com to claim your free credit report.

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While you focus on ensuring that a hacker doesn’t manipulate your trust, your mobile device is still vulnerable to cyber attacks. Available for Android devices, dfndr security offers antivirus capabilities that scans and removes malware, and an anti-hacking feature that warns you if a link is dangerous. A quick download will go a long way towards making you feel safer.

Targeting Your Stressors
One psychological technique that’s used to manipulate is to target someone who is under stress and likely feeling vulnerable. When we’re stressed, we tend to make rash decisions to push away the source of stress. This might include a situation like receiving an email asking you to send password information to your ‘IT department’ because it’s ‘urgent.’ No matter what’s going on around you, be sure to take a deep breath and handle tasks with your full attention. Why? That email from IT could be a scam.

Email From the Big Boss
We tend to bow to pressure in the face of authority quite easily; this basic psychological idea has been showcased in psychology tests as far back as the 1960s – and it’s just as relevant today. If you see an email from your boss, you’re more likely to address the request quickly. However, always double check that email to ensure it isn’t fraudulent. Your boss will thank you for preventing a possible phishing attack.

Respond Quickly or Else
Lastly is the psychological manipulation of placing a time limit on your decision-making capabilities. We’ve seen the tactic used in both phishing scams and television commercials – you need to act now before time runs out! Don’t allow anyone to control how fast you move, caving in can tear down your ability to rationalize. The next time you see an email that stresses urgency, slow down, and take the time to consider the proposal – your future self who doesn’t get hacked will be grateful.

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Read More: Vulnerability Found in Alexa App, What Should You Do?

There are lots of positives to using these devices, but they may know more about you than you’d like. Here’s a breakdown of why Alexa and Google Home could be a detriment and not a help.

How It Works
These devices may not be listening to everything you say, but once you request an interaction with “Alexa” or “OK Google,” they will record you. As soon as these devices hear these keywords, they will instantly upload everything uttered to cloud servers.

The reason for this action is Alexa and Google Home need to store information in the cloud in order to respond back to you. The data is processed into machine-comprehensible instructions and the devices return with an answer to your command. For example, if you ask Alexa to read you an email or an SMS, this information could be stored on cloud servers forever.

What Else Should I Know?
An estimated 31 million Alexa devices have been sold already, as well as 14 million Google Home devices, which is a dream for marketers. Your data could be compiled and used for marketing purposes and all your data will be concentrated in a central place. Having all your data exposed in one area could make it easy for hackers and cybercriminals to target you.

What Can I Do?
You are able to delete the information that Alexa and Google Home collects about you by going to your Amazon or Google account and deleting old recordings. But, if you do this, the devices will unlearn some of the information they know about like your email account to read messages out loud or your musical preferences.

Be careful which devices you link to Alexa or Google Home. Remember that sensitive, personal information may belong to the device as much as it belongs to you. Another option is you can choose when to turn off a smart home device’s connection to your information. For example, if you’re not using an online shopping feature on your device, turn it off.

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Read More: How to Prevent Identity Theft When You’re Online

As a parent, you should ensure that your children are protected from cybercrime. If they use your Android device frequently to play games, install antivirus software on your phone, like dfndr security. This AV-TEST approved app has a full virus scan feature that checks your mobile device for any malware or potential threats, eliminating them instantly. If your child is older and you’ve generously granted him or her with an Android, be sure they have dfndr security installed and have activated the full virus scan feature.

It can feel helpless on how to protect what’s most important to you, but knowing how this faceless enemy operates gives you the power to support your children as they grow up in the digital age.

The Stats on Child Identity Theft
Listen to these sobering stats. In 2017 alone, there were more than 1 million children targeted by cybercriminals. The stolen information was commonly used to extort money from parents. $2.6 billion in losses were caused by hackers who stole the data of children, regardless of age. Out of that $2.6 billion, families endured losses of approximately $540 million, while the rest was spent by the authorities and government.

While 60% of adults who fall prey to identity theft likely knows the perpetrator (a vengeful ex-partner or cousin, for example), only 7% of children were found to be connected to a perpetrator. Another shocking stat is that 11% of households in the U.S. reported that at least one child had personal information compromised in 2017. It’s also easier for criminals to target children because their parents are unlikely to check their child’s credit report.

The Tell-Tale Signs
The Federal Trade Commission outlines some ways your child’s identity may have been stolen. First, if your child is rejected for benefits because an account was already opened elsewhere, that’s a huge clue. Another example is if the IRS sends a notice claiming your child should have paid income taxes but didn’t, or you discover your child’s Social Security number appeared on another tax form — these are both red flags to pay attention to.

Additionally, if debt collectors begin calling regarding unpaid products and services that your child never purchased or used, this could be identity theft.

Don’t Feel Paralyzed; Get Proactive
Monitor your child’s phone or your own phone to ensure apps are locked down with parental controls, so only certain apps can be opened. It’s also important to have a conversation with your child about being prudent when sharing photos, videos, or any sensitive data with friends. Having an open, honest dialogue means your children are more likely to admit sharing the wrong information or experiencing oddities when using apps.

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One way to protect yourself from online phishing attacks is to download dfndr security. Providing a host of solutions, dfndr security monitor’s your Android phone for any signs of malware. An advanced anti-hacking feature, when activated, can notify you of suspicious links before you even click on them.

The latest phishing scams have been utilizing a more malevolent form of deception known as spear phishing. While a standard phishing attack is aimed at many individuals at once, a spear phishing attack is directed at a single individual. Scammers first collect information by digging into your personal and professional life so when they launch an attack, it seems realistic and trustworthy.

Read More: Don’t Get Poked by Spear Phishing Attacks: Learn Hacking Methods

Many times you can rule out standard phishing emails through mere observations like receiving an email from the incorrect email address or noticing the greeting doesn’t address you by name. However, due to sophisticated spear-phishing techniques, using only observation may fail you.

This newest scam begins with hackers targeting employees working within credit mortgage lending institutions and real estate agencies. A phishing email is sent in an attempt to trick the employee into providing sensitive information such as an email login password. Once the hacker gains access to specific information, they can then begin analyzing data on customers of the lending institution or real estate company.

All of this data collecting leads to their final plan: sending you an email from a legitimate address that either con you into sending a downpayment on a new home or your monthly mortgage payments to a fraudulent account. The terrible blow about this scam is once any money is wired; getting it back is highly unlikely.

When receiving emails from essential institutions, such as your bank or a broker, be careful of the information you’re choosing to share. If you get an email requesting new financial details or payment requests, check with the company directly to ensure it’s legitimate. Keep your eyes sharp and have an anti-hacking solution for your devices to help you avoid running into any trouble.

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How They Are Accessing Your Personal Data
Researchers discovered that the vulnerability takes advantage of an iTunes feature known as ‘iTunes Wi-Fi Sync.’ Normally, this feature allows users to sync their photos, music, and other content wirelessly over a Wi-Fi network, without the need to plug into a Mac or PC. However, in this circumstance, hackers take advantage of the useful ability to access your device’s personal data. Worst of all, you don’t need to enable ‘iTunes Wi-Fi Sync’ because an attacker is able to perform the action themselves.

Read More: Android vs. iPhone: Which One Has Better Security?

The exploit begins when the user of an iOS device, such as an iPhone or iPad, connects to an unidentified machine bobby trapped with the malware and chooses to ‘Trust’ it. This action allows the machine to communicate with your device, as well as set up the remote access it needs to breach your security.

Defending Yourself Against the Exploit
The solution may seem simple, like ensuring you don’t plug your iPhone or iPad into any unfamiliar machines – and you definitely shouldn’t choose the ‘Trust’ function. Luckily, it really is that simple! Certainly, don’t plug devices into machines you’re unfamiliar with, but there could be times when a familiar machine isn’t readily available.

A common occurrence when you might plug your device to an unfamiliar machine is at a local pharmacy’s photo department. Many pharmacies offer printing services directly from your smartphone. However, this service does require you to choose ‘Trust’. For an easy workaround, offload your photos to a flash drive, or utilize a third-party solution from the App Store to wirelessly transmit photos to your pharmacy’s photo department.

Overall, the new exploit may be dangerous, but it’s quite easy to avoid. As with many instances of cybersecurity, remaining cautious and using your best judgment is a strong defense against malicious attacks.

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Read More: Everything You Need to Know About the Huawei Mate 9

While there’s no concrete evidence backing these claims, a bill that bans the ownership of Huawei and ZTEA phones is being introduced by government officials with the intention of ‘protecting” the nation’s safety.

A Decade of Backlash in the U.S.
Back in 2008 and 2010, the U.S. government shut down bills that would have allowed Huawei to acquire U.S. telecommunications companies to further their business. Then, in 2012, an investigation conducted by the House Intelligence Committee found that Huawei and ZTE posed a threat to the national security of the U.S. government and stateside companies.

Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, co-introduced the aforementioned bill and held a panel where he asked U.S. government and law enforcement leaders about the perils of purchasing from Chinese manufacturers. FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed concern over allowing companies from foreign governments gaining positions of power in U.S. telecommunications networks, opening the door for these companies to modify or steal information.

Chinese Companies Seek to Expand in the U.S.
Huawei and ZTE have faced further resistance attempting to increase their shares of the U.S. smartphone market, including backlash from AT&T due to these claims. The carrier unexpectedly canceled its plans to roll out the Huawei Mate 10 Pro smartphone. Verizon followed suit, saying it wouldn’t sell any Huawei phones.

The two carriers may not sell smartphones from these companies but they still sell low-end ZTE phones. However, U.S. officials are still concerned as unlocked smartphones from Huawei and ZTE can be found at any major U.S. retailer.

Should I Be Worried?
Huawei responded to these claims by noting they aware that several U.S. government entities are attempting to inhibit them from entering the U.S. market. The company says it poses no threat than any ICT vendor and its devices are trusted by governments and customers in 170 countries worldwide.

While there’s no conclusive evidence to suggest that these phones are being used for  espionage or if it’s much ado about nothing, most security concerns from using ZTE and Huawei  stems more from potentially compromised apps or malware than anything else.

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Read More: Scary Spyware Apps Found on Google Play

Here’s what you should know about spyware and how you can protect yourself from it.

They Exist as Both Hardware and Software
There are numerous types of spyware available, some of which are physical devices that look like USB flash drives. Cybercriminals have been using these devices to spy by placing them in a person’s home or on their property somehow. One woman said that a stalker put a USB in her purse when she wasn’t looking, allowing the criminal to listen to her conversations and blackmail her.

Hackers have also been able to spy on victims by installing spyware on devices without their knowledge. Criminals can then look at victims through their cameras, track their keystrokes, or go through their browsing history. Another person who fell prey to spyware was taking a shower and immediately afterward received a text from a criminal asking the victim if they had a nice shower.

It’s Easy to Purchase Spyware Devices
These USB listening devices have been sold on popular e-commerce websites such as Amazon and eBay, where you can pick one up for only $25. More sophisticated devices were higher in price, commanding as much as $400. The e-commerce sites were notified these devices were being sold and took down the listings but only after their existence was reported.

Until recently, there were also apps available in mobile app stores, designed to listen in on people’s conversations. One even marketed itself as a way to track your spouse’s phone anytime and from anywhere. The chances of these popping up on another online shopping site are highly likely if the demand increases.

How to Protect Yourself
If you’re afraid of getting spyware on your device or if you think it’s already been infected, download and install anti-spyware software, which can do routine check-ups. You should also be careful when surfing the web as spyware can come from infected or malicious websites and pop-ups. Make sure your phone is on the newest operating system and apply patches to apps or software installed on your computer.

Another smart move is to check your browser settings and ensure you’re viewing websites in a protected manner. Look for clues – a trustworthy site should be using the “https://” security key, for example.

While spyware can be scary, the best way to guard your privacy is by being aware of your surroundings and your devices.

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On February 15th, 1995, the FBI arrested the then infamous computer hacker, Kevin Mitnick. While Mitnick was detained for more advanced hacking schemes, he relied heavily on social engineering to obtain sensitive information from his victims. Flash forward to a fictional movie called Hackers — released in the same year — and the film’s eerie opening scene shows the protagonist posing as an executive to extract information from an unaware security guard. A chilling example of social engineering caught on celluloid.

Read More: 5 Things You Can Do to Prevent Phishing Scams at Work

Social Engineering is a tactic used before the days of computing but has rapidly evolved and become more sophisticated as the digital age emerged. Today, many individuals may be familiar with the term ‘phishing,’ an extremely prevalent form of social engineering in which a hacker impersonates a trusted person or entity, convincing someone to share valuable personal information.

You can avoid social engineering by becoming familiar with the techniques involved and understand how a hacker might attempt to manipulate you for their own purposes. Here are the six fundamental principles of social engineering laid out by Professor Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion:

1. Reciprocity – You’re more likely to perform an action for someone if it’s framed as returning a favor. Social engineers rely heavily on this emotional cue and the best defense is to carefully consider the information you’re giving out – just because you owe someone a favor, don’t give them keys to the castle.
2. Commitment – When an individual commits to an idea they are more likely to sacrifice in order to obtain a goal. For example, if you agree to work on a project with an individual and are asked to share sensitive information, your commitment to the person or project could convince you to hand over data – be aware of what you’re providing and why.
3. Social Proof – This can be summed up by the old phrase “Monkey see – monkey do.” As social creatures, we’re likely to follow what those around us are doing. If your coworkers in the office are unknowingly entering a sweepstakes scam, you’re more likely to jump in and do the same. Don’t forget to think for yourself and avoid the herd mentality – do your research!
4. Authority – Perceived authority is one of the major influences for social engineers to prey upon. The adherence to authority is commonly used in phishing scams. A hacker sends a phony email that appears to come from an authoritative entity like your human resources department, which can cause you to react and provide the requested information right away. However, the fake request can be more direct such as a ‘supervisor’ asking you for a password. When confronted with these types of emails, make sure to understand your company’s security policies. In many cases, passwords shouldn’t be handed to anyone, no matter the person’s level of authority.
5. Scarcity – If the desired object is scarce, you’re more likely to jump for it. These feelings point to historical research when early humans had to forage for supplies and food, often competing for minimal resources. Don’t allow ‘limited time offers’ or ‘act now’ keywords influence you. Think before entering any personal information.

A final tip here is to always take a step back and not allow factors such as authority and commitment warp your judgment. Social engineering is a terrifying practice. Hackers aren’t just attempting to break into our computers, but also manipulate our minds – the most private space of all. Understanding how social engineering techniques work is a head start in keeping yourself protected.

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Read More: Hackers Are Taking Over Your SIM Card and Personal Phone Number

Being the victim of an online attack is shocking, not to mention embarrassing, but with knowledge and resources to turn to, you can gain some closure and move forward.

Types of Scams
There are 3 main ways that hackers try to trick you. One is to offer a reward such as a free vacation or gift card. The second comes in the form of a threat, demanding payment due to unpaid taxes or missed jury duty. The last method is a generic email that could appear to be from your employer, but it’s really not.

All of these fake emails are designed to extort payment or have you unknowingly click on a link filled with malicious code, which can then be used to steal your personal or financial information.

How to Avoid Getting Hacked
If an email seems suspicious, call the company the email appears to be from to ensure it’s not a scam, or type the real URL directly in your browser. If you weren’t expecting an email from a particular sender yet receive one full of links, don’t click on any of them — they could be malware designed to take over your phone. Same goes for generic emails, they are usually a bigger sign of potential danger.

Never share personal information like your full name, banking details, credit card number, or anything else to the sender of an unsolicited email.

What to Do if You’re Targeted
To address the feeling of helplessness that comes with being victimized, consider reaching out to any of these resources:

• The BBB’s Scam Tracker allows you to enter details of a scam you were the victim of. Your entry is added to a large database of known scams. This can help others in similar situations.
• Report a scam on the Department of Justice’s website in the case of an intellectual property crime (they do happen).
• If your social profile is hacked, use the Facebook Help Community to report the incident. The compromised account will be shut down as they investigate the matter.
• The FBI’s IC3 is another avenue to file a complaint of a serious hack or other online crime.
• Along with federal sources, always utilize the local authorities at the same time to help gain your device or information back.

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While there’s not much you can do about data breaches that happen from the services you use, since it’s up to each company to fix these security holes, there are steps you can take to protect your phone from sharing private information with apps.

Read More: Protect Your Personal Information When Using Public Wi-Fi

Here are 4 ways you can protect yourself from getting hacked, targeted for ads, and exposing your personal data for companies to collect.

Be Vigilant With Your Apps
One of the best ways to protect your data is to audit your apps, which can help you learn which apps are connected to your social media sites. Checking your privacy settings for Facebook, Google, and Twitter can help you see which apps are linked to those accounts.

On Facebook, go to the top-right corner, hit the down arrow, click Settings and check the Apps tab. Here you can choose which apps retain access of your personal information. In Google, go to Settings and hit “Connected apps & sites,” and on Twitter, you go to “Settings and privacy” and hit the Apps page. At that point, you can minimize which apps are linked to each social account.

Delete Old Apps
If there are some old games and apps you’re no longer using that are still hanging around, make sure to delete them. By getting rid of them, these apps will not be able to collect any additional personal information about you, along with all the data stored within them.

Change Your Password Every 6 Months
Another good rule of thumb is to change your password every 6 months to keep passwords fresh and prevent hacking attacks targeted at you. If someone manages to get their hands on your hashed password, they’ll be able to use decryption methods to attain the full password. You could change your passwords more often than every 6 months, but make that the minimum amount of time to update your passwords.

Read Privacy Policies
Some apps may have lengthy privacy policies, but these are worth reading because they give you a solid idea how much data each app shares or guards. If you need to connect your personal data to the app, make sure the app comes from a reliable source and you know exactly how much information it’s gathering.

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Read More: How to Analyze Junk Files on Your Smartphone?

A good way to protect yourself from these situations is with dfndr performance’s Facebook Messenger cleaner feature, which allows you to delete old conversations and files. Here’s what you should know about Facebook’s recent debacle and the information they gathered while you weren’t paying attention.

Your Data Has Been Known for Years
New Zealand-based programmer Dylan McKay was among the first to discover that Facebook was all up in his business. He sent out a tweet that revealed a downloaded ZIP file from the social media site, containing complete logs of his outgoing calls, incoming calls, and SMS. Other users followed suit by reporting similar discoveries that raised hard questions on how much privacy you really have on Facebook.

Facebook Claims “We Keep You Connected”
A spokesperson for Facebook responded to McKay’s claims by saying that the company has been uploading the contact data of its users in order to make it easier for people to remain connected, much like other social media sites. This was especially true with old Android phones, which had looser permissions on what information Facebook could attain from your digital interactions.

Because these permissions weren’t as strict, the Facebook app removed restrictions at the time of installation that normally protects phone logs and SMS data. Google eventually made changes to ensure that users are notified of what type of information they’re willing to share with Facebook and what data they’d like to keep to themselves.

The Network Found a Way Around This Privacy
Even after Google changed the privacy permission settings, independent developers found a workaround and still collected SMS and phone data until the launch of Google 4.0 on the Android API last October. You can check your call and SMS logs on the Facebook app by clicking on Settings>Download. To grab a copy, go to Facebook data>Start My Archive. You can turn on the Facebook continuous upload setting on the Messenger app if you’d like to protect your privacy.

Protect Yourself With a Security App
With dfndr performance’s Facebook Messenger cleaner, you can delete old files in your chats, including videos, audio messages, GIFs and images shared on Messenger. You can choose a date range to decide how much data you’d like to get rid of — an easy fix to keep your personal information safe.

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A good way to maintain your privacy is by using dfndr security, which has a social guardian feature that lets you create an additional password to keep snoops at bay. Best of all, you get to choose which apps to protect.

Read More: 5 Personal Details You Should Never Post on Social Media

Here are some reasons why you might want to consider specific protection for social media apps:

• Parents and ex-girlfriends/boyfriends: Social media apps such as Facebook share all of your personal and biographical information with anyone who sees your account, especially if you don’t enforce the right privacy protocols. Not everyone needs to see your pics and status updates, especially your parents, colleagues, exes, current partners, or acquaintances. It’s worth considering activating additional security to your account. The good thing about these apps is that you can choose how much of your profile each person gets to see. You can change your security settings by hitting the down arrow on the top-right corner and choosing Settings. You can then choose Privacy and you’ll be given a slew of options regarding the visibility of your timeline,  your public profile, and messaging options.
• Check your privacy settings: If you don’t implement your preferred privacy settings on social media, the default settings may expose you to outsiders. Before you post anything on social media, explore each app’s privacy settings in order to choose who views your status or timeline and who doesn’t — the same is true for your profile and your personal information. You can even protect your birth date, location, or other biographical information on your account.
• Social media security tips: Pick a strong password with numbers, capitalized letters and symbols for maximum security. It’s also important to use different passwords for different accounts that are not easily guessed. Plus, you should avoid accessing social media apps in public, but if you do, log out before you leave. Be wary of any links sent to you, even if they are from friends as these could be phishing scams or malware, and your friends’ accounts could have been hacked.
• Protect yourself from hackers: In addition to ensuring your privacy and choosing a strong password, change your password regularly to keep hackers guessing. You may also get a message that’s not grammatically correct from a friend, which may mean that it’s coming from a hacker or a bot. Social media apps also have help centers, so if you believe you’ve been hacked or your personal information has been compromised, don’t hesitate to contact support.

Taking the above steps to stay on top of social media security can allow you to enjoy them so much more. 

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Email Recovery, So Simple
Almost all websites and apps provide a method to recover your password via an email address. If you forget a password, the system will send an email to the address you provided to register. Once you access the email, you can quickly update your password to something more memorable. It’s important to note with this method, that anyone who has access to your email inbox could potentially reset the majority of your passwords. Stay safe and first ensure that your email account is well secured.

Read More: How to Use a Password Manager Securely on Android

Your Smartphone Might be an Option Too
Some websites also request you submit a phone number when signing up for their service. It’s imperative that you enter a real number and not a fake one. If the day comes when you forget your password having a code texted to your device might be your only failsafe. Again, with the power to reset passwords, it’s vital to keep your phone locked down with a secure passcode.

Those Good Ol’ Security Questions
One option that isn’t so safe is the old-time tradition of security questions. In the event that you lose or forget your password, you can re-enter a number of personal questions that you provided the answers to when you first signed up for a service. Many individuals pick easy to answer questions that anyone could know – meaning that anyone could reset your password if they know a bit about you. If you opt to use this method, ensure the questions are unique to you and not common knowledge.

Getting Locked Out of Two-Factor Authentication
Setting up two-factor authentication is a superb way to keep hackers out of your account even if they discover your password, but there are flaws. If you were to lose your authentication device, this could be a potential problem. Bypassing two-factor once you forget it is a tricky ordeal and typically there’s only a single method to help you here. When you sign up for most two-factor systems, they’ll provide you with a list of ‘backup codes.” It’s essential that you keep these codes somewhere safe as they can unlock your account if you find yourself between a rock and a hard place.

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Read More: Bitcoin Scams Are Coming Your Way

However, the technology has other applications that could help with your cybersecurity needs.

What Is Blockchain Technology?
The concept of a block is a digital ledger that stores anything from cryptocurrencies to medical information, voting records, or other types of transactions. A blockchain is the combination of several blocks containing multiple records about a particular topic. The technology is effective when dealing with encrypted pieces of information, such as cryptocurrencies.

In the cryptocurrency world, blockchain technology processes these encrypted transactions by solving complicated math problems, which become more complex as the blockchain grows in size. Programmers who solve these equations are rewarded with cryptocurrency in a process called ‘mining’. The technology is seen as a solid alternative to traditional bank transactions because it can keep personal information confidential.

How Can It Help You?
A rising problem with cybersecurity is the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, which are usually geared towards stealing financial data, personal information, intellectual property or health records. Criminals obtain this information through phishing scams, DDoS attacks, ransomware or by blackmailing victims in sophisticated ways.

Blockchain technology can help detect fraudulent activity by encrypting data that may otherwise be out in the open. The encryption process makes it harder to detect a point of entry for hackers because information on these digital ledgers is decentralized, meaning they are stored in numerous databases around the world rather than in one location.

This makes it harder for hackers to tap into a single database that contains vast amounts of your transactions.

No Passwords Necessary
With blockchain technology one day becoming the norm, you may not need a password to access your data, which is a plus since current authentication methods are susceptible to cyberattacks. This technology instead creates a security system that can only be accessed with a distributed public key. In other words, an SSL certificate is provided instead of a password, making it nearly impossible for attackers to use fake certificates.

Until blockchain becomes a reality, for now you’ll have to keep fighting cyberattacks the old fashioned way — with antivirus software and strong password combinations.

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Perhaps it’s time to opt for a storage app like dfndr vault, which allows you to lockdown apps, keep photos or videos private by encrypting them and saving them to a cloud storage of your choice. You can even add an extra layer of privacy with biometric recognition.

If you want to ensure your photos and videos stay safe for specific eyes only, here are a few suggestions:

Delete Extra Content
Start by making your tracks less noticeable. Delete any duplicate intimate photos or videos that may be stored on your smartphone. Sure, this won’t necessarily hide any of your content away, but having a single picture of a moment beats having 7 different snapshots scattered in your library. Just as you should keep your phone clean and tidy, be sure to delete duplicates to reduce your NSFW footprint.

Read More: Protect Your Private Photos in a Private Gallery

Disable Google Photo Sync
Android devices include a nifty feature that will automatically backup your photos and videos to the cloud once you connect to Wi-Fi. These backups can be performed to iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive. While an excellent solution for making sure your favorite holiday photos are stored, if your smartphone houses a mini boudoir you may not want the service active. To disable having your photos automatically backed up to the cloud, head to your device’s settings and locate ‘Auto Backup,’ there you can disable the backup functionality that may give away your little secret to the cloud.

Hide Your Photos Deep Within
If you don’t mind getting a bit technical and opening up a file manager on your device, you can create a hidden folder for storing NSFW content. Open your file manager of choice, create a new folder with a name that begins with a period (.), and move all of your photos and videos to this new location. The Gallery app on Android will ignore any folders that begin with a period, so this is a clever way to keep your private photos out of the main photo app – simply use the file manager to access the images.

Add That Secure Passcode
Finally, and we repeat it all the time, add a secure passcode to unlock your device. Merely head to ‘Settings’ and seek out your ‘Unlock Security’ settings. We recommend avoiding easy to guess pattern or pins. Try utilizing a code that is at least six digits, doesn’t repeat, and isn’t a combination that’s easy to guess – such as your birthdate.

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Read More: Here Are the Most Common Passwords, Ranked

Learn what this tool does and some other ways to keep your passwords safe.

Integration with 1Password
The popular password manager 1Password recently integrated the tool, which checks whether or not your passwords are public property now. 1Password manager developers added the tool after security researcher Troy Hunt announced his latest version of “Pwner Passwords,” which is a search tool that displays more than 500 million passwords that have been leaked in data breaches.

How the Tool Works
It works like this–1Password looks at your password using SHA-1, a cryptographic tool that encrypts passwords into 40 characters, sending only the first 5 characters to maintain security and anonymity.

Following this step, the server sends back a list of leaked passwords in encrypted form that shows the first 5 characters as yours. After this, 1Password compares the list locally to determine if the full 40 characters of your password shows up. If there is a match, you’ll be notified and asked to change your password.

Customers who have 1Password.com accounts can use the tool online by inputting Shift-Control-Option-C (or Shift+Ctrl+Alt+C in Windows) to unlock the proof of concept. You will then be taken to a “Check Password” button next to your passwords.

Smart Password Practices
Make sure your password is complex and random, containing eight characters, with at least one upper- and one lower-case letter and a special character such as a dollar sign or the pound sign. Also, ensure your numbers and symbols are separate for maximum security. Avoid sharing any personal information in your password such as a loved one’s name, your last name or your address.

Also, don’t use dictionary words. A random combinations of numbers, symbols and letters is more effective. Using different passwords for different accounts is key as it protects you from being hacked and having all your accounts compromised.

Finally, don’t write down your password unless you really have to, so keep it under 10 characters to make it easier to memorize.

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