Security & Viruses

Spot charity scams before donating, including disaster and cause-based fake charities, lookalike names logos and impersonation, searching exact charity names with scam or complaints, checking BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Navigator CharityWatch and IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, donating through the official charity site typed directly, asking how donations are used, disputing card donations, reporting gift card wire or crypto losses, reporting to BBB state charity regulators attorneys general and FTC, watching for fake disaster relief charities, avoiding pressure to donate on the spot, and monitoring cards after fake donation pages.

Set up account recovery contacts and recovery options for Apple Google and Microsoft, including Apple Recovery Contact on iPhone iPad and Mac, adding trusted contacts through Sign-In and Security, accepting requests, using recovery codes without exposing passwords or data, adding multiple contacts, Google recovery phone email and recovery contacts, Microsoft security info recovery phone email Authenticator and passkeys, choosing independent recovery emails, keeping phone numbers current, reviewing recovery info yearly, and understanding recovery contacts supplement two-factor authentication.

Set up Google Authenticator for 2FA on Google and non-Google accounts, including installing the app on iPhone or Android, enabling Google 2-Step Verification, choosing Authenticator app, scanning QR codes, entering six-digit codes that refresh every 30 seconds, adding Amazon Facebook bank and other accounts with authenticator app setup keys, saving one-time backup codes, understanding Google Authenticator cloud sync and transfer to new phones, comparing Microsoft Authenticator and Authy, and why authenticator apps are safer than SMS against SIM swapping.

Set up passkeys on iPhone Mac Android Google Account Windows 11 and password managers, including using iCloud Keychain Google Password Manager Windows Hello 1Password or Bitwarden, creating passkeys from account Security or Sign-in options, confirming with Face ID Touch ID fingerprint face unlock PIN or device passcode, syncing passkeys across devices, choosing save location, understanding passkeys replace typed passwords and resist phishing, knowing what happens if a phone is lost, and using strong unique passwords plus two-factor authentication where passkeys are not supported.

Set up a burner disposable or masked email address for signups free trials newsletters and untrusted sites, including using Apple Hide My Email with iCloud Plus, creating labels and privaterelay.appleid.com addresses, deactivating aliases, using Firefox Relay or DuckDuckGo Email Protection on any device, installing browser extensions, disabling spammed aliases, creating fully separate throwaway Gmail or Outlook accounts, avoiding real phone recovery email and identity links for true separation, checking a second inbox, understanding plus-addressing limitations, and pairing burner email with virtual cards when payment privacy matters.

Secure a missing iPhone or Android remotely by using iCloud Find My or Android Find Hub, locating on a map, playing sound, enabling Lost Mode or Secure Device, displaying contact information, disabling Apple Pay or Google Pay cards, erasing remotely only after accepting tracking will stop, understanding Activation Lock and Google account lock, changing passwords for email banking and logged-in apps, suspending SIM service and adding carrier SIM-swap protection, checking payment methods, removing trusted devices, filing police reports, enabling Find My or Find Hub beforehand, and using a strong screen lock.

Secure Gmail Outlook Microsoft Yahoo iCloud Mail and other email accounts, including setting a long unique email password, enabling two-factor authentication with authenticator apps preferred over SMS, checking recovery email and phone, removing third-party apps and connected services, checking forwarding POP IMAP filters and rules, reviewing recent activity and sign-in history, checking Sent Trash and hidden persistence, signing out unknown sessions, treating security questions like passwords, saving backup codes or second devices, and only entering email passwords on real login pages reached directly.

Secure a home Wi-Fi router by changing both admin and Wi-Fi passwords, finding router admin address, setting WPA3 or WPA2 and avoiding WEP, disabling WPS remote management and unnecessary UPnP, creating guest or IoT networks for visitors and smart devices, updating firmware and enabling automatic updates, replacing unsupported routers, checking connected devices periodically, applying the same checklist to ISP routers and mesh systems, and understanding router security does not stop phishing scam calls or malicious downloads.

Secure Apple ID iCloud and Google accounts by enabling two-factor authentication, reviewing signed-in devices, removing unfamiliar devices, changing to unique passwords, setting Apple recovery key or recovery contacts, reviewing Apps Using Apple ID, turning on Google 2-Step Verification with authenticator app or physical security key preferred over SMS, checking Google recently used security settings and third-party app access, confirming recovery phone and email, understanding SIM swap risk, and reviewing devices and connected apps every few months.

Secure smart plugs cameras speakers doorbells hubs and other smart home devices by changing default passwords, using separate guest or IoT Wi-Fi networks, enabling automatic firmware updates, turning on two-factor authentication for Alexa Google Home Ring and manufacturer apps, disabling unused remote access, disabling UPnP if unnecessary, reviewing router connected devices, removing unused devices and third-party skills or integrations, physically securing cameras and microphones, watching manufacturer security bulletins, choosing brands with ongoing firmware support, and understanding why network separation matters.