I hate when ads take over websites. They pop up and distract you. So frustrating when all you want to do is read an article. Then, there’s the other big problem. All these website ads follow you around on different sites to track you.

But ads aren’t just annoying — they’re dangerous. Cybercriminals use them to spread malware, adware, spyware and everything in between. 

Click here to read full story.

Nope, you’re not paranoid. If you feel like your smartphone and speakers are listening to your private chats, it’s because they are. 

In a now-deleted blog post, Cox Media Group revealed it can (and does) gather information from conversations and use it for targeted ads. They thought they were slick by removing the evidence, but we caught all the details. Don’t they know the internet is forever? 

Click here to read full story.

Being a small-business owner or employee generally means you wear many hats. Believe me, I know. I’m a national radio show host, saleswoman, marketer, negotiator, strategist, mentor, analyst … I could go on.

That’s why I’m always on the lookout for things that make managing all those roles — for me and you — a little easier. We’re deep enough into the AI revolution that the tools aren’t just gimmicks. They’re actually useful. 

Click here to read full story.

We willingly give our most personal data so often to advertisers, Big Tech, scammers and everyone looking to make a dime off us. Want to take control back? Start with changing a few settings that make it easier for strangers and companies to pinpoint who you are in your Chrome browser.

While at it, take a minute and look at your Facebook account settings. Tap or click for three steps to limit or stop targeted ads.

Click here to read full story.

As long as your phone is on, it’s sharing data. This happens whether you have an iPhone or Android, but one company is tracking much more than the other. Tap or click here to see if Apple or Google collects more data.

Advertisers are notorious for watching what you do and where you go online. That’s valuable and very profitable information. Here’s one way to stop some of the spying.

Click here to read full story.

Do you know that your personal information is more valuable to cybercriminals than your credit card info? It can be. Tap or click here to see 10 accounts more valuable to cybercriminals than your credit card.

Knowing that, would you allow Amazon to track your online activity for a small fee? The company started a new program designed to learn your habits to provide more specific targeted ads.

Click here to read full story.

When it comes to bills, one or two streaming services may be manageable but many people share their accounts to get access to even more content. But watch out: Netflix is cracking down on account sharing. Tap or click here to see what will happen if you’re caught.

If you find yourself crunching numbers to make your budget work, you’ve probably thought of switching to Netflix’s ad-supported streaming tier. While you still get access to most content, you’ll have to sit through several advertising breaks.

Click here to read full story.

Cutting the cord has been a hot topic for years, but as liberating as it might feel, it comes at a cost.

Streaming services may not cost much alone, but they can add up if you have more than one. There are several ways to save, such as paying upfront or bundling multiple services. Tap or click here for money-saving streaming secrets.

Click here to read full story.

Google’s Gmail might be the most popular email client globally, but many people prefer to use Microsoft’s Outlook. First launched in 1996, Outlook became an email heavyweight with over 500 million users.

But as with most technology and services, it must keep up with the functions users want. So, one of the most significant updates is coming to Outlook soon, but not everybody is thrilled about the changes.

Click here to read full story.

As you search the internet for products or services, companies like Google and Facebook build up a profile of your habits. They use this information to serve you ads that the company thinks will interest you.

While it might be accurate for the most part, there could be some topics that you would rather not see advertised. For example, a vegan or vegetarian wouldn’t want to see ads about meat.  

Click here to read full story.

Have you ever wondered why Amazon often offers such great deals on its Echo smart speakers and displays? It’s easy — those gadgets are cheap because your data is far more valuable.

It’s no secret that devices powered by Alexa and other smart assistants have been known to listen in, even when they’re not supposed to be. And Amazon knows so much about you, it’s scary. Tap or click here to see what we mean.

Click here to read full story.

Do you ever wonder how much information your ISP gathers from your browsing habits? Worse yet, how much of it could be sold to advertisers?

These are the tough things we have to deal with in today’s always-connected world. The sad thing is that there is no legislation to protect how ISPs can use your intercepted personal data as it passes through the systems.

Click here to read full story.

Marketing for your small business used to be as simple as sending out a few fliers or having an ad posted in a newspaper. If you were feeling ambitious, you could spring for a television commercial. Those days are gone.

Traditional advertising has been pushed aside for digital marketing and online superpowers like Google and Facebook reign supreme. So if you want to gain exposure for your business, Google Search Ads are a great place to start. Who’s actually behind the ads you see online? Tap or click here to find out.

Click here to read full story.

It’s impossible not to be tracked online. Still, you can take steps that make a difference.

If you don’t like the idea of advertisers knowing everything about you, shut them out. Tap or click here for simple, actionable steps you can take now.

Click here to read full story.

Digital marketing makes advertising your business more accessible than ever. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, especially if you’re diving into online advertising for the first time.

Along with where to advertise, you have to put a ton of thought into who your primary audience is and what ad types you want to use. You’ll also have to consider analytic capabilities, targeting strategies and — of course — the dreaded budget. It’s time to dust off your spreadsheets and get ready to look over every number.

Click here to read full story.

Love ’em or hate ’em, advertisements are as baked into the American pie as freedom, eagles and rock n’ roll. Ads make up an ever-evolving art form that changes to adapt to tech advancements. For example, Ryan Reynolds recently starred in an ad within an ad. Yep, we’re living in the time of adception.

By now, most of us have come to accept commercials as a fact of life — but others take it further than that. Some of us appreciate the art of advertising and even celebrate it. That’s especially true when it comes to the big game.

Click here to read full story.

Scammers often target victims with fanciful schemes to increase their wealth. Whether through investing in cryptocurrencies or filling in forms, there will always be a catch. Pro tip: Get Kim’s eBook Cryptocurrency 101 for sound advice on how to invest in crypto.

While phishing emails and text messages are frequently used scamming methods, social media also forms part of the criminal arsenal. One popular scheme is known as a giveaway scam. It might sound like a great deal, but you’re probably not going to be happy with the results.

Click here to read full story.

Ah, a shiny new tech toy. In the eyes of a hacker, that’s a great way into your home’s network.

Most people don’t realize how important it is to properly secure your internet connection and router from snoops, hackers, and moochers. Tap or click for five smart steps to keep hackers out of your home network and sensitive files.

Click here to read full story.

Have you ever had the strange feeling of being watched when you’re browsing online? Well, the truth is you are. Shopping sites track you.

In some cases, you may see prices for certain things go up every time you check. A rental car might be $50 per day the first time you check prices, but it bumps up to $55 when you go back to book it. The same thing happens with hotels and airline tickets.

Click here to read full story.

You have a wide selection of internet browsers to choose from, but they are not all made equal. Some prefer the speed and compatibility of Google’s Chrome browser, while others enjoy the security-minded features of Mozilla’s Firefox.

Those browsers are packed with features, but if your favorite means of navigating the net is through Microsoft’s Edge browser, you’re getting something extra. Tap or click here for a big reason why you should stop using Google Chrome on your smartphone.

Click here to read full story.