What comes to mind when you think of someone getting scammed? A grandma on the phone with some jerk? If so, this will probably surprise you.

The total money lost by teens in online scams grew by nearly 2,500% between 2017 and 2022. Victims under the age of 20 lost a staggering $210 million in 2022 alone.

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If you don’t have antivirus software, you’re putting every internet-connected gadget you own at risk. Something as simple as an unchanged router password can be an entry point for an invader to shut down your phone or even taunt your children through a security camera or smart speaker.

All your devices probably tell a detailed story about your life. Our computers and phones are critically important, from work emails and important documents to family photos. Are your devices truly protected? If you don’t have antivirus software installed, the answer is no.

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Five years ago, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu with Live TV would cost you around $56 a month. Not bad! Today, the exact services will run you over $106. How’s that for outrageous?

We’re giving away a $1,000 computer — Mac or Windows, your choice! Enter to win here. Good luck!

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Sensors in today’s smartwatches can detect your heartbeat, track how you sleep and even monitor blood oxygen levels. If Apple gets its way, your watch will be able to track your blood sugar (and possibly send reports about it to your doctor).

If you’ve ever wondered, “Just how accurate are these smartwatch readings?” You’re far from alone, so I took a look. Smartwatches and fitness watches have some serious flaws you should know about.

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I cleaned out a cabinet a few years ago and found a stack of old Super 8 videos. I’ll never forget the way my Mom’s face lit up after I digitized videos of her late brother Harold Jr.’s wedding. Tragically, he died in a car accident not long after his wedding day.

Memories like that are so precious, but when was the last time you watched family videos? If they’re on VHS, it can be a pain. Even worse, every year that goes by, those tapes degrade a little more.

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Social media is a place where we can loosen up a little. You can post jokes, silly pictures, or whatever on Instagram, X, Facebook and more. Unlike most social media sites, our sponsor, LinkedIn, is pretty buttoned-up.

You always need to put your best foot forward. After all, it’s where you connect with coworkers and find new careers. That means you should avoid being too personal since that can damage your credibility.

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With all the cybercriminals and digital threats, you shouldn’t pinch pennies when protecting your devices. Using free antivirus software can actually put you at risk. You need smarter, more robust tools to combat increasingly sophisticated hackers and scammers.

When it comes to antivirus software, you get what you pay for. Invest in a security suite that protects your computer and smartphone from today’s threats. Invest in our sponsor, TotalAV.

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What powers your business? Maybe you’re thinking of people or technology. For almost all of us, the honest answer is data.

Data is king, from customer information to the files we access daily. Financial records are no exception, and you need the right tools to manage yours correctly.

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A new car has over 1,400 microchips and runs on 100 million lines of code. Because it is connected, it can also collect a lot of data about you.

Your car is like your phone, computer or tablet now — always listening. What is your vehicle collecting? Way more than we’d all like to think.

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Picture this: Your phone rings and it’s a familiar number. You answer and an unsettling voice tells you they have your kid. The only way to get your son or daughter back alive is to send money.

It gets worse. Your child gets on the phone and directly pleads with you for help. You see a picture of them in chains. You watch a video of them crying. Now you’re panicking. 

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Right now, I’m sitting here beaming because my inbox is at zero. Really! Did I read and reply to every single message? Well, no. Before I took back control, I had 409 unread messages. But I have a trick to starting each year with a clean slate. You can do it, too!

Clear out your inbox

Drowning in emails? Here’s a surprisingly easy fix to begin the New Year right: Archive your inbox. It’s like a magic wand for your digital clutter!

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A meme with a bunch of scrambled letters and words is going around social media and it is supposed to give you insight on what to expect in the upcoming year.

Here’s how it works: Relax your eyes and casually scroll through the image until you spot words. The first four that you see will be your mantra for 2024.

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Health apps track your steps, heart rate, sleep patterns and more. But they’re capable of so much more. You can add your health information to certain apps to keep all your records in one place and share them with your doctors. You can even track your medication.

These health apps are quite helpful if you have someone in your life with medical problems or an elderly family member who needs assistance keeping up with their medications and doctor appointments. Here’s how it works.

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‘Tis the season for eggnog, twinkly lights and a whole lot of scams. Cybercriminals make a killing over the holiday season — just think about how often we pull out our credit cards.

The best way to stay safe is to know their tricks. I’ve got the inside scoop on phone scams tricking people out of money and info right now.

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The holidays are upon us, folks, and you’ll feel so good if you knock out some of your shopping this weekend. I’ve got you covered with solid picks for anyone in your life.

Pro tip: Before you add anything to your cart, look for the orange coupon flag under the product price. You only get the savings if you check the box.

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Let me tell you, I’m so over losing all my time getting sucked into watching long TV series. I’m on a movie kick right now, and of course, I really like watching the back story about tech products and the company’s founders. Here are some I thought you might want to watch, too.

“Tetris” (Apple TV+): Yeah, the game where you fit all the blocks into each other. No kidding, the true story behind the game and the company are so much more dramatic than I realized. Think Soviet Union drama in the 1980s. Trailer here.

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Do you remember all the stories older relatives told over the years? You probably recollect bits and pieces. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to relive them whenever you wanted?

Then there are photos of your loved ones from over the years — some sadly fading or stashed away in an attic. Let’s get those precious memories out so that everyone can enjoy them.

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Remember screaming, “Dinner’s ready!” Or maybe you had a fancy built-in intercom system in your house? Those clunky old systems feel outdated today, but man, were they handy.

Good news: You have access to the future world version if you own any smart speakers. It’s super easy to set up. Let me show you how.

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If you travel for business or pleasure, renting a car is always an excellent option for exploring a new city or simply getting to where you need to go. But, like buying a car, renting a car can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

With insurance coverage, mileage limits and the extensive paperwork needed to be signed, sometimes it feels easier just to take a taxi or use a ride share versus renting a car.

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You might think you have a solid cybersecurity plan. You use strong passwords and defensive measures like VPNs and firewalls. But even the strongest shield gets dented from time to time.

It’s hard to remember all the settings you’ve adjusted and the passwords you’ve made over the years. Let this be your reminder to go in and make a few quick changes to protect yourself.

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