Digital Security 101

Hackers use advanced tools and personal information leaked in data breaches to target victims — but you can stay safe by following a few security measures.

Signs of a hacked phone include reduced battery life, higher data usage, unusual device behavior, new apps, locked accounts, or receiving 2FA codes.

If you receive an alert on your mobile device stating that your password has been leaked in a data breach, you need to secure your accounts ASAP.

Stalkerware — or spyware — gives hackers or abusive partners an excessive amount of access to your devices and data, and needs to be dealt with carefully.

While you can pay for an ad-free YouTube experience with YouTube Premium, third-party extensions and privacy-focused browsers are often cheaper and better.

Ads and pop-ups aren’t just annoying; they can also put your online privacy and safety at risk — luckily you can block them on almost every platform.

Google Chrome includes built-in tools to help block some ads and pop-ups — but a third-party ad blocker is a better bet for an ad-free browsing experience.

Hackers use malware to infect your Mac, spy on you, or hold your sensitive files hostage — but with a few steps, you can clear your Mac of most infections.