Alright, this story is pretty wild. Sam Mitrovic, a Windows security expert, recently shared his close call with an AI-powered scam that's so sophisticated, it nearly tricked him for a minute into giving away the login info to his Google account. Sam received a Gmail account recovery … [Read more...] about PSA: Be aware of this very elaborate AI-powered Gmail scam
Privacy and Security
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Passwords are finally dying: Google Passkeys hit 1 billion uses
Passwords are a problem. They're often too easy to guess, hack, and steal through phishing attacks. Password managers have made it easier to use secure passwords but I'd wager that many of you reading this still use the same password for multiple accounts or have passwords that are not very strong. … [Read more...] about Passwords are finally dying: Google Passkeys hit 1 billion uses
Google Password Manager is getting an update that includes bottom navigation, more
Google's Password manager that's baked into Chrome isn't everyone's first choice, especially for those who are super privacy-minded, but it's the go-to for many who just want a simple and at-the-ready tool for getting to their saved accounts. Now, it's getting a slick, new interface that boasts a … [Read more...] about Google Password Manager is getting an update that includes bottom navigation, more
Google Play will now scan apps at the code level before you install them to make sure they’re safe
"Google Play Protect" is a malware scanning service provided by Google that works so seamlessly in the background of your phone and Chromebook that you likely have never heard of it. Essentially, it's like a guard that constantly checks your home for invaders. I know that sounds like a stupid … [Read more...] about Google Play will now scan apps at the code level before you install them to make sure they’re safe
Some websites pretend your Chromebook has a virus. Here’s how to get rid of the notifications
Back when I was a Chromebook Expert in Best Buy, I can't tell you how many customers came to me and told me that their Chromebook had a virus. Now, I probably don't need to tell you that Chromebooks don't get viruses, but just as a reminder, ChromeOS isn't affected by the same privacy and security … [Read more...] about Some websites pretend your Chromebook has a virus. Here’s how to get rid of the notifications
Three of my favorite upcoming Android 14 features probably aren’t what you expect
The release of Android 14 is right around the corner with the hardware event for Google's Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, and you'd think I'd be gushing about the battery improvements, or the cross device improvements for app developers such as the display adaptability tools, but no. Here are the three of the … [Read more...] about Three of my favorite upcoming Android 14 features probably aren’t what you expect
This Android bug exposes your Google Wallet credit card details in plain sight via NFC
A security loophole has been found in Android that potentially puts your credit card details at risk through NFC, and yes, it displays your card number in plain sight! Google says it's preparing a fix for the issue that was discovered over on GitHub by MrTiz. By using an NFC device called the … [Read more...] about This Android bug exposes your Google Wallet credit card details in plain sight via NFC
Google takes a step toward mending its reputation with a new Transparency Center
Google's had a rocky go of it lately. With issues over data privacy and the company being accused and even taken to court many times over monopolistic behavior, it's safe to say the tech giant's shiny image has taken a hit over the years. In a move to restore its relationship with users, Google has … [Read more...] about Google takes a step toward mending its reputation with a new Transparency Center
Chrome’s Safety Check feature will soon tell you if your browser extensions are compromised
Starting with Chrome 117, Google's Safety Check feature will flag extensions that are no longer safe for you to keep installed. Here's how it works - Chrome will proactively highlight extensions that have been unpublished by the developer, have been taken down for violating the Chrome Web Store … [Read more...] about Chrome’s Safety Check feature will soon tell you if your browser extensions are compromised
Google beefs up its privacy tools to empower you to better control your online footprint
Google announced today in a Keyword blog post that it's beefing up the 'Results about you' tool that we covered last year. This tool, which can be found by tapping on your profile image on the Google Search app on Android and iOS tracks if your phone number, home address or email is published … [Read more...] about Google beefs up its privacy tools to empower you to better control your online footprint
It may be easier to move to other platforms next year thanks to changes coming to Google Takeout
Google Takeout, the tool we all use (or should be using) to backup all of our Google Account data, may soon undergo a long overdue upgrade. The proposed enhancements aim to streamline the process of exporting your data to other platforms - hallelujah! Google has been under the lens as of late for … [Read more...] about It may be easier to move to other platforms next year thanks to changes coming to Google Takeout
Google is cleaning house: How to save your dormant account from deletion
We woke up to a curveball from Google, and it might just rattle your peace of mind. In the online world, out of sight often means out of mind, but with a new policy that's started rolling out today, ignoring those rarely used accounts could come with a heavy price. Inactive Google Accounts pose a … [Read more...] about Google is cleaning house: How to save your dormant account from deletion
