Adding order to a chaotic world
Plain-language help for the tech already in the house
Latest guides
Steam Parental Controls: How to Set Up Steam Families for Your Kids
Steam Families is Valve’s free tool for parents: choose which games kids can play, set playtime limits, turn off the store or chat, and approve purchases from your phone. Here’s…
Is Public Wi-Fi Safe? A Plain-English Guide for Travel, Cafés and Hotels
Public Wi-Fi is safer than it used to be, but fake hotspots, sign-in pages and old devices still catch people out. Here’s what it can expose, the settings that help,…
Clicked a Phishing Link? What to Do Next, Step by Step
Clicked a link in a scam text or email? The right steps depend on what happened next. Here’s what to do if you only clicked, typed a password, shared card…
Utility Shutoff Scams: How to Spot a Fake Power, Gas or Water Company
Real utilities don’t threaten same-day shutoffs or ask for gift cards. Here’s how utility scams work, how to check your account safely, and where to find real help if you’re…
Fake Debt Collectors: How to Tell a Real Collection Call From a Scam
Fake debt collectors use threats of arrest to make you pay right now. Here’s what a real collector must tell you, how to check any caller, your rights, and what…
Online Marketplace Scams: How to Buy and Sell Safely on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and OfferUp
Marketplace scams target buyers and sellers alike. Here are the common tricks, the warning signs, safer ways to pay and meet, and what to do if a sale already went…
How to Turn On Two-Step Verification for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and iCloud Mail
Your email can reset almost every other account, so it deserves two-step verification first. Here are the steps for Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail and iCloud Mail, and which second step…
Backup Codes for Two-Step Verification: What They Are and Where to Keep Them
Backup codes are one-time codes that get you into an account when your phone isn’t available. Here’s how to get them, where to keep them, and the mistakes to avoid.
Lost Your Phone? How to Get Back Into Accounts That Use Two-Step Verification
If the phone that gets your sign-in codes is lost, stolen or broken, you can usually still get back in. Here’s what to do first and how account recovery works…
How to Move Your Authenticator App to a New Phone Without Getting Locked Out
Your two-step sign-in codes live on your phone, so a new phone needs a plan. Here’s how to move Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, 2FAS and Ente Auth, and the one…
New here? Start here
Begin with the family safety checklist, then see how a company handles your data on Privacy Policies Watch.
Already scammed or hacked? Get Help Now lists who to call first.
Get the monthly newsletter
One calm email a month: a 15-minute safety checklist, one scam warning sign, and our newest guides. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We use your email only to send the newsletter and never sell it. See our Privacy Policy.
Scams & Fraud
All scam guides →
Scam A to Z index →
Online Security
Is Public Wi-Fi Safe? A Plain-English Guide for Travel, Cafés and Hotels
Clicked a Phishing Link? What to Do Next, Step by Step
How to Turn On Two-Step Verification for Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo and iCloud Mail
Backup Codes for Two-Step Verification: What They Are and Where to Keep Them
Lost Your Phone? How to Get Back Into Accounts That Use Two-Step Verification
Find a company or a problem
About · Contact · Get Help Now · Newsletter · Editorial Policy · Disclaimer and Terms · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Opt-out preferences