Device Protection

Oculus Quest Parental Controls

by Dale Meredith | Jan 4, 2022 | Device Protection, Family Safety, Trending

Parental controls for the Oculus Quest? They don’t exist, but we have a few steps to make sure your family is protected while using this VR device.

If you just purchased your family an Oculus Quest One or Two, you could have just handed them a web browser and device with absolutely zero content filtering options and no parental controls. What could go wrong? We searched and searched for parental controls built into the software for the Oculus Quest, and…they don’t exist. The Oculus Quest doesn’t currently have any built-in web filter or parental controls by default, and for parents, that’s gotta be a little concerning. We wanted to create this guide to show you the best available methods for blocking and filtering explicit content on the Oculus Quest. We’ll cover what you can do as a parent in the browser settings, Facebook settings, the Oculus app, and your home environment.

Oculus Quest Browser Parental Settings

One of the most important and crucial parental control settings is the Oculus web browser. Every Oculus Quest has a fully functional web browser that cannot be disabled. There are some ways to uninstall it with SideQuest, but it is not recommended and can wreck your entire system. Worse, the web browser has no content filtering by default. To implement this content filter, you’re going to have to jump into the Oculus headset and change a few settings. If you’ve never jumped into a VR headset before, we recommend you play around in the VR environment to get familiar with the way the VR ecosystem works. It can be tricky at first, but you should be able to pick up on it fairly quickly. Once you’re inside and feel comfortable with the headset, you’re going to be met with a virtual environment. Don’t hesitate to ask your kids for help if you need it.

From here, on your RIGHT controller, you want to hit the button that has the Oculus logo on it. This will bring up the Oculus menu.
Once you’re in the menu, you will want to click on the Apps tab and go into Browser. This will pull up the Oculus browser.
You’re going to change some settings here to make it safe. First and foremost, you’re going to go over to the triple dots, click on those and go into settings.

Leveraging Your Google Account For Parental Control

As a side note, you may have to sign in to your Google account to perform this content filtering option.

Once you’re inside the settings in the Oculus browser, you’re going to make sure the default search engine is set to Google.
Exit out of this tab by clicking little X. Go into the Search settings in your Google account and make sure you have “Safe Search” checked on.

What does this do? You do this because “Safe Search” is Google’s default content filter, which filters out explicit content like pornography. If you have this checked on, it should filter out many pornographic sites and graphic content. So, anyone that uses the Oculus Quest headset won’t be able to access questionable content. Again, this is not a perfect content filter. There are obviously a thousand other ways to access explicit content, but this is literally one of the best ways we could find to keep the bad things off of your Oculus web browser. Once you have “Safe Search” turned on, go down to the very bottom of the page and hit “Save.”

Oculus Quest Parental Control At The Wi-Fi Router Level

Leveraging Google is most likely not enough protection, so there are a couple of other workarounds you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to explicit content on the web via the Oculus Quest device. If you have a Wi-Fi router that was set up using an application on your smartphone, then most likely, that router has some sort of content filtering method built right into it. For example, on a Google Nest Router, there is a setting that, when toggled ON, blocks all adult websites and as much explicit content as Google could possibly think of. But if your Wi-Fi doesn’t have a setting like this, you can always call your internet service provider and ask them about the content filtering options they have available. You can get similar parental control features as the Google Nest Router by also using Firewalla or the Eero Mesh Wi-Fi. As a general best practice for parenting controls for your internet and devices connected to your network, we highly advise investing in one of these awesome mesh Wi-Fi routers. Not only do you get an optimized signal throughout your home, but you can also set up some effective filtering settings.

Enhanced Facebook Settings For Oculus Quest Parental Controls

Another key component to parental controls for the Oculus is the settings on the Facebook profile you’re using for your Oculus Quest headset. You are required to sign in with a Facebook account with your Oculus device. And again, it is possible to see explicit content on Facebook. We’re going to cover a handful of settings and recommendations we’d suggest making that could potentially help prevent your children from seeing explicit content on Facebook and will add another layer of protection when using this VR device. Aside from protecting your family from explicit content, these recommendations are also going to prevent your child from being preyed upon by people who use platforms like Facebook and VR chat rooms to find vulnerable children. It’s sad, but it happens.

Unfortunately, you will need to have a Facebook account with your Oculus Quest. This means either you or your child will have to create a Facebook account and sign in to use your Oculus Quest. Again…if you’re smart, as a parent, you will use your own Facebook account so you can monitor and control access. Warning: Do NOT make a fake Facebook account. There have been some reports that people who do this have had their Oculus Quest disabled. When this happens, you lose all of your purchases with no chance of getting a refund or getting them back. When games you purchase range from $15 to $30, that’s a hefty price tag just to create a fake account, which doesn’t provide any privacy advantages anyway. The best recommendation would be to use your personal Facebook account when setting up the Oculus Quest. Make sure the following settings are implemented. You can either do this through the Facebook mobile app or on the desktop. Navigate to the Privacy Settings tab and make sure as many things as possible are either set to “Only Me” or “Disabled.” The most important section to make sure everything is set to “Only Me” is the “How People Find and Contact You” section. You should definitely spend a bit of time looking through these various settings and getting to know what they mean and how they affect your account.

Enhanced Parental Control Settings In The Oculus App

In the Oculus Quest app, go to the settings by clicking on the top left-hand corner. Once you’re in the privacy settings, make sure that “Activity” is set to “Only Me,” your friend’s list is set to “Only Me”, your Facebook name is set to “Only Me”, and Activity Status + Push Notifications is set to “Only Me.” Now, you’re probably thinking, ‘I’m going to be a ghost on Facebook after making these adjustments.’ And you’d probably be right. But until we get built-in parental settings in the Oculus Quest environment, we will have to resort to these secondary measures to make sure we get optimal or adequate parental controls. And don’t forget, you can change these settings later. But if you’re looking for the safest and most private settings on the Oculus Quest, you’ll want to implement these.

Research Gaming Content Before You Buy

Games are another access point for potential threats and explicit content on the Oculus Quest. First off, there are a ton of great games available through the Oculus Quest store and even some indie stores like App Lab and SideQuest. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of possibility and wonder when it comes to VR gaming. But that also means enhanced threats from the dangers lurking. As of now, most of the major sources for Oculus Quest games all have a very strict no adult content policy. But who are we kidding? You need to be aware that there are game ratings for VR games as well (Mature, Teen, Everyone 10+ and Everyone). Even with those strict no adult content policies, there are still games and apps which allow people to share explicit content in-game. To keep your family safe, be sure that when you set up the headset, you install the Oculus App on your mobile device and enable the “Purchase Pin.” What this does is all purchases will require that a pin be used. Not only will this save you money from unwanted purchases, but it’ll also allow you to know all the apps and games being installed on the Oculus Quest headset. Again, a simple and quick additional layer of control. If you don’t currently have the pin setup or you didn’t set up the headset using your smartphone, don’t worry just download the Oculus app and set up the headset with it.

Be Smart. Be Aware

There are a couple of other things you can do outside of an app or some setting in the software. Talk to your kids about how they’re using the Oculus Quest device. You’ll be surprised by what revelations and intuitions you have just by simply talking to your kids about their tech habits. Another level of protection is to dedicate an area in your house where the Oculus Quest can be played. Now, this might be a little difficult at first because your family may want to watch some movies or engage in educational VR content (thank you Amazon Prime VR!). It can be uncomfortable or difficult doing that with a lot of people around. But…having a dedicated space in the home (like a commons area) where the Oculus Quest VR can be played or used is an effective parenting hack.

What Does DDID Use?

Great question; I finally came up with a system that is the best solution for our home. Not only did I use the above settings for my teen son, but I also use a Firewalla device. This device allows me to control when a device has internet access (I have rules to turn off the Oculus at 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends), I’m able to block YouTube, Netflix, any video streaming, and I can either drop all social media connections or get specific. The Firewalla is used for all our devices to help keep our network protected and safe. The Oculus Quest also has a feature that will cast what the player is playing/doing to a TV. The DDID family requires that this feature be turned on so;

We can watch what our kids are playing/doing.
We can watch what our kids are playing/doing It’s psychological. People, in general, will make better choices knowing that someone might be watching.

Again, no content filter is perfect. Kids are smart. Kids can find a way. They can be really good at circumventing any measure you put in place to protect them. Even in the safest VR apps, your child could still be exposed to vulgarity or inappropriate actions of others. That is why one of the best things you can do as a parent to keep your child safe in a VR environment is to jump in and play with them.

Engage in their world. Be part of it. Be an active parent. Not a helicopter parent, but one who is smart and aware of what’s happening in their child’s lives. This is the best and safest method for you as a parent to know exactly what your child or loved one is experiencing in virtual reality.

Free VPN and What it is

by Dale Meredith | Oct 27, 2021 | Device Protection

Free VPN services are good in some areas, but for the most part they are not very reliable.

They come with limited data plans, and the servers aren’t usually fast enough to stream video or play online games. As my dad use to say “You get what you pay for”, so don’t expect a lot of features on the free services. Some free VPN solutions include:

Hide.me is a relatively small VPN company based in Malaysia, and has been growing exponentially as of late. In addition to their affordable prices, they have several other features that make them one of the best choices for those looking for a reliable VPN provider. The first is their server network. Hide.me has a whopping 240 VPN servers in 109 countries. This should cover you for pretty much any location that you desire to access geo-restricted content from. Hide.me also offers both Windows and Mac OS clients as well as an iOS and Android app.
Hotspot Shield is an American based VPN service that offers both free and paid subscriptions. Hotspot Shield is popular because it works on any device, supports multiple protocols and offers server locations from all over the world. The major downside to Hotspot Shield is that it keeps user activity logs and has a reputation for dishing out compensation to copyright holders following an infringement notice.

ProtonVPN is a new service that has been gaining a lot of popularity recently. They are another great choice for those who want the security and privacy that VPN solutions provide, but don’t want to pay a monthly subscription fee. Like Hide.me, ProtonVPN also offers free and paid accounts. Paid plans start out at about $5 per month, and also come with a 7 day money back guarantee. Although they may have a few more bells and whistles than Hide.me, ProtonVPN has one downside that puts them behind; their server network is considerably smaller with only 1 server in the U.K., 1 in Japan, and 3 in the United States.

AtlasVPN is another VPN solution that comes with free and paid subscriptions. It features multiple free servers that you can connect to without paying a cent. AtlasVPN keeps no logs and provides AES-256 bit encryption to all users.

Free vs Paid

There are hundreds more out there, these are the top ones that come to my mind, but I tend to lean toward the paid VPN services as I enjoy the additional features.

As you can see there are many choices for VPN services, and selecting one will depend on what your specific needs are. However, free services don’t usually provide the same level of service as paid ones. If you want to keep your data secure and private make sure to check out multiple places before deciding on a service.

Remember, security and privacy aren’t as hard as they sound, and deserve to be a priority for everyone.

5 Easy Ways to Spot Spam

by Dale Meredith | Jul 17, 2020 | Device Protection

Spam. Everyone gets it. Everyone hates it. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to spot it.

Spam emails are becoming more sophisticated and harder to recognize unless you know what to look for. Phishing emails are the worst kind of spam. These are messages that try to trick the user into infecting their computer so a cybercriminal can exploit them somehow.

Check out these tips below to help, but keep in mind that they are not entirely foolproof due to spam’s sneaky nature.

Who is sending the email? Is it an email you recognize? Are there bunches of numbers and letters all garbled up in the address? If so, a lot of the time, the sender is not who they say they are.

How is the email written? Many spam emails will be composed with very poor grammar, almost as if they’ve been translated from another language.

Are there any links to click on? Malicious emails often contain hyperlinks that will automatically download nasty stuff to your computer. If the email is encouraging you to click on one, think twice before you click. You can also scroll over (BUT NOT CLICK) a link and see the full address at the bottom left of your screen. If it’s a jumbled mess or says it’s something different than what’s being advertised, a lot of the time, it’s not safe.

Is there an attachment to download? Instead of a website to visit, cybercriminals will often send attachments that do the same thing as bogus links; download viruses to your device. Oftentimes, an email will look like it’s from a bank, and the attachment is your account statement. If you’re not sure, call the bank and ask them to verify the email is real.

Is the email asking for personal information. The most common free email providers (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not encrypted by default. Your bank account information, credit card numbers, passwords, and the like can be intercepted before they are received on the other end. If you have to get this information to someone else, pick up the phone instead.

Spam and phishing emails are more than just an everyday annoyance. They can lead to anything from adware making its way onto your computer to identity theft. Keeping an eye out for a few of the red flags can help to keep you and your data safe.

For continued advice and learnings on how to help your family stay safe and smart with the technology you use, follow

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Learn more about the why behind my journey of helping families stay safe and smart with the technology they use at https://www.daledumbsitdown.com/

Why You Should Be Using an Ad Blocker

by Dale Meredith | Jul 15, 2020 | Device Protection

I break it down and let you know why you should be using an Ad Blocker and how it can help keep your family safe online.

Many people shy away from using ad blockers because they want to support the free websites that they frequently use and trust.

But is there ever a good time to use an Ad Blocker?

The average internet user knows the frustration of clicking on a link to a website they’ve never been to only to be bombarded with loud, obnoxious, and intrusive ads. Even those who staunchly refuse to install an ad blocker are tempted to make an exception for these kinds of sites. But ads aren’t just annoying, they can even be Dangerous as many ads contain methods to track the user, and worse, some even contain malware.

For most adults, avoiding clicking on suspicious ads seems pretty straightforward, and running antivirus software regularly in order to catch well-disguised viruses is a fairly common routine.

However, this isn’t something that young children are typically concerned about. It can be difficult to convince even teenage kids that it’s important to regularly run antivirus scans when they’re probably only interested in using their devices for entertainment purposes, especially if they’ve never had to deal with malware before.

And the younger kids are even more susceptible to malicious advertising…

They might not even understand that what they’re seeing is an ad. Most adults know to be skeptical of a popup telling them that they’ve won a cash prize for being the 1,000,000th visitor to a website, but does the average 11-year-old know better?

According to the American Psychological Association, “Mature comprehension of advertising occurs no earlier than age 7–8 years on average.” In other words, they might not be able to tell the difference between the YouTube videos that they watch and the ads that play in the middle of them, or between the funny comic or memes they’re viewing and the banner ad above it. There’s also no shortage of ads that will offer free stuff to users willing to give them personal information, which can seem very tantalizing to young kids who don’t yet understand the value of privacy.

But on top of protecting your kid from seeing ads in the first place, Ad Blockers will also prevent the ads from tracking your child’s internet activity and from gathering data on them.

Many websites and search engines will build a profile for each user and cater to the advertising to them specifically.

It’s important to also make sure that you’re using the right adblocker. Try to find the ones that have a large user base already and have received positive reviews. Some sketchier ad blocking extensions have been proven to sell user information to third parties in order to garner a profit.

The Benefits of using a VPN

by Dale Meredith | Jul 13, 2020 | Device Protection

What is a VPN? Can it really protect you and your family? Do I really need a VPN? Are there benefits of a VPN? What are the downsides of a VPN? There are a lot of questions surrounding the purpose and utility of a VPN and VPNs are becoming a popular thing. If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get a VPN, you’ll want to read on as we try to sort through the noise on this technology. We’ll highlight the benefits of using a VPN and why it’s worth considering adding one to your online security arsenal. We’ll also dispel some of the myths that often keep people from using a VPN and provide tips on how to choose the right VPN for your needs. So read on to find out the important deets on why you might need a VPN.

The Many Benefits Of A VPN

Let me break it down for you and show you the benefits of using a VPN.

Ask yourself these quick questions:

Are you afraid of websites you visit having access to your location?
Do you ever avoid using public Wi-Fi due to the possibility that someone on that same network could steal your passwords, banking information, or card numbers?
Do you ever get extremely specific ads that feel like they were made for you in particular that make you wonder how much privacy do you really have online?

All of these valid concerns have led millions of internet users to start using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

A VPN is a service that allows you to connect your computer to another computer (also called a server) online in a completely different location and allows you to surf the net via that server’s internet connection.

What this means is that your web traffic and location are now hidden from anyone trying to snoop on your browsing habits to steal your personal information. You can read more about VPNs here.

When a VPN is activated, your connection to said VPN’s server becomes encrypted. Anyone trying to determine your location is instead given the location of the VPN’s server. You can connect to a VPN from your personal Wi-Fi at home, or you can connect to it using the free Wi-Fi available at many public spaces such as restaurants, coffee shops, or libraries. VPNs are especially crucial in the latter case. With public Wi-Fi, you never know who may be monitoring the devices that connect to it.

To recap, here are some of the most important benefits of a VPN:

Hidden geo-location while accessing the internet
Encrypted connection!
Protect your privacy online. Your privacy is your personal currency. Protect it!
To access websites that are blocked in your country (this includes Netflix and Disney+)
To prevent hackers from stealing your personal data
Protect your data from Governments (domestic and foreign)
VPNs are surprisingly easy to use
Security when on public WiFi or someone else’s network
Affordable security. You can break the bank on antivirus, anti-malware, anti-spyware really quickly. For the most part, VPNs are very cheap security that works really well.
Can help escape data caps. Many internet service providers will cap your data (or throttle your speeds way down) once you’ve hit a limit. A VPN may help you avoid these data caps.

Unfortunately, I often get asked, “Does Using a VPN really protect you?” I have to roll my eyes because usually, the type of person asking is a skeptic to begin with. And that’s okay. We should be skeptical when it comes to things like this. But don’t let what you’ve heard in social circles or on some YouTube video lead you to your definitive conclusion about something. Spend a little time doing a little bit of research. Because when someone does ask if a VPN offers viable protection, I resoundingly answer, “Yes!” every time.

Does The Average Person Need A VPN?

Absolutely and undoubtedly YES! The biggest reason is the average person who uses the internet at an average rate just doesn’t understand the benefits of a VPN and doesn’t know how to set one up. A VPN (virtual private network) isn’t just a service for tech-geeks and high-volume internet users. If anything, the average person NEEDS a secure, encrypted connection between their computer and the VPN provider’s server because they may not be aware of all the malicious cyberattacks and data-hacking that goes on. The average person, one could argue, is the most vulnerable and most targeted individual. A VPN connection isn’t just secure access for the nerds of the world, it’s for everyone who accesses the internet from anywhere.

LEARN MORE: Why Would You Use A VPN?

So When Should You Use A VPN?

VPNs should always be used on any Wi-Fi networks that aren’t your own. As long as your home Wi-Fi requires a password, your connection is encrypted. This means that your information is generally safe from snoopers. Your connection to the Wi-Fi at Starbucks, at an airport or even a hotel however, is unencrypted.

This means that anyone within range of the Wi-Fi can see what websites you’re visiting. The average person won’t see what you’re doing on those websites, however. Yet there is software that allows others to monitor your traffic that’s becoming increasingly commonplace, so it’s best to try to protect yourself in any way that you can.

Installing a VPN on your children’s devices means drastically decreasing the possibility that anyone interacting with them online will be able to use malicious software that will figure out their location. This is admittedly a very rare occurrence, but using a VPN, for this reason, helps some parents rest easy.

The Most Popular Myths About VPNs

In case you are still on the fence about how important a VPN is, let’s sift through some of the myths because chances are…one of these is why you have hangups about them. It’s okay. You’re not alone. Many people are hesitant to invest in a VPN because they’re not sure what they stand to gain. Here are some of the most popular myths about VPNs….

VPNs Can Slow Down My Connection

This is true. But let’s discuss why. There are a lot of different VPN options out there and not all of them are created equally. Some are just better than others. But generally speaking, if you set a VPN up properly, a slow connection isn’t an issue at all. You have to consider the trade-off here. The amount of protection coupled with the slight drop in browsing and streaming to me is well worth it.

Don’t Need A VPN Because I Don’t Go Anywhere Suspicious

Pump the brakes!! The main purpose of a VPN isn’t to protect you from suspicious or questionable content you may be accessing. This is probably the biggest misconception that leads to the “I don’t need a VPN” attitude. For the record, if you do access questionable content, then you definitely need a VPN. But many websites, apps, data sources, etc. all have the capability of accessing your personal data. It’s not just protection for the nerds and people looking at bad stuff. A VPN is for everyone.

I’m Not Tech-Savvy So I Don’t Need A VPN

Again…VPNs are for anyone who accesses the internet at all. It’s not just for the geeks, developers, programmers, and hackers out there. VPNs aren’t only for the advanced user. Don’t let all of these misconceptions and misnomers about the internet, data, and privacy scare you away. For the most part, VPNs are really easy to configure and you don’t have to worry about screwing something up.

VPNs: Will They Completely Protect Me?

Of course, VPNs aren’t a perfect solution. First it’s important to know that you can still get a virus or ransomware. A VPN is only protecting your connection. Second and this is a scary one if you don’t watch yourself, if you have any parental control settings enabled through your home router at home, then your kids could use a VPN to bypass those settings. This is an important aspect you need to be aware of. You would need a parental control app installed on their device instead of using your Wi-Fi settings in this case. Bark, Circles, Our Pact, Firewalla Purple, and Apple’s Screentime are great options in this regard.

Keeping your and your family’s information private while using the internet can be tricky. Using a paid VPN service is certainly an option to consider.

My Favorite Paid VPNs

I have tried a few VPN paid services and my favorite by far is with ExpressVPN. Not only is ExpressVPN a major player in this VPN niche, but they have servers in 90 countries, unlimited bandwidth (no more worrying about drastically slowed down VPN connections), have great support, and is easy to install. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

>>Get Express VPN Here<<

Another great option for a paid VPN is Norton Secure VPN. Like other VPN services where you can secure information like passwords, personal data, banking info, credit cards…Norton has a new Split tunneling feature that allows users to choose which data to secure without losing access to local services. Other really nice features with Norton Secure VPN include: anonymous browsing, a new kill switch to automatically disconnect if the VPN connection is low, and a no-log policy so you don’t have to worry about online purchases being tracked. You also get a reputable brand like Norton behind this product so you know you’re in good hands with support and service.

>>Get Norton Secure VPN Here<<

My Favorite Free VPNs

Before we dive into these, let’s discuss why these are free. Their whole aim is to deliver a free service that’s good enough to do the basic VPN benefits you’re looking for. BUT…as you engage and use the free service, you’ll often find that there are some additional features you want that the free version just isn’t cutting for you.

Hotspot Shield is just that. They have a free version that includes 1 device connection, military-grade encryption, limited streaming access, up to 2 Mbps connection speed, a 500 MB daily data limit, and 1 virtual location (in the U.S.). There aren’t any free advanced features, but this is a great entry-level option to get your feet wet with how VPNs work.

>>Get Hotspot Shield Here<<

ProtonVPN is another up-and-coming free VPN that has some overall great features that come standard with a VPN service. The free version has 24 servers in three countries, has no data of speed limits, 1 VPN connection, medium speed, is protected by Swiss privacy laws (which are some of the most strict and protective in the world), and a strict no-logs policy. Do you know what else we like about the free version? No ads! It probably is one of the best free VPNs available and another great entry-level service.

>>Get ProtonVPN Here<<

Do I Start With A Paid VPN or a Free VPN?

It depends. If you’re someone who considers yourself an advanced user of tech and the internet, then you definitely should opt-in for a paid version because you know what you’re getting. You probably understand the value of paying a minimal fee for great protection. It won’t take much to sell you on getting a paid VPN. But..if you’re new to VPNs and what they do, I’d definitely start out with a free version. And here’s why: because those companies who are offering a free version of their paid service eventually want you to buy their paid version. Why does that matter? Because when you’re in their free version they will do everything possible to make sure you have the BEST experience with VPN. You’ll get great support, great tutorials, great service which will all but guarantee you have a great experience with their product.

If You’re Still On The Fence About A VPN…

So…should you get a VPN? The answer is an unequivocal, “Yes!” A VPN will protect your online privacy, secure your devices when using public Wi-Fi, and give you access to content that may be blocked in your location PLUS a lot more benefits anyone can take advantage of. And the best part is that most VPNs are easy to download and use. Some of our favorite VPNs come with user-friendly apps, great install instructions that are easy to follow and simple to set up. What are you waiting for? Protect yourself and your data today by downloading a VPN.

Why Should I pay for a VPN?
What is a VPN?
Why Would You Use a VPN?
Free VPN

You Knew Better but You Clicked Anyway!

by Dale Meredith | May 13, 2020 | Device Protection

The creative act of convincing people to give up their personal and sensitive information is one type of social engineering. We’ve ALL been victims of social engineering in one way or another.

Sometimes it’s called “Click-bait” (a catchy title that makes you want to click an infected link, like “YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT WE CAUGHT DALE DOING!” Click below to see what he’s doing!)

The scammer is looking to take advantage of your natural human reactions, and turn them against you for their benefit.

The type of information that the scammer is after will vary depending on their ultimate intentions. Typically these scams are designed to access your passwords, bank and credit card numbers, or login information to a particular site.

Stay alert and watch for these social engineering schemes. They come at you in many ways. Many come from a friend’s email that was hacked or, from a hacked Facebook account with the scammer masquerading as if they are your friend. It may be an email pretending to be from your bank, an urgent request for support, or someone offering a donation to a charity. Be vigilant, and QUESTION EVERYTHING!

Dale here- keeping you and your family safe and smart with technology!