How to detect and help remove a potentially unwanted application (PUA)
They hide in plain sight, alongside legitimate apps. Some are merely annoying as they unleash the chaos of multiple pop-up ads. Others have more malicious intentions. Find out why Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs) are common, unwelcome house guests on our devices, what security risks they might introduce, and how you can stop them. Then help
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If your WhatsApp account’s been hacked, here’s how to get it back
If your WhatsApp account gets hacked, it can quickly turn your world upside down. Read on to learn how to tell if your WhatsApp account’s been hacked and what you can do about it — as well as how you can make your smartphone more secure, including with the help of Avira Antivirus Security.
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What is a VPN kill switch, and why do you need it?
Imagine this: You’re sitting in a coffee shop or airport lounge, happily connected to...
How to unblock content safely and easily
There’s a badly kept secret to accessing sports, music-streaming services, and TV shows that...
Is using a VPN on public Wi-Fi really necessary?
It’s a common scenario. You’re sitting in a coffee shop, restaurant, or waiting at...
Anonymous browsing: A simple guide to online privacy
Imagine disappearing from the internet…and no, we’re not referring to a digital detox, but...
Incognito mode: What really happens when I surf in this mode?
When you surf at an internet café or access your Gmail or some other...
What is geoblocking and how does it work?
You’ve probably seen this caption some time or another on YouTube: “This content is...
Excellent privacy protection with the Phantom VPN Chrome extension
The Phantom VPN Chrome extension is here, giving you easier access to the security...
Featured Articles
Clear your incognito history: All you need to know here!
There are many reasons to use your browser’s incognito or private browsing mode. By entering this mode, you can visit websites privately without leaving any identifiable traces or cookies in your browsing history and allowing yourself to be tracked via them. That’s what everyone generally believes anyway, but it isn’t the full picture. That’s because
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Discover how to fix 100% disk usage issues in Windows 11: This is how you do it!
If you use data-hungry graphics or video editing programs, you’ve probably run into the issue where your computer just doesn’t want to process the sheer amounts of data anymore. But even if you don’t work with vast amounts of data, your PC may slow to a snail’s pace — like surfing the internet back in
Learn moreMalware
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Keyloggers: How they work and how to protect yourself
Computers are an indispensable part of our modern lives....
What is a rootkit—and its impact on your cybersecurity?
Is malware hiding on your computer and giving hackers...
Computer worms: What they are, how they infect your computer, and how to protect yourself
Computer worms are so unique and insidious as they...
Adware: what it is, how it works, and how to protect yourself
It’s a type of malware that sneaks onto your...
Scams
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Snapchat scams: What you need to know and how to stay safer
Love Snapchat? So do scammers. The social media platform is a hotspot for connecting...
All about bank scams: Help protect yourself and spot the warning signs
It’s not just technology that’s getting smarter. Online banking is now a part of...
Watch out for WhatsApp scams: A new type of fraud devised by cybercriminals
WhatsApp, along with TikTok, is one of the planet’s most popular apps. Hardly any...
All about brushing scams: Help identify and prevent online fraud
A parcel unexpectedly landing on your doorstep once meant it was probably your birthday....
Telephone scams: Here’s how to protect yourself from the range of threats
Ever received a weird call from an unknown number, a stranger, or at an...
Spotting the signs: Help prevent eBay scams
A boxed Barbie from 1960? A Santa costume for your dog? If you want...
Vinted scams: How to spot them when shopping online
The second-hand market is growing constantly — and not just in the offline world....
Spoofing: Here’s how to protect yourself from internet scams
Over the years, there’s been a growth not only in the importance of the...
Hacking
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SQL injection: What it is and how you can protect yourself
Websites, programs, and apps are all powered by databases...
From black hats to white hats: Your ultimate guide to the different types of hacker
The term “hacker” is commonly used to describe cybercriminals...
Has your email account been hacked? Here’s what to do!
If you think that your email has been compromised,...
Has your social media account been hacked? Here’s how not to become a victim!
Whether WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest: Celebrities...
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How to detect and help remove a potentially unwanted application (PUA)
They hide in plain sight, alongside legitimate apps. Some are merely annoying as they...
Credential stuffing: What it is and how to help protect yourself
It’s bad enough when your personal details are stolen—but worse when they’re then used...
Cybercrime: Scams and how to protect yourself
You can do almost anything online — which is great for most users, but...
Beware of SIM swap fraud and help stop it
It’s a tiny plastic card in your phone—and a potential gateway for cybercriminals waiting...
What is cyberbullying and why is it so dangerous?
A shocking number of children and youngsters are increasingly affected by often public bullying...
All about doxxing: How it works and how to help prevent it
It’s derived from the term “dropping docs (documents)” but what is doxxing exactly and...
What is jailbreaking, and can you safely jailbreak a phone?
It can be frustrating when life comes with so many rules, and it’s no...
IP spoofing: What it’s all about and how to protect yourself
Hackers often use IP spoofing — a specific type of cyberattack — to gain...
Passwords
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Essential ingredients for a secure password
Have you double checked if your mailaddress has ever...
Password Manager: What it is and how it works
You alone hold the key to making a secure...
The simple guide to password protecting a folder or file in Windows 10
If you think that locks are just for safes...
How to generate a strong password
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Protect your information: Help keep your data secure
In a world where data is everything, safeguarding yours should be a top priority....
Port scans explained: How to protect yourself from hidden cyberthreats
Every network, whether at home or in a company, is exposed to potential security...
IPsec explained: The security protocol suite for networks
Did you know that there’s an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)? It sounds like...
Back up your Windows device by following our simple instructions and tips
Most people work with huge amounts of data every day — creating, sharing, moving...
What is a proxy server and what are the benefits of using one?
A proxy server is an intermediary server between the client, or user, and the...
Email encryption protects your digital communications
Whether personal or professional — many of the emails we send are highly confidential...
Enjoy protection from unauthorized access with two-factor authentication
Even though the internet is a great place, most online services require you to...
Sextortion: All you need to know to protect yourself
Sextortion is an internet scam used by cybercriminals to obtain intimate images or footage...
Browser
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Enabling JavaScript: Your 101 guide with instructions, hints, and tips
Do you remember the early days of the internet?...
“Your connection is not private” — but what does it mean?
If you see the message “Your connection is not...
How to turn off Chrome notifications in Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
If you’re tired of closing multiple pop-up windows before...
Dark Web
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If you must explore the depths of the darknet, access it more safely
The darknet: a mysterious online world shrouded in secrecy or the gloomy underbelly of...
What exactly is the dark-web black market Silk Road
There have always been regions, routes, or areas that have been used for the...
Let’s shed light on the Tor dark web browser
Can you ever take online privacy too far? The creators of Tor think not....
Links to dark web websites—everything you need to know before you go!
Darknet sites. Dark web websites. What are they exactly, where are they hiding and...
Should you go there? We explore dark web search engines
The websites that you and I visit each day make up just a tiny...
Digital Life
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Understanding and using IoT devices — a guide for beginners and pros
Picture this: You kick off the day with a...
Is TikTok safe? Help protect against scams, privacy breaches, and security risks
It’s easy to comment, share, like, and be endlessly...
iPhone parental controls: What they can do and how to turn them on
Smartphones like the iPhone have changed our everyday lives...
The smart home: Convenience at your fingertips
For many of us, there’s no doubting it: Home...
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Step-by-step guide: How to change the location on your iPhone
You’re usually advised not to fake it in life, but using your iPhone or...
Geotagging — be smart about using and protecting your location data
You might not have heard of it, but geotagging is a technology that’s used...
Data and privacy: What does Google know about me?
What data are collected by Google? What possibilities does Google offer to avoid the...
What is a VPN and how can it protect your online privacy?
There’s a valuable cybersecurity tool that can shield your identity and communications online. Welcome...
How an SSL certificate allows you to surf securely
To visit a web page, all you need to do is click a link...
How cryptography works: From algorithms to applications
It can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians and refers to the practice...
IPv4 vs. IPv6: What’s the difference?
The internet protocol (IP) is a network protocol that enables, regulates, and controls the...
Your complete guide to hiding apps on your iPhone
Apple allows you to hide apps on your iPhone, so you decide which apps...
Cleaning
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Back up your iPhone: How to do it in a few simples steps
Smartphones are now an indispensable companion for many of...
How to safely clean your phone’s charging port
Plugged in your smartphone and it just won’t charge?...
Permanently delete files on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android
If you think that after hitting delete your files...
Why you should regularly clear your browser cache
The browser cache ensures that websites and their content...
Hardware
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What is an SSD? Unraveling the technology behind solid-state drives
So long hard drive! There’s a new(er) kid on the block in storage devices....
SSD vs HDD: Exploring the differences: A comprehensive comparison of storage solutions
Storage is a decisive factor in how your computer performs but most of us...
Thunderbolt vs USB-C: Understanding the key differences
Whether you’re charging your mobile or connecting a monitor to a desktop, you’ll be...
What’s a graphics card and how do you check it on your Windows device or Mac?
Are you a passionate online gamer, like to stream videos, or use graphics-hungry programs...
Computer overheating? Learn how to fix and prevent it
If your computer or laptop keeps getting too hot, it’s most likely to have...
The sound of silence: How to quieten a loud fan on your laptop or PC
Does your computer fan sometimes sound like your PC is about to take off?...
Keeping an eye on your CPU’s temperature
Just like your heart, the CPU (central processing unit) is the heart of your...
Tips to protect your smartphone if it gets hot
Is it dangerous if your smartphone gets hot? You’ve probably asked yourself that at...
Software
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How to add, customize, or remove startup apps on your Mac
If your Mac’s running slow and you feel like...
Here’s how to find your Windows 10 product key
No matter whether you want to reinstall Windows 10...
How to scan and repair Windows hard drives with CHKDSK
Apps quitting? PC shutting down unexpectedly? Worried your files...
How to update your Android smartphone or iPhone
You need to update your computer regularly to ensure...
Performance Tips
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Blue Screen of Death: How to fix the error
A so-called Blue Screen of Death (BSoD for short) on the screen of a...
Defragmentation: Key operating system considerations
If your computer’s running slower than usual, defragging it can often help put some...
Understanding HDD: A detailed exploration
Thankfully, it’s not hard to truly understand hard drives and you can make better...
AMD vs Intel processor wars! Which CPU is better?
They’re both iconic CPU names in the world of PC building, but does one...
Why do apps on Android constantly crash – and how can you fix it?
It can be extremely annoying when the apps on your Android mobile phone or...
i5 vs. i7: Which Intel Core processor is best for you?
Just how well your computer performs depends on your choice of processor. Intel Core...
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If your computer’s a shadow of its former self, crawling at a snail’s pace,...
How to fix the black screen of death on all your devices (Windows, Mac, IOS, Android)
Most of us know the dreaded feeling of staring into the abyss that is...