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Is Your Browser Extension a Security Risk? Here’s How to Check You probably installed a Chrome extension to save time—maybe a grammar checker, a coupon finder, or a note-taking tool. These “productivity helpers” often ask for broad access to your browser because that’s how they work. But recent reports show that some of these extensions are being turned into silent backdoors, capable of stealing passwords, reading emails, and even infiltrating corporate networks. ...

Shadow AI in the Workplace: Why Unapproved Tools Are a Growing Risk and What to Do About It Just a few years ago, “shadow IT” meant employees installing their own file-sharing apps or using personal email for work. Today, a similar pattern is unfolding with artificial intelligence. Workers are quietly turning to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and other generative AI tools without official approval. This phenomenon, often called “shadow AI,” poses real risks to corporate data and privacy. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How to Spot a Backdoor Before It Steals Your Data Browser extensions are small pieces of software that add useful features to your browser. Many people use them for productivity: password managers, grammar checkers, coupon finders, or note-taking tools. They install quickly, sit in the toolbar, and often seem harmless. But in recent months, security researchers and the FBI have highlighted a growing problem: even popular, well-reviewed extensions can be quietly turned into backdoors that steal your credentials, cookies, and private data. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is a routine part of modern life. The convenience of ordering with a few clicks, however, also attracts fraudsters who constantly refine their tactics. Official guidance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News) regularly highlights the risks and offers practical advice that applies to anyone shopping online. This article covers the most common scams, why they matter, and concrete steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

Shadow AI Is Everywhere: How to Stay Safe When Using AI at Work If you haven’t seen a coworker paste a confidential spreadsheet into a free chatbot, you probably will soon. Unapproved AI tools are quietly spreading through offices, often without a word to IT. This phenomenon, sometimes called shadow AI, is the new shadow IT — and boards are already behind, according to a recent story from CX Today. The article notes that executives are only now beginning to mandate governance for AI tool usage, while employees have been experimenting for months. ...

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How Productivity Tools Hide Malware and What to Do About It If you use Chrome, you probably have a handful of extensions installed. Maybe a grammar checker, a note-taking tool, a password manager, or something that saves screenshots. They make life easier—until they don’t. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips to Stay Safe Online shopping offers convenience, but it also draws fraudsters looking to separate you from your money. Every year, especially during major sales events, reports of fake websites, phishing emails, and too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals surge. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs regularly issue alerts to help consumers protect themselves. While these notices often target veterans, the advice applies to anyone who shops online. Below, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—what you can do to avoid becoming a victim. ...

Shadow AI: What Your Employer Isn’t Telling You About Your Data Generative AI tools have become as common in the office as a Slack message or a shared spreadsheet. But many employees are using them without their company’s knowledge—or its permission. This unsanctioned use, often called “shadow AI,” is creating a new class of privacy risk for anyone whose data touches a workplace system. ...

Your Productivity Tools Might Be Spying on You: How to Spot Rogue Chrome Extensions The appeal of a browser extension that promises to save time is easy to understand. A one-click grammar checker, a password manager that fills in forms automatically, or a coupon finder that works while you shop. These tools feel harmless and often deliver real convenience. But a growing number of attackers have learned that the same permissions that make extensions useful also make them dangerous. Recent reports, including an investigation by the FBI into a sophisticated hacking campaign linked to compromised surveillance systems, have renewed attention on how malicious Chrome extensions disguised as productivity tools are being used to steal credentials, inject advertising, and monitor user activity. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice With online shopping now a daily habit for millions of people, scammers have become more aggressive and creative. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, have issued repeated warnings about the growing threat. A recent VA News article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” reminds consumers that fraud doesn’t take a holiday—and that taking a few minutes to verify a deal can save you from losing money or having your identity stolen. ...