How to Update Your Privacy Tools to Stay Safe from AI-Powered Threats

How to Update Your Privacy Tools to Stay Safe from AI-Powered Threats Artificial intelligence is changing cybersecurity faster than most people realize. It’s not just about chatbots or image generators anymore. Attackers now use AI to craft convincing phishing emails, automate password cracking, and even mimic your voice. The result: old privacy habits and outdated tools won’t cut it. ...

June 19, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Avoid Being Next

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Avoid Being Next A recent report from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in November 2025, covers a range of fraudulent experiences — from fake store websites to phishing emails that impersonate well-known retailers. With holiday shopping in full swing and online transactions becoming routine, understanding how these scams work is more than a privacy concern; it’s a practical necessity. ...

June 19, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It A recent survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that roughly one in three Americans has experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a startling figure—especially if you shop online regularly, as most of us do. The study, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them, and younger adults are particularly likely to encounter scams through social media ads and influencer promotions. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Buy

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Buy Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. A few clicks, a payment, and a package arrives days later. But that convenience also creates openings for scammers. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are more common than many shoppers realize. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, online shopping fraud continues to climb, especially after holiday seasons and major sales events. The good news is that most scams can be avoided with a few simple checks before you hit “buy.” ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

What Microsoft's year-long email security benchmark reveals about protecting your inbox

What Microsoft’s year-long email security benchmark reveals about protecting your inbox Microsoft recently published a year’s worth of email security benchmarking data from its Defender for Office 365 platform. The report aggregates telemetry from millions of organizations, offering a broad view of the threats hitting inboxes and the configuration gaps that leave them vulnerable. For IT teams and business decision-makers, the numbers are a useful reality check — and a starting point for making practical improvements. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe Introduction Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most Americans, but it also comes with risks. According to a recent alert from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scammers increasingly target shoppers through fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, shows that shopping-related fraud continues to rise, with losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Whether you’re buying holiday gifts, everyday essentials, or services as a military family using VA benefits, understanding how these scams work is the first line of defense. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Update These Privacy Tools Now to Fight AI-Powered Cyber Threats

Update These Privacy Tools Now to Fight AI-Powered Cyber Threats A few years ago, updating your privacy tools usually meant installing a password manager or turning on two-factor authentication. That still matters, but the threat landscape has changed faster than most people’s security habits. AI is now being used to automate attacks, craft convincing phishing emails, and generate deepfakes that fool even careful users. The World Economic Forum has been tracking this shift closely, and its latest reports make clear that the old playbook is no longer enough. If you want to cut your cybersecurity risk in the age of AI, you need to update not just your tools, but how you use them. ...

June 18, 2026 · 6 min · BriefArc Desk

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself The convenience of buying everything from groceries to electronics online has made shopping easier than ever. But that same convenience also opens the door for scammers. A recent article from VA News (.gov) reminds us that online shopping scams remain a persistent threat, and the advice applies to everyone, not just the military community. Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...

June 18, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

Update Your Privacy Tools for the AI Era: Actionable Tips to Lower Cyber Risk

Update Your Privacy Tools for the AI Era: What to Change and Why The same machine learning that powers helpful chatbots and image generators also fuels a growing wave of automated cyberattacks. Phishing emails are now drafted by language models, deepfake audio can impersonate a relative, and scraping tools harvest personal data faster than ever. A June 2026 article from the World Economic Forum makes the case that individuals need to rethink their privacy toolkits, not just use the same old settings. Here is a practical look at what has changed, why it matters, and what you can actually do about it. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Simple Steps to Stay Safe

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most consumers, but alongside its convenience comes a steady rise in scams. Fraudsters create convincing fake websites, send phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, and advertise deals that are simply too good to be true. Recent warnings from organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI highlight that these threats are growing more sophisticated. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few straightforward habits can make a significant difference. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk