1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: Here's How to Stay Safe

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or landed on a site that looked legitimate but turned out to be a fake, you’re not alone. A recent Pew Research Center study found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a significant share of consumers, and the problem shows no sign of slowing. ...

June 18, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Your Privacy Tools Are Outdated: How to Protect Against AI-Powered Cyber Threats

Your Privacy Tools Are Outdated: How to Protect Against AI-Powered Cyber Threats The World Economic Forum’s latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook warns that artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how cybercriminals operate. AI tools are now used to craft more convincing phishing emails, generate deepfake audio and video for impersonation, and automate the discovery of software vulnerabilities. For the average person, this means the privacy habits and security tools that worked a few years ago may no longer be enough. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

AI Health Bots Are Collecting Your Data — Here’s How to Check Their Privacy Promises

AI Health Bots Are Collecting Your Data — Here’s How to Check Their Privacy Promises The past year has seen a surge in AI-powered health chatbots and wellness tools. From apps that check your symptoms to bots that offer mental health support, these services promise convenience and personalized advice. But experts are growing concerned that the privacy policies behind these tools are often vague, buried in legalese, or missing key details about how user data is handled. ...

June 18, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Is your AI health bot spilling your secrets? What to check in its privacy policy

Is your AI health bot spilling your secrets? What to check in its privacy policy AI health chatbots have become a go‑to tool for quick medical advice. They can answer questions about symptoms, suggest remedies, and even offer mental health support, all without an appointment. But a growing number of experts say that the privacy policies of these tools are often vague or incomplete—and that federal rules are not doing enough to protect your health data. ...

June 17, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Best Productivity Apps for 2026: Our Expert Tested Picks

Best Productivity Apps for 2026: Our Expert Tested Picks At the start of each year, PCMag’s editors put dozens of productivity apps through hands-on testing. For 2026, the lineup includes familiar names like Todoist, Notion, and Microsoft 365, along with newer entrants that emphasize both workflow speed and data protection. Below is a summary of our top picks across task management, note-taking, calendars, and collaboration, followed by a few privacy considerations that are increasingly hard to ignore. ...

June 17, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

The AI era is making your old privacy habits obsolete. Here’s what to update now.

The AI era is making your old privacy habits obsolete. Here’s what to update now. If you’ve been relying on the same privacy settings and passwords for the past few years, you’re not alone. But the threat landscape has shifted. Artificial intelligence is now routinely used by cybercriminals to automate attacks, create convincing deepfakes, and bypass outdated defenses. The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 lists AI acceleration as a key risk, and the evidence is mounting that old privacy habits no longer cut it. ...

June 17, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

AI Health Bots Promise Help—But Their Privacy Policies Are Hiding Something

AI Health Bots Promise Help—But Their Privacy Policies Are Hiding Something It starts innocently enough: you type a few symptoms into a friendly chat window, and within seconds an AI health bot offers possible explanations, suggests next steps, or even recommends you see a doctor. These tools are convenient, non-judgmental, and available 24/7. But beneath that helpful interface, your personal health data is being collected, stored, and sometimes shared in ways that few users fully understand. ...

June 17, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Stop Your Browser from Spying on You: 5 Privacy Settings to Change Now

Stop Your Browser from Spying on You: 5 Privacy Settings to Change Now If you use a web browser without adjusting its privacy settings, you’re handing over more data than you probably realize. Every site you visit, every search you type, and even your physical location can be collected and sold to advertisers—sometimes without your explicit consent. ...

June 17, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Third of Americans Have Been Hit

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Third of Americans Have Been Hit If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be a cheap counterfeit, you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s tens of millions of people who have lost money or personal information to fraudulent sellers, fake websites, or deceptive ads. ...

June 17, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Update These Privacy Tools Now to Block AI-Powered Cyber Attacks

Update These Privacy Tools Now to Block AI-Powered Cyber Attacks Cybercriminals are weaponizing artificial intelligence to automate phishing, crack passwords in seconds, and evade traditional defenses. The World Economic Forum’s latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook report flags AI-driven attacks as a top concern for 2026. If you’re still relying on default privacy settings or outdated tools, your data is more exposed than you think. Here’s what has changed and what you can do about it. ...

June 17, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk