Digital Safety

Signed Productivity Apps Are Spreading Malware: What to Know and How to Protect Yourself In late May 2026, security researchers reported a new malware campaign called TamperedChef. Unlike many attacks that rely on shady downloads or phishing emails, TamperedChef takes a more deceptive route: it hides inside productivity applications that appear perfectly legitimate—down to having valid digital signatures. If you regularly download tools like office suites, video conferencing software, or project management apps, this one is worth understanding. ...

Don’t Be Fooled by Signed Apps: How TamperedChef Malware Hides in Productivity Tools If you’ve ever downloaded a productivity app from a third-party site because it was a bit faster or more convenient, you’re not alone. But a new malware campaign, reported by CyberSecurityNews on May 21, 2026, shows exactly why that shortcut can backfire. Dubbed “TamperedChef,” the attack uses seemingly legitimate productivity applications—complete with valid digital signatures—to deliver information stealers and remote access Trojans (RATs) to unsuspecting users. Here’s what happened and what you can do to stay safe. ...

How Malware Is Hiding in Signed Productivity Apps — What You Need to Know A new malware campaign called TamperedChef is exploiting a trust mechanism we rely on every day: digital signatures. By using stolen or misappropriated code-signing certificates, attackers are distributing information stealers and remote access trojans (RATs) through what appear to be legitimate productivity apps. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how you can avoid becoming a victim. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you shop online frequently, you may have wondered how common scams really are. A new study from the Pew Research Center provides a clear answer: about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure, released in November 2025, underscores a threat that touches millions of households. The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam — Are You Protected? If you buy things online—whether from major retailers, social media marketplaces, or through a payment app—you’re not alone if something has gone wrong. A new survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a high enough number that it’s worth stepping back and understanding what’s really going on—and what you can do to avoid becoming another statistic. ...

How AI Could Threaten Your Banking and Online Privacy – And What to Do About It Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than most of us can track. For consumers, that means smarter tools and more convenience—but also new kinds of risk that weren’t on the radar a year or two ago. A recent article in Kiplinger highlighted an unsettling trend: AI is being used to undermine the security of online banking and chip away at personal privacy in ways that feel almost like science fiction. But the reality is here, and it’s worth understanding. ...

How AI Puts Your Banking and Privacy at Risk — and What to Do About It Artificial intelligence is transforming banking and online services, making them faster and more convenient. But the same technology is also arming scammers with powerful new tools. Deepfake voice calls, AI-generated phishing emails, and automated account takeover attempts are no longer theoretical — they’re happening now. If you use online banking, store personal data digitally, or simply browse the web, it’s worth understanding how these threats work and what you can do to stay ahead. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams — Practical Advice from Government Experts Online shopping scams aren’t going away, and they’re getting harder to spot. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals cost consumers millions each year. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, regularly issue warnings about these threats. This guide brings together their advice to help you shop more safely. ...

How to Shop Online Without Getting Scammed: A Practical Guide Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. According to a January 2026 article from VA News, fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are becoming more common year-round. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and USA Today have also reported on fake bank schemes and text-message scams targeting consumers. This guide explains what is happening, why you should care, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online – How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, the odds that you’ve run into a scam are higher than you might think. According to a July 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number climbs among younger adults—those aged 18 to 29 report even higher exposure, likely because they spend more time on social media platforms where fraudulent listings and fake storefronts are common. ...