Online Safety

That Productivity Chrome Extension Might Be a Backdoor – Here’s How to Stay Safe Browser extensions are small pieces of software that promise to make your life easier: a password manager, a grammar checker, a coupon finder, a note-taking tool. But in recent months, security researchers have documented a troubling trend: extensions that look like legitimate productivity tools are being used as entry points for attackers. Instead of saving you time, they can steal your credentials, monitor your browsing, or give an attacker persistent access to your accounts. ...

Don’t Fall for This New Google Scam: Here’s How to Spot and Avoid It A wave of highly polished Google-branded phishing emails is hitting inboxes, and they look more convincing than ever. According to a recent report from Reader’s Digest, these scams are bypassing many of the usual red flags — they use real Google logos, domain names that seem correct at first glance, and language that mimics official security alerts. If you rely on Gmail, Google Drive, or any Google service, it’s worth knowing exactly what to look for before your account ends up compromised. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online Fraud is moving to the platforms you use every day. According to recent reports, social media scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States. The convenience of connecting with friends, browsing products, and discovering new opportunities has also opened the door for scammers to target ordinary users. ...

That Urgent Google Notification Might Be a Scam—Here’s How to Tell You’re checking your email or browsing the web when a notification pops up: “Security alert – unusual sign-in detected” or “Your Google account will be suspended in 24 hours.” It looks official—Google logo, familiar fonts, even a link that starts with “accounts.google.com.” But that link might not lead where you think. ...

Social media scams are surging: How to protect yourself from fraud Americans lost billions to social media scams last year, according to recent reporting from ConsumerAffairs. Fraudsters are increasingly moving from email and phone calls to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where they can create fake profiles, hack trusted accounts, and reach millions of people with minimal effort. If you use social media, you’ve probably already seen the signs—a too-good-to-be-true listing for a new iPhone, a sudden message from a “friend” asking for money, or an ad promising quick cash. Learning to recognize these tactics is the best way to keep your money and identity safe. ...

How to Spot the Latest Google Scam That Looks Legitimate A new phishing campaign impersonating Google has been making the rounds, and it’s unusually convincing. Victims receive emails or pop-ups that appear to come directly from Google, complete with official logos and messages about account suspension. If you click the link, you’re taken to a login page that looks identical to the real thing—but every credential you type goes straight to scammers. ...

Don’t Fall for This Convincing Google Scam: What to Watch For Scammers have gotten better at copying Google’s official pages, and a new wave of these fakes is circulating right now. They look nearly identical to real login screens and security alerts, which makes them particularly dangerous for anyone who uses Gmail, Google Drive, Google Ads, or other services. ...

title: Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How Productivity Tools Can Bite Back intro: Browser extensions are a staple of modern web browsing. They block ads, manage passwords, take notes, and speed up routine tasks. For many, installing a handful of extensions feels harmless—a small trade-off for convenience. But recent reporting suggests otherwise. In early March 2026, Security Boulevard published an investigation into how seemingly useful productivity extensions have been weaponized as enterprise attack vectors. While the primary targets were businesses, the underlying mechanisms—supply chain attacks, malicious updates, and social engineering—can affect any Chrome user who installs extensions without scrutiny. This article explains what happened, why it matters for everyday consumers, and what you can do to stay safe. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Google Scam That Looks Authentic A new round of Google-branded phishing emails is making the rounds, and they’re harder to dismiss than the usual poorly spelled junk. These messages mimic real Google security alerts, account recovery notifications, or login prompts so closely that even careful users can be fooled. If you use Gmail, Google Drive, or any Google service, it’s worth knowing what to look for and what to do if you click something you shouldn’t. ...

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Google Scam (It Looks Legitimate) A new phishing campaign targeting Google users has been circulating, and it’s unusually convincing. The emails and fake login pages replicate Google’s branding nearly perfectly, making it easy to mistake them for the real thing. Here’s what’s happening, why it works, and how to keep your account safe. ...