All topics
Every guide on the site, grouped by topic. 153 articles and counting.
Stay Secure
Defenses against scams, hackers and identity theft at home and at work.
Scams and Fraud
- The Dangers of Online Scams: How to Avoid Falling Victim
- How to Identify and Avoid Online Phishing Scams
- Staying Safe on Dating Apps: Tips and Tricks
- The Dangers of Online Scams Targeting Seniors
- The Dangers of Online Scams Targeting Small Businesses
- The Risks of Online Shopping: Protecting Your Financial Information
Device and Account Security
Identity and Privacy
Work and Business
Safe Browsing and Downloads
- Safe Web Browsing Habits for Everyday Users
- Browser Extensions: Helpful or Risky
- Cookies and Trackers Explained
- Do You Need Antivirus Software?
- Downloading Software From Trustworthy Sources
- Pop-Ups, Fake Virus Alerts and Scareware
- Private Browsing Mode: What It Really Hides
- Reading a Web Address: Spotting Lookalike Sites
- What the Padlock in Your Browser Does and Does Not Tell You
- Why Pirated Software and Media Carry Hidden Risks
Email and Messaging Safety
- Email Safety Basics
- Business Email Impersonation: Verifying Unusual Requests
- Encrypted Messaging Apps: What End-to-End Encryption Means
- Group Chats and Forwarded Messages: Slowing the Spread of Hoaxes
- Phone Call Scams and Caller ID Spoofing
- Spotting a Suspicious Attachment Before You Open It
- Text Message Scams and Smishing Awareness
- Unsubscribe Safely: Dealing With Spam and Junk Mail
- Using Separate Email Addresses for Different Purposes
- Voice Cloning Scams and Family Code Words
Social Media Privacy
- Social Media Privacy Settings Explained
- Downloading Your Data and Closing Old Accounts
- Fake Profiles and Impersonation Accounts
- Managing Who Can Tag You and See Your Friends List
- Photo Metadata and Location Tags
- Posting About Children: Privacy Choices for Parents
- Quizzes and Viral Challenges That Collect Personal Details
- Third-Party Apps Connected to Your Social Accounts
- What Your Posts Reveal About Your Routine
Public Computers and Wi-Fi
- Using Public Computers Safely
- Always Log Out: Cleaning Up After a Shared Computer Session
- Charging in Public: Risks of Public USB Ports
- Doing Banking and Sensitive Tasks Away From Home
- Fake Hotspots and Look-Alike Network Names
- Open Wi-Fi Hotspots: What the Risks Really Are
- Protecting Your Laptop in Cafes and Coworking Spaces
- Shoulder Surfing and Screen Privacy in Public
Protect People
Safety guidance for children, students and groups who face extra risks online.
Children and Family
- The Role of Parents in Teaching Online Safety to Children
- How to Protect Your Children from Online Harassment
- How to Protect Your Children from Online Predators
- Online Predators: Identifying the Warning Signs
- The Consequences of Sextortion: A Growing Online Threat
- The Importance of Online Safety in Education
- The Role of Educators in Teaching Online Safety to Students
Safety for Specific Groups
- Online Safety for Seniors: A Guide to Staying Safe
- Online Safety for LGBTQ+ Individuals: A Guide to Resources and Support
- Online Safety for People with Autism: A Guide to Accessible Resources
- Online Safety for People with Chronic Illnesses: A Guide to Resources and Support
- Online Safety for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Accessible Resources
- Online Safety for People with Disabilities: A Guide to Accessible Technology
- Online Safety for People with Mental Health Conditions: A Guide to Resources and Support
- Online Safety for Travelers: A Guide to Staying Safe Abroad
Report and Recover
How to recognize harm, report it and look after your wellbeing afterward.
Reporting and Harassment
- How to Report Online Harassment: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Cyberbullying 101: Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Help
- How to Identify and Report Online Hate Speech
- How to Identify and Report Online Human Trafficking
- How to Report Online Harassment to Social Media Platforms
- The Consequences of Online Revenge Porn: A Growing Concern
- The Dangers of Online Harassment in Online Communities
Wellbeing and Healthy Habits
- The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
- The Dangers of Online Addiction: Recognizing the Signs
- The Dark Side of Social Media: Recognizing the Risks
- The Impact of Online Bullying on Mental Health
- The Importance of Digital Citizenship in the Age of Social Media
- The Importance of Digital Literacy in the Age of Social Media
Hacked Accounts and Recovery
- What to Do First When an Account Is Hacked
- Cleaning Up After a Breach: Devices, Passwords and Linked Apps
- Emotional Recovery After Being Hacked or Defrauded
- Helping a Relative Access the Accounts of a Loved One Who Has Died
- How to Warn Contacts After Your Account Was Used to Send Spam
- Locked Out of an Account: How Recovery Requests Work
- Planning for Digital Legacy and Online Accounts After Death
- Preparing Recovery Options Before You Need Them
- Recovering an Account When You Lose Your Phone
- Signs Your Email or Social Account May Be Compromised
Accounts and Money
Protecting logins, bank accounts and purchases from fraud and takeover.
Passwords and Passkeys
- Passwords and Passkeys: A Plain-Language Starting Point
- Authenticator Apps, Text Codes and Security Keys Compared
- How to Check Whether Your Email Has Appeared in a Data Breach
- How to Choose a Passphrase You Can Remember
- Security Questions Are Weak: Safer Alternatives
- Sharing Logins Safely With Family and Coworkers
- Two-Step Sign-In Explained for Beginners
- What a Password Manager Does and Who Should Use One
- When and How Often to Change Your Passwords
- Why Reusing Passwords Puts Every Account at Risk
Banking and Shopping Safety
- Online Banking Safety Basics
- Credit Cards Versus Debit Cards for Online Purchases
- Fake Delivery and Package Messages
- How to Check a Shopping Website Before You Buy
- Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps and Common Mistakes
- Placing a Credit Freeze: What It Is and Why People Use It
- Reading Your Statements to Spot Unfamiliar Charges
- Safe Habits for Marketplace and Resale Platforms
- Setting Up Account Alerts to Catch Fraud Early
- Using Virtual Card Numbers and Payment Wallets
Home and Devices
Practical setup guidance for phones, home networks, smart devices and backups.
Home Network and Router
- Home Wi-Fi Security Basics
- Changing the Default Router Password and Network Name
- Choosing Wi-Fi Encryption Settings
- Do You Need a VPN at Home? A Balanced Look
- How to See Which Devices Are on Your Network
- Keeping Router Firmware Up to Date
- Parental Controls on the Router and What They Can Do
- Setting Up a Guest Network for Visitors and Gadgets
- What to Do If You Think Someone Is Using Your Wi-Fi
- What Your Router Does and Why It Matters
Mobile Phone Security
- Securing Your Smartphone in Ten Minutes
- Finding and Locking a Lost or Stolen Phone
- Handing Down or Selling a Phone Without Leaking Your Data
- Lock Screen Notifications and Privacy
- Reviewing App Permissions on Your Phone
- Safe Use of QR Codes
- Screen Locks Compared: PIN, Pattern, Fingerprint and Face
- SIM Swap Awareness: Protecting Your Phone Number
- Spotting Fake and Risky Mobile Apps
- Why Phone Software Updates Matter
Smart Home and Connected Devices
- Smart Home Devices and Privacy: What to Know Before You Buy
- Changing Default Passwords on Connected Gadgets
- Connected Toys and Baby Monitors: A Parent Checklist
- Keeping Smart Device Firmware Updated
- Securing Home Cameras and Video Doorbells
- Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants: Managing Recordings
- Smart TVs and Data Collection Settings
- Wearables and Fitness Trackers: Who Sees Your Data
- What Happens to Smart Devices When You Move or Resell
Backups and Data Recovery
- Backups Explained: Why Everyone Needs One
- Backing Up Phone Photos and Messages
- Cloud Backup Versus External Drives
- Encrypting Backups and Storage Devices
- How Backups Help You Survive Ransomware Without Paying
- Organizing Important Documents for an Emergency
- Recovering Deleted Files: What Is and Is Not Possible
- Testing Whether Your Backup Actually Works
- The 3-2-1 Backup Idea in Plain Language