Archive
Every issue of The Digital Novice — scam alerts, fraud warnings, and plain-English guidance.
October 12, 2026
AI Email Assistants Are Reading Your Phishing Emails and Falling for Them
Scammers have found a new target that is not you, but the AI assistant reading your email for you. By hiding commands...
October 11, 2026
How Ransomware Negotiators Work (And Why One Got Arrested)
The FBI arrested the co-founder of a Canadian cybersecurity firm this week. The reason shines a light on an entire...
October 9, 2026
ASOS Breach Exposes Shopping Searches. Expect Fake Account Alerts
Online fashion retailer ASOS confirmed this week that hackers stole customer personal information and shopping search...
October 6, 2026
Domino's Accounts Hacked, Hospitals Warned on Hidden Fees, Martial Arts Franchisor Settles Deception Case
Domino's is warning customers whose accounts were broken into, federal regulators are pressing large hospital systems...
October 4, 2026
Connected Car Apps Share Your Location Data, and Meta's AI Chatbot Exposed a Seller's Home Address
Two separate incidents this month highlight how the apps and platforms we use daily can share our private information...
October 3, 2026
When the Price Tag Doesn't Match the Checkout: How Lens.com Trapped Customers
The FTC and state attorneys general sued Lens.com this week for a pricing scheme that most of us would recognize...
October 2, 2026
Fake Crypto Sites Promise Rewards, Then Steal Your Wallet
Scammers have created more than 70 fake cryptocurrency websites designed to look like legitimate platforms. They're...
October 1, 2026
Military Records and Social Security Numbers Exposed in Pentagon Breach
A months-long breach at the Pentagon exposed Social Security numbers and military records belonging to millions of...
September 30, 2026
Apple Releases Urgent Security Update for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Apple has released security updates to patch a flaw in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS that attackers could exploit to run their...
September 29, 2026
FBI Staff Medical Records Exposed in Healthcare Breach
Thousands of FBI employees have had their medical records stolen in a data breach affecting a healthcare provider. The...
September 26, 2026
A Placeholder Domain Becomes a Scammer's Fake Verification Trap
Scammers have found a new way to trap Windows users. They've taken over a common placeholder domain, the kind of...
September 25, 2026
Shipping Rebates With Hidden Monthly Charges, and How Platforms Help Scammers Impersonate Businesses
These platforms use algorithmic tools to place ads in front of people who are most likely to click. Those same tools...
September 24, 2026
How Device Code Phishing Works and Why You Should Never Approve a Code You Didn't Ask For
You receive a message asking you to enter a code to open a file, join a video call, or verify your identity. It seems...
September 23, 2026
Cheap Smart Glasses Can Be Hijacked Over Bluetooth—Here's What That Means
If you've been thinking about buying a pair of budget smart glasses, there's a security gap you should know about...
September 22, 2026
Fake AI Subscription Sites and a Massive B2B Data Breach—What You Need to Know
Over 100 connected websites are selling fake AI subscriptions for $2,000 each, using a cheap toolkit to create...
September 21, 2026
Revolut Released Customer IDs and Financial Data to a Fake Government Request
Revolut, a popular digital banking app, handed over customer identification documents and financial data to someone...
September 20, 2026
Scammers Are Using AI to Build Fake Antivirus Pages That Look Real
Scammers have a new tool. Their tool is artificial intelligence. They're using it to create fake antivirus renewal...
September 19, 2026
How New Android Malware Watches Your Banking and Steals Your Passwords
Security researchers recently discovered a new form of malware called RatHat that targets Android phones. Unlike older...
September 18, 2026
Fake Delivery Texts Hit Inboxes, Revolut Breach Followed by Scams, and the FTC Takes Down Two Deception Operations
Fake delivery texts are targeting package recipients, and Revolut customers are seeing phishing messages after a data...
September 17, 2026
Manhattan DA Shuts Down Deepfake Video Sites, T-Mobile Rewards Text Scam Spreads, and Data Broker Forced Offline
Last week, law enforcement took action against deepfake exploitation, scammers impersonated T-Mobile, and a data broker...
September 16, 2026
How Fake Websites Hide in Plain Sight on Google Search
When you search for a service online, you expect the first results to be real. But scammers have found a way to slip...
September 14, 2026
Email Breach Puts Crypto Customers in Scammers' Crosshairs
An email marketing company called Brevo was breached, exposing customer lists for cryptocurrency platforms like Trezor,...
September 10, 2026
Scammers Are Getting Instagram Accounts Suspended to Demand Ransom
If your Instagram account suddenly gets suspended for copyright violations you didn't commit, you may be looking at a...
September 9, 2026
AI-Generated Romance Scams Are Getting Harder to Spot on Social Media
Scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create fake romantic personas on platforms like X (formerly Twitter)....
September 8, 2026
X's New Payment Service Is Drawing Password-Reset Scams
As X rolls out its new payment feature, scammers are capitalizing on the confusion by sending fake password-reset...
September 7, 2026
What Happens When a 'Free' Streaming Box Turns Into a Criminal Tool
Streamers looking for a deal on cheap or free devices are walking into a trap. Researchers at Malwarebytes discovered...
September 2, 2026
153 Million Driver's Licenses Stolen and Sold on the Dark Web
The FBI is investigating a major breach at idscan.net, a service that stored digital copies of driver's licenses for...
September 1, 2026
When AI Account Hijacking, Hidden Amazon Fees, and Healthcare Breaches Hit Home
Three separate incidents this month show why account security, pricing honesty, and data protection matter. You don't...
August 30, 2026
German News Site NIUS Exposed 6,000 Customer Records
In July 2025, the German news service NIUS suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of about 6,000...
August 29, 2026
Why Fake Listings on Real Platforms Work So Well
Scammers have learned something worth knowing: they don't need to build their own website anymore. They can create a...
August 28, 2026
Chrome Has 327 Security Holes—Update Now
Google released an emergency security update for Chrome this week that patches 327 vulnerabilities. Some of these holes...
August 27, 2026
Job Interview Apps and Fake Employer Profiles: What Job Seekers Need to Know
Scammers are now targeting people actively looking for work. They pose as employers on Indeed and other job sites, then...
August 26, 2026
Fake Login Pages and Game Demo Sites: How Scammers Use What You Want
Scammers are getting better at copying the things you already trust. They create fake login pages that look exactly...
August 26, 2026
Why the Same Download Looks Safe But Isn't
A lot of what keeps you safe online depends on small signals you've learned to trust. A padlock next to a web address....
August 23, 2026
Expired Credit Cards Still Work: Here's Why
Researchers at Malwarebytes Labs uncovered a serious vulnerability in how Visa processes card payments. Scammers can...
August 19, 2026
Why Fake Reward Sites Work (And What Makes Them Hard to Spot)
Fake reward pages are everywhere right now. TikTok-branded sites promise cash for watching videos or completing tasks....
August 18, 2026
WhatsApp and Apple Add New Protections Against Scams and Spyware
Two major technology companies just rolled out new safety features designed to catch threats before they harm you....
August 16, 2026
Android Banking Malware, Zoom Security Flaws, Grubhub Refunds
Three security stories this week: a new Android malware targeting your bank card, critical vulnerabilities in Zoom, and...
August 15, 2026
How Fake Software Sites Steal Your Passwords
When you need to clean up your computer, you search for a trusted tool like CCleaner. You find what looks like the real...
August 11, 2026
AI Bots Catfish Gamers, Brinks Home Breach Exposes 732,000 Customers
Two separate incidents this week remind us that scammers keep finding new angles to reach people where they already...
August 6, 2026
Scammers Impersonate Amazon and Apple With Fake Charge Alerts
A new scam is flooding inboxes and text messages right now. Criminals are sending fake alerts that look like they're...
August 5, 2026
Hotel Wi-Fi Trap Steals Traveler Data, Passkey Weakness Discovered
Two new threats are affecting travelers and account security this month. Neither requires panic, but both deserve your...
August 4, 2026
How These Three Scams Use What You're Already Looking For
Scammers have learned something simple but effective: you're more likely to click on something that looks exactly like...
August 1, 2026
Fake Fortnite Reward Sites Are Stealing Player Accounts
Scammers have created bogus websites promising free V-Bucks (Fortnite's in-game currency) and account upgrades. When...
July 31, 2026
Three Quick Questions About Trojans, Streaming Sticks, and Telehealth Privacy
This week brings three separate stories about how software can work against you—even when it looks legitimate. Here's...
July 23, 2026
Chick-fil-A Loyalty Accounts Are Being Hijacked—Here's What to Do
Scammers are breaking into Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts right now using passwords stolen from other data breaches....
July 22, 2026
Student Loan Scammer Banned, Paidwork Breach Hits Millions, and Mac Users Face New Lock Threat
This month brought enforcement action against a major student loan con artist, a significant data breach at a gig work...
July 21, 2026
How Scammers Impersonate the FBI—and What to Do If You Get Contacted
The FBI recently warned that scammers are sending direct messages on social media, pretending to be FBI agents. They're...
July 20, 2026
What to Do If You Own a Shark Robot Vacuum
A security flaw was discovered in Shark robot vacuums that could let a hacker access your home cameras, maps of your...
July 16, 2026
How Companies Use Health Claims and Fake Reviews to Pressure You Into Giving Up Data
Two recent cases show us a pattern worth understanding. Companies make big promises about health, use fake customer...
July 14, 2026
Fake Crypto Gift Card Sites Now Look Almost Real
Scammers have gotten better at copying legitimate cryptocurrency gift card websites. The fake sites look so similar to...
July 11, 2026
GigaWiper Malware Can Erase Your Files—Here's What to Watch For
A new piece of malware called GigaWiper has emerged that can infect Windows computers, spy on your activity, and...
July 9, 2026
Meta's New AI Tool Turns Your Photos Into Images Without Permission
Meta just launched a new feature called Muse that generates AI images of you—using your public Instagram profile—and...
July 8, 2026
Account theft on Reddit and Discord, fake job offers, and AI flower scams
Scammers are using social platforms, trusted company names, and artificial intelligence to steal account access,...
July 7, 2026
How Scammers Target Military Families — and What to Watch For
Servicemembers and veterans have something scammers want: steady income, government benefits, and a lifetime of...
July 7, 2026
How to Spot Pet Scams Before They Cost You Money
Pet lovers are being targeted by scammers who know exactly which buttons to push. They pose as veterinarians with...
July 7, 2026
Four Major Companies Settle with FTC and Face Data Breaches This Month
July brought enforcement actions against deceptive business practices and a wave of data breaches affecting millions of...
July 7, 2026
Travel App Hopper Caught Charging Without Permission—Plus Three Major Data Breaches This Month
If you use travel apps or donate to religious organizations, this month brought some important news about who has your...
July 6, 2026
When Your Data Gets Stolen: What Actually Happens Next
If you've ever wondered what "your data was breached" actually means, you're not alone. This month, hackers hit several...
June 25, 2026
June Data Breaches Hit Retailers and Sports Organizations
June brought a cluster of significant data exposures affecting millions of people. Here's what happened, and what you...
June 24, 2026
What to Do if Your Retailer Gets Breached — and How to Spot a Fake Subscription Trap
June brought a wave of data breaches at major retailers, along with a reminder that fake subscriptions are still one of...
June 21, 2026
Imposter Scams Cost Americans $3.5 Billion Last Year—Here's What You Need to Know
The FTC just released its fraud report for 2025, and one pattern stands out above the rest: imposter scams. People lost...
June 7, 2026
FTC Cracks Down on Mortgage and Tax Scams Targeting Florida Homeowners
The Federal Trade Commission has filed multiple lawsuits against scammers who prey on homeowners and taxpayers facing...
June 2, 2026
The FTC Wins Big: Four Major Settlements Protect Consumers
When companies break the rules, the Federal Trade Commission holds them accountable. This month, regulators secured...
May 31, 2026
When Big Companies Get Caught Deceiving You
The Federal Trade Commission has been active lately. In the last few weeks, they've fined or forced settlements from...
May 28, 2026
Four Security Flaws Need Your Attention This Week
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) just flagged four separate security problems that are...
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