Technology
How to use VPNs without compromising your banking apps
Using a VPN — a virtual private network — to browse the internet can give you more security and privacy online. It can also be used to access websites that might not be available in your location. (For instance, Netflix may not be available in some countries, but you can access it with a VPN).
Some people may also use a VPN to make it appear that they are in a given location, even if they aren’t. This may help them to more easily navigate websites that put up blocks to people in different places.
But because of these security measures, some VPN users like Ernie from Blue Ridge, Georgia, who wrote to us, may face the opposite problem of being blocked out of websites, like online banking sites, that they usually would have no problem accessing. This can be frustrating and time-consuming to simply check something online, and it may lead many people to reconsider using a VPN altogether.
But is this the right move? Here’s what you need to know if this happens to you.
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A person using a VPN on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What does a VPN do?
If you already have a VPN, you might know how it works. But, in case you’re unfamiliar or to give a little recap, a VPN essentially creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. This tunnel helps protect your online activities from being spied on by others, including hackers, your internet service provider or even governments.
When you connect to a VPN, it encrypts your data, meaning all the information you send and receive is jumbled up so that it becomes unreadable to anyone who might intercept it. This encryption helps ensure that sensitive information like your passwords, emails and browsing history remain private.
It does this by masking your actual IP address, which stands for “internet protocol address,” a numerical label that identifies your device and your device’s general geographic location, with one from the VPN server, making it appear as though your online activities are coming from a different location.
This helps with privacy and allows you to access content that might be restricted in your actual location due to censorship or licensing agreements. Essentially, a VPN provides anonymity and freedom online by encrypting your data and hiding your online footprint.
MORE: BEST VPNS FOR BROWSING THE WEB PRIVATELY 2024
Why do some banks and websites not work when your VPN is on?
Because VPNs are designed to provide an additional layer of security and privacy to your online activities —including your banking transactions — some users run into trouble when they try to log into a bank with the VPN on. This is because some banks may block VPN connections as a security measure to prevent fraudulent activities. When you go to the website to log in, it might not let you proceed or give you an error page.
However, this is not a universal practice, and many banks allow VPN connections without issues. It can still happen, not just with banking websites, but with other websites.
A woman using a VPN while shopping online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What to do if you can’t log in to your online banking with the VPN on
If you’re facing issues logging into your online banking or other websites, it could be due to your VPN. In fact, there have been many times when we thought there was an issue with a website or getting online, and it turns out the VPN was the culprit! So, here’s what you can do:
1. Contact your bank’s customer support: They may be able to provide you with more information on why the app is not working with a VPN and offer a solution.
2. Try a different VPN: Some VPNs with your banking app may work better than others. Try using a different VPN service to see if it resolves the issue.
3. Disable the VPN when using banking apps: If none of the above solutions work, you can disable the VPN when using your banking app and enable it again when you’re done. VPNs with a plugin or widget pinned to your browser’s navigation bar can make enabling and disabling it very easy with a click of a button.
Disabling your VPN while using banking apps may be inconvenient, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution and prioritize your online safety.
If you’re concerned about privacy and security, ensure you’re connecting over a secure, private network and not public Wi-Fi.
A VPN on a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MORE: HOW DO I USE A VPN FOR ONLINE BANKING WHEN I TRAVEL?
The ultimate solution for private web surfing
While VPNs occasionally complicate access to certain websites, their privacy benefits cannot be overstated. So, consider using a VPN to protect against being tracked and identify your potential location on websites you visit. Depending on their privacy settings, many sites can read your IP address and display the city you are corresponding to. A VPN will disguise your IP address to show an alternate location. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Ultimately, regularly using a VPN when accessing the internet can be a great way to enhance your privacy and security while allowing you to access sites you may not otherwise be able to because of your location. However, this benefit is also a problem, as the VPN can prevent you from accessing sites you commonly need to get into, like your banking site. Despite this frustration, we recommend using a VPN whenever possible and taking the above measures to make your bank login seamless.
Have you ever encountered unexpected limitations or benefits while using a VPN? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Amazon’s smart shopping cart for Whole Foods gets bigger, lighter, and adds tap-to-pay
Amazon is launching a revamped version of its smart shopping cart, which it plans to bring to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of this year, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The new Dash Cart features a “more responsive” item scanner that’s now located next to the built-in display, along with a new NFC reader that lets you tap to pay with your credit card or phone.
Amazon’s previous Dash Cart design put scanners beneath and in front of the handle, potentially making them harder to spot. It also only let you pay with the credit card attached to your Amazon account.
With the upgraded Dash Cart, you’ll find a new scale alongside the cart’s handle, which Amazon says “works in tandem with on-cart cameras, weight sensors, and deep learning models to ensure accurate pricing for every item.” The upgraded Dash Cart eliminates the large sensors facing inside the cart as well, offering a 40 percent larger capacity and a 25 percent lighter weight.
The Dash Cart shows an interactive map of the store on its display, similar to Instacart’s smart Caper Cart. You can sync your shopping list created with Alexa, too, and see how much you’re spending as you add more items to your cart. The cart uses built-in sensors and computer vision to detect when you’ve removed an item, allowing it to automatically update your total. When you’re done shopping, you can skip the checkout line and leave the store in a designated Dash Cart lane.
Amazon is launching its new Dash Cart as the company shakes up its grocery business, which has tied Whole Foods more closely to the Amazon brand. The company has already brought its new Dash Cart to three Whole Foods stores in McKinney, Texas; Reston, Virginia; and Westford, Massachusetts, along with two Amazon Fresh stores.
Technology
Fake error popups are spreading malware fast
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A dangerous cybercrime tool has surfaced in underground forums, making it far easier for attackers to spread malware.
Instead of relying on hidden downloads, this tool pushes fake error messages that pressure you into fixing problems that never existed. Security researchers say this method is spreading quickly because it feels legitimate. The page looks broken. The warning feels urgent. The fix sounds simple.
That combination is proving alarmingly effective for cybercriminals.
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How fake error malware attacks actually work
These attacks begin with a compromised website. When a visitor lands on the page, something looks wrong right away. Text appears broken. Fonts look scrambled. Visual elements seem corrupted. A pop-up then appears claiming the issue can be fixed with a browser update or a missing system font. A button offers to repair the problem instantly.
Clicking that button copies a command to the clipboard and displays instructions to paste it into PowerShell or a system terminal. That single step launches the infection.
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Fake error popups make a website look broken by scrambling text or fonts to create urgency and panic. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Why this new tool changes the threat landscape
The tool behind these attacks is called ErrTraffic. It automates the entire process and removes the technical barriers that once limited cybercrime operations. For about $800, attackers get a full package with a control panel and scripted payload delivery. Analysts at the Hudson Rock Threat Intelligence Team identified the tool after tracking its promotion on Russian-language forums in early December 2025.
ErrTraffic works through a simple JavaScript injection. A single line of code connects a hacked site to the attacker’s dashboard. From there, everything adapts automatically. The script detects the operating system and browser. It then displays a customized fake error message in the correct language. The attack works across Windows, Android, macOS and Linux.
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The popups often claim a browser update or missing system font is needed to fix the problem. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Why security software struggles to stop it
Traditional malware defenses look for suspicious downloads or unauthorized installations. ErrTraffic avoids both. Browsers see normal text copying. Security tools see a legitimate system utility being opened manually. Nothing appears out of place. That design allows the attack to slip through protections that would normally stop malware in its tracks.
The success rate is deeply concerning
Data pulled from active ErrTraffic campaigns shows conversion rates approaching 60%. That means more than half of the visitors who see the fake error message follow the instructions and install malware. Once active, the tool can deliver infostealers like Lumma or Vidar on Windows devices. Android targets often receive banking trojans instead. The control panel even includes geographic filtering, with built-in blocks for Russia and neighboring regions to avoid drawing attention from local authorities.
What happens after infection?
Once malware is installed, credentials and session data are stolen. Those compromised logins are then used to breach additional websites. Each newly hacked site becomes another delivery vehicle for the same attack. That cycle allows the campaign to grow without direct involvement from the original operator.
FAKE WINDOWS UPDATE PUSHES MALWARE IN NEW CLICKFIX ATTACK
Following the on-screen instructions can quietly trigger malware that steals passwords and personal data. (Kurt Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from fake error malware
A few smart habits can significantly reduce risk when facing fake error pop-ups and browser-based traps.
1) Never run commands suggested by a website
Legitimate websites never ask you to copy and paste commands into PowerShell or a system terminal. Fake error malware relies on convincing messages that pressure you into doing exactly that. If a page instructs you to run code to fix a problem, close it immediately.
2) Close pages that claim your system is corrupted
Fake error campaigns often use broken text, scrambled fonts or warnings about missing files to grab attention. As a result, these visuals create urgency and trigger fear. In reality, a real system problem never announces itself through a random website, so close the page right away.
3) Install updates only through official system settings
Real browser and operating system updates come from built-in update tools, not pop-ups on websites. If an update is needed, your device will notify you directly through system settings or trusted app stores.
4) Install strong antivirus software on every device
Strong antivirus software can help block malicious scripts, detect infostealers and stop suspicious behavior before damage spreads. This is especially important since fake error malware targets Windows, Android, macOS and Linux systems.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Use a data removal service to reduce exposure
Stolen credentials fuel the spread of fake error malware. Removing personal information from data broker sites can reduce the impact if login details are compromised and limit how far an attack can spread.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
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6) Treat font and browser update pop-ups with suspicion
Claims about missing fonts or outdated browsers are a hallmark of these attacks. Modern systems manage fonts automatically, and browsers update themselves. A webpage has no reason to request manual fixes.
If a real update is needed, the operating system will request it directly. A random webpage never should.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Fake error malware works because it plays on a very human reaction. When something on a screen suddenly looks broken, most people want to fix it fast and move on. That split-second decision is exactly what attackers are counting on. Tools like ErrTraffic show how polished these scams have become. The messages look professional. The instructions feel routine. Nothing about the moment screams danger. But behind the scenes, one click can quietly hand over passwords, banking access and personal data. The good news is that slowing down makes a real difference. Closing a suspicious page and trusting built-in system updates can stop these attacks cold. When it comes to pop-ups claiming your device is broken, walking away is often the smartest fix.
Have you ever seen a pop-up or error message that made you stop and wonder if it was real? Tell us what it looked like and how you handled it by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
Intel is planning a custom Panther Lake CPU for handheld PCs
Intel announced yesterday that it’s developing an entire “handheld gaming platform” powered by its new Panther Lake chips, and joining an increasingly competitive field. Qualcomm is hinting about potential Windows gaming handhelds showing up at the Game Developers Conference in March, and AMD’s new Strix Halo chips could lead to more powerful handhelds.
According to IGN and TechCrunch, sources say Intel is going to compete by developing a custom Intel Core G3 “variant or variants” just for handhelds that could outperform the Arc B390 GPU on the chips it just announced. IGN reports that by using the new 18A process, Intel can cut different die slices, and “spec the chips to offer better performance on the GPU where you want it.”
As for concrete details about the gaming platform, we’re going to have to wait. According to Intel’s Dan Rogers yesterday, the company will have “more news to share on that from our hardware and software partners later this year.” The Intel-based MSI Claw saw a marked improvement when it jumped to Lunar Lake, and hopefully the new platform keeps up that positive trend.
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