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Tech security check: Am I doing enough to keep my computer safe?

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Tech security check: Am I doing enough to keep my computer safe?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of steps you can take to keep yourself and your computer safe and running smoothly. With the increasing number of cybercriminals, it can feel like you are fighting a losing battle. While it is impossible to be 100% effective all the time, creating some routines in your computer’s maintenance can help you feel more secure and at ease.

That’s why I want to highlight Joe from Hainesport, New Jersey, who has a question about routine steps he could take to stay safe and sane: “I don’t like feeling there is ‘clutter’ or malware lurking on my computer simply because I don’t have the knowledge to keep it orderly. I pay for antivirus software and have … free VPN but still am not confident I am doing all that makes for [good] maintenance. Any comments about that statement?”

Joe, I understand your concerns. It’s important to keep your computer clean and secure. We’re glad to hear that you are using an antivirus program and VPN. I’m on a mission to help you be resilient against today’s privacy and security threats. Below are some additional tips to help you enhance your computer’s security and maintain its function.

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A woman frustrated by her computer (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to enhance your computer’s security

Here are five steps to help you enhance your computer’s security:

1) Update your antivirus software regularly

It’s great to install antivirus software on your computer, but it is equally important to update it regularly because it ensures that the software can protect your computer against the latest threats. Antivirus updates contain the latest files needed to combat new viruses and protect your computer. These updates often include the latest list and behavior of known viruses, improvements to the scan engine, and patches for security vulnerabilities in operating systems. Without these updates, your computer would be at risk from new viruses that the outdated antivirus software wouldn’t recognize or be able to defend against. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

FREE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE: SHOULD YOU USE IT?

2) Scan your computer for malware regularly

There is no use in installing your antivirus if it isn’t actively scanning your computer regularly. Some antivirus software programs can be set up to automatically run on a schedule. If you can’t remember to scan regularly, definitely set up a schedule if your program has that option. If any threats are found when scanning, quarantine or remove them.

Illustration focusing on security on your devices (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR COMPUTER GOT HACKED, WHAT TO DO NEXT

3) Update your operating system and applications

If you keep your operating system’s software as well as the applications you regularly use updated, you are less likely to be exposed to certain vulnerabilities. Even if you have set your devices to automatically update, it’s worth forcing a manual update when a security flaw has been patched.

4) Remove unnecessary applications 

Older, unused applications take up space on your drive and can pose security threats, especially ones that can no longer be updated to ward against new vulnerabilities. Remove applications from your phone or tablet you haven’t used in a while.

TIDY UP YOUR TECH: TIPS FOR SAFEGUARDING YOUR DATA

5) Use a high quality VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) enhances your digital security by encrypting your internet connection and concealing your IP address. This makes it significantly more challenging for unauthorized parties to intercept your data or track your online activities. However, it’s important to be mindful of the limitations of free VPN services. Here are six reasons why you might want to avoid using a free VPN:

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Limited data and speed: Free VPNs often have data caps and slower speeds, hindering your browsing experience.

Security risks: Some free VPNs may not use strong encryption, leaving your data vulnerable.

Privacy concerns: Free VPNs may collect and sell your browsing data to third parties.

Ad intrusions: To support their service, free VPNs might show intrusive ads, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous.

Limited server options: You may have fewer servers to choose from, which can affect your connection’s reliability and speed.

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Customer support: Free VPNs typically offer limited customer support, if any.

While no system can guarantee complete invulnerability, these practices can substantially reduce the risk of cyberthreats. Always exercise caution when handling sensitive information on the internet. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

A woman using a VPN on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR BROWSER HAS BEEN HIJACKED

How to ‘declutter’ your computer

Here are four steps to help you declutter your computer and enhance its operation. 

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1) Remove old apps

Free up space on your drive and help you find the apps you use most frequently by searching for and removing old apps that you no longer use.

2) Delete unnecessary system files

Deleting unnecessary system files on your PC and Mac is important for several reasons:

  • Free up disk space: Unnecessary files take up valuable storage space that could be used for other applications or data.
  • Improve system performance: Too many unused files can slow down your computer’s performance, as they consume resources and make file searches more time-consuming.
  • Enhance system security: Some of these files could potentially be exploited by malicious software. Removing them reduces this risk.
  • Maintain system hygiene: Regularly cleaning out unnecessary files helps keep your system organized and makes it easier to manage.

More:

3) Organize your files

Keeping your files and folders organized can make it easier to find what you need and make your computer feel less cluttered. You can also group files within folders by type, which might help you sort through what you need to keep or delete.

4) Regularly clean your inbox

A cluttered inbox can make it harder to find important emails. Regularly delete or archive emails you no longer need. Create filters or flag specific individuals or companies as a priority so that they don’t get lost in the shuffle, deleted accidentally or redirected to your spam or junk folder.

Update antivirus software regularly (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Have strong antivirus software

Make sure you have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices to safeguard your private information. With strong antivirus protection, you can prevent malware from sneaking in through malicious links, keeping your personal data secure. Additionally, it will alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your digital life secure. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Regularly employing the security and decluttering strategies listed above doesn’t just keep your computer more secure but also keeps your computer running more smoothly and efficiently. While no process is foolproof, utilizing these strategies on a regular basis can give you greater peace of mind and ease of use. If you’re unsure about how to implement any of the strategies, you can look into the more in-depth articles or seek professional help. There is a reason why these professionals exist, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Do you feel like you’re doing enough to keep your computer safe and running well? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Meta is reportedly working on smart glasses that would be recording all the time

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Meta is reportedly working on smart glasses that would be recording all the time

Meta might be the next company to make an always-on AI wearable. The company is working on prototype “super sensing” always-aware smart glasses that could continuously record audio and snap photos “every few seconds,” according to the Financial Times. The wearer could then ask Meta AI about the captured audio and images.

However, the images and audio might not be directly available to the user. Here’s how the FT describes one way the glasses could use the data:

In one proposed system, raw footage and audio would not be stored by Meta or made available to the user, several people said. Instead, the metadata from that audio and images would be extracted and uploaded to the server for Meta’s AI to query, which proponents argue would have fewer privacy implications.

But currently, Meta is planning for the LED recording indicator to remain off in “super sensing” mode, the FT reports. In a July 2025 whitepaper, the company said that it would reserve the LED indicator for “active capture” scenarios where the user is saving photos or videos, and leave it off during “AI Feature” use — such as scanning a menu — to avoid users becoming too used to the indicator. (If the indicator was on during the “super sensing” mode, it might also be harder to know when the glasses are actually recording video.)

Meta is also discussing if it would use the captured data for training its AI models. It may also bring the “super sensing” features to glasses it has already released, the FT says.

“While we don’t comment on internal prototypes, we’re committed to getting our glasses right because they need to be loved by both people wearing them and those around them,” Meta spokesperson Dave Arnold says in a statement to The Verge. Arnold also notes that “Our approach has been to develop new technologies that will help people throughout their day, with privacy built in from the ground up.”

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Meta hasn’t been shy about some type of always-aware glasses being a possibility. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, said that he was “really excited to see the glasses evolve from being able to answer questions to being able to be a personal agent that’s with you all day long, helping you remember things and achieve your goals.” In a March blog post about new Ray-Ban Meta glasses, the company wrote that “with ongoing software updates, Meta AI on glasses will transition from something you have to prompt with a question each time, to a more continuous, in-the-moment assistant that can help throughout the day.”

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Get a $30 credit when you reserve Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy phones

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Get a  credit when you reserve Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy phones

Even though they haven’t been officially announced yet, Samsung is giving you a chance to save some cash when you preorder what we’re expecting to be the brand’s updated Galaxy Z Fold phones. The next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on July 22nd, 2026, and features the tagline “A new shape unfolds.” In addition to seeing updated versions of the existing Flip and Fold form factors, we anticipate the debut of a new, wider foldable phone. If you register your interest ahead of time and end up preordering one of the new phones shortly after they’re announced, Samsung will give you a $30 store credit at checkout.

There are some caveats to this offer. You have to use the credit when you preorder the phone. No saving it for later. Also, the credit can’t be applied to the cost of the phone either, so you’ll have to put it towards the cost of accessories or extra services. Samsung specifically calls out that select Galaxy rings, earbuds, watches, and tablets are eligible, or you can use it to help pay for Samsung Care Plus.

There are no downsides to registering your interest, so if you think you might be interested in buying one of the upcoming phones, it’s worth filling out the form. As long as you use the same email during checkout, the credit will be automatically applied.

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Apple AI security update proves hackers move fast

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Apple AI security update proves hackers move fast

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A security update rarely feels dramatic. You see the alert, promise yourself you will install it later and then go right back to whatever you were doing. This time, Apple is giving you a stronger reason to pay attention.

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Apple released iOS 26.5.2, iPadOS 26.5.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 on June 29, 2026. The updates include security fixes for vulnerabilities tied to the kernel, WebKit and WebRTC. Apple says these fixes were first made available through the iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6 and macOS Tahoe 26.6 betas before being pushed out early to everyone.

That is the part that should make you pause. Apple usually rolls many security fixes into larger software updates. This time, the company moved faster.

AI IS NOW POWERING CYBERATTACKS, MICROSOFT WARNS

Apple pushed out security fixes early because AI can help hackers study software flaws faster. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Why Apple released this AI security update early

Apple reportedly accelerated the updates because artificial intelligence can help speed the creation of malicious hacking tools. Once a fix appears in a beta, attackers may be able to study it, reverse-engineer the weakness and move faster than before.

Apple said there was no evidence that the newly patched vulnerabilities had been exploited. Still, the company wanted to shrink the time between when fixes were first visible and when they reached your devices.

That is a major shift. It suggests Apple sees AI as a force that changes the timing of security. A flaw that once gave defenders more breathing room may now become a race.

What Apple fixed in iOS 26.5.2

Apple’s iOS 26.5.2 and iPadOS 26.5.2 notes list fixes for iPhone 11 and later, along with several supported iPad models. The security content includes kernel vulnerabilities that could let an app crash the system, corrupt kernel memory or leak sensitive kernel state.

The update also fixes multiple WebKit issues. WebKit powers Safari and web content inside many apps. Some of these flaws involved malicious web content that could lead to crashes, memory corruption, data leaks or sandbox escapes.

Apple also fixed WebRTC issues that could be triggered by malicious web content and lead to Safari or process crashes.

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For Mac, Apple lists macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 as the current release. If your Mac runs macOS Sonoma or macOS Sequoia, Apple also lists Safari 26.5.2 as a June 29, 2026, security release.

A woman uses a smartphone outside an Apple Store on June 20, 2026, in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. (Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

Why AI hacking tools change the security race

AI can help legitimate researchers find bugs faster. That is good when the work leads to stronger software and responsible disclosure. However, the same general capability can also help bad actors move faster. A criminal does not need to understand every line of code if an AI tool can help summarize a patch, compare software changes or suggest where a weakness may be hiding.

That is why Apple’s move is important. It shows that big tech companies may need to release security fixes sooner and more often, even when those updates do not include flashy new features. The wider AI world adds pressure here. Frontier AI companies have released or tested systems with stronger coding and cybersecurity capabilities. Some models are available only through limited previews, approved access or extra safeguards because of their potential cyber use.

Similar efforts are also emerging outside the United States. Several international AI labs and security companies now promote models designed to find vulnerabilities, analyze code and assist cyber defense. The takeaway for you isn’t that AI is automatically bad. The real point is speed. Security teams, attackers and AI tools are now moving on a shorter clock.

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How to update your iPhone or iPad

Before you update, plug in your device and connect to Wi-Fi. You may also want to back up your iPhone or iPad first.

Then do this: Open Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install.

After the update finishes, go back to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Make sure automatic updates are turned on. Apple also lets your device automatically install system file updates that improve security without changing the full software version. If you do not see the update right away, check again later. Apple releases updates in stages, and your device also needs enough battery and storage.

How to update your Mac

On a Mac, start with a backup. Then click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update . Choose Update Now if macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 appears.

Next, check your background update settings. On macOS Tahoe 26 or later, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update . Click the More Info button next to Automatic Updates and make sure Install system data files and security updates is turned on.

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If your Mac runs Sonoma or Sequoia, look for Safari 26.5.2 in Software Update as well. That Safari update may be the protection your Mac needs if you are not on Tahoe.

BEWARE OF HACKERS SHOWING UP PRETENDING TO BE IT

What this Apple security update means to you

You may see more security updates that feel sudden or small. That can be annoying, especially when you are busy or your device needs to restart.

Still, these updates are becoming more important. Apple is reacting to a world where AI can help shorten the time between a public fix and a possible attack.

So, when your iPhone, iPad or Mac asks you to update, do not treat it like background noise. The update may be closing a door someone else is already trying to find.

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Updating your iPhone, iPad and Mac helps close security holes before attackers get more time to exploit them. (Katharina Kausche/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How to stay safe after the Apple security update

Installing the Apple AI security update is the best first move. After that, tighten a few habits that make attacks harder.

1) Keep your apps updated

Your operating system is only part of the security picture. Outdated apps can still create risk, especially if they handle messages, web links, photos, files or account logins. Open the App Store and install available updates regularly.

2) Watch out for suspicious links

Be careful with links in texts, emails and social media messages. WebKit and browser flaws are a reminder that malicious web content can be part of an attack. When in doubt, open the official app or website yourself instead of tapping a link.

3) Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Use strong, unique passwords for every account and store them in a password manager. Then turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. If one password gets exposed, you do not want it opening the door to your email, bank or Apple account.

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4) Use strong antivirus protection

Use strong antivirus protection on your Mac and other connected devices. It can help catch malicious files, phishing attempts and suspicious activity before they do damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

5) Back up your data regularly

Back up your iPhone, iPad and Mac before problems hit. A recent backup can help you recover faster if an update fails, your device gets stolen or malware locks you out of important files. CyberGuy’s guide to backing up your devices walks you through ways to protect your files using cloud storage, an external drive or both.

6) Use a personal data removal service

Use a personal data removal service to reduce how much of your personal information is floating around online. Data brokers and people-search sites can expose your name, address, phone number and relatives. Scammers can use those details to make phishing messages feel more believable. 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.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple’s early security release shows how fast the cyber threat landscape is changing. The company says there is no evidence these newly patched flaws were exploited, but it still moved the fixes out before the wider 26.6 release. That tells me the old habit of waiting weeks to update is getting riskier. AI can help defenders, but it can also help criminals study weaknesses faster. My advice is direct: update your Apple devices now, turn on automatic security updates and stop putting off patches that protect the phone and computer you use every day.

Do you think AI will make your devices safer because companies can find flaws faster, or more vulnerable because hackers can move faster too? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Automatic updates, strong passwords and a personal data removal service can make you a harder target after the update. (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

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