You already gave your bank your address, date of birth, Social Security number and your mother’s maiden name. Now, they want your voice.

Banks say it’s an extra layer of biometric protection against fraud and cybercrime. But with the rise of hackers stealing voice data for deepfakes, is it worth the risk?

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The identity arms race

No matter how much money you have in the bank, a hacker or scammer wants it — and they’re always one step ahead.

If you’re skeptical of your bank having your voice data on record, you’re not crazy — you’re smart. A voice can be cloned using AI with as little as 10 seconds of audio and a few bucks.

Call your bank’s customer service line and ask to opt out of voice authentication. It takes two minutes. If you can do it now, great. If you can’t, I highly recommend you set a reminder to do it later. This is important.

Pro tip: Scammers have been known to plant fake numbers in search results. Don’t just Google search the name of your bank and call that number. Go directly to your bank’s website or call the number on the back of your debit or credit card.

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Go a step further

Because you’re smart, you use strong unique passwords, you enable 2FA, you don’t bank on public Wi-Fi, and you always monitor your accounts. (More on all that below if you need help.)

Other, more secure banking authentication features that don’t require your voice are available and easily accessible. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

But it might be worth a phone call or trip to your local bank branch to ask if they offer extra security features. Popular options include:

Secure keys: This physical or digital device generates one-time passcodes that are usually only good for 30 seconds for safer online banking.

Banking alerts: Set up text or email notifications for real-time account activities, such as large transactions or account changes. It’s a bit of a pain when you have to approve all your charges, but it has saved me from scams and phony charges.

Account lockout features: Many banks offer options to automatically lock your account after a certain number of failed online login attempts.

Advanced access: This is enhanced security for certain activities using additional verification steps. For example, Morgan Stanley asks me for a one-time passcode if I log in at a new location.

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Get your banking security up to par

Maybe you need to get the basics in order first. That’s OK, and it’s definitely not too late to take a couple smart steps.

• Turn on two-factor authentication so only you can access your accounts. 

With 2FA enabled, a secondary form of verification is required to prove your identity instead of just entering your username and password to log in to an account.

The second form of verification can be something only you know (an answer to a question), something you have (your device), or who you are (a fingerprint, voice pattern or facial scan). You enter the temporary code, and voila — you’re in. 

My pick: An authenticator app. Biometrics (your face or fingerprint scan) are a close runner-up. A text code is the most hackable.

• Only log onto your bank from a network you can trust.

Looking at you, random coffee shop Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks do little to nothing to protect your privacy. Cybercriminals know this and use free Wi-Fi networks to find victims. Malware, phony hotspots, unsecured networks and nefarious passers-by might all be able to cut in, compromising your data and account.

If you connect to public Wi-Fi without taking precautions, thieves can steal login credentials to any account you sign into while on the network, including your bank accounts.

If you connect to public Wi-Fi, don’t do it without a VPN. (Photo by Saqib Majeed/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If you must connect to free public Wi-Fi, don’t do it without a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN allows you to browse the internet while encrypting your sensitive information. This helps hide your online credentials and IP address. 

I use ExpressVPN, a sponsor of my national radio show.

Now, help me get the word out. Share this story with friends and family to keep them safe before the tsunami of voice-cloning scams hits. They’re coming.

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The team at Arrowhead Game Studios is working on the biggest Helldivers 2 update yet. On August 6th, the Escalation of Freedom update will offer players new game modes, enemies, mission objectives, and a much more punishing difficulty. In the announcement trailer, chief creative officer Johan Pilestedt and design director Niklas Malmborg went over the details, sharing that they’re planning on bringing back an old enemy from the original Helldivers to terrorize freedom lovers across the galaxy.

The impaler is a large enemy type designed to halt divers’ attempts to esca… err tactical retreats. The update will include a number of new enemy types both terminid and automaton, while remixing existing enemies to give players a new experience. Speaking of experiences, the Helldivers team also shared details on one of the new mission objectives: retrieve the larva. In that mission, divers will be tasked with carrying a screaming terminid larva through enemy territory to reach the extraction point. In addition to the new mission, enemy outposts have been expanded, turning them into massive, more challenging bases for players to capture. Finally, Helldivers 2 will be getting a brand-new difficulty level, combat rating 10, that’s meant to be a significant step up from other difficulties.

Despite the game’s success, player numbers on Steam have seen a bit of a dip since February. Likely, this new content refresh, which the developers say is the first step of many they have planned, will be what the game needs to bring back the masses.

Most of us know how much smartphones can become a distraction. Even if we make our very best effort not to grab our phone when we are bored immediately, the average American spends 4.1 hours a day staring at their smartphone screen. Not only does this affect our eyes, posture and attentiveness, it also impacts our mental health and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Some people’s dependency on smartphones has led them to ditch them altogether and replace them with what’s now known as a “dumbphone.”

But what exactly is a “dumbphone,” and is this the answer to our smartphone and social media woes?

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What are dumbphones?

Dumbphones are basic ’90s-inspired cellphones that lack the vast array of apps found on smartphones. Remember that old Nokia that you could play “Snake” on or that snazzy flip phone that was once all the rage but took a long time to send one text message?

Dumbphones focus on providing core functionalities like texting and calling, avoiding the high screen time associated with smartphones we use every day. These phones are part of a growing market providing offline alternatives for those seeking to reduce their digital footprint and be more present in their physical environments.

Old Nokia phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

IS YOUR SMARTPHONE SPYING ON YOU WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING IT?

Why are people switching to dumbphones?

The shift towards dumbphones is driven by a growing awareness of the adverse effects associated with prolonged screen time, such as loneliness, addiction and mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Desire for simplicity: Many advocate for a return to simpler devices that focus on basic functionalities like texts and calls, reducing the constant bombardment of information and notifications.

Reduction in digital footprint: Using a dumbphone helps decrease online presence and data sharing, appealing to privacy-conscious users.

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What will the future of dumbphones look like?

The popularity of dumbphones is on the rise. These trends suggest a robust future for dumbphones, especially among younger generations embracing other retro technologies. The market is evolving, with new models and options becoming available that cater to a desire for simplicity and a break from constant connectivity.

Get Kurt’s picks for the best dumbphones

Young woman looking at phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How do you know if you should get a dumbphone?

Consider a dumbphone if you feel overwhelmed by your smartphone usage or are concerned about its impact on your mental health. Many users of dumbphones still keep a smartphone but switch between the two depending on their needs, which could be a practical approach for those unsure about fully transitioning. Trying out a dumbphone could be a beneficial experiment if you frequently find yourself distracted by your phone or looking for ways to enhance real-life interactions.

Get Kurt’s picks for the best dumbphones

Retro phones (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

If you’re part of the older generation and have only ever used your smartphone for calling, texting and maybe email, then perhaps you don’t have all the other concerns that heavy smartphone users have. Therefore, getting a dumbphone may only be advantageous if you’re looking to save money on your phone bill and don’t need all the bells and whistles. But, if you find yourself a little distracted by your smartphone, then resorting back to a dumbphone might be the way to go.

Do you know anyone who has gotten themselves a dumbphone? What was the straw that broke the camel’s back that made them do so? Would you consider trading in your smartphone for a dumbphone? 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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