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Your email is being tracked – learn the secret advertisers don’t want you to know

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Your email is being tracked – learn the secret advertisers don’t want you to know

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It’s not possible to not be tracked on-line. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to take steps that make a distinction.  

In the event you don’t like the thought of advertisers figuring out every little thing about you, shut them out. Faucet or click on right here for easy, actionable steps you’ll be able to take now

In contrast to your browser historical past, you in all probability don’t give a lot thought to handing out your telephone quantity. It’s time to vary that. Faucet or click on for strategies to guard your quantity and cease inviting spam

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With regards to your e mail, chances are you’ll not understand there’s a straightforward approach advertisers, entrepreneurs, corporations, and even scammers observe you — with only one tiny pixel.  

What’s pixel monitoring? 

You possibly can’t see them, however pixel trackers are hidden in most of the emails you obtain. Technically, this microscopic pixel is laptop code embedded throughout the physique of an e mail, typically hidden inside a picture. 

Usually, pixel-tracking permits entrepreneurs, advertisers, and firms to gather information about you, resembling: 

  • The variety of instances you open an e mail
  • The working system you utilize
  • The time you opened the e-mail
  • Your IP tackle may give an concept of your location
  • What sort of gadget you utilize to open the e-mail

Detailed information is shipped again to the sender routinely, with out you having to click on on any hyperlinks and even reply. That will really feel like an invasion of privateness, however it’s authorized and totally different from when hackers and scammers make use of this tactic. 

In that case, it turns into all about monitoring your exercise. 

A man uses his iPhone and laptop computer at his desk.

A person makes use of his iPhone and laptop computer laptop at his desk.

Talking of monitoring, spyware and adware is harmful software program that tracks every little thing from the websites you go to the passwords you sort in. Faucet or click on right here for six indicators your telephone has been contaminated with so-called stalkerware

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Find out how to spot an e mail rip-off 

Pesky advertising emails are one factor, and we are going to get into cease that. However first, let’s evaluation the purple flags you must ship an e mail straight to the trash: 

  • There’s a request for private data.
  • The “From” tackle and the show title don’t match.
  • The “From” tackle is similar to a recognized enterprise or contact, with one or two characters modified.
  • It requires fast consideration.
  • It is filled with poor spelling or grammar. (Typically, this appears like one thing is “off.”)
  • There’s a request to click on on a hyperlink or obtain a doc or file you didn’t request.

Most of those clues are simple to identify, however you received’t see a microscopic pixel hidden in an e mail. 

Spot the pretend: Find out how to inform if a picture you noticed on social media is pretend 

Excellent news if in case you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac 

Apple routinely stops senders from retrieving your IP tackle beginning with iOS 15, macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15. 

Moreover, e mail content material is downloaded privately once you obtain the e-mail, not once you view it. Meaning solely generic information is shipped again to entrepreneurs, corporations, and anybody else monitoring you through e mail. 

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The Mail Privateness Safety options are usually not enabled by default. Right here’s flip them on: 

  • On an iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Mail > Privateness Safety. Activate Defend Mail Exercise.
  • On a Mac: Within the Mail app, select Mail > Preferences, then click on Privateness. Choose Defend Mail Exercise.

Apple safety 101: 7 necessary iPhone safety settings to vary proper now 

A woman expresses surprise while using a laptop computer. 

A girl expresses shock whereas utilizing a laptop computer laptop. 
(iStock)

What about Gmail, Home windows, and Android customers? 

The best option to forestall pixel-tracking is to dam photos from displaying in your emails. If the pixel isn’t displayed, the code in all probability received’t work. 

  • In Gmail on a pc: Click on on the gear icon and choose See All Settings. Beneath Common, scroll down and click on on Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos beneath the Pictures possibility. Click on Save Adjustments on the backside of the web page.
  • Within the Gmail app: Faucet the three-line menu within the higher nook > Settings > Select your account. Scroll right down to Pictures beneath Knowledge utilization. Click on it, then select Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos.
  • In Yahoo Mail: Click on Settings > Extra Settings > Viewing E-mail. Scroll to the underside. Beneath Present photos in messages, select Ask earlier than displaying exterior photos. The web page will refresh and routinely save.
  • In Outlook, click on on File > Choices > Trusted Heart. Select Belief Heart Settings > Computerized Obtain from the left-hand pane. Choose Do not obtain footage routinely in HTML e-mail messages or RSS objects. Click on OK to save lots of.

Need sensible tech suggestions like this straight to your inbox? Strive my free Tech Suggestions and How-tos publication. I’ll allow you to get probably the most out of all of your devices, get monetary savings and shield your privateness. 

Bonus Tip: Find out how to increase your tax refund this 12 months 

The IRS has new modifications, together with the $600 rule, WFH deductions, youngster tax credit and extra. On this episode, tax accountant Rachel Cheek and I dive into the numerous methods deductions, varieties, social media, and guidelines will influence your 2021 tax return. 

Take a look at my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast participant. 

Take heed to the podcast right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Simply seek for my final title, “Komando.” 

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What digital life-style questions do you will have? Name Kim’s nationwide radio present and faucet or click on right here to seek out it in your native radio station. You possibly can hearken to or watch The Kim Komando Present in your telephone, pill, tv, or laptop. Or faucet or click on right here for Kim’s free podcasts. 

Copyright 2022, WestStar Multimedia Leisure. All rights reserved. By clicking the purchasing hyperlinks, you’re supporting my analysis. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small fee from qualifying purchases. I solely advocate merchandise I imagine in. 

Find out about all the newest know-how on The Kim Komando Present, the nation’s largest weekend radio discuss present. Kim takes calls and dispenses recommendation on immediately’s digital life-style, from smartphones and tablets to on-line privateness and information hacks. For her day by day suggestions, free newsletters, and extra, go to her web site at Komando.com. 

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Fox News AI Newsletter: DC air defense gets major upgrade

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Fox News AI Newsletter: DC air defense gets major upgrade

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Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– AI cameras are giving DC’s air defense a major upgrade
– America needs drones and the F-35 to win the next war
– AI is reshaping business. This is how we stay ahead of China 

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AI CAMERA SURVEILLANCE : The National Capital Region (NCR) is rolling out an advanced artificial intelligence-based visual recognition system that’s taking air defense to a whole new level.

Advanced artificial intelligence-based visual recognition system  (Katie Lange/DOD)

THE FUTURE IS NOW: Autonomous, unmanned drones and artificial intelligence have already begun to shape the wars today and the future.

Three jets flying

Two US Air Force F-35 jets and a Polish Air Force F-16 take part in a military parade in Warsaw on Polish Army Day, August 15, 2023, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1920 victory over Soviet Russia at the Battle of Warsaw during the Polish-Soviet War.  (WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

STAYING IN FIRST PLACE: As the U.S. races to maintain its global leadership in AI, much of the conversation revolves around natural language processing, the reshoring of the semiconductor supply chain and powering data centers.

AI sign

A visitor watches an AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign on an animated screen at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry’s biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona. (JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

AI FOOD TRACKER: The Drop uses advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence to detect meals with remarkable precision. When you start eating, the smart AI chip activates, and a 4K camera takes a cropped image of your meal.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

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Trump asks the Supreme Court to let him rescue TikTok

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Trump asks the Supreme Court to let him rescue TikTok

President-elect Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to let him negotiate a deal to save TikTok from an imminent US ban.

In an amicus brief filed to the court, Trump says he “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office,” and that he “alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform.”

Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments that a bill passed by Congress banning TikTok on national security grounds violates the First Amendment. The bill gives wide latitude to the president to delay its enforcement if there’s progress being made towards a deal that ensures TikTok isn’t fully controlled by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

But the deadline for that determination is January 19th, which is one day before Trump is set to be sworn in.

In his Supreme Court filing, Trump asks for the bill’s January 19th deadline to be stayed, arguing that the deal he’d negotiate “would obviate the need for this Court to decide the historically challenging First Amendment question presented here on the current, highly expedited basis.”

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He offers no details on what said deal would look like, though it would likely have to involve ByteDance selling a signification portion of its ownership in TikTok to an American company.

Trump argues that having over 14 million followers on TikTok, along with his ownership of Truth Social, gives him unique ability to “evaluate TikTok’s importance as a unique medium for freedom of expression, including core political speech.” He also cites Brazil’s temporary ban of Elon Musk’s X as an example of “the historic dangers presented” by a government banning a social media platform.

There’s still plenty of political pressure to enforce a TikTok ban, however. A group of senators and congressmen, including Mitch McConnell and Ro Khanna, filed petitions on Friday, joined by 22 U.S. states and former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, urging the Supreme Court to reject TikTok’s appeal.

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Scammers are targeting teens with these nasty tricks

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Scammers are targeting teens with these nasty tricks

A 14-year-old committed suicide after following the advice of an AI chatbot. Another family is suing the same one — Character AI — after it told an autistic 14-year-old to kill his parents. It also exposed an 11-year-old to sexual content.

These stories are heavy reminders that young people are especially vulnerable on the internet, but AI isn’t the only thing targeting them.

HOW TO (KINDLY) ASK PEOPLE NOT TO POST YOUR KIDS’ PHOTOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The fine folks at the FBI’s crime division say teens lost 2,500% more money to scams over a recent five-year stretch. Compare that to an 805% increase for seniors, which is still not great, but at least it’s not 2,500%.

So, why teens? Because thieves have more ways than ever to target them. Talk to anyone in your circle born between 1996 and 2010 about this. It’s a big deal.

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I share smart tech news and tips you can use every single day. Join 600K readers who get The Current.

The most prevalent scams and tricks

Under the influence: Say a kiddo in your family idolizes an online influencer. That person is so easy to impersonate. All a fraudster has to do is set up a phony account that looks real, run a contest and trick “winners” into handing over their personal details (or more) to claim their (nonexistent) prizes. Done and done.

This file photo shows someone checking his smartphone in Glenview, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Pro tip: Stick to “official” influencer accounts with substantial follower counts. A smaller account is almost always a scammer, not some secret one. And never give financial info or money to someone via DM.

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‘Hey there, handsome’: This is a classic for a reason. Scammers grab pictures of an attractive teen or 20-something and play digital Casanovas. All too soon, they profess their love — then comes the request for money, gifts or info.

Pro tip: Try a reverse image search to see if those pics pop up elsewhere online. If the person refuses to video call or meet you in person, it’s a bad sign.

RELATED: Deepfakes are so easy to make. Talk to your kids.

‘Send me a photo’: This is the dangerous intersection of smartphones, sexting and scammers. Someone shares sexy pictures and asks for some in return. As soon as the victim sends a pic or video, everything changes.

AI EXPERT: CHATGPT PROMPTS YOU’LL WISH YOU KNEW SOONER

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The person on the other end is now blackmailing them. Pay up or they’ll share the content with everyone the victim knows. Think about how horrifying that would be at any age, but especially as a teenager. I spoke to a family that lost their son to suicide after this happened to him. Such a heartbreaking story, and they’re not alone; this is way too common.

Pro tip: Talk to your kids about sending pictures to others online. Urge them to never share anything explicit, even with someone they know in person and trust. It’s just not worth it.

‘You won!’ … Not”: This one targets younger teens. A thief tricks them into revealing credit card details or downloading malware under the guise of rewards in their favorite game.

Social media applications

Social media apps are pictured on a smartphone. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Pro tip: This one’s easy. Only ever buy apps or make in-app purchases through an official app store — no trades and nothing “private.”

So, what can you do?

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The internet is an incredible resource for learning, creativity and fun, but let’s not sugarcoat it: there are dangers out there. Scammers and predators have become experts at manipulation, and kids can easily fall victim. The most important thing you can do as a parent? Foster open, honest communication.

When my son was younger, I shared age-appropriate stories about what he might encounter online. We talked about the risks in a way he could understand. He knew that if anything or anyone made him feel uncomfortable, he should come to me immediately, no questions asked.

DO THIS WITH YOUR FAMILY VIDEOS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

That’s the foundation: trust. Kids need to know that they won’t get in trouble for being fooled. Today’s online predators are sneaky, and scammers know exactly how to win a child’s trust. If your child is targeted, it’s never their fault. 

Here’s my free tech safety contract you both can sign if you’re not sure where to start the conversation around tech limits.

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Action plan for parents

Remember when you had a fake driver’s license or told a little white lie to get what you wanted? Kids have ways around parental controls and are smart enough to spin the birth year wheel when signing up to get around age restrictions. 

Mom with daughter on phone

A mother and teenage daughter are seen using a smartphone. (iStock)

RELATED: Best apps and gadgets to monitor your kid (from preschool to teens)

Set clear ground rules for screen time and device use, and keep the conversation going as they grow. A few simple steps to take:

  • Have the passcode to their phone: You need access to everything at any time. Even if you don’t pop in much, they need to know you can.
  • Set limits: Use built-in app controls to monitor their time spent in the apps and tools like content filters to limit their exposure to inappropriate material.
  • “Friend” or “Follow” them: Stay connected on social media to see their circle and interactions. Without open dialogue, they’ll find ways around you.
  • Know the special settings: On Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube, you can connect to your child’s account.

The best protection is being your child’s go-to resource for help and guidance. Let your kids know you’re there, ready to listen, no matter what. That’s the real safety net.

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