Computer & Internet Security

Computer surveillance and security covers a wide range of ways to keep you and your information safe. Learn about firewalls, zombie computers, hackers and workplace surveillance.

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What Does Browsing in Incognito Mode Really Do?

What really happens when you transfer your browser to the incognito feature? You may think you're completely anonymous on the internet but that's not what's happening. Still it does have some useful purposes.

By Nathan Chandler Oct 23, 2019 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Private Browsers Aren't All Equally Private

Even if you use the "incognito" setting on your browser, your personal and search data are still being collected at an alarming rate. Private search engines and browsers aim to lessen your digital footprint.

By Dave Roos Sep 12, 2019 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Can the Government See Which Websites I Visit?

To what extent is U.S. intelligence able to conduct surveillance on the internet activity and electronic communications of U.S. citizens?

By Jonathan Strickland & Patrick J. Kiger Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

How's Spear Phishing Different From Plain Old Phishing?

And should you be worried about it?

By Jonathan Strickland Jul 17, 2018 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Why Am I Getting So Many Privacy Policy Update Emails?

Data privacy concerns have prompted some new laws to go into effect in the European Union — and that means changes for consumers in the rest of the world too.

By Dave Roos May 31, 2018 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

HowStuffWorks Illustrated: What Is Blockchain?

HowStuffWorks explains how blockchain technology, which relies upon a shared record of transactions across a peer-to-peer network of computers, is taking over the world.

Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Guarding Your Network Against Russian Hackers

The U.S. and U.K. issued a joint alert warning that Russian hackers have been targeting devices that help us connect to the internet. Is your digital information at risk?

By Jonathan Strickland Apr 17, 2018 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Blockchain Technology Ready to Disrupt the World

It's the technology behind the meteorically rising bitcoin, and it could be really, really big.

By Jonathan Strickland Jan 4, 2018 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Can You Really Delete Your Internet History?

The guys at Stuff They Don't Want You To Know talk about whether you can really delete your internet history — and why you want to.

By Diana Brown Oct 3, 2017 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Companies Are Figuring Out How to Turn the Tables on Hackers

Active defense techniques are changing how companies fight back against cybercrooks.

By Dave Roos Jun 1, 2017 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

2016 Broke the Record for Stolen Data

2016 was memorable for a whole lot of reasons, and one of them was the massive amount of data stolen.

By Jonathan Strickland Feb 1, 2017 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Alexa, Buy a Dollhouse!

It’s sweet to have a personal assistant like Amazon’s Alexa do your bidding. Except when it does something you didn’t anticipate, like order an adorable dollhouse.

By Jonathan Strickland Jan 10, 2017 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Why Ransomware Is the Perfect Hack

Ransomware is coming for us all.

By Julia Layton Jan 6, 2017 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

A Spotify Bug Could Be Killing Your Hard Drive

Is it affecting yours?

By Jonathan Strickland Nov 15, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

A Storm Is Brewing: The Trouble of Malware in the Cloud

Malicious software is threatening the safety of some major cloud hosting services. Here's what a team of researchers is doing to help kick the bad guys out.

By Jonathan Strickland Nov 2, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Passwords Sent Securely Through Your Body, Not the Air

To thwart hackers from intercepting wireless signals, engineers send a signal through the body, from a smartphone fingerprint scanner to a 'smart lock.'

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 10, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

We Just Got Closer to Creating Unbreakable Quantum Enigma Machines

Researchers have developed experimental versions of a device that could send encrypted messages impossible to intercept or decipher.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 12, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Sauron's Spies Are Everywhere — Even on Computers

Cybersecurity experts recently discovered an insidiously clever piece of malware that went unnoticed for half a decade. The name? ProjectSauron.

By Jonathan Strickland Aug 10, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Hackers Turn Computer Fans Into Snitches

You know how you can't really disconnect your PC's fan unless you want a hot mess on your hands? Turns out that fan could serve a more nefarious purpose, too.

By Jonathan Strickland Jun 28, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Inside the Troll: The Science of Being an Awful Person

Trolls are everywhere these days, driving people off Twitter and wreaking havoc online. They also have specific personality traits that the general population doesn't.

By Julia Layton Jun 23, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

How the FBI Cracked the iPhone Case … With a Little Help From Outside

And the FBI already has said it’ll help other law enforcement agencies with locked phones.

By John Donovan Apr 7, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

The Land of Mordor? How Hackers and Spies Use Google Translate

Google attributed some unflattering changes in a Ukrainian newspaper's Russian translation to machine error. But some security experts say that's impossible.

By Dave Roos Jan 13, 2016 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

The Closest Thing to a Real Hoverboard: Electric Skateboards Get Legal, Hacked

As these devices are finally made legal in California, here comes another worry: Their Bluetooth connection can be exploited.

By Dave Roos Oct 21, 2015 Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

Can you hack a drone?

The short answer is yes. The long answer? Some people do it for mischief, others for criminal purpose, and even governments are in on the game.

By Chris Opfer Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security

How could an algorithm spot trolls on the Internet?

If you've spent any time online, you've probably run into someone who seems to want nothing more than to stir up trouble and make others miserable. What if a program could find and weed out these trolls?

By Bernadette Johnson Computer Security / Computer & Internet Security