FTC: Online Privacy and Security
Federal Trade Commission
Online Privacy and Security
Understanding online privacy, how to protect your devices from hackers and threats, and how to avoid common online scams.
Online Security
Are Public Wi-Fi Networks Safe? What You Need To Know
Here’s what you need to know about your safety when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network.
Creating Strong Passwords and Other Ways To Protect Your Accounts
Here’s how to protect your accounts with strong passwords and other security methods.
How To Protect Your Phone From Hackers
Four steps to protect your phone from hackers.
How To Recognize, Remove, and Avoid Malware
Malware is a big threat you to your devices' security. Here's how to recognize, remove, and avoid malware.
How To Recover Your Hacked Email or Social Media Account
What to do if you think your email or social networking account has been hacked.
How To Remove Your Personal Information Before You Get Rid of Your Computer
How to remove your personal information from your computer so it doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief.
How To Remove Your Personal Information Before You Get Rid of Your Phone
Before you trade in, sell, give away, or recycle your phone, remove your personal information.
How To Secure Your Home Security Cameras
There are steps you can take to secure your home security camera. Read on to learn more.
How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network
How to protect your home wireless network.
Mobile Payment Apps: How To Avoid a Scam When You Use One
Learn how mobile payment apps work and how to avoid sending money to a scammer.
Protect Your Personal Information and Data
How to protect your devices, networks, and information from scammers.
Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home
Steps that can help protect your internet-connected devices.
Use Two-factor Authentication to Protect Your Accounts
Use two-factor authentication to protect your accounts from hackers.
Online Privacy
How To Secure Your Voice Assistant and Protect Your Privacy
Here's what you can do to keep your voice assistant and recordings private and secure.
How Websites and Apps Collect and Use Your Information
Learn how and why websites track you — and what to do about it.
Do
you think an abusive partner or ex is monitoring you through your
phone? They might be using stalkerware to secretly track your device
activity. Learn more about stalkerware, how to tell if it’s on your
device, and what to do if it is.
Did someone share an intimate image of you without your OK? Find out what you can do about it.
What To Know About People Search Sites That Sell Your Information
Learn how people search sites work and how to ask them to stop selling your information.
Online Scams
How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
Scammers
use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal
and financial information. But there are several ways to protect
yourself.
Tech support scammers want you to pay them to fix a non-existent computer problem. Learn how to avoid and report tech support scams.
What to Know About Romance Scams
Romance
scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and apps or contact you
through popular social media sites like Instagram or Facebook. The
scammers strike up a relationship with you to build up trust, sometimes
talking or chatting several times a day. Then, they make up a story and
ask for money. Learn how to avoid romance scams.
Related Scams
From Consumer Alerts
New tech support scammers want your life savings
Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam
One way to spot a scam is to understand its mechanics. A new and complicated scam starts with a call or text message about a suspicious charge on your Amazon account. But it’s not really Amazon. It’s a scammer with an elaborate story about fraud using your identity that ends with you draining your bank or retirement accounts.