Using the Internet often feels completely anonymous. You can create a username, avoid sharing your real name, and take part in online communities without revealing who you are. Unfortunately, you’re likely not as anonymous as you think.

Ever get a message from a friend on WhatsApp that seemed slightly off? Maybe they ask you for a quick favor, or they send you an unusual link. But because it’s coming from someone you know, you might just comply or click without thinking. This is one of the most common ways scammers can hijack your WhatsApp account.

Most people don’t ever think they’ll find their passport scan, driver’s license photo, or other personal documents in a random search engine search. Unfortunately, it’s not as rare as you might think. 

Wireless headphones, speakers, and other Bluetooth audio devices are incredibly commonplace. Whether you’re at home, at work, or in public spaces, connecting to your phone or laptop via Bluetooth has become second nature to many. But recent security research has shown that hundreds of millions of audio devices may be exposed to wireless tracking or hacking risks if the firmware is not updated. 

Gen Z is undoubtedly the most online generation yet, with the digital landscape having been a central part of their world from a young age. Despite this, recent studies (including this one from NordPass) show that their password practices are less than ideal. 

From February 16, 2026, Google’s dark web report will no longer be available. 

First launched in 2023, the service worked by scanning the dark web for a user’s personal information, such as name, address, or social security number, informing them and advising them of next steps. The ultimate aim was to combat online identity fraud from stolen data that became available on the dark web. While it was only available to Google One users when first launched, Google expanded it to include all account holders in July 2024.