Are there ways to make online banking safe?
Question: I like to do work using the free Wi-Fi at a local coffee shop. Can anyone there get my bank account number and password?
Answer: Yes, public Wi-Fi leaves your data out in the open. Anyone from a casual snoop to a nefarious hacker can easily see every single thing you do online. Banking sites are generally safer than most because they have strong encryption on the connection. But that's no guarantee your personal information is not free for the taking. Fortunately, you can add a layer of strong encryption using a virtual private network. Not only is it good for security, a VPN hides your Internet travels from your ISP and web sites. Using a VPN sounds complicated but it's really not. Learn more about using VPNs on my site.
Don't give up
Q: Help, Kim! I'm so overwhelmed with all the viruses, data breaches, scammers and hacks out there. Is it even worth trying to keep my computer safe?
A: Make sure your basic security is in order and that will take care of tons of background threats, which lets you concentrate on new serious ones when they arise. Use strong security software, set up your computer with the right account type and turn on automatic software updates.
Free police scanner
Q: A long time ago, I had a police scanner. It liked the constant updates. Before I spend money on a new one, are there any new high-tech angles I should know?
A: Instead of buying a standalone unit, you can listen to police and emergency radio on your smartphone or tablet. Apple has the popular free 5-0 app and Android has Scanner Radio Deluxe. These apps let you listen to emergency radio broadcasts in your hometown or around the world. They include railroad, marine and ham radio broadcasts.
Buy online to save
Q: In the past, everything I bought online was cheaper than it was in the store, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Is anything still cheaper online, or are those days gone?
A: Brick-and-mortar stores have worked hard to make their prices competitive with online retailers, but there are still a few things you can get cheaper online.
Electronics like smartphones, laptops and game consoles are often available for less online. You just need to poke around a site like Google Shopping to find deals. Pet suppliers are moving their operations online, so pet supplies are often available for less, too.
For Kim Komando's daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com. Email her at techcomments@usatoday.com.
