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Tag: #OnlineSafety

Thoughtful Thursday: TechBear’s Take on Free Speech, Content Moderation, and the Corporate Censorship Circus

Meme showing payment processors Mastercard and Visa controlling artistic freedom and content moderation decisions for creators

Corporate content moderation now threatens free speech more than government censorship. From payment processors freezing creator earnings to platforms banning anti-predator investigators while hosting problematic content, the current system fails both safety and freedom. TechBear examines how algorithmic bias, economic pressure, and corporate risk management have created a censorship apparatus more powerful than any government program—and what we can do about it.

Tech Tip Tuesday: SMS Scams Are Getting Sneaky – 7 Ways to Spot Them Before They Spot Your Wallet

Techbear is dressed as Sherlock Holmes to investigate potential sms scams. He is looking at a phone screen with multiple 'red flag' keywords.

SMS scams are exploding, and they’re getting dangerously sophisticated. Gone are the days of obviously fake “Nigerian prince” emails—today’s scammers are sliding into your text messages with government logos, job offers, and business “opportunities” that look surprisingly legitimate.
With 95% of text messages read within 3 minutes and consumers losing over $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023, your phone has become a prime target for fraud. The three biggest threats right now? Fake job offers promising easy money, government impersonation scams using fear tactics, and business “services” you can actually get for free.
The good news? You can protect yourself with TechBear’s 7-step SMS security framework, from pausing before reacting to enabling built-in spam protection. Whether it’s a “final notice” from the DMV or a too-good-to-be-true work-from-home opportunity, learning to spot the red flags could save your wallet—and your peace of mind.
Read the full guide to discover exactly what to look for, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’ve already been targeted.

Thoughtful Thursday: The Impact of Data Privacy on Targeted Ads and Your Digital Footprint

Ever wonder why you keep seeing ads for things that have absolutely nothing to do with what you care about? With all the data companies collect about us, you’d think they’d have it figured out by now. In this week’s Thoughtful Thursday, we dive into the world of data privacy, digital footprints, and why, despite the mountains of information they have, your targeted ads might still be completely off the mark.

Ask Tech Bear: Password Security Fails — A Cybersecurity Comedy of Errors

Cartoon illustration of a bear office worker seen from behind at a desk, surrounded by classic password security fail elements: a sticky note with scribbled text on the monitor, an open “Company Passwords.xlsx” spreadsheet, a blinking neon “HACK ME” sign, visible sticky notes under the keyboard, and a shadowy figure spying through window blinds with binoculars.

We’ve all heard about password security fails, but this week’s letter takes the cake. It’s a wild ride through a landscape of truly terrible password practices, and it’s a stark reminder of why small business cybersecurity is so crucial. Dear Tech Bear, I’ve created the perfect password system, but my former IT guy said these […]

Tech Tip Tuesday: The Dark Side of Social Media Security Questions — How a Cute Social Media Game Enables Identity Theft

Cartoon-style digital illustration of Techbear, a friendly bear character in tech gear, warning users about the dangers of social media quizzes. Neon warning signs, a sketchy-looking quiz on a phone screen, and floating icons like locks and security questions surround the scene. Emphasizes the risks associated with answering social media security questions.

Introduction “Hello, my lovely technocubbies! Techbear here! Let’s get real about something that might seem like harmless fun: those tempting social media quizzes. You know the ones—they promise to reveal your ‘royal name,’ your ‘dragon name,’ or your ‘celebrity doppelgänger.’ But here’s the truth: social media security questions are often lurking beneath the surface of […]

Ask The TechBear: 2 Small Business Cybersecurity Dilemmas, 1 Simple Solution

Split-panel cartoon illustrating small business cybersecurity extremes: on the left, an under-protected office worker bear appears exposed and vulnerable; on the right, an over-secured bear resembling a Star Trek-style Borg struggles with impractical tech gear in a modern office setting.

Hello, my fabulous technocubs! Tech Bear here, ready to untangle your small business cybersecurity dilemmas. This week, we have a double dose of security snafus, proving that when it comes to online safety, folks tend to swing from one extreme to the other. Small business cybersecurity is no laughing matter, but sometimes the ways people […]

7 Powerful Strategies to Avoid Digital Traps: April Fools’ Day Cybersecurity Tips

Slide presenting safety tips for April Fool's Day.

Welcome, my easily tricked cybercubs! 🐻 As your favorite ursine IT expert, I’m here with essential April Fools’ Day cybersecurity tips to keep you safe from the pranks, scams, and digital mischief running wild today. April 1st turns the internet into a playground for tricksters, but with the right precautions, you won’t be fooled. The […]