Information Technology

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle Wallet is expanding its support for official state IDs again, and it is adding a new way to verify your age while keeping your identity safe.Soon, residents in Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia will be able to save their official government-issued digital ID cards, like a driver’s license, to Google Wallet. Support for government IDs is already available in California, Maryland, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Georgia.  Also: Google Wallet’s latest feature is a game-changer for both parents and kidsYou can use the Google Wallet version of your ID at the DMV, at certain airport TSA locations provided it is a Real ID (if you do not have a Real ID, you can add your passport), and at other locations.  How to add your license to Google WalletTo add your license to Google Wallet, open the app and tap “Add to Wallet” at the bottom. You will see a list of available options. Choose “ID Card” and follow the instructions, which include taking photos of the front and back of your ID, and a short video of yourself.  Also: Google Wallet now alerts you to loyalty card benefits you’re missing out onGoogle warns that a digital version of your ID card should not be considered a replacement, and you should always have your physical card with you. New uses for your Wallet ID are on the way, including online health services with CVS and MyChart by Epic, verifying your profile on platforms like Uber, and more. More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWith viruses, ransomware, spyware, infostealers, and outright scams, online fraud has been a pervasive and growing problem. In the US, one in three people who reported fraud last year lost money, with the total collective amount reaching $12.5 billion. Now, security firm Malwarebytes is trying to combat these types of cybercrimes by providing security tools to a new host of partners.Also: 7 password rules security experts live by in 2025 – the last one might surprise youAimed at financial institutions, HR benefit providers, internet service providers, and other types of organizations, the tools offer a package of security, privacy, and identity protection. Organizations can opt to use all the tools or pick and choose what they need. Either way, the goal is to help them defend their customers and employees from viruses, ransomware, and other scams that fall into online fraud. “Malwarebytes’ new partnership program is a direct response to the alarming surge in cybercrime impacting consumers around the globe,” Oren Arar, vice president of business development for Malwarebytes, said in a news release. Also: If we want a passwordless future, let’s get our passkey story straight”By partnering with us, organizations can enhance their own security posture while delivering essential protection their customers and employees need to stay safe in today’s digital landscape. This program provides a significant step in mitigating the rising tide of financial losses associated with online fraud.” The benefits of Malwarebytes’ security toolsDesigned to be flexible and customizable, Malwarebytes’ tools offer several different benefits to partners. Also: 8 simple ways to teach your friends and family about cybersecurity – before it’s too lateComprehensive protection for consumers. Watching over PCs, mobile devices, and network traffic, the real-time protection can detect and block more advanced cyberthreats. A VPN is available to secure all online activity, an identity tool can monitor for identity theft and similar risks, and a data remover can erase sensitive personal data found online.Browser security. With a browser component, the tools can detect phishing sites and other malicious pages. They are also able to protect users against banking trojans that try to steal sensitive financial information.Turnkey integration. The tools can integrate directly into an organization’s environment without any complicated setup required. Since the security is cloud-based, organizations can scale it based on the needs of their employees and customers. Malwarebytes also offers API integration, automated license key provisioning, and flexible features that can be bundled together or used on an opt-in basis. More

Hill Street Studios/Getty Images In a recent article from a well-known tech publisher that extolled the virtues of Bitwarden’s password manager, the author wrote the following (by the time you read this, the passage may have been corrected): “Passkeys are an attempt to replace the password with a key that you don’t have to remember […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhenever I hear about consumer data tracking, my half-century-old brain dredges up that Hall and Oates hit called “Private Eyes” with the refrain “they’re watching you.” I don’t mean to incite Big Brother paranoia; I know I’m not being spied on everywhere I go, especially not in the seclusion of my home. But while using streaming devices, you can almost guarantee that your entertainment and advertisement preferences are being tracked.Also: Your Roku TV is getting several updates for free – including a big one for Roku CityThe culprit is better known as Big Data — arguably less invasive and sinister, but still annoying to some people — and there are ways to mitigate that on your streaming devices if you’re one of them.While some data collection is necessary for basic functionality, many streaming devices collect more than required; so much so that you essentially lose control of your privacy, fall into filter bubbles (viewing algorithms that are more narrow), and receive more targeted ads than expected. Below are some general strategies for regaining control over your privacy while using streaming services.  More

JennaWagner/Getty Images Out of the blue, I received a text from my father asking me, “What’s the difference between a password and a passkey?”  Somewhere, in his daily online journey, he was prompted by a website or application — a “relying party” in authentication lingo — to create a passkey. But the benefit wasn’t clear […] More

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETMacOS is a solid operating system. But it doesn’t matter how secure an operating system is; it’s vulnerable if connected to a network. As for privacy, if you get online, your privacy is at stake, so you must never assume that you’re safe just because you’re using Apple’s OS.You can always do things to improve the chances that your privacy will not be infringed upon. What are those things?Let’s jump in.1. Use a VPNA VPN is always a good idea. Why? A VPN not only anonymizes your IP address (so it’s much harder to track you), but it will also encrypt your traffic. Individually, those things can help. Together, they are a powerful weapon against those who would disrupt your privacy. There are plenty of VPNs you can use (such as Proton VPN or Nord VPN), but it’s important that you use one that integrates with the operating system, so all of your outgoing traffic is anonymized and encrypted. If you use only a browser extension, then only the traffic leaving your web browser is altered. To get the most security and the fastest speeds, use a paid option. Most free VPNs tend to slow down your network traffic, which negatively impacts your browser’s speed.Also: The best VPN for Mac: Expert tested and reviewed2. Use strong passwordsThis should go without saying, but strong passwords are the easiest method of protecting your accounts (starting with your MacOS user account). If you use weak passwords, someone could break into your desktop and wreak havoc on your privacy.You should also be using a password manager (such as Bitwarden). Not only do password managers do a great job of securing your login credentials, but they also include random password generators capable of creating very strong passwords. If your MacOS account is secured with a weak password, change it immediately in Settings > Login Password.Also: The best password manager for Mac3. Use encrypted storageYour MacOS drive is most likely encrypted, which will protect you if someone steals your computer. With the storage encrypted, they’ll have a harder time accessing the data. But that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from using encryption tools.Out of the box, your MacOS machine uses FileVault  — enabled by default — to secure the data on your disk. However, you might want to take this a step further by encrypting specific folders in your home directory to give them an extra layer of protection. You can use tools like VeraCrypt (available for free) that feature drag-and-drop AES-256 encryption for files and folders and easy sharing with Windows.  More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETI know you’ve heard this before, but Linux is a powerful, flexible, and secure operating system. From my experience, it is hands down the most secure OS on the market. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t use a bit of help. Out of the box, most Linux distributions do not anonymize or encrypt your online traffic.Also: The best VPN services: Expert testedSure, you can install the Tor Browser, but that will only affect your web traffic. If you want even more protection against those who would steal your information and use it against you, consider using a VPN, which will anonymize and encrypt all of your outgoing traffic. By anonymizing your traffic, your IP address and location are masked, making it difficult to track you. The encryption provided by VPNs ensures that the data packets leaving your system cannot be easily viewed by a third party. Also: How to use a VPN on Linux – and why you shouldBut are there VPNs that support Linux? Of course. In fact, I have a shortlist of four VPNs, each of which does an excellent job of protecting the network traffic that leaves your system. 1. ProtonVPN ProtonVPN More

Macs are not immune to malware, and while it’s not as big a target as Windows, plenty of cybercriminals put their efforts toward cracking Apple’s OS. An infection on your system, whether the result of a phishing attack or other means, can severely compromise your device and your data — which is why your Mac needs antivirus software. Also: The best antivirus software: Expert tested What is the best antivirus for Mac right now? I tested antivirus software for Mac to determine which programs are best at keeping your device safe from threats like ransomware, spyware, and potentially unwanted programs. As a third-party option, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus gets top marks for protecting your Mac in real-time with thorough malware detection and removal that doesn’t bog down your device.Also: The best free antivirus software The best antivirus for Mac in 2025 More