Happy New Year 2025

Tag: mistakes

  • Biggest Wi-Fi mistakes you can make on a plane

    Biggest Wi-Fi mistakes you can make on a plane

    When my husband and I were on the very long flight last year, he leaned over and asked, “I want to check our Morgan Stanley account. Do you think it’s OK to do it using the plane’s Wi-Fi?”

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    How did we live without Wi-Fi on a plane? Oh, yeah, we read magazines! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Wi-Fi isn’t as protected as we hope. Fear not. I’ve got some tips on protecting yourself and surfing safely in the skies.

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    Up in the air

    Hackers use all kinds of sneaky tactics to hijack your privacy in flight. One thing in their favor: VPNs are more likely to drop in and out in the air than on the ground. (More on that below.)

    Without that layer of protection, cybercriminals using the same airline Wi-Fi can easily tap into your devices, access your information and spread malware.

    Here are a few tips to safely surf the web from the skies. (iStock)

    “S” for security: Only visit encrypted websites — the ones that start with “HTTPS” (that “S” is important!). In general, this blocks a hacker from viewing your activity on a given site, like the password or credit card number you typed in.

    Beware of AirDrop: Keyloggers keep track of every single thing you type, and criminals love to pass them along using Apple’s AirDrop feature. Don’t accept drops from strangers in flight. Steps here to disable or limit AirDrop if you need help.

    Name game: Crooks can create fake Wi-Fi networks with almost identical names to the airline’s. If you’re not careful, you could plug into a copycat network instead of the legit one.

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    Is your home connection locked down? Do this check twice a year.

    Sky-high safety

    I know you’re not going to skip the Wi-Fi altogether. That’s OK, just be smart about it.

    Update everything: Before you hit the road, make sure your phone, computer, tablet, smartwatch and any other connected devices are running the latest software. Steps here for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Updates often include critical security patches that protect against the new threats. Don’t forget to update your apps, too.

    Add a layer of security: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection. Before accessing anything sensitive, like your email, online banking or shopping accounts, turn on your VPN. Double-check its status to ensure it’s actively protecting your connection. It should display as “connected” or “secured.”

    VPN on a phone screen

    While VPNs are an easy way to secure your internet connection from the ground, they’re often a lot spottier – and in turn, less effective – when you’re flying. (iStock)

    Verify names. If you notice multiple Wi-Fi networks with similar names, check with the airline staff and confirm which is the right one.

    Use 2FA: For any account tied to financial information or personal details, two-factor authentication is a must. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone or email, after entering your password. Set this up for all accounts with ties to your finances to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

    Secure your devices. Invest in antivirus and malware-protection software, and keep your devices physically secure. Avoid leaving your phone, tablet or laptop unattended, even for a moment. 

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    Stop looky loos. Get a privacy screen for your laptop to prevent nearby shoulder snooping.

    Bonus: Don’t post pics of your boarding pass or other travel docs

    You’re excited, waiting for the plane. What’s the harm in posting a pic of your boarding pass? A whole lot. Boarding passes display your full legal name, ticket number and passenger name record. That six-digit code plus your last name gives anyone access to your booking information online.

    The same goes for your license, passport, visa or other identification documents. Thieves keep an eye out for any detail they can use.

    Keep these photos on your phone before vacation. Scroll to No. 3. You’ll thank me if something goes missing.

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  • These mistakes could tank your credit score

    These mistakes could tank your credit score

    Do you know the difference between 550 and 780? Yes, they’re 230 digits apart, but they’re also examples of bad and good credit scores, respectively.

    Win a pair of $329 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Enter here, no purchase necessary!

    If you don’t check yours regularly, now’s the time to start. Small mistakes are a lot more common than you think, and they can do some serious damage to your credit score. I’ll let you in on some of the most common credit report mistakes and what you can do to fix them.

    5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER

    Step 1: Get your free credit report

    The three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) are required by law to provide you with one free credit report a year. Sweet. There are a few ways you can request a copy from each agency.

    Online is the fastest route. If you submit a request via phone or mail, expect to wait two weeks after the paperwork is received.

    • Online: www.AnnualCreditReport.com
    • Phone: 877-FACTACT (877-322-8228)
    • Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Send it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

    Pro tip: Grab your report from the fourth credit bureau, Innovis, too.

    Close up of a man with a smartphone and laptop computer on January 31, 2019.  (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

    Step 2: Look for the most common mistakes

    Typos or wrong info: Anything from your name spelled incorrectly to your address or your birthdate off by one number. Tiny mistakes can mix up your credit with someone else’s.

    Accounts you don’t recognize: If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t ignore it! This includes credit cards you never applied for, loans in your name or purchases you didn’t make.

    Duplicates: It’s not normal to see a debt twice on a credit report. This includes things like the same collection account, transferred debts showing as separate accounts or paid-off debts still sitting there.

    Incorrect account info: Sometimes, payments can mistakenly show up as late, or closed accounts may still show as active. Other times, reports may show the wrong credit limit or mess up your payment history.

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    Outdated info: Bankruptcies older than 10 years, late payments older than seven years and outdated collections accounts should not be showing on your credit report.

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    Step 3: Report anything strange

    Don’t panic! Write down and make copies of anything that looks off, then file a dispute with the credit reporting company by mail, phone or online.

    If you’re filing online or by mail, explain in writing exactly what’s wrong and why, and include copies of documents with proof. Make sure to include your contact info, credit report confirmation numbers and a copy of your version of your credit report.

    Equifax

    Close-up of the upper corner of a consumer credit report from the credit bureau Equifax, with text reading Credit File and Personal Identification, on a light wooden surface, September 11, 2017.  (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

    And always follow up! Bureaus are required to look into your disputes within 30 days. Track its progress until you have a resolution in writing. If your dispute is valid, the bureau has to fix it and tell the other bureaus as well.

    A lot of these issues boil down to good old-fashioned human error. It happens, but don’t let that stop you from taking charge.

    Related: How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone

    While you’re at it, find your job number

    Equifax also runs a database of 716 million income and employment records, including, potentially, yours. It’s called The Work Number, and employers use it to make sure you are who you say you are.

    Your Employment Data Report (EDR) includes things like where you’ve worked, when you worked there and your exact past salary numbers.

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    Trying to get a new job? An employer could use your EDR to find your past salary range and lowball you in negotiations. And, of course, Equifax will sell your EDR to anyone who’s buying, including debt collectors. 

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    How to stop it

    You can freeze your EDR just like a credit report. You can also see who’s tried to access it within the past two years. You’ll need to make an account with The Work Number to do it. 

    • Search for your current or former employer(s) using their name or employer code (the nine-digit number on your W-2).
    • Click their name, followed by Register Now. Heads-up: It’ll ask for your Social Security number.

    Once you register, look over your report and make sure it’s accurate. Fill out this data dispute form if you find anything fishy.

    Restaurant Bill with Credit Card

    A credit card is pictured alongside a restaurant bill. (iStock)

    Then, head back to the dashboard and click Freeze Your Data. Fill out the Data Freeze Placement Form and submit it. The Work Number will send you a freeze confirmation letter, along with a PIN. Save your PIN in your password manager. You’ll need it if you ever want to unfreeze your report.

    You can always log into The Work Number or call them to unfreeze your report.

    If you can’t find your employer: They may not be registered with The Work Number. Call the freeze helpline at 1-800-367-2884 to double-check.

    Unless you’re actively applying for a loan or government benefits, or unless an employer actively requests your EDR, it’s a no-brainer to freeze it. And if a potential employer insists on checking your EDR to hire you, maybe it’s not the right fit after all.

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    Copyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.