Security Help – Cyn Mackley

Help! A Fake PC App Store Took Over My Computer

Posted on July 11, 2026July 5, 2026 by cynmackley

table with computer and keyboard in room

“I got myself in a pickle again. I was going to download Adobe Reader and clicked on this site and it came up PC App Store and it won’t let me in on my accounts unless I create an account. My credit card will not let the payment through as they know it is a dubious site. How can I get rid of this site as I’m pretty well locked out of my accounts? It won’t let me get into any sites on my computer. I click on Edge, Chrome, etc., and nothing happens. I think they have me as a hostage.”

10 AI Scams Everyone Should Know About

Posted on July 4, 2026June 6, 2026 by cynmackley

Here are ten of the fastest-growing AI scams and how to protect yourself.

When You’re Gone: The 2026 Guide to Your Digital Legacy, Facebook Memories, Passwords & Online Accounts

Posted on May 23, 2026April 29, 2026 by cynmackley

Most people have a will. Some people have life insurance. Many have folders full of paperwork. But millions of people have something just as valuable and rarely planned for: Their digital life.

The Scams That Don’t Look Like Scams

Posted on April 18, 2026March 29, 2026 by cynmackley

scam alert letting text on black background

Scams have gotten quieter. They don’t always look strange. They don’t always sound urgent. And they don’t always ask for something right away.

You Locked the Front Door… But Left a Few Windows Open Online

Posted on April 11, 2026March 29, 2026 by cynmackley

A Practical Look at the Parts of Your Digital Life You Might Be Overlooking

Should You Ban Social Media?

Posted on March 21, 2026February 28, 2026 by cynmackley

If you’re wrestling with the question of whether to ban social media entirely — or allow it with supervision — you’re not alone.

Keeping Kids Safe Online (Without Losing Your Mind) Part 2

Posted on March 14, 2026February 28, 2026 by cynmackley

This week, we’re looking at the privacy settings that actually matter — the ones that determine who can find your child, message them, track them, tag them, or see more than they should.

Keeping Kids Safe Online (Without Losing Your Mind)

Posted on March 7, 2026February 28, 2026 by cynmackley

photo of a girl in a red shirt watching on her smartphone

You’re navigating Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, group chats, private messages, disappearing messages, livestreams, and a whole digital universe that didn’t exist when most of us were teenagers.

20 Ways Scammers Can Steal Your Money — and How to Stop Them (2026 Edition)

Posted on February 21, 2026February 1, 2026 by cynmackley

20 common ways scammers steal money, with real-world scenarios, why they work, and how to stop them — without needing a cybersecurity degree or a bunker.

The 10 Most Evil Scams — and Who They’re Designed to Destroy

Posted on February 14, 2026February 1, 2026 by cynmackley

Not all scams are created equal. Some are annoying. Some waste your time. And then there are the truly evil ones — the scams designed to hit people at their most vulnerable moments and wipe them out emotionally, financially, or both.