Safety Net | Mashable

Is that email a scam? Could that text message be from someone trying to steal your data? Before you click that link, Safety Net is here to answer your questions. We'll share real stories of the victims of cyber attacks, identity fraud, security breaches, phishing scams, and more. And we'll tell you how to keep it from happening to you.

person dangling from rope

Here’s what to do if you give your information to a scammer

submission form on phone screen

Have you been impacted by a scam or security breach?

Hands at keyboard

What are 'context bombs'? Get familiar with the new cybersecurity tool.

Hand on keyboard

The 6 biggest cybersecurity breaches of 2026 so far

A microphone in front of the FCC briefing room table.

FCC ID mandate plans could kill anonymous burner phones

A case for Beats Studio Buds.

Apple fixes a Beats Studio Buds flaw that could let hackers listen to conversations

Features

Reddit ads pose as news stories to promote AI investment scams

Gamer playing Minecraft

Teenagers are using a $5 Minecraft malware called WeedHack to target and cyberbully victims

Megalodon cyberattack infects 5,500 GitHub open-source repositories with malware, researchers say

Google, Meta, TikTok face EU complaints over financial scam protections

Meta made $14 million just off of these scam ads

Roundups

a close-up of a person using proton vpn on a laptop

Worried about your digital privacy? I tested the top 3 VPNs to find the best of the best.

antivirus software shield

The best antivirus software for keeping your Mac or PC protected

parental control apps for iphone

Uneasy about your kid's iPhone obsession? These 3 parental control apps can help.

finger print illustration

The very best password managers, as recommended by our experts

scissors cutting cord on robot making phone call

4 of the best robocall-blocking apps and tools for avoiding phone spam

More Safety Net

Taylor Swift and Rihanna TikTok scams are surging

Don't. Click. The. Links.

04/30/2026

By Chase DiBenedetto

Rihanna smiles toward the camera at a busy fashion event.

Rihanna smiles toward the camera at a busy fashion event.

New phishing scam targets your FOMO with fake party invitations

Be on the lookout for vague party invites in your inbox from long-distance accquaintances.

04/28/2026

By Chance Townsend

Hand holding a pink invitation card on pink background.

Hand holding a pink invitation card on pink background.

AI's ability to find major software bugs is growing 490% year on year

A flood of vulnerability reports is starting to kill off bug bounty programs.

04/23/2026

By Timothy Beck Werth

New Congressional scam alert issued for IRS fraud ahead of Tax Day

Exclusive: Lawmakers warn of new IRS scams targeting taxpayers nationwide.

04/09/2026

By Anna Iovine

front of the IRS building in washington, dc

front of the IRS building in washington, dc

Traffic violation text scams are evolving with QR codes

Alongside the use of CAPTCHA's, this new texting scam is even harder to detect by automated software.

04/06/2026

By Chance Townsend

Photo of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

Photo of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles