SafeWise is an independent review site. We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn how we rank and review. In the modern world of dating, couples are connecting digitally - even more so in light of the covid-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic began, 30% of all U.S. Though its popularity is rising, you may still wonder if online dating is safe. Connecting virtually has risks, but it can be a fun and low-pressure way to meet potential matches if you practice caution. Here are five tips for how you can have a safe online dating experience. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings. This information was provided to us by the experts at McAfee. Online romance scams are becoming more common-and more costly. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the reported costs of online romance scams jumped 50% from 2019 to 2020, to the tune of $304 million.
Between 2016 and 2020, the number of romance scam cases reported tripled. And just like a bad ex, it’s safe to say romance scams are not worth the time or money. That’s why McAfee, a global leader in online safety, helps consumers protect their hearts (and wallets) from fraudulent scammers, especially around peak times such as Valentine’s Day. To meet people safely online, especially through social media, McAfee shares three things you can do to limit your chances of getting caught up with a scammer. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others give you the option of making your profile and posts visible to friends only. Choosing this setting keeps the broader internet from seeing what you’re doing, saying, and posting, which can help protect your privacy and sex give a romance scammer less information to exploit. For an extra layer of protection, use a virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN to keep your location and internet browsing private.
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Be critical of the invitations you receive. Out-and-out strangers could be more than a romance scammer, they could be a fake account designed to gather information on users for purposes of cybercrime, or they can be an account designed to spread false information. There are plenty of them too. Identity theft protection like IDShield can protect you if your personal information is compromised and your identity is stolen. Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Security software, such as McAfee or Bitdefender Total Protection can protect you from clicking on malicious links that a scammer may send you online, while also steering you clear of other threats like viruses, ransomware, and phishing attacks in general. It can look out for your personal information as well, by protecting your privacy and monitoring your email, SSN, bank accounts, credit cards, and other info that a scammer or identity thief may put to use. Article was creat ed with GSA Cont en t Gene rator DEMO!
Find more online protection tools in our roundup of the best anti-malware apps. There are 2,500 online dating sites in the U.S., and fraud is on the rise. There are dozens of online dating websites and apps that target college students, so take note even if you live in a safe location. Most of these safe online dating services require a membership fee, so choose wisely. Also, once you stop using it, make sure you delete your profile. "There’s a difference between being cyber savvy and cyber secure," says Michael Kaiser, former executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. Any potential dates will likely run your name through a detailed Internet search. They may find your office location on LinkedIn, your address tagged in an Instagram post, or your phone number linked to an online ad. Take Action: Never post any identifying details on your profile - including your address, phone number, or personal email.
Make sure you also limit the information posted on your other virtual platforms. Set your security settings to the private on all your social media accounts and never authorize an app to post your location. It’s important to verify your suitor is who they say they are by checking where else their photos are posted. Perhaps their dating profile image is the same as their Twitter profile picture - people tend to be much less filtered on social media sites like Twitter, and you could discover some unsavory personality traits. You may also find out whether or not they are using a fake photo of a model or celebrity. Take Action: me202.sdsu.edu Copy the profile picture of a potential match into the Google Images search bar on your computer or use reverse image search on your phone. Google will search for kismit that image using facial recognition, landmark identification, and photo binary data to verify the source of the photo.