WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NCProtecting Your Cyberturf

  • Wednesday, February 15 2012 5:52 PM EST2012-02-15 22:52:51 GMT
    8 ways to be sure your private information is protected.

  • Wednesday, February 8 2012 5:45 PM EST2012-02-08 22:45:30 GMT
    We have no choice, Facebook is switching us to Timeline.  Our cyber expert says there are two things to remember when your profile makes the change.

  • Wednesday, February 1 2012 5:35 PM EST2012-02-01 22:35:17 GMT
    Ashton Kutcher's Foursquare and Twitter accounts hacked.  Learn what not to do if this happens to you.

  • Wednesday, January 25 2012 5:43 PM EST2012-01-25 22:43:22 GMT
    Two bills aimed at controlling internet content have critics saying the proposals go too far.

  • Wednesday, January 18 2012 5:53 PM EST2012-01-18 22:53:44 GMT
    There are ways to outsmart people counting on your mistakes to steal your personal information.

  • Wednesday, January 11 2012 5:36 PM EST2012-01-11 22:36:44 GMT
    Linking social media accounts might be convenient for you but it also makes snooping into your private life more convenient for others.

  • Friday, January 6 2012 10:10 AM EST2012-01-06 15:10:31 GMT
    With a proposal floated by the NTSB to ban all cell phone use in cars across the country, our cyber expert weighs in.

  • Thursday, December 29 2011 6:03 PM EST2011-12-29 23:03:18 GMT
    Smart phone application allows you to upload a photo and determine how unattractive the software program thinks the person's face is.

  • Thursday, December 22 2011 5:43 PM EST2011-12-22 22:43:34 GMT
    National Archives and Library of Congress strike a deal with the social networking site to keep a log of your "tweets" forever.

  • Thursday, December 15 2011 5:39 PM EST2011-12-15 22:39:15 GMT
    The photos of everyone on Facebook, including the founder, are exposed briefly due to a glitch in the system. 

  • Thursday, December 8 2011 6:38 PM EST2011-12-08 23:38:40 GMT
    We've told you that cyber scammers go where the action is.  At this time of year the action is centered in the holidays.

  • Friday, December 2 2011 5:55 PM EST2011-12-02 22:55:15 GMT
    Consumer watchdog group is asking the US Attorney General and the FCC to look into the software company and carriers.

  • Thursday, December 1 2011 6:08 PM EST2011-12-01 23:08:17 GMT
    WBTV's cyber expert warns there could be a more sinister side to these fun phone applications.

  • Thursday, November 17 2011 4:21 PM EST2011-11-17 21:21:44 GMT
    WBTV's Cyber Expert warns of a vulnerability in the program that keeps prisoners locked up.

  • Thursday, November 10 2011 5:30 PM EST2011-11-10 22:30:25 GMT
    Researcher finds a way around the Apple app approval process.

  • Friday, November 4 2011 11:18 AM EDT2011-11-04 15:18:41 GMT
    It may not be the focus of the game, but parents worry their kids could trip upon a seedy side of a popular online past-time.

  • Thursday, October 27 2011 1:36 PM EDT2011-10-27 17:36:37 GMT
    Cyber creeps, criminals and predators are getting smarter every day.  These tips will help you lock down your online life and make it harder for them to get to you.

  • Thursday, October 20 2011 5:40 PM EDT2011-10-20 21:40:25 GMT
    One woman believed it was her sister she was talking to on Facebook.  It wasn't, though, and it left her out thousands of dollars.

  • Friday, October 14 2011 10:54 AM EDT2011-10-14 14:54:04 GMT
    Fascinating technology that might help you identify people in pictures on Facebook is also being used by some law enforcement to identify criminals.  We look into what happens if the technology falls into the wrong hands.

  • Thursday, October 6 2011 5:30 PM EDT2011-10-06 21:30:08 GMT
    Time to double-check your privacy settings as Facebook rolls out a completely new look and feel to the way it operates.

  • Thursday, September 29 2011 5:28 PM EDT2011-09-29 21:28:38 GMT
    New application allows certain smart phone users to pay using only their phones.  Are you the right person to be using it?

  • Thursday, September 22 2011 5:47 PM EDT2011-09-22 21:47:33 GMT
    Quick response codes can give you additional information about a product or service but the hackers are targeting them.

  • Thursday, September 15 2011 5:33 PM EDT2011-09-15 21:33:37 GMT
    New website offers an inexpensive way to get products or services but there's a hidden service being offered that could impact how you spend your free time.

  • Thursday, September 1 2011 6:01 PM EDT2011-09-01 22:01:58 GMT
    Twitter and Facebook allow us to get information quickly but there's one thing to remember if that's your go-to source.

  • Thursday, August 25 2011 5:38 PM EDT2011-08-25 21:38:28 GMT
    The social networking site has listened to users and is keeping up with the competition by offering new built-in privacy features.

  • Thursday, August 18 2011 5:33 PM EDT2011-08-18 21:33:42 GMT
    Activist hackers claim they'll take the social networking site down to send a message about privacy.

  • Thursday, August 11 2011 5:41 PM EDT2011-08-11 21:41:57 GMT
    You get busy on vacation or with your life and you forget to pay that credit card bill on time.   We have lots of handy reminders from the credit card companies to keep us from becoming too delinquent.  But what if the late notice is not the real deal?  How would you know? 

  • Thursday, August 4 2011 5:36 PM EDT2011-08-04 21:36:40 GMT
    After your children call 911, if it's safe, teach them to keep you updated via Twitter and Facebook.

  • Friday, July 29 2011 9:36 AM EDT2011-07-29 13:36:47 GMT
    Could this new invitation-only social networking site be a real rival to Facebook?

  • Thursday, July 21 2011 5:43 PM EDT2011-07-21 21:43:23 GMT
    With the recent News of The World tabloid scandal in Britain many people in this country are wondering how easy it might be for someone to hack into their cell phones.

  • Thursday, July 14 2011 5:36 PM EDT2011-07-14 21:36:33 GMT
    New email feature can help you stay in touch more easily but there are five easy steps to take to protect yourself from spammers.

  • Thursday, July 7 2011 5:36 PM EDT2011-07-07 21:36:13 GMT
    WBTV's Cyber Expert offers three easy ways for you to stay out of the online rumor chain.

  • Thursday, June 30 2011 6:03 PM EDT2011-06-30 22:03:28 GMT
    Facebook users upset over privacy concerns now have a new option... Google+ (Plus).

  • Thursday, June 16 2011 5:48 PM EDT2011-06-16 21:48:07 GMT
    More physicians are carrying tablet computers with them into office visits so they can access your records instantly.  Our Cyber Expert tells you how to protect your privacy.

  • Thursday, June 9 2011 6:08 PM EDT2011-06-09 22:08:26 GMT
    When using Facebook or an online invitation service it's surprisingly easy to accidentally invite more guests than you intend.

  • Thursday, June 2 2011 9:22 PM EDT2011-06-03 01:22:41 GMT
    Son of an international security expert is kidnapped and authorities think it's something most of us do every day that made him easy to track.

  • Thursday, May 26 2011 5:50 PM EDT2011-05-26 21:50:10 GMT
    Security questions can help companies to know it's really you they're dealing with online but there's something you need to know about how you answer those questions.

  • Thursday, May 26 2011 1:31 PM EDT2011-05-26 17:31:16 GMT
    Easy ways to make sure the purchases you make online don't result in your personal information going up for grabs to criminals.

  • Thursday, May 12 2011 5:32 PM EDT2011-05-12 21:32:24 GMT
    Did you know there's a way to copyright or watermark the pictures you post to protect them against prying eyes?

  • Thursday, May 5 2011 5:41 PM EDT2011-05-05 21:41:07 GMT
    It's a new trick hackers are using to make money off of your personal information.

  • Thursday, April 28 2011 5:38 PM EDT2011-04-28 21:38:53 GMT
    Criminals are hopping onto random available wireless networks to hide their tracks while doing dirty business.

  • Thursday, April 14 2011 5:47 PM EDT2011-04-14 21:47:39 GMT
    When we give up our old smart phone for a newer model we have to be sure all of our personal information is removed.  It's not as easy as simply deleting your information.

  • Thursday, April 7 2011 5:30 PM EDT2011-04-07 21:30:17 GMT
    New domain name would segregate pornography online but some say that might not be a good idea.

  • Thursday, March 31 2011 6:06 PM EDT2011-03-31 22:06:38 GMT
    If you burn music downloaded from a music sharing site you don't recognize, there's a chance hackers have inserted a virus in that file that could infect your computer or your car.

  • Thursday, March 24 2011 5:42 PM EDT2011-03-24 21:42:10 GMT
    If you're getting ready to search the web for a deal, our cyber expert helps you avoid scammers pitfalls that could turn your vacation into a nightmare.

  • Thursday, March 10 2011 5:42 PM EST2011-03-10 22:42:10 GMT
    A young woman learns that someone else has set up nearly a dozen profiles on various social networking sites using her picture and an assumed name.

  • Thursday, March 3 2011 5:36 PM EST2011-03-03 22:36:43 GMT
    New technology in photocopiers allows you to print to email instead of paper but it's also a target for hackers.

  • Thursday, February 24 2011 5:52 PM EST2011-02-24 22:52:03 GMT
    You might be able to get a whale of a deal but at what price?

  • Thursday, February 17 2011 5:35 PM EST2011-02-17 22:35:26 GMT
    Your simple search turns up exactly what you didn't want, but there is something you can do about it.

  • Thursday, February 10 2011 5:54 PM EST2011-02-10 22:54:09 GMT
    When the internet was taken down recently in Egypt you may have wondered if that could happen here.  Our cyber expert explains why you need a backup plan.

  • Thursday, February 3 2011 5:38 PM EST2011-02-03 22:38:58 GMT
    Now advertisers may be following you into social networking sites to learn about you and your friends.

  • Thursday, January 27 2011 2:46 PM EST2011-01-27 19:46:56 GMT
    Video and text chat sites look kid-friendly but if your child wanders into the wrong chat room, you might not like what they could see.

  • Thursday, January 20 2011 5:48 PM EST2011-01-20 22:48:48 GMT
    Good-guy hackers found a way to break into cell phone conversations and texts with only $56 worth of equipment.

  • Thursday, January 13 2011 5:53 PM EST2011-01-13 22:53:10 GMT
    Cyber creeps are using our need to communicate in short bursts to hide spam that could ruin our computers.

  • Thursday, January 6 2011 5:48 PM EST2011-01-06 22:48:39 GMT
    Every time Facebook adds a new feature, your privacy is compromised.  Our Cyber Expert says it's important to double-check your settings at least monthly.

  • Thursday, December 30 2010 5:51 PM EST2010-12-30 22:51:54 GMT
    From "leetspeak" to location tracking, Cyber Expert Theresa Payton breaks down the three trends she thinks will be hot in 2011.

  • Thursday, December 16 2010 5:32 PM EST2010-12-16 22:32:17 GMT
    Your smartphone is quickly becoming the one-stop tool for all things including, soon, paying for purchases.

  • Friday, December 10 2010 2:04 PM EST2010-12-10 19:04:50 GMT
    How to get the latest and greatest information when using the internet to shop for the best prices.

  • Thursday, December 2 2010 5:39 PM EST2010-12-02 22:39:53 GMT
    Teens are using online protections to block out parents, not cybercreeps.

  • Thursday, November 18 2010 6:00 PM EST2010-11-18 23:00:14 GMT
    It's one of those situations when what seems too good to be true really is, but scammers are counting on you wanting a deal during the holidays.

  • Thursday, November 11 2010 5:39 PM EST2010-11-11 22:39:12 GMT
    Parents enjoy posting pictures of their children online and sharing them with friends and family.  However our cyber expert says there's good reason not to give up too much information about those cute little baby pictures. 

  • Thursday, November 4 2010 5:42 PM EDT2010-11-04 21:42:24 GMT
    WBTV's Cyber Expert wants you to be aware of something called "sidejacking" and how to avoid it.

  • Thursday, October 28 2010 5:47 PM EDT2010-10-28 21:47:57 GMT
    The US is closely watching a plan in Australia to potentially block internet access to those who have computers infected with a virus that could spread.

  • Thursday, October 21 2010 5:48 PM EDT2010-10-21 21:48:35 GMT
    Hackers zero in on those with contacts in the banking industry on popular business networking website "LinkedIn".

  • Thursday, October 14 2010 5:49 PM EDT2010-10-14 21:49:32 GMT
    With a scanner that's easy to purchase online, cyber creeps might be able to get your name and credit card number while simply standing next to you.  How real is the threat?

  • Thursday, October 7 2010 5:46 PM EDT2010-10-07 21:46:41 GMT
    Little programs left on your computer by some websites you visit may be telling marketing firms how to advertise to your family.

  • Thursday, September 23 2010 11:25 AM EDT2010-09-23 15:25:20 GMT
    The same wireless computer technology that allows the different computer systems in your car to "talk" with one another is also vulnerable to hackers.

  • Sunday, September 12 2010 8:49 AM EDT2010-09-12 12:49:05 GMT
    The hands-free devices employ incredibly convenient technology but as a user you must be aware of how to make sure you stay safe when you're wireless.

  • Thursday, September 2 2010 5:29 PM EDT2010-09-02 21:29:32 GMT
    The camera in your smart phone might be equipped with something called "geo-tagging" and it's small signature could help cyber criminals track down where you are, and where you are not.

  • Thursday, August 26 2010 5:42 PM EDT2010-08-26 21:42:51 GMT
    A simple 10-minute plan can help ease some of the headaches, and heartaches, that come with having your computer stolen.

  • Thursday, August 19 2010 5:43 PM EDT2010-08-19 21:43:06 GMT
    Cyber criminals target children because they can use their social security numbers as their own without getting caught quickly.

  • Thursday, August 5 2010 5:47 PM EDT2010-08-05 21:47:23 GMT
    Children playing on websites which are considered "kid-friendly" can easily navigate their way to sites where they can play violent video games.

  • Thursday, August 5 2010 8:19 AM EDT2010-08-05 12:19:25 GMT
    Our Cyber Expert, Theresa Payton, shows parents how quickly just two clicks could bring their children from a website meant for kids, to a blood and gore video game.

  • Thursday, July 22 2010 6:03 PM EDT2010-07-22 22:03:40 GMT
    Parents are being asked by their children at younger and younger ages whether they can enter the world of e-mail. 

  • Tuesday, July 20 2010 1:06 PM EDT2010-07-20 18:06:55 GMT
    Human trafficking may seem like it happens only in foreign countries but it turns out our state is a hotspot for selling people into forced labor or prostitution.

  • Thursday, July 15 2010 5:48 PM EDT2010-07-15 21:48:41 GMT
    Telling people where you are is the same as telling people where you are not.

  • Thursday, July 1 2010 5:47 PM EDT2010-07-01 21:47:47 GMT
    Smart phone users get fooled into downloading phony banking apps from a trusted source.  How not to become a victim.

  • Thursday, June 3 2010 5:48 PM EDT2010-06-03 21:48:41 GMT
    What to do if you think Google may have inadvertently acquired your personal information.

  • Thursday, May 27 2010 5:36 PM EDT2010-05-27 21:36:21 GMT
    If your family is taking a trip and just has to stay plugged in, our cyber expert has some suggestions.

  • Thursday, May 6 2010 5:42 PM EDT2010-05-06 21:42:23 GMT
    If you are renting a property online, or if you're in search of something to rent, you'll want to see our Cyber Expert's advice on how to avoid being scammed.

  • Thursday, April 29 2010 5:41 PM EDT2010-04-29 21:41:36 GMT
    Scammers are targeting Facebook, Twitter and e-mail profiles in an attempt to get money from family, friends and contacts.  Our Cyber Expert explains how to prevent this.

  • Tuesday, January 5 2010 5:44 PM EST2010-01-05 22:44:59 GMT
    CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -- All of that family you saw over the holidays - what are the odds you won't see them again until the NEXT holiday season? Many of you have resolved to stay in touch in 20-10 - and

  • Tuesday, November 3 2009 5:40 PM EST2009-11-03 22:40:45 GMT
    Protecting yourself from "phishing" emails and a word of the week which could get you "hooked".

  • Monday, October 26 2009 3:43 PM EDT2009-10-26 19:43:41 GMT
    Do you use the same user ID and password for everything you do online?  It makes it easier to remember, but puts you in jeopardy if someone is able to figure out what your password is and can then get in to all of your email accounts, protected websites, even your online banking system. 

  • Tuesday, October 20 2009 10:03 AM EDT2009-10-20 15:03:00 GMT
    Stealing identities online has become big business for cyber criminals.  You might not always be able to stop them from targeting you but it's possible to minimize the damage. 

  • Friday, October 2 2009 5:43 PM EDT2009-10-02 22:43:47 GMT
    The internet turns 40 years old this year.  While there is the opportunity for more great content online, there is also increased opportunity for scammers to steal your personal information. 

  • Friday, September 18 2009 12:08 PM EDT2009-09-18 17:08:41 GMT
    To kick off our new series, Protecting Your Cyberturf, our expert Theresa Payton teaches us the ABC's of online protection.