The internet is an important fixture in our lives, but definitely comes with some potential paths to hazards and threats, especially for kids. So what can you do to keep your kids safe? If you’re using a Mac – or if your child is, Apple includes a lot of tools in macOS that can help out. Today on The Checklist, we’ll look at five of the most important things to know about built-in parental controls on your Mac and how to use them effectively.

Just about everyone has a smartphone these days, and many parents see the benefits in providing their children with a phone to keep in touch, or in case of an emergency. Smartphone also make it easier for children to be exposed to cyberbullying or inappropriate content, so how do you keep a child safe on the phone? We’re going to explore this topic more in depth on today’s episode!

The files on your Mac are more than “just data” — they’re your music, your vacation pics, that report that’s due for work or the video of your child’s first steps. On today’s episode, we’re going to cover specific steps you can take to keep your data safe and secure from prying eyes.

Beyond social media and online shopping sites, there’s a whole lot to the Internet that the average user simply can’t see. We’re talking, of course, about the so-called “dark web” which is only accessible with the Tor Browser. On today’s episode, we’ll be discussing this hidden side of the internet, and the special browser needed to access it.

On today’s episode of the Checklist podcast, we’ll run down some of the security apps which are “must-haves” for any user. We’ll cover what these apps do, what sets them apart, and why you’d be wise to have some of them installed on your Mac.

On this podcast we frequently talk about the various “digital” defenses that you can set up to protect your Mac and iOS devices. Physically securing your devices is equally important, especially when it comes to protecting your data from prying eyes and grabbing hands in the “real world!” In today’s edition, we’ll cover what you need to know about physical security and some things you can do to improve your device’s safety.

VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are one way you can take matters into your own hands and improve your privacy online. On today’s show, we’ll go over exactly what these are plus how you can use them on your Apple devices.

Last week we took a look back at the defining moments in 2016 for Mac security, and this week we’re giving iOS the same treatment! A lot has happened in the past year, and we’ve got plenty to cover in this episode!

There are many different ways that websites and advertisers can track your online browsing habits. In today’s episode, we’re covering 5 ways websites are tracking you, why they’re doing it, and what it means for online privacy.

It seems like new malware attacks are in the news just about every week. A recent ransomware attack crippled San Francisco’s public transit system, with far-reaching consequences. In today’s episode, we’re going to cover four important things you should know about the Muni hack.

It’s no secret that web browsers rank among the most popular software for daily use, but this popularity also makes browsers an appealing target for viruses, malware, and hackers. In today’s episode, we’re going to tackle this issue with 5 ways to ensure a safe and secure Internet browsing experience.

On this week’s episode, we’re going to do something a bit different, and rather than focusing on one topic, we’ll be answering some listener questions on-air! Please feel free to shoot us an e-mail if you ever have a question about a topic we’ve covered, have a specific topic you’d like us to cover in the future, or need some advice when it comes to the security of your devices — we love hearing from our listeners!

It’s estimated that 120 million people shopped online on Cyber Monday in 2015, and that number is sure to be even higher this year! That’s a lot of gift shopping — and a lot of opportunities for something to go wrong. While shopping online is convenient, it also carries some security risks. On today’s Checklist: Five things you can do to make your online shopping more secure.

Today’s topic: travel. Millions of people travel substantial distances every day, whether it’s for business or pleasure. For the safety of your devices and the security of your data, there are a few things you’ll want to do. Today we’ll look at several ways you can prepare and keep yourself safe on your trip.

With malware attacks on the rise, more and more news coverage is devoted to analyzing these threats. On today’s show we’re going to help you make sense of all that security gibberish by demystifying the terminology and acronyms frequently encountered when it comes to malware.

On today’s show we’re going to cover what makes a piece of spyware different from a worm, and what makes a keylogger different from adware. Once you can tell the difference between the different types of malware, you’ll be better prepared to understand just how the different types of threats can affect *you*, and which ones are worth losing sleep over!

On today’s episode, we’re hitting best practices when it comes to login and password security — simple steps you can take to keep your accounts from falling into the wrong hands, and what to do in the event that your password has been compromised.

Internet criminals can be pretty devious, and it’s becoming increasingly harder to determine legitimate sites from fake ones these days. In today’s episode, we’ll go over five ways to identify and avoid online scams, helping to keep your personal data (and the contents of your bank account!) out of the hands of online con-artists.