Top 21 Most Useful Life Hacks for Modern Living

When sharing your personal email address on public forums, replace the "@" symbol with "AT" and the dot "." with the word "DOT". For example, instead of writing [email protected], write it as MytourDOTvnATemailDOTcom. This simple trick can significantly reduce the amount of spam you receive compared to using a standard email format.

To protect yourself from online scammers who impersonate others, you can use the "Search Google for Images" feature. Simply right-click on their profile picture and select the option to search Google for that image (or, in Cốc Cốc browser, select "Tìm kiếm hình ảnh này trên Google"). If the same image appears elsewhere on the internet under a different name, you should be cautious about this person.

Never share photos online that clearly reveal personal details about your children, especially those including identifiable information like their name or the school they attend. Such information could be exploited by malicious individuals with harmful intentions.

High-tech criminals can install malware on your smartphone in just a few minutes when you charge it at a public location using a computer or even by connecting it to their USB cable. To stay safe, always keep an eye on your phone while charging in public. If possible, use a USB cable that only supports charging (not data transfer) or charge your phone with a portable power bank instead.

Instead of using a remote key fob to lock your car, use the manual key. High-tech criminals can use signal-blocking devices to jam the signal from your key fob. Additionally, never leave your house key inside your car, as it gives thieves an opportunity to break into your home if your car is stolen.

Scammers can create incredibly convincing fake emails that appear to come from legitimate websites. However, there are ways to spot them. Reputable sites like PayPal, Yahoo!, and Google typically use your name in emails, not generic terms like "customer" or "member." If you receive a suspicious email, delete it immediately and avoid clicking any links within it.

When entering sensitive and private information on a website, ensure that the web address starts with "https://". Websites starting with "http://" lack secure connections, and your data could easily be intercepted and exploited by cybercriminals.

Simply ensure that your software is updated with the latest security patches as soon as they are released. This helps protect your devices from malware and viruses.

If someone calls and asks for remote access to your computer, hang up immediately, as they are likely scammers. These fraudsters often pose as representatives from your Internet service provider, network administrator, or a tech company, claiming there are "critical issues" with your device. They may try to convince you to visit a website where they can gain remote control to "fix the problem." Once they have access, they can install malware, steal personal information, or even demand a "repair fee". Giving anyone access to your device is a bad idea and puts all your personal data at risk.

Many security questions on your accounts are common questions, and their answers can easily be found from public information about you on social media. This poses a risk to your account’s security and can be exploited by cybercriminals. If possible, use custom questions and answers. If not, avoid common questions with answers that can be easily found online. Additionally, remember that the question and answer don't always have to match exactly. This can help protect your information and accounts from high-tech criminals.

Free Wi-Fi is convenient, but be cautious when using it as your data can easily be intercepted and stolen. When connecting to public networks, stick to basic activities like browsing and reading information, and avoid accessing personal or sensitive data. This way, in the event of a cyber attack, you minimize the risk of harm.

Many kidnappers and criminals take advantage of victims who are unaware of their surroundings when leaving their car in isolated areas at night. After parking, turn off your car’s lights and take a moment to let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Check your mirrors and stay alert to movements around you. Keep any distractions away and stay focused while walking. This not only sharpens your vigilance but also may discourage potential criminals from targeting you if they feel they’ve waited too long or you’re too aware.

Here are some signs that an ATM may have been tampered with by criminals to steal your card and card information:

• The card slot feels stuck, loose, or unusually large.

• Printed labels or instructions are misaligned or poorly printed (indicating the device may be a skimmer).

• The ATM’s buttons feel loose, spongy, or unusually thick.

If you plan to sell products online, always research safe delivery locations—places with high foot traffic, regular security patrols, and safe areas. It’s best to avoid delivering to isolated places, especially during off-peak hours when few people are around.

Never download any attachments or click on links in messages or emails that seem to ask for your personal or financial information, even if they appear to come from reputable organizations. If you need to contact these organizations or websites, go directly to their site by typing the web address in your browser, or simply call them.

If you’re driving and a stranger signals you to pull over because your blinker is broken, don’t stop right away. Continue driving until you reach a safe, public place where you can stop and check. This will ensure your safety before engaging with the person.

Many people don’t realize that the webcam on their computer or laptop can be easily hacked and remotely controlled. To protect your privacy, use antivirus software and firewalls, or simply cover the camera lens when you're not using it.

Here’s how to create a secure password that hackers will struggle to crack:

• Start with a password of at least 8 characters, like Mytourvn (9 characters).

• Capitalize at least one letter. You can either capitalize the first letter of each syllable or randomly capitalize letters to increase security. Example: MytourVN.

• Include a number or replace a letter with a number, like MytourVN1 or T0pListVN.

• For different websites, modify the password by adding a few characters from the site’s name followed by a special character. For example, for Mytour.vn, the password could be T0pListVN@top, and for facebook.com, it would be T0pListVN$fac.

If your car's key fob has an alarm button and your vehicle is parked near your home, keep the key fob on your nightstand. In case of an emergency, such as a home invasion or attack, press the emergency button to scare off intruders and alert your neighbors.

Be extremely careful when plugging in USB drives from unknown sources into your computer. These devices could not only infect your system with dangerous malware and viruses, but they can also potentially damage your computer in an instant.

Always enable two-factor authentication on any of your accounts when available. This feature provides extra security by requiring two forms of verification: a changing password and a one-time random code sent to your mobile phone. It makes your account significantly harder to hack, even if your password is compromised.