Amber Bouman

Amber Bouman

Amber Bouman was the senior editor for security at Tom's Guide where she covered everything from home security cameras and identity theft to password breaches, password managers and antivirus software.

Previous to joining the Tom's Guide team, Amber spent two years covering parenting technology at Reviewed. She also spent five years as a parenting editor and community manager at Engadget, and has worked at TechHive, Wirecutter, Maximum PC and PC World covering smartphones, parenting tech, B2B, PC builds, tech accessories, apps and more.

A California native, Amber currently lives in rural New England and has been testing apps and products for over fifteen years. She has worked as a consumer advocate, helping find resolutions for common customer problems. As a former comment moderator and community editor, she became invested in the topics of internet security and safety, identity theft, online disinformation and the safety of women and marginalized communities online.

Latest articles by Amber Bouman

An FBI agent typing on a computer
FBI issues warning over scammers impersonating agents to steal your money

By Amber Bouman Published

The FBI has issued a scam alert warning that scammers are impersonating agents from its Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Online Security
Galaxy S25 Plus held in the hand.
Samsung phone security flaw leaves passwords exposed — protect yourself now

By Amber Bouman Published

Samsung phones and tablets have a troubling flaw that involves their clipboards storing passwords insecurely in plain text.

Online Security
A woman's hands holding a smartphone with a lock symbol on it, in front of a laptop that also has a lock symbol on it.
Do you really need to pay for antivirus software?

By Amber Bouman Published

There are a lot of great free antivirus software options out there but if you want the best protection possible, you're better off paying.

2 Comments
Antivirus
A hacker typing quickly on a keyboard
FBI issues warning — hackers are using fake PDF converters to spread malware and steal your passwords

By Amber Bouman Published

Be very vigilant about online file converting websites – some of them are fake and spreading malware.

Malware & Adware
A Hertz car rental center in New York City
Hertz confirms data breach that exposed credit cards, drivers' licenses and more — what to do now

By Amber Bouman Last updated

Hertz has confirmed that it suffered a data breach at the end of last year and that hackers stole sensitive personal and financial data on its customers.

Online Security
A person typing on a laptop with warning messages displayed on screen
12 computer security mistakes you're probably making — and what to do instead

By Amber Bouman Published

Here are twelve terrible habits that will wreak havoc on your computer security.

Online Security
Google Pixel 9 Pro camera close-up
Google is reportedly working on a fix for an annoying flaw in Android's Remote Lock feature — here's what we know

By Amber Bouman Published

Android's Remote Lock feature is useful when you lose your phone but until this flaw is fixed, it can also allow anyone to remotely lock your device.

Android Phones
Green skull on smartphone screen.
Hackers are using fake Google Play Store pages to infect Android phones with a dangerous trojan — how to stay safe

By Amber Bouman Published

A new SpyNote malware campaign has been discovered online targeting Android users via fake Google Play Store pages.

Malware & Adware
Windows
Windows PCs under threat from zero-day flaw used in ransomware attacks — update your computer right now

By Amber Bouman Published

Microsoft has revealed that a recently patched Windows zero-day flaw was used to spread malware and launch ransomware attacks.

Online Security
An image showing an iPhone with the T-Mobile logo
T-Mobile is starting to send out data breach settlement payments for up to $25K — see if you qualify

By Amber Bouman Published

T-Mobile customers affected by a 2021 data breach should be receiving their settlement checks this month.

Online Security
A toll road scam text on a smartphone
No, that toll text scam isn’t over yet — how to avoid getting phished

By Amber Bouman Published

Toll road scam texts are popping up in your messages again and if you're not careful, you could end up getting phished.

Online Security
A laptop screen that displays both the Trend Micro and McAfee antivirus logos
I put Trend Micro and McAfee antivirus in a head to head showdown – here’s how it went

By Amber Bouman Published

McAfee is known for offering a lot of features and extras, while Trend Micro has a lot of plans that cover many different devices. We compare the two point by point here.

Antivirus
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
Stop everything and update your iPhones, iPads and Macs — Apple issues critical fix for zero-day exploits

By Amber Bouman Published

Older Apple devices should get updated now to receive a critical patch.

Online Security
Zoom call on MacBook
Fake Zoom installer tries to trick users into installing dangerous ransomware – here’s how to stay safe

By Amber Bouman Published

Hackers are tricking people trying to install Zoom into infecting their computers with the BlackSuit ransomware.

Malware & Adware
mobile security
Security spring cleaning — 7 things you should do now to avoid getting hacked

By Amber Bouman Published

Starting out with safe devices is the best first step

Online Security
Graphic screen displaying malware detection warning
This dangerous new Windows malware hides from your antivirus while impersonating a popular PC brand

By Amber Bouman Published

A new Windows malware impersonating a popular utility from Asus is making the rounds online and infecting vulnerable PCs.

Malware & Adware
Wyze Cam v3
Wyze adds AI-powered filter to its security cameras to cut down on notifications that are “no big deal”

By Amber Bouman Published

Wyze now uses AI to improve its notification alerts.

Home Security
23andME box
23andMe has declared bankruptcy — here's how to delete your data now

By Amber Bouman Published

23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and this could have big implications for its users.

Online Security
MacBook Pro 2023
New Mac attack is tricking users into thinking their computer is locked — how to stay safe

By Amber Bouman Published

This dangerous new phishing scam is trying to trick you into handing over your Apple ID and password.

Online Security
An illustration of a person holding a smartphone with a padlock in front of speech bubbles on the screen
The best encrypted messaging apps in 2025

By Amber Bouman, Nicholas Fearn Last updated

The best encrypted messaging apps for Android and iOS can stop third-parties from reading your conversations.

Instant Messengers
Malware
Dangerous new password-stealing trojan automatically reinstalls itself on infected PCs

By Amber Bouman Published

The StilachiRAT uses sophisticated techniques to hide on your PC while stealing crypto, passwords and sensitive data.

Malware & Adware
iPhone 15 Pro Max shown in hand
5 iPhone settings you should always shut off — because they’re a security nightmare

By Amber Bouman Published

These iPhone settings are high-risk and should always get toggled off for maximum security.

Online Security
A hacker typing quickly on a keyboard
New MassJacker malware is hijacking digital wallets to steal large sums from users

By Amber Bouman Published

Cryptocurrency transactions are being hijacked by a new clipper malware strain called MassJacker.

Malware & Adware
Discord on a phone and a laptop
Reported Discord data leak disputed by third-party service RestoreCard

By Amber Bouman Last updated

The data leak was originally reported on BreachForums

Online Security
A person trying to set up a new Wi-Fi router
Thousands of TP-Link routers have been infected by a botnet to spread malware

By Amber Bouman Published

The Ballista botnet has infected thousands of TP-Link routers with malware.

5 Comments
Malware & Adware
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