Questions
Every answer starts with a single sentence. If that is enough, you can stop there. You can also send any single question on as a link.
Looking for something specific? Search covers the whole site.
Money — is it worth buying
These are the questions that save money.
- Do I need a VPN at home?Probably not for ordinary browsing. HTTPS protects website content, while a VPN does not stop scams, leaked passwords or malware.
- Do I need paid antivirus for Windows?For most people the protection built into Windows is enough. In independent tests it scored full marks for protection in June 2026.
- What is in a security package?Contents vary. Compare antivirus, web protection, password management, VPN and other services one by one with the features already on your computer.
- Do I need identity protection or credit monitoring?Enter a free voluntary credit ban first. It makes taking out credit in your name harder. Then compare the extra services and annual price of paid monitoring.
- Is a cloud storage subscription for my camera worth it?It depends on how the camera records. If local storage meets your needs, a cloud subscription mainly adds a separate copy and the features included in the plan.
- Is an extended warranty worth it?Usually not. The seller's liability continues under the law after a warranty ends, and it is not tied to a number of years.
- Do I need a password manager, and do I have to pay for one?It is worth it for almost everyone, but you do not have to pay. Your browser has one built in, and for most people that is enough.
- Why does a device I already bought now want a monthly fee?The fee normally pays for an ongoing service such as cloud storage or remote access. Check which basic functions remain without the subscription.
Scams
Calls, messages and pop-ups, and what to do about them.
- The phone seller said the contract is already made. Is it?It is not, unless you accepted a written offer after the call. The phone conversation on its own does not bind you.
- How do I spot a scam call?The number on your screen cannot verify the caller. End the call and check the matter in the organisation's own app or through its published number.
- Did my bank really call me?End the call and ring back using the number on the back of your card or in your online bank.
- I got a text message about a parcel, from the tax office or from my bank. Is it real?Do not open the link. Go to the service yourself, through its app or by typing in the address, and see whether the same thing is there.
- A pop-up says my computer has a virus. What do I do?Close the tab and do not call the number in the notice. A web page's own warning is not a trustworthy virus scan.
- Somebody is asking for remote access to my computer. Should I allow it?Do not open remote access because of an unexpected call or message. It lets another person see your screen and operate the computer.
- Why am I being asked to pay with gift cards?A gift-card code transfers value quickly and is hard to reverse. A request like this from an authority, bank or support service is a scam.
- Can I cancel a purchase I made over the phone?You can. A phone sale counts as distance selling, which carries a 14-day right of withdrawal. You do not have to give a reason.
- I already gave out my bank credentials. What now?Phone your bank now. Take the number from the back of your card or from your own online bank, not from the message or the call.
- Why do scammers call me in particular?Scam calls are made in large numbers, and a call usually does not mean the caller knows you.
Your network
Router, wifi and passwords. The part that is under your own control.
- Is my router too old?Age alone does not decide. If the manufacturer's update support has ended, replace the router.
- How do I know if my device gets updates?From the manufacturer's support page. Find your model and look at when the latest update was published.
- What is a guest network and is it worth using?A separate Wi-Fi network for guests and smart devices. Configured correctly, it limits their access to your computers and phones.
- Can a smart bulb see my other devices?Traffic between devices may be possible on the same local network. A guest network and client isolation limit it when the router supports those features.
- Do I have to change my wifi password regularly?Not regularly. Once, properly, is enough, as long as the password is long and is not the default the device came with.
- What do WPA2 and WPA3 mean?They are ways of encrypting a wifi network. The newer one is better, but the older one is still fine with a long password.
- My neighbours can see my network name. Is that a problem?No. The name is meant to be visible, and hiding it does not make the network any safer.
- What does router remote management mean, and should it be switched off?It lets you into the router settings from outside your home. Most people do not need it, and it is worth switching off.
- What is two-factor authentication and do I need it?Signing in requires a second check alongside the password, such as a code from an app. Turn it on at least for email and important accounts.
- Why should I not reuse a password?Because one leak is enough. The same password gets tried by machine against other services, and one service's breach then costs you several accounts.
Devices
What devices in your home do and what information they send.
- Does a smart speaker hear everything?It listens continuously for a wake word. When it thinks it heard a command, including by mistake, speech may be processed and stored according to the service settings.
- What does my smart television collect about me?Some models recognise content on the screen and send recognition data to the manufacturer. The feature can usually be disabled in privacy settings.
- Can my security camera be hacked?It can. A unique password, two-factor authentication, updates and closing unnecessary inbound connections reduce the risk.
- Does a robot vacuum see the floor plan of my home?A mapping model creates a map of your home. Storage and deletion depend on the manufacturer; for example, iRobot stores Smart Maps in the cloud.
- Is a baby monitor safe?It depends on the model. A monitor that joins your network is a camera, and the same rules apply to it as to any other camera.
- Can somebody else open my smart lock remotely?Remote access to an internet-connected lock depends on the manufacturer's account. Protect it with a unique password and two-factor authentication.
- What happens to a device when the manufacturer stops supporting it?It works exactly as it did before, but faults found in it are no longer fixed. Some devices stop working altogether if the service behind them shuts down.
- A device wants access to my location and my contacts. Why?Setup may need access to nearby Wi-Fi devices. Older Android versions show this as a location request; it does not explain a request for your contacts.
Buying
What to look for on the box before you pay.
- What is worth looking for on the box?Check the support period, unique credentials, operation without a cloud service and the manufacturer's channel for security reports.
- Is a cheap device automatically a bad one?Not automatically. Instead of price, check the update-support end date, unique credentials and a security reporting channel.
- What does the CE marking tell you about security?It is the manufacturer's own declaration that the product meets EU requirements. Nobody outside the company issued it.
- Why is the Tietoturvamerkki label no longer granted?Traficom stopped granting new labels, because the EU's own security requirements came into force for internet-connected devices on 1 August 2025.
The basics
Two questions worth reading first.
- Should I be worried at all?Constant worry does not help. Make three free changes: protect your email, use unique passwords and check your router's support.
- What do I do first, if I want to improve my security?Protect your email. Many other services use it for password recovery, so start with a unique password and two-factor authentication there.
42 questions in total
Every answer carries its sources and the date the information was last checked against them.
Checked