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Questions
Search the questions below or choose a topic.
Guides, devices and blog posts are available through the site-wide search.
Before you pay
Check whether a product or subscription is worth the cost.
- 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.
- Do I need a paid security app on my phone?Usually not for antivirus alone. Play Protect checks apps on a Google Play-certified Android phone, while an iPhone isolates apps from one another.
- 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 each device.
- 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 paid extra cover worth it?It depends on the terms. Paid extra cover is not a warranty, and a genuine warranty must be free to the consumer.
- 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?If a contact requires you to buy a gift card and give away its code as payment, it is a scam.
- Can I cancel a purchase I made over the phone?Most phone-sale purchases can be withdrawn from within 14 days without giving a reason. There are exceptions.
- I already gave out my bank credentials. What now?Contact your bank immediately and explain what you shared. Do not approve any new confirmation request.
- 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 you can manage at home.
- 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?Check the smart device's model on the manufacturer's support page and in its own settings. An updated phone or control app does not prove that the device itself receives fixes.
- What is a guest network and is it worth using?It is a separate Wi-Fi network provided by the router. Check that it reaches the internet but blocks new connections from the guest network to the main home network.
- 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 protect a wifi network. Choose WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 Transitional. WPA2 Personal (AES) is still appropriate with a strong 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?Choose a passkey when the service offers one. Otherwise turn on two-factor authentication for at least your 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.
- Why does a smart-device app want location, local network or Bluetooth access?Local Network or Bluetooth access may be needed to find the device. Precise location and contacts need a separate reason tied to a feature you use.
Buying
What to look for on the box before you pay.
- What should I check 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?The manufacturer affixes it to declare that the product meets the EU requirements that apply. It is not a certificate issued to the product by the EU or an authority.
- Why is the Tietoturvamerkki label no longer granted?Traficom stopped granting new labels because EU security requirements reduced the role of the voluntary Finnish label.
Where to start
Two questions about the basic protections at home.
- Should I be worried at all?Protect your email, use a different password for each service and check your router's update support.
- What should I do first 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.
Where the information comes from
Every answer carries its sources and the date the information was last checked against them.
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