Set Up Your AI Scam Shield in 10 Minutes

Tired of worrying whether that text is a scam? Whether that email is phishing? Here's your complete protection setup - everything you need, done in 10 minutes. After this, scammers become someone else's problem.

Your 10-Minute Security Setup

Minute 1-3: Email Protection

Gmail users:

1. Open Gmail Settings (gear icon)
2. Go to "Filters and Blocked Addresses"
3. Gmail's AI already filters most scams - verify it's on:

• Settings > See all settings > Spam
• Ensure "Filter spam" is enabled

Additional protection:

• Enable "Enhanced Safe Browsing" in your Google Account:
• Go to myaccount.google.com/security
• Find "Enhanced Safe Browsing" and turn it on
• This warns you about dangerous emails and links

For any email provider:

• Never click links in unexpected emails
• Hover over links to see actual destination
• When in doubt, go directly to the company's website

Use our [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) to check any email that feels suspicious.

Minute 3-5: Phone & SMS Protection

iPhone:

1. Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders (turn ON)
2. Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers (turn ON)
3. These moves scam texts and calls out of your main view

Android:

1. Open Phone app > Settings > Spam and Call Screen > Turn ON
2. Open Messages > Settings > Spam protection > Turn ON
3. Google's AI filters most scam texts automatically

Both platforms:

• Don't respond to unknown numbers
• Never click links in texts from unknown senders
• Legitimate companies don't text urgent requests

Minute 5-7: Browser Protection

Install these free extensions:

uBlock Origin (all browsers):

• Blocks malicious ads and known scam sites
• Free, open source, highly trusted
• Install from your browser's extension store

HTTPS Everywhere (Chrome, Firefox, Edge):

• Forces secure connections
• Prevents some man-in-the-middle attacks
• Set and forget

Browser settings:

• Enable "Enhanced protection" in Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Security > Enhanced protection
• Enable "Strict" tracking prevention in Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Tracking prevention > Strict

Minute 7-9: Password Manager Setup

This is the highest-impact security action you can take.

Choose one (all have free tiers):

• Bitwarden - Best free option, open source
• 1Password - Best paid option
• Apple Keychain - Good if you're all-Apple

Quick setup:

1. Install the app and browser extension
2. Create one strong master password (write it down, store safely)
3. Import passwords from your browser
4. Let it generate unique passwords for new accounts

Why this matters:

Password reuse is how most accounts get hacked. Password managers make unique passwords easy.

Minute 9-10: Enable 2FA Everywhere

Two-factor authentication stops most account takeovers.

Priority accounts (do these first):

• Email (most important - email resets everything else)
• Banking and financial
• Social media
• Amazon/shopping accounts

How to enable:

Most sites: Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication

Best 2FA methods (in order):

1. Hardware key (Yubikey) - most secure
2. Authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) - very secure
3. SMS codes - better than nothing, but can be intercepted

Quick option: Use your password manager's built-in authenticator if it has one.

Your Quick-Reference Checklist

Copy this and check off as you go:

Email:

• [ ] Spam filtering enabled
• [ ] Enhanced Safe Browsing on (Gmail)
• [ ] Know not to click suspicious links

Phone:

• [ ] Unknown caller silencing ON
• [ ] SMS spam filter ON
• [ ] Know not to click text links from unknowns

Browser:

• [ ] uBlock Origin installed
• [ ] Enhanced protection enabled
• [ ] HTTPS Everywhere installed

Passwords:

• [ ] Password manager installed
• [ ] Passwords imported
• [ ] Browser extension active

2FA:

• [ ] Email account protected
• [ ] Bank accounts protected
• [ ] Main social media protected

What To Do When Something Suspicious Arrives

You're now protected, but scams still arrive. Here's your response protocol:

Suspicious email:

1. Don't click anything
2. Check sender address (hover, don't click)
3. If claiming to be a company, go to their site directly
4. Use our [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) if unsure
5. Mark as spam and move on

Suspicious text:

1. Don't respond
2. Don't click links
3. If claiming urgency about an account, log in directly (don't use the link)
4. Block and delete

Suspicious call:

1. Don't give information
2. Hang up
3. If they claim to be a company, call the company's official number
4. Legitimate organizations don't demand immediate action

The Mindset Shift

You've just made yourself a much harder target. Scammers are lazy - they move on to easier victims.

Remember:

• Urgency is a red flag
• Legitimate companies don't threaten
• When in doubt, verify through official channels
• Your protection layers catch most threats automatically

You've done the work. Now stop worrying and let your systems do their job.

What To Do Next

Done with setup?

1. Test your password manager by logging into a few sites
2. Bookmark our [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) for when you need it
3. Share this guide with someone less tech-savvy

Want ongoing protection?

• Update your devices when prompted (security patches matter)
• Check password manager monthly for weak passwords
• Stay skeptical of unexpected contact

You're protected. Scammers can try, but your shield is up.

Use our [AI Text Scam Detector](/tools/ai-text-scam-detector) for texts and [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) for emails whenever something feels off.