Frequently asked questions

It's a friendly, one-person online safety service. When something online doesn't look right, like a strange text, an unfamiliar store or an account alert, you can ask me, Aldrian, and I'll tell you what I see and what I'd do next, without jargon.

Members also get Alds Privacy, an AI assistant for quick questions at any hour, and easy tools for checking stores, links and product listings.

After you subscribe, you'll get an email with a link to your private portal. There's no password to remember.

In the portal you can message me, ask Alds Privacy, and use the Protection Suite tools. Whenever something feels off, send me a screenshot or a link and I'll reply during my support hours.

I'm available daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET. Outside those hours you can still send me a message, and I'll reply when I'm back. Alds Privacy, the AI assistant, is available any time.

No. Alds Privacy is an AI assistant. It's great for quick, general questions at any hour, but it can make mistakes.

I'm the real person behind the service. For anything important, like money, a locked account or something that worries you, message me directly.

Membership is $9.99 a month, billed monthly through my secure checkout. You can cancel any time in your portal (Account, then Cancel membership), from the link in your payment receipt email, or by messaging me.

Payments aren't refundable, but when you cancel you keep full access until the end of the month you've already paid for. After that, your account and conversation history are permanently deleted.

Yes. Your messages are only seen by you and me, and I use what you share only to help you. I don't sell your information, and your account and conversations are deleted when your membership ends.

When you chat with Alds Privacy, your messages are processed by an AI provider to create its replies. Please never share passwords, one-time codes, PINs or full card numbers with anyone, including me. The Privacy Policy explains the details.

Look for a few warning signs: prices that seem far too low, a website that's only weeks or months old, no real contact details or return policy, pressure like closing-down sales or countdown timers, and payment only by bank transfer, gift cards or crypto.

My free guide "Check an online store before you buy" walks you through it step by step, and members can run a store through Shop Protect. When in doubt, send me the link.

Pause first. Don't tap links, reply, or call any number in the message. Check by opening the company's own app or typing its web address yourself.

In the US you can forward spam texts to 7726, and most email apps have a "Report phishing" button. Then delete the message and block the sender. My free guide "What to do with a suspicious text or email" has every step.

Don't panic. It's usually fixable, and acting quickly helps.

If you typed a password, change it on the real website now, and anywhere else you used it, then turn on two-factor authentication. If you entered card or bank details, call the number on the back of your card and ask them to block it and watch for charges. My free guide "I clicked something. What now?" walks you through every step, and members can message me for help.

Start with your email, because it unlocks everything else. Give it a long, unique password, turn on two-factor authentication, and check your recovery details.

Then review the privacy settings on your social media, limit which apps can see your location and contacts, and remove apps you no longer use. A password manager makes all of this much easier. Members can run the Privacy Checkup in the portal for a personal to-do list.

It's a second check when you sign in, on top of your password. It's usually a code from an app, a text message, or a passkey on your phone. It means someone who learns your password still can't get into your account.

An authenticator app or a passkey is stronger than text messages. Turn it on for your email, bank and social media first.

Yes, and that's one of the main reasons I started this. Your parent or relative can message me directly with screenshots or questions, and I'll explain things patiently, step by step, with no jargon and no judgment.

If you'd like to set up a membership for someone else, message me first and I'll help you get them started.

All my guides are free, interactive and online, so there's nothing to download. Each one walks you through a situation step by step, and you can tick off the steps as you go. Your progress is saved on your device.

You'll find them at privacy.aldrianloyola.com/guides, and new ones are added regularly.