Cold weather storms can quickly disrupt your technology: Get ready in advance.

Fox News24-01-2026

Meteorologists are alerting that a substantial winter storm is set to affect large areas of the United States beginning Friday. Predictions suggest snow, freezing rain, and ice will extend from Texas and the Southern Plains through the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and into the Northeast. This weather pattern is troubling as it merges ice accumulation, strong winds, and dropping temperatures. In numerous areas, particularly in the South and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, infrastructure is not equipped to cope with extended ice conditions.

This raises the likelihood of prolonged power failures and interrupted cell service. When the power grid fails, typical technology becomes essential. Mobile phones, alerts, vehicles, and applications might be your sole lifeline for updates and emergency assistance. Taking action now is much more crucial than waiting to respond later.

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RUSSIAN WINTER STRIKE LEAVES NEARLY 800K HOMES WITHOUT POWER AND HEAT IN UKRAINE’S DNIPRO REGION

Ice storms can quickly topple power lines, leaving residences without electricity and cell service for extended periods. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Ice storms create more destruction than many anticipate. Unlike snow, ice clings to all surfaces and adds significant weight. Ice accumulates on trees and power lines, leading to broken branches and downed lines. Utility teams often cannot commence repairs until conditions improve, resulting in delays for restoration. Forecasters at Fox Weather caution that freezing rain across the South and interior Southeast could be particularly harmful, while snow and wind further north may hinder emergency services.

Even if cell towers stand firm, networks frequently become overwhelmed during severe weather. When large numbers of people try to call simultaneously, connections fail. Text messages and alerts have a better chance of reaching their destination. Thus, it's wise to prepare for the possibility of being offline longer than anticipated.

These actions are straightforward, but timing is critical. Accomplish them before weather conditions deteriorate.

A fully charged phone, optimal power settings, and a dependable portable charger can keep you linked early in an outage while longer-term home power solutions sustain you in the coming days.

A woman walks with an umbrella in the rain in Manhattan, New York, Feb. 5, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Clear expectations minimize panic and unnecessary use of phones.

Emergency alerts can reach your phone even when apps and social media fail. They are crafted to penetrate network congestion and deliver vital warnings.

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Ice storms impose heavy weights on trees and power lines, generating extensive destruction and outages that can overwhelm repair crews and communication networks longer than expected. (AP/Craig Ruttle)

Settings may differ based on your Android phone’s brand.

On some devices, you might also see options for Public safety messages or Emergency alerts, which should be activated. These alerts can encompass evacuation orders, shelter updates, and severe weather warnings.

Both iPhone and Android devices allow you to preview alert sounds and settings in these menus, so take a moment to test them now and ensure alerts are sufficiently loud before severe weather strikes.

Should you require assistance during a winter storm, Emergency SOS can reach emergency services even if you cannot unlock your phone or make a conventional call. Set this up now—don't wait until you find yourself anxious, cold, or without power.

To activate Emergency SOS during an emergency, press and hold the side button and a volume button, or quickly press the side button five times, depending on your settings.

Settings can vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

On many Android devices, pressing the power button five times will prompt Emergency SOS. Emergency SOS can request help, share your location, and notify emergency contacts during hazardous conditions.

If cell towers fail during this storm, features like Emergency SOS can still facilitate communication with emergency services. Our guide details how these life-saving features operate.

The right applications can provide vital updates when power is lost, cell networks are strained, and social media is unreliable. Install and configure these before the storm arrives.

Utilizing multiple weather apps can provide a backup if one service encounters delays or overloads.

These applications can confirm outages, offer restoration updates, and lessen unnecessary calls to utilities when systems are overburdened.

Your vehicle may become a vital resource during prolonged outages.

Severe weather generates ideal circumstances for scams. Power disruptions, delayed responses, and anxiety lead individuals to trust messages that seem urgent or official.

Scammers frequently pose as electric, gas, or water utility companies.

Key points: Utilities do not charge fees for restoring power and do not demand payments via text, gift cards, or apps.

These scams surge immediately after storms.

Key points: Genuine assistance is communicated through official government or reputable nonprofit organizations, not unsolicited messages.

Severe weather disrupts normal services, which scammers take advantage of.

Key points: Avoid clicking links or paying deposits without independently verifying the company.

Charging your devices and arranging backup power now can make the distinction between staying informed during an outage and being isolated once the storm strikes. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)

Storm disarray makes it simpler for criminals to operate unnoticed.

Key points: Never share one-time codes or login information, even if the message appears legitimate.

Taking a few precautions now can help you avoid costly errors when outages, delays, and scam messages accumulate.

Scammers thrive on panic. If a message pressures you to act quickly, pause and verify it through a trusted source.

Access official websites or applications directly instead of clicking links in texts or emails. Ensure your operating system is up to date, and use robust antivirus software to block harmful links and fraudulent websites.

The most effective way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software on all your devices. This protection also alerts you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets secure.

Check out my recommendations for the best antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email, banking, and utility accounts so that stolen passwords cannot be utilized independently.

Many storm scams function because criminals already possess your phone number, address, or email. Utilizing a data removal service to opt out of data broker sites can lessen the ease with which scammers target you during crises.

While no service can entirely eliminate your data from the internet, a data removal service is indeed a wise choice. They are not inexpensive, and neither is your privacy. These services handle the work by actively monitoring and systematically removing your personal information from numerous websites. This process offers me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective method for purging your personal data from online platforms. By limiting the available information, you reduce the odds of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they may encounter on the dark web, complicating their targeting strategies.

Discover my top selections for data removal services and obtain a free scan to determine if your personal information is already accessible online by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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Utilities and government bodies do not charge fees for restoring services or providing emergency assistance.

When power and internet access are limited, quickly verifying messages becomes challenging. Thus, preparation is equally vital as awareness. A measure of skepticism now can prevent financial losses and identity theft when help is most difficult to access.

Think your devices and data are genuinely safeguarded? Take this quick quiz to assess your digital habits. From password management to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll receive a personalized assessment of what you're doing well and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Winter storms can transform minor tech decisions into crucial ones. Ice, power outages, and overloaded cell networks can leave individuals isolated quicker than anticipated, particularly in areas unprepared for extended winter conditions. Ready your devices, alerts, vehicles, and accounts beforehand to grant yourself more control when situations worsen. This preparation also diminishes panic and reduces exposure to scams that flourish during emergencies. A bit of planning now can lead to significant advantages when assistance is less accessible.

Have you begun to prepare your tech for this winter storm, or did this checklist reveal something still needing your attention? Share your thoughts with us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist with a deep appreciation for technology, gear, and gadgets that enhance life through his contributions to Fox News & FOX Business starting weekday mornings on "FOX & Friends." Do you have a tech question? Connect with Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea, or comment at CyberGuy.com.