The holidays are busy. We’re trying to get work done to have some fun, and we’re hosting family and friends. Plus, parents that have the holiday Elf tradition must remember to move the doll every night. It’s a lot, and it can make us more likely to fall for scams that can lead to data theft.
Hackers like to take the path of least resistance. Why work harder than they have to for their ill-gotten gains? Instead, they’ll use social engineering to get you to give them your data or download their malware. Look out for these top holiday scams.
Parcel delivery scams
More people are expecting packages this time of year. Bad actors take advantage of this with what’s called a smishing scam. It’s a particular type of scam using text/SMS messaging. You get a message from a known service telling you a delivery needs rescheduling, or that there’s an outstanding fee that needs to be paid.
Recipients, who are already expecting a package, are quick to fall for the request. Clicking on the message link, they enter personal information or download malicious software.
Tip: Go to the source of the package you’re expecting and see what they’re saying about your package delivery.
E-card scams
Another common holiday season scam takes advantage of our enthusiasm for money. Scammers send e-cards to your email. When you click on the link, you’ll download a virus or other malware (e.g. ransomware).
Tip: Check the credibility of any e-card sender before downloading the “gift.”
Christmas hamper scams
Everyone wants to be a winner, but don’t fall for the scammer calling or emailing to say you’ve won a Christmas hamper. They’ll claim to be from a legit organization and have some of your personal information already. That helps them make it all seem genuine. Then, they’ll ask for you to provide more personal details to collect your prize or gift.
They may ask only for your full name, address, and phone number (if the request was emailed). They’ll be collecting this information for a more focused attack in the future.
Tip: Use strong passwords and be careful about what personal details you put on social media.
Fake websites
Many people shop sites that are unfamiliar to them at this time of year. Grandparents (even parents) know nothing about that latest trendy shop! Bad actors will set up fake sites offering gifts and services. They’re looking to get your personal details and money.
Tip: Prefer secure website addresses starting with “https” and displaying a locked padlock.
Shopping scams
Every season has its in-demand items. Scammers take advantage of this and set up ads for amazing deals on those items. Desperate to get this year’s toy for your toddler, you might be hooked. Or they’ll ensure people click on their ads by offering ridiculous deals. If you do get the item purchased via these ads, it’s likely to be a sub-par counterfeit.
Tip: Shop with retailers you know and trust.
Bank scams
This scam operates year-round, but bad actors have an edge in the holiday season when people spend more. Fraudsters typically call, text, or email as your bank having noticed suspicious activity. They get you feeling anxious and then urge you to take action (e.g. click a link or share personal details) to address the issue.
Tip: Remember that banks never use unsolicited calls to ask for personal details, pressure you to give information, or tell you to move your money to a safe account.
The tips shared throughout this article will help. At the same time, setting up password managers and antivirus software can also be useful. We can help you secure your online activity year-round. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Christmas time is back with us again. The latest devices and gadgets are hitting store shelves just in time to keep up with the rush. Magazines, television, and the web are brimming with advertisements and reviews of the latest tech your money can buy.
Before you rush out to buy the gadgets you’ve been waiting all year for, consider a few important questions before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Does This Technology Do What I need?
First, you must ask what problem you are trying to solve with a new piece of tech. The most important thing to consider is how adopting your new device will improve on what you had before.
In some cases, a sleek new gadget or device for fun is good too.
When you’ve answered this question, you should consider whether there is other tech or competing devices out there that can perform even better.
Should I Become an Early Adopter?
Early adopters are people that anticipate the release of new tech, wait in line on release day, and pride themselves on having the latest gadgets to hit the shelves. If you recognize yourself in this description you are likely to snap up the latest devices the day they are released. This eager anticipation, however, is not always the way to get the best deals or the best gadgets.
Companies often rely on new product hype to give sales an early boost. Waiting for the marketing and hype to subside, even a little, can save you a lot of money.
After initial sales fall, companies often mark down their prices to keep their devices attractive and sales high. When newer, faster, sleeker devices hit the market, companies cut prices to maintain strong sales figures. For the budget smart consumer this is an opportunity for a bargain. A device good enough to buy on launch day is well worth waiting for.
Have I checked The Reviews?
We are fortunate enough to have access to seemingly unlimited amounts of information at our fingertips. Often weeks before a product is released, reviews are available across the web.
One of the best things you can do when considering a new device, particularly a high-cost purchase, is to watch and read a wide variety of product reviews. It pays to be cautious of reviews that are particularly glowing, or too downbeat. Keep an eye out for middle of the road reviews that fairly weigh the pros and cons of each device.
Have I Found the Best Deal?
There are many ways to keep an eye out to make sure you get the best deal on your device. If you can, monitor prices over time to see how they rise and fall to find the best time to purchase.
When purchasing online, many sites include a box to add a coupon code when you are ready to buy. It sometimes pays to jump over to Google and search the website name and ‘coupon’ or ‘voucher’ to find out if there are any good deals on.
A quick search can save you as much as 10, 15, or 20 per cent on some purchases. Sometimes companies send out offers to appeal to groups they want to market to. A companies Facebook page may get different offers or vouchers than its Twitter followers or newsletter for example.
It can pay to search around for offers and vouchers to get money off before you checkout. Five minutes work can save huge amounts of cash.
Purchase in Confidence
If you have asked yourself these questions, done all your research, and found the answers you’re looking for then you may well be ready to buy.
You can do so with the confidence that you’ve done all your homework and you’re getting the best deal and gadget for your money.
Christmas is right around the corner! For gift-giving questions or pricing, give us a call today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Stay Safe Shopping Online This Holiday Season – 11/10/22
Retail research tells us that over 75% of people are shopping online each month, and, with the holiday season upon us, you’re likely to be one of them. But don’t let the appeal of convenience distract you from the need to stay safe when shopping online.
The number of digital buyers is steadily climbing. In 2020, according to Statista, more than two billion people purchased goods or services online. During the same year, e-retail sales surpassed $4.2 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide.
Retailers are embracing the change in consumer behavior. But, do you know who else is taking advantage? Cybercrooks. Before you buy, consider these strategies to stay safe.
#1 Question that great deal
If a deal looks “too good to be true,” it probably is. You’re not going to get a new Apple laptop for $29.99, or the latest Beats headphones or Xbox gaming console for under $20. Anyone offering you that price is trying to lure you to their site to enter your payment details, so don’t be surprised when your product never arrives!
#2 Review seller feedback
While scrolling social media you see adverts for perfect gifts for someone on your list. And it’s so easy to click the link and buy! Still, before purchasing, take the time to research the seller.
Read the feedback from other buyers on independent sources. It adds only a few moments to check sites such as Trustpilot and Google My Business.
#3 Research the business domain
Think about it: who are you more likely to trust with your sensitive data? Someone who has been in business 10 years or someone who set up shop 10 days ago? Quickly check how long a business website has been around. Enter the URL into the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ lookup tool [https://lookup.icann.org].
#4 Watch out for email scams
Before clicking on any offer links in emails, check the URL. You can hover over the link before actually redirecting there and check the target. Double-check that the address is to the site you’re expecting.
Also, slow down and be sure that the address doesn’t have any typos or atypical endings. You don’t want to confuse www.nike.com with www.n1ke.co and end up a victim of identity theft instead of the proud owner of the latest Air Max.
#5 Check payment site security
There are several ways to verify the security of a payment site. These include:
verifying that the site uses an SSL certificate – it will start with “https” instead of “http”;
checking for a physical address and phone number – call the contact number to confirm it is not fake;
reviewing the Terms and Conditions and Return and Privacy policies – any reputable brand has these!
#6 Pay with Online Payments
When you do decide to buy, prefer to pay using PayPal or another online payment tool. You won’t be giving the seller your credit card details. If you can’t take this approach, use a credit card from a credit account rather than debit. You will have more protection this way. You can start a chargeback through your credit card company when the item isn’t as advertised and the seller’s customer service doesn’t help.
Before online shopping, at any time of the year, update your operating system, and keep your anti-virus software current, too.
Our IT experts are here to help you keep your technology safe and secure year-round. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Do you remember Pong? Or Galaga? Games such as these are now the stuff of old-school arcades. The graphics may have been a far cry from what you’ll see today, but there’s one advantage those games had: there were no cybersecurity worries when playing them. After all, they weren’t online like today’s gaming.
Online video gaming is meant to be fun. Yet, regrettably, there are risks once you connect to the internet. Your gaming account has value to cybercriminals. They might target your account to:
use your connected real-world money account to make in-game purchases;
steal virtual valuables which have real-world cash value;
trade your in-game items to their accounts;
sell your account to others;
scam others using your legitimate account.
These are not hypotheticals. One cybersecurity firm researching gaming found that the typical gamer has experienced an average of almost five cyberattacks. Worse, they didn’t detect it.
It doesn’t help that the games themselves make it easier for hackers. Take Fortnite. There are 100 players in one wave. Their usernames display right there on the screen when Scammer72 goes for the kill shot. In other games, bad actors might access usernames by going to the game’s high-score listings. Plus, this gives them an idea of who might have the most valuable account inventory.
Level up your gaming security
There are several steps you can take to game more safely. One is going to be familiar: use strong passwords. As with any of your online accounts, set up complex passwords or use a passphrase that’s difficult to hack.
Also, don’t reuse a password you’re using elsewhere. That amplifies the risk of account breach when another account’s credentials leak.
You can also enable multi-factor authentication. Many gaming platforms allow you to set up layers of protection. For instance, you would enter not only your username and password but also a code sent to your personal device or your email. This makes it more difficult for a hacker to get in. They need access to your physical technology or more than one of your accounts at once.
Finally, be wary of malware and phishing attempts. This could be an official-looking communication apparently from the game manufacturer or support. Or you might fall prey to a scammer via in-game messaging or chat. You might think it’s a user you know, but their account may be hacked. Or you make a new “friend” online who does not have good intentions. Keep best practices for any online activity in mind. Don’t click on links without first verifying the source.
We want you to be able to escape into video gaming for fun without worry. Ask our IT experts to review your security. We can check you’re not going to become the victim of a heist because you wanted to play Grand Theft Auto. Contact us today at (651) 724-4419 or visit our Contact page.
LetMeIn101: How the Bad Guys Get Your Passwords – Passwords are essential to your cybersafety. You know it, but if you’re like the rest of the digital society, you probably have dozens of passwords to remember. It’s a lot. So, you might take shortcuts. Taking advantage of your laissez-faire attitude is one way bad guys access your passwords.
Incredibly, there are still people out there using “password” or “123456” in their access credentials. Some people don’t change the default passwords on their devices. So, anyone can pick up a router, look at the sticker identifying the password, and access that network.
Tip: Avoid the obvious passwords! When you have to create a password, make an effort. When it’s time to update a password, do so. Steer clear of simple, easily guessed patterns.
Cybercriminals can also guess your password. With a little bit of research about you online, they can make some informed guesses. Common passwords include pet names, birthdays, and anniversaries. These are all easy to find via your social media accounts.
Tip: Be careful what you share on social media! Don’t befriend strangers, as you are giving them access to a goldmine of info for personalizing an attack on you.
If that doesn’t work, criminals may try brute force. They might script an automation bot to run thousands of password permutations until they get a hit. The software will try a long list of common passwords and run through dictionary words to gain access.
Tip: Use a complex password with numbers, letters, and symbols or a passphrase. A passphrase is typically at least 19 characters long but is more memorable, as it unique to you.
The criminal may also be working with info from a data breach. In early 2019, a security researcher found more than 2.7 billion email/password pairs available on the Dark Web. Criminals accessing that database could use the data as a starting point, as many people duplicate their passwords across accounts.
Tip: Use a unique password for each site. Yes, that’s overwhelming to remember, and that’s also why you should use a password manager to keep track of it all for you.
Criminals can also access your account if you’ve used a hacked public computer. The bad guys may have installed a key logger on the computer. The logger records every key you press on the keyboard. Or they might have compromised a router or server to be able to see your information.
Tip: Be cautious about your online activity on computers or networks you don’t trust.
Of course, there’s one more method of getting your password that we haven’t addressed yet. It’s the familiar phishing attack. For instance, you get an email that looks like it was sent by your bank. Phishing typically has an urgent message and a link that directs you to what looks like a credible page.
Tip: Pay attention to who is sending the email and hover the mouse over the link to see where it goes. If you are concerned about your bank account, for example, open up a browser and type the URL manually rather than clicking the link.
These tips can help you to protect your valuable passwords. Still, setting up a password manager and amping up your internet security can help too. Need support getting ahead of the cybercriminals?
Check out these additional helpful articles: How Do Hackers Get Passwords? – Click Here
Avoiding and Reporting Scams – Click Here
10 Signs of a Phishing Email | How to Identify Phishing Attacks – Click Here
Contact our experts today! Call us at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Stay Safe Shopping Online This Holiday Season (11/29/21) – Retail research tells us that over 75% of people are shopping online each month, and, with the holiday season upon us, you’re likely to be one of them. But don’t let the appeal of convenience distract you from the need to stay safe when shopping online.
The number of digital buyers is steadily climbing. In 2020, according to Statista, more than two billion people purchased goods or services online. During the same year, e-retail sales surpassed $4.2 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide.
Retailers are embracing the change in consumer behavior. But, do you know who else is taking advantage? Cybercrooks. Before you buy, consider these strategies to stay safe.
#1 Question that great deal
If a deal looks “too good to be true,” it probably is. You’re not going to get a new Apple laptop for $29.99, or the latest Beats headphones or Xbox gaming console for under $20. Anyone offering you that price is trying to lure you to their site to enter your payment details, so don’t be surprised when your product never arrives!
#2 Review safe seller feedback
While scrolling social media you see adverts for perfect gifts for someone on your list. And it’s so easy to click the link and buy! Still, before purchasing, take the time to research the seller.
Read the feedback from other buyers on independent sources. It adds only a few moments to check sites such as Trustpilot and Google My Business.
#3 Research the business domain
Think about it: who are you more likely to trust with your sensitive data? Someone who has been in business 10 years or someone who set up shop 10 days ago? Quickly check how long a business website has been around. Enter the URL into the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ lookup tool [https://lookup.icann.org].
#4 Watch out for email scams
Before clicking on any offer links in emails, check the URL. You can hover over the link before actually redirecting there and check the target. Double-check that the address is to the site you’re expecting.
Also, slow down and be sure that the address doesn’t have any typos or atypical endings. You don’t want to confuse www.nike.com with www.n1ke.co and end up a victim of identity theft instead of the proud owner of the latest Air Max.
#5 Check safe payment site security
There are several ways to verify the security of a payment site. These include:
verifying that the site uses an SSL certificate – it will start with “https” instead of “http”;
checking for a physical address and phone number – call the contact number to confirm it is not fake;
reviewing the Terms and Conditions and Return and Privacy policies – any reputable brand has these!
#6 Pay with Online Payments
When you do decide to buy, prefer to pay using PayPal or another online payment tool. You won’t be giving the seller your credit card details. If you can’t take this approach, use a credit card from a credit account rather than debit. You will have more protection this way. You can start a chargeback through your credit card company when the item isn’t as advertised and the seller’s customer service doesn’t help.
Before online shopping, at any time of the year, update your operating system, and keep your anti-virus software current, too.
The New PC Tune-Up – 11/29/21. How exciting! You got a new computer for Christmas. It’s sleek, shiny, and so much faster than what you had before. That’s great, but it doesn’t mean you should leave it untouched. This article shares several steps you might take to secure your data and keep that new device in tip-top shape.
First things first. Before even logging into personal email or other top sites, you’ll want to update the operating system (OS). Yes, most computers come out of the box with Windows, but you can’t know when that item was boxed. There could be important updates that you don’t want to miss.
You’ll also want to install the latest drivers during your tune-up. Different hardware on your computer can need specialized drivers from the manufacturer. Gamers, for instance, may want to ensure they download the latest to boost performance.
While you’re doing all this uploading and upgrading, also look to remove junk that may have come on the computer. It’s no longer as common, but manufacturers can reduce cost to the consumer by pre-installing software.
You might not have any need for the tools that come already installed. Meanwhile, they slow down your computer. Remove the clutter to improve your computer’s processing. Head to your PC’s Control Panel and look to uninstall programs and utilities that you don’t want. Be careful, though. Just because you don’t know what it is doesn’t mean it’s not serving a valuable purpose.
Starting out on a new computer is also a great time to set up the free software. For many of us this includes:
Google Chrome – the internet browser;
Skype – for instant messaging, voice and video calling;
VLC – a multimedia player;
FoxIt Reader – to create, edit, sign, and secure PDFs;
7Zip – used for archiving files.
Involving an IT expert for Your Tune-Up
If you had a great sales experience, you may not want to seek IT help with your new computer. Still, it can prove useful.
Your new computer may also need BIOS updates during your tune-up. Again, the hardware was current when your computer was boxed up but may be lacking the latest by the time it gets to you. A note of caution: this is not an update to do alone. BIOS updates don’t add new features, security patches, or performance improvements, but they may fix a bug with a piece of hardware or add support for your central processing unit (CPU). These updates can be risky if done incorrectly, so work with an IT tech.
Talk also with an IT tech about the best data backup plan for your needs. You’ll be creating important documents, downloading sensitive data, and uploading valued images. Don’t risk their security by failing to back up.
IT support will also suggest the best security tool for you to use to protect against malware. With so many free and fee-based third-party alternatives to Windows Defender, you may want help deciding on the best one.
We’re here to help you get the most out of your new computer. Or, if you’re not sure yet which one to buy, we can consult with you on that, too. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page!
How to Choose Home Computer Repair (11/10/21). It’s upsetting when a home computer breaks down: “My whole life is on there!” Then, you have to trust someone to take care of your device. It’s a lot to ask, and that’s why we’re sharing these five tips to help you feel better about your choice of repair person.
#1 Avoid the Big Brands
The big-box stores have name recognition, which may make you feel more secure, but the reason they advertise on TV and have big storefronts is to sell stuff. Their people are salespeople first, and their staff are not going to be as experienced with computer and device repair.
For tricky jobs, the big-box stores send your device to a remote, centralized location. That’s where the experienced staff are, so it’s good in that way. Yet you’ll now have to wait for your computer to ship to and from that location, which can mean a couple of weeks when you don’t know where your computer is or who is working on it.
#2 Consult Customer Reviews
You’ll probably start out by asking family, friends, and co-workers to suggest someone they’ve worked within the past. When you’re looking around for computer repair, read online reviews. Customer reviews can help you gauge whether you can trust the service promises. Feel free to check out our Google reviews HERE.
You may also learn about any after-service support. It will help to have someone you can ask questions of in the future.
#3 Research Types of Support
It may help you to make your decision knowing that any work on your device is going to be done on-site. If they come to you, you’ll get to meet the person doing the work and keep an eye on them if you want.
Another option may be to have the IT tech remote into your computer to help solve your problem.
Then, there’s the option of drop-off and pickup from that repair shop’s own brick-and-mortar store. If you take this route, you might want to ask whether your device will remain on-site at all times.
You’ll also want to find out if that computer repair person has a particular area of expertise. Some companies specialize in working with certain brands, whereas others can handle all types of models or brands.
Who doesn’t love a bargain? But the cheapest computer repair may not actually be a better deal. Taking the budget approach, you could get an inexperienced tech with slightly more know-how than you. On the other hand, going for the most expensive repair company doesn’t guarantee the greatest service either. Ask the computer business what their experience is.
Our IT experts are here to help you repair any computer issues. We can work on-site, remote in, or you can bring your device to us for the professional attention it needs. Call us today at (651) 456-8655 of visit our Contact page HERE!
Finding the Best Place for your Desktop PC (11/10/21). There’s a lot of talk about the best places to use your laptop. We’ll recap that discussion briefly below, but the real focus of this article is where it’s best to put your desktop PC.
First, why does it even matter? Of course, you care how your workstation looks, but beyond the aesthetics, airflow is important too. Computers cool themselves with fans to suck in cool air and expel hot air out the back or top. If you’re not leaving room for the computer to “breath” it can overheat.
When a computer overheats it can become unstable or suddenly shut down. The hot air can also damage internal components. This is true of both laptops and desktops.
That’s why you’ll hear that it’s a good idea to put your laptop on a raised, slatted service where air can reach the vents. A table over a furnace duct or in direct sunlight should be avoided too.
OK, But Where Do I Put My PC?
You don’t want to put your computer somewhere it is going to get dusty, which is a good reason not to put it on the floor. It’s exposed to more dust, hair, and other junk that way. Since the computer’s fans are sucking in cool air, they can suck in the debris too.
Also, on the floor, you risk accidentally hitting or kicking the PC. Sudden jolts are bad for mechanical hard drives. Plus, USB drives or anything else plugged into the front could be knocked out, which damages the port.
Some desks have cabinets under the desk where you can put the computer. But, these may not have been designed with enough airflow.
It’s best to set up your computer on a stable surface to avoid any bumps or drops. You also want to position it so that the cord is not going to create a tripping hazard. If you fall, you could damage the power connection or, worse, knock the computer off your table or desk.
Since the big thing is airflow, you also don’t want to set the PC too close to the wall. This can damage cables in the back if they bend too much. Or, when the hot air exhausts out the back, it will be harder to expel the heated air.
Securing Your Desktop PC
Putting your PC parallel to the monitor, safely stable on your desk or table, with good airflow and room for the cords is your best option for the safety and longevity of your desktop computer.
Need help setting up your desktop PC or finding the best place to position it in your home? Our tech experts are available to help. Contact us today at 555-5555.
Two-Factor Authentication, How Hackers Get Around SMS – Every time you’re online and a site sends a separate code to check your identity, you’re using two-factor authentication. It’s become the norm. So, of course, hackers have figured out how to get around this, too. This article shows you how they do it and how to stay safe.
With billions of usernames and passwords leaked, access credentials everywhere are at risk, especially if you are reusing your log-in information on more than one site (don’t do it!).
Business websites want to offer a secure user experience, so two-factor authentication (2FA) has become the norm. It’s meant to help stop automated attacks in which bad actors use the leaked usernames and passwords.
Still, if the site you’re visiting uses short message service (SMS) to send a one-time code to your phone, you could still be at risk.
Hackers, using information they have from a data leak, can call your telephone company. They use your name, date of birth, and other identifiers available on the Dark Web, to impersonate you. Then, say you’ve lost your phone, they transfer your phone number to a device with a different SIM card.
That means when the one-time SMS code gets sent your phone number, the message will instead go to their device.
Android Users Also Beware
On Android devices, hackers have an easier time getting access to text messages. If they have access to your leaked Google credentials, they can log into your Google Play account. From there, it’s simply a matter of installing a message-mirroring app on your smartphone.
The app synchronizes notifications across your different devices. It’s for when you really need to be connected, and you’ll be able to see your phone’s SMS alerts on your tablet!
The app won’t work unless you give it permission when prompted to do so, but too many people don’t stop to read alerts from their own accounts: they assume it’s another necessary update and go on with their day. Otherwise, the hacker might call you in a social engineering ploy pretending to be a legit service provider. They’ll be familiar to you, so you’re more likely to listen when they ask you to give permission.
Again, when the one-time SMS code gets sent to your phone, because of the message-mirroring app, the hacker’s device will also receive the code.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
It starts with using unique passwords for all sites you visit. Worried you’ll forget them? A password manager can keep all your access credentials in one secure place for you.
You should also confirm that your credentials haven’t been compromised. If you use Google’s password service, you can head to the password manager site and tap “check passwords” to see if there are any issues. On Firefox, head to the Firefox Monitor page and “Check for Breaches.” On Safari, click on Preferences, and then on Passwords to see what recommendations they have for your security.
Change any passwords that have been involved in a leak!
To avoid the SMS concern specifically, avoid using one-time SMS codes to verify your identity. Instead, you can use a non-SMS authentication tool such as Google authenticator, which provides two-step verification services within the app itself.
Here’s some additional information you may find helpful:
Need help learning if your credentials have been leaked? Or want assistance setting up more security for your online activity? We can help. Contact our IT experts today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our CONTACT page.
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Stay Safe Shopping Online This Holiday Season – 11/10/22
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