Please be Warned!

Be more aware of your Internet activities.  Remember that everything you post is out there forever!  Your computer has an Internet address and every site you visit has a record of it.  Be extra careful about posting too much personal information, especially on social sites like Facebook.  Never post your phone numbers on the Internet!  Facebook is famous for that.  You’ve probably had the message that says “For extra account security please furnish us with your cell phone number.”  I don’t think so!  You also leave an open invitation to burglars when you post on social sites that you’re out of town or going on a vacation.

Internet scams seem to get worse by the day.  There is an increasing amount of fake sites on the net and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys!  You may think you are on your banking site, but it’s really one that looks just like it.  Make sure you sign in under secure conditions and sign out when finished with your business.

Most of us have received an email informing that there is a problem with an account, but it can easily be rectified if you click on an enclosed link and furnish your account information.  Click on the link and you now have big problems.  Delete these kinds of emails!

Another big scam is the little window that pops up in the lower right corner of your computer screen informing you that you have problems.  Note the name of the program then remove it from your computer.  Also run Malwarebytes, a free program that will remove malware and spyware from your machine.

Here’s the scam winner!  A guy calls you on the phone identifying himself working for Microsoft or Windows and informs you that your computer has problems.  He asks you to turn on your machine and follow his directions.  (You should hang up right now!)  If you continue you will be informed that he has found very dangerous problems and for a dollar amount will fix them for you.  I have had customers who have given this phony caller credit card numbers, even their bank account number!  DON’T FALL FOR THIS SCAM!  You will never receive a phone call from Microsoft or any other legitimate company informing you of such bunk! 

What really prompted me to write this is that I personally got that call today, only the fraud at the other end was in for a surprise. I played along with him for 5 minutes, then informed him that I was an IT guy and he was a fake and I was going to call the FBI.  He hung up immediately.

Be security conscious at all times, not only on the Internet but anywhere you happen to be!