SCAMS, and How to Avoid Them

 

Two Factor Authentication – 2FA:

This is a method to verify your login credentials (user and passwords) for websites you visit. If you have an account, meaning you have logged into this site before and entered your email and gave it a password, you want 2FA.

 

Basically, what happens is the website you are attempting to access wants to be sure it is you and not some scammer. When you initially set up the website it would have asked you for your cell phone number. The website will send you a text message with a one-time login code. Enter the proper code and you have just verified you are legitimate.

 

Alternative to 2FA:

Some websites use an authentication code, similar to the 2FA process above. The only difference for the user is how the code is sent to you. Rather than your text message they use an app.Download and install an app called an authenticator. In the app you tell it which website you want to authenticate. A one-time log in code is sent to the authenticator and you enter it into the website for access.

 

Check Washing:

Let’s say you sent a check for a payment on a book for $39.99. If some crook steals that check, they can dip it into a solution (solvent) and remove the ink that shows the legitimate payee line and the amount. Once the check is washed, they replace the payee line with their name and write in any amount, say $1039.99, go the bank and cash it. You have been scammed by washing scam. Best defense is a Sharpie marker, or other permanent marker. You are likely familiar with the fat Sharpie marker for making notes, signs, etc. However, they also make one that is pen sized. Just as good, create all your checks from a printer. Call your bank if this happens to you, then call us.

 

The Billing Scam:

You received an email that says you have a new invoice from McAfee, PayPal, Best Buy, etc. and they are about to charge your credit card. This is one of the worst scams ever because people react to it as if it is a mistake and want to immediately correct the error. The scammer wants you to call the attached phone number and a friendly rep will review your account. Stop and think. The scammer wants access to your computer by a remote connection, and they will fix the situation.Your first line of defense is to delete the email. Don’t answer it, don’t reply to it, don’t tell them anything – Just delete the email! If you fail the first line of defense the last line of defense is deny them access to your computer. If you do call the phone number provided in the fake email you are in trouble. The scammer will try and convince you the only way to fix the problem is a remote session whereby they can access your computer to fix it. BUNK! Never let a stranger into your computer. If you don’t know who they are just say, “fuhgeddaboutit” and hang up. Really, you are allowed to be rude. If you do let them in, they now have access to your bank accounts, trading accounts, and credit cards and will install more scam programs to keep hurting you. You are so screwed.

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Time Travel – To the Past:

The term "time-traveling hackers" refers to a cyberattack technique where hackers manipulate a system's internal clock to bypass security measures,” according to Microsoft. Real live time travel into the past is a real thing, for computers that is. Did you know scammers can force your computer to time travel to the past and when they do that, they bypass current preventions of some anti-virus software? Yup they set your clock back a few days to circumvent your active anti-virus. This works on traditional anti-virus, but not AI enabled software. “The FBI has issued warnings about this tactic, advising individuals and organizations to implement strong cybersecurity measures, such as two-factor authentication, endpoint protection, and monitoring for unusual system time changes,” per Microsoft. Avoid this problem with SentinelOne EDR (End Point Protection and Remediation – I.E. delete it) software. We have it, you need it. Forget McAfee, Norton, or any foreign manufacturer. SentinelOne is a Silicon Valley, CA product. Way to go USA geeks!

 

Passwords:

The word “Password” is not a password, but it is an invitation to be the next hacker victim. Use a password manager, not the “lamo” one that is in your Internet browser.

 

Woops! Wrong Number:

Ever get an email with someone else’s name on it? I recently received one addressed to “Steve” that landed in my inbox. It’s a scam. They have my email address but deliberately started with Hello Steve. They want you to open the email and tell them you are not Steve. Big mistake if I answered, now they know my email address is real and if I open the attached file they would try to infect me. Don’t fall for this wrong number scam.

 

In Conclusion It’s Stats:

Per Copilot, “In 2024, there were 3,158 data compromises, including 2,850 data breaches, 18 data exposures, 2 data leaks, and 288 unknown compromises. The number of victims affected by data breaches skyrocketed, with over 1.7 billion individuals having their personal data compromised.Some of the biggest breaches included incidents at Change Healthcare, Advance Auto Parts, and Ticketmaster Entertainment, each affecting hundreds of millions of people. Cyberattacks were responsible for 80% of all data compromises, making them the dominant threat.It was a tough year for cybersecurity—what are your thoughts on this?” Call me: 925-672-9989 – Will the Geekologist.

 

Blatant Plug for Great Anti-Virus:

There are three types of anti-virus. Blacklist, whitelist and AI.Whitelist is the worst as the user must decide if a website is trustworthy of visiting. So how the heck do you know which website is good or bad? You don’t.The second is a blacklist that is old fashion, can you say “buggy whips”? The way it works involves downloading a list of virus definitions then compare that list with every-single-program and data to that list, if a match it is “likely” a virus. That list contains, “…millions of signatures…,” according to Copilot.Comparing these lists against your stored data and programs can take hours to run. Not good. (Geddy-up horsee?)Modern threat detection isn’t just anti-virus but a holistic approach to detecting threats. We have it, you need it.Want to know more? Ask Copilot this, “how does holistic AI enabled anti-virus work?” Or call Will the Geekologist at 925-672-9989.

 

FYI – Windows 10 Must End:

October, fast approaching, means you need to upgrade to Windows 11, Now!We sell, upgrade, migrate data and apps to new custom built or branded computers. Call us 925-672-9989.