New Year means New Threats…

Remember the IRS hoaxes, and FBI emails

Keep in mind the government doesn’t send emails. Also, be on the lookout for banking emails, be very careful. Sometimes if I get something and I’m not completely sure I’ll hover over one of the links in the email, outlook will usually display the underlying link as a balloon showing the actual location. If I see a strange website location address, then I know for sure it’s a phony. When in doubt, don’t click.

We Add to our Email Filter Once a Month

Every few weeks I sit down and go though my junk email and add those suspicious items.

One thing that might surprise you is that nearly 2.5 million emails have been processed by the server in the last 30 days. In addition of that 1 million were SPAM.

It’s a never ending battle, and striking a balance between what to allow and what to block is daunting. The SPAMers typically change the words in a subject just a little to get through and you can’t use the email address to block, because that will be different next time.

The Biggest Fear is Ransom-ware

In recent time, ransom-ware is the biggest threat. Using Microsoft’s own technology against you, clicking on an email link, or clicking on a suspicious website can infect your computer. The ransom-ware executes an encryption algorithm that encrypts all your documents, images and backups. The encryption key that unlocks it is sent to the perpetrators and you’ll have to pay them to unencrypt your files. This is true for both Apple and PC’s, no one is safe.

Some folks over at Cyber-Reason have put together a free utility that can help prevent ransom-ware attacks, it’s available from this link. Do a google search and you can find free ransom-ware protection for your Mac.

What should you do?

Well, if you’re one of my clients, you’re taken care of on an ongoing basis.  I work hard to help protect and clean up your inbox before you get it. If your not, you should be. Give me a call at 972.571.4808 and ask me about offsite automatic data backups, low cost hosting, and email hosting.


 

NSA Screen or FBI Screen and you’re locked out of the computer

Well the computer gremlins have been up to it again. This time it’s Robbery-ware. What happens is after you open an attachment from an email your computer will popup a message that you’ve been tagged by the NSA or FBI and have 48 hours to pay $300.00 or your computer contents will be forwarded to the agency and prosecution will begin.

 

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The moral of the story is, don’t open attachments unless you are expecting something. Even if it’s from someone you know. These guys have gotten more and more creative to trick you into infecting your own computer and at innocently infecting others.

I removed one of these type of infections today and although it’s not as difficult to remove as some of these virus scan / purchase (should be called virus-scam) malware. I would write specific details but I’m not so sure it places itself in the same place each time. In this case it was in a hidden folder where the Google toolbar was installed. If I have more details I’ll update this post. By the way I have a flat $135.00 computer clean up fee which includes virus removal and optimizing your system and depending on your location pick up and delivery are free.