used with permission from Norton by Symantec, by Steve Symanovich You’re probably no stranger to those little pop-up windows. They tell you software updates are available for your computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. You might be tempted to click on that...
Portland IT Support Articles & Business Tech News
Security
Netflix phishing scam: Don’t take the bait
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Colleen Tressler Phishing is when someone uses fake emails or texts to get you to share valuable personal information – like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. Scammers use your information...
Check email header information for signs of spoofing
Think about this scenario: A friend tells you that they received a message from your email address that wasn’t really sent from you. They think you’ve been hacked and your account is sending malicious emails to friends. How do you know if your email address...
Cybersecurity for small business: Ransomware
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Andrew Smith, Director, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Mention the word “ransomware” at a meeting of small business owners and you’ll feel the temperature in the room drop by 20 degrees. A ransomware attack is a chilling...
Online scammers cost time and money. Here’s how to fight back.
used with permission from Microsoft On the Issues, by Athima Chansanchai A message pops up on your screen. It screams that your computer is at risk or has been infected by a virus. Or, you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from tech support. And then,...
Fend off cybercriminals with better business security practices
Used with permission from Tektonika (HP), by Karen Gilleland “Gimme the dough—or you’ll never see your files again!” In this scenario, the thug in the mask is ransomware, and it’s only one of the ways cybercriminals attack businesses—which are often left vulnerable...
Warn your friends about tech support scams
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Amy Hebert Tech support scams, which get people to pay for fake computer help or steal their personal information, are convincing. You might already know the signs of a tech support scam, but do your friends and family? Here’s...
Don’t let the old hardware blues undermine office security
Used with permission from Tektonika (HP), by Karen Gilleland Unlike fine wine, your cyber assets don’t get better with age. Any PC more than four years old is not only costly to keep, but it’s also hack-friendly tech that could pose serious office security risk. Old...
How to avoid a Bitcoin blackmail scam
used with permission from FTC.gov., by Cristina Miranda “I know about the secret you are keeping from your wife and everyone else. You can ignore this letter, or pay me a $8600 confidentiality fee in Bitcoin”. It’s enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine, but these...
Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump
used with permission from FTC.gov, by Colleen Tressler With the summer travel season in high gear, the FTC is warning drivers about skimming scams at the pump. Skimmers are illegal card readers attached to payment terminals. These card readers grab data off a credit...
