July 22, 2015

It has been a wonderful 2015 summer and it is hard to believe that is is already August!  Where did the time go?  Hopefully you were able to spend some time outdoors this summer and that business was great!  In this issue, I will be covering:
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Update Status:  Some important information, specifically regarding a Fake Windows Update scam that is circulating that contains the worst type of Malware, Crypto/Ransomware.
  • SPAM is on the decline!
  • Technology In The News:  How the old is new once again.
  • NETFLIX Phishing Scam


Don't Fall Victim to this Windows 10 Scam

It seems that every time a new or improved software service becomes available, someone or somebody has to create a clever scam to confuse and ultimately ruin a computer users day.

There is a Windows 10 Upgrade Scam that is going around that looks and feels legitimate.  The scam is delivered via email and generally has a @microsoft.com email address from the sender.  This email looks like a real Microsoft Email at first glance, but reading over it you will quickly find that there are spelling mistakes and even includes a Security/Virus statement saying that the email was scanned.  It is not!  The actual link in this email redirects the user to become infected with Cryptoware/Ransomware.  For anyone that has had the unfortunate luck of being infected by this type of Malware you know how awful this is in.  For more information on Cryptoware/Ransome, click here.

Be on the lookout for this non legitimate email.  To view the Gizmodo article, click here.


SPAM is on the Decline!

A recent article and review has found that "Traditional" spam is on the decline.  According to a recent QUARTZ publication, Spam for the first time in a decade makes up less than 50% of our email!  This is great news for all of us who use email daily.  The downside is that SPAM that is showing up in our email is much more sophisticated and typically has a much more damaging "Payload" for the user.  So while we are receiving less spam, the spam that does show up is far more damaging to our computer systems.  Read the full article here.

Old Is New Again - In the news

Silent Films are once again being made but this time they are being combined with texting.  A new integration of old style movie making with modern technology is coming to a theater near you.  For the full article on CNET, click here.




For those of you that have been using Microsoft Office for years, you may remember the famed Clippy Character that accompanied you while you typed in Word. Microsoft has brought the old character back to life, albeit virtual to help promote Microsoft Windows 10.  Clippy has been making the rounds and appearing on the "Tonight Show."  For a fun article, click here

NETFLIX SCAM

A client recently commented to me how they had experienced an issue with Netflix on their TV.  They tried to access Netflix on their smart TV by typing in the address of Netflix.  What they received was a very official looking website that informed them that their service had been interrupted due to excessive virus's.  Included on the website was a toll free support number.  After calling the support number, the client was instructed to download remote software on one of their home computers which gave the "so called" technician access to their network.  The technician ran a bunch of "fake" tests that showed the user that they had over 8,000 viruses.  In truth the client had ZERO viruses and the number and website was a fake Phishing Website that was trying to sell the victim on paying a fee to clean up their computer.  Fortunately the client called me and we quickly had the support session ended.  Be careful out there, many sites that look 100% legitimate are in fact not.  Always look at the URL at the top of your web browser to make sure you are on the right site.  This scam has been used with Adobe, Microsoft and a host of other mainstream software companies.  Netflix will never ask for a remote connection and most major companies will not either.  If being asked to allow for a remote connection, stop what you are doing and call your IT support person or if you are wanting to do this on your own, Google it.

Be safe out there and happy computing.  Please feel free to share this with other computer users.



Noah Creamer
231.313.6761

IT Support ~ Online Marketing ~ Web Design ~ SMB Networking Support - Carbonite Partner