Category: Tips

There are lots of different kinds of FAKE emails.  I received the one you see below that says it is from Apple.

DO NOT CLICK LINKS IN AN EMAIL unless you know FOR SURE it is real.  Instead, go to the internet and LOG DIRECTLY INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

There are several things you can look at to help you decide if it is real or not:

• You can see the email address associated with the sender “AppleID” is [email protected].  That sure does not look like an email address that Apple would use.
• The subject line is an awkward collection of words that don’t make a lot of sense.
  • I do not know what a “Summary Report Alert” is.   Even if I had an active Apple ID, I can’t imagine why they would send me an alert about a Summary Report, whatever that is.
  • I do not know what a “Statement Update Account” is.  And submitting a new one is a bigger mystery.
• The message is not very well written.
  • The word at the end of the first sentence is “customer” and should be “customers” (plural).
  • The sentence under the Verify Now button ends with”…, if we didn’t receive any response from you!”, which does not make sense in this context.
• Scroll down to the bottom and see that the Copyright is for Apple Distibution International is misspelled.

I have a fair number of customers who are writers.  I also like The Great Courses.  A little while ago I got an email from The Great Courses about a class called How to Publish Your Book. And right now it is on sale.  Thought I should share.  Click here to check it out.

Oops, did not mean to miss it, but it is not too late for a reminder about good password practices.

TechRepublic, in its “On World Password Day, here are 4 tips to keep your online accounts secure” post, reminds us of the following:

Happy World Password Day!

If you weren’t in the know, the first Thursday in May of each year has been officially declared World Password Day—a day to promote good security hygiene and password habits. In 2017, that day has fallen on May 4.

Companies like Dell, AOL, Microsoft Azure, Intel Security, Lenovo, and more are championing the effort, which offers a simple four-step approach to better passwords:

1. Create strong passwords
Strong passwords, according to the World Password Day website, have at least eight characters, with a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letter, numbers, and symbols. They also avoid the use of personal information, such as birthdays or middle names.

2. Use a different password for each account
Using a different password for each online account is important because, if you share passwords across accounts, one compromised password can be used to log into another account. This is especially important regarding online banking and financial accounts.

3. Get a password manager
Password managers, like LastPass or 1Password for example, can help you store multiple passwords, often in an encrypted manner, for easy access. Typically, they will require one master password with additional layer of authentication to access the stored passwords.

4. Turn on multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security on top of your standard password. For example, an app may require you answer a security question, input a unique code, or use a fingerprint scanner on top of using your password. Check the security settings of your favorite apps and passwords to see if multi-factor authentication is available.

Here is a good article from AARP about internet typos that can take you to a fake website.  “The usual MO has been to lead consumers to copycat websites that sell counterfeit goods, aim to steal credit card info that people provide for supposed purchases, or promise a prize to those who complete a survey that actually mines for sensitive personal information.”  …click here to read more

Carbonite is the cloud backup I use.   Carbonite’s Chris Doggett talks about how:  “Cyber threats continue to proliferate at an alarming rate, and everyone who lives in the digital age is more concerned with online security than ever before. Still, there is a gaping security hole putting many people at risk – and it’s one that plenty of users believe they have already covered: Insufficient password protection practices.”  Click this title Protect your passwords: Five ways to sidestep cybercriminals to learn how to find out if you’ve already been hacked, and other good advise about sidestepping cybercriminals.

Did you ever wonder where to go to create or maintain your Google My Business listing?  Well, at least for now, you can go here to login or create your account:  https://support.google.com/business/answer/3039617?hl=en

Clearly looks like I need to go update my listing :>)  I’ll have to get right on that.

The little yellow folder you find on the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen is called Windows File Explorer. 

This article from Tech Republic will help you make the Windows File Explorer open directories or folders of your choosing.  It is easy to get to the Documents, Pictures and Music folders, but sometimes you want to make it really easy to open a different folder. 

Perhaps you are working on a genealogy project, or you are writing a book, or you like to keep pictures in a different folder.  This article will tell you how to add links directly to those locations.  You can add and remove them as often as you like to meet your current and changing needs.

This article is a little technical so give me a call if you want help.  612-408-9437.

I have just gotten the 15th call in the last two weeks from someone who had that big scary message on her computer screen telling her that her computer has a bad problem. In very convincing language it says the computer needs attention and the person should call Microsoft at the phone number provided. There are several types of these messages saying they are from real places like Microsoft, the FBI, and now there is one saying they are from Dell.

DO NOT CALL THEM!!! They are not real.

If you are on the phone with them right now, please HANG UP.

If you already let them into your computer, please click the Red X on their little connection box, and then hang up on them.

If you already gave them money please call your bank and ask what can be done.

Neither Microsoft, the FBI, nor Dell will contact you out of the clear blue about your computer, especially through a popup you get from the internet. I don’t care how convincing they are, JUST SAY NO AND HANG UP.

If you are worried there may be a problem with your computer, HANG UP ON THOSE PEOPLE, and call someone you know locally, or take the computer into your local shop. If I am local to you, feel free to call 612-408-9437.

If someone called you on the phone and said they were from Ford and you have a problem with your car, you would not believe them, and you would not give them money. These scams regarding your computer are exactly the same as the phone call about your car. Toss Minnesota Nice out the window and HANG UP ON THEM. Better yet, just don’t call them in the first place.