A couple of weeks ago one of my clients was nearly scammed by an online scammer. I want to share two things with you. First, I’ll share a sample screenshot of what you might see pop up on your computer compelling you to call the scammer. Don’t! (I have blacked out the phone number on the photo so that you can’t call on this one.) Next, I’m going to share a YouTube channel of a guy who is actively working to take the scammers down. And I have got to tell you, this is good stuff. He explains how the scams work. He does different things to screw with the scammers including deleting files off their computers while they are logged into his computer. It’s so satisfying to see the scammers cry. Here’s a link to one of his YouTube videos. ![]()
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youtu.be/eq8cKjdNpCo![]()
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And if you need a geek…![]()
-I am![]()
Your Geek!
With the war (or if you prefer the word "conflict") in Ukraine there has been increased cyber attacks in the US. I am seeing a lot of phishing attacks. Now, you may think that you wouldn't fall for it because "you're too smart" to fall for it, but let me just tell you that they aren't attacking your intelligence. They are circumventing your "smarts" by attacking your emotions. These attacks come from emails, pop-ups, and phone calls. They look to catch you off guard so that they can breach your intelligent defenses and tug at every fear you have. There are things you can do to protect yourself. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone, immediately shift your mindset. The more scared they make you feel the more likely that you are dealing with a scammer. If they won't let you hang up because whatever bad thing will happen, then they are a scammer. Whether you have accidentally given up any information or not and whether or not you have fallen for any phishing schemes, there is something very important that I want you to do TODAY (or at most tomorrow). Sign up for a password manager like 1password.com. Next, change ALL of your passwords. Start with your email password, then banking, then any service for which you have a credit card or bank account connected and keep moving down the line. Be sure to use extremely complicated passwords that are NOT MEMORABLE. NEVER REUSE A PASSWORD. Let 1password recommend a password that is 18 or more characters long and use that. Please protect yourself, your data, and your customers' data. Do it now. I know it's a pain in the @$$ but it's even more of a pain when you suddenly find your bank account emptied because your easy to remember and thus easy to hack password got hacked.![]()
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If you think you have been hacked, phished, or otherwise scammed, call me and I'll help you to calm down and move into damage control mode to protect yourself from any further incursion.![]()
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-I am,![]()
Your Geek
You never know what you’re going to find when you open up a computer. I have seen internal circuitry stained by cigarettes. I have seen piles of cat hair, dust, and spider webs. But today I hit my limit. I opened up a computer and stopped right there. Now, look, I know the little critters inside the machine were dead, but still… yuck! Lol. I showed it to the owner of the computer and his next words were music to my ears, “Yeah let’s throw that one out.” It’s an older computer with problems anyway so mind you this was just the very gross cherry on top of the pile of ick that was this machine. #canttouchthat #sometimesyoujustgottacallthetimeofdeath![]()
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And now, the photo of what I encountered. ![]()
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For all your computer needs that do not require an exterminator, I remain,![]()
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-Your Geek!
My latest little fun side project is building myself a media server for my home. Right now it's installing the software on my little raspberry pi. The goal in the end is that I will have the hard drive that has all of my movies attached to this raspberry pi so that I can stream my movies and shows any internet connected TV in my home. ![]()
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-I am,![]()
Your Geek!
