Today, the Internet is an essential tool for most of us, personally and professionally. Unfortunately, it’s also a haven for bad actors looking to scam the unsuspecting. Knowing how to spot suspicious emails can protect you from cybercriminals stealing money or personal information.
Recently a new wave of “tech support” scams have been on the rise appearing as emails or pop-up warning of viruses that have taken over your computer. Want to learn more? Read on!
Pop Up Warnings
Have you ever clicked a link only to get a pop-up saying “virus or threat detected?” These are most common on Windows and sometimes on Android or iOS systems and they’re designed to scare you into thinking you’ve got a problem when you don’t.
So, what do these scammers want?
Most often, they’re are looking for money or personal information. Typically, there is a number you’re supposed to call which will then take you through a complicated run around trying to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed. They will often offer to sell you malicious software, or try to take over your computer remotely.
Today most programs like Google Chrome or Microsoft Windows have built-in antivirus protection to prevent these types of threats.
Unsolicited Calls or Emails
A legitimate organization will never contact you about a computer problem. The built-in protection is usually enough to detect any threat. If you want to confirm there’s a problem and remove it, run the built-in virus protection on your OS.
Requests for Remote Access
This is another potentially damaging scam. The scammer will pretend to be someone from a major company like Microsoft or Apple. They will inform you that they have been receiving messages from your computer about a virus and tell you that they need remote access to remove the threat.
They may also try to convince you to buy a bogus service, or unnecessary software to “resolve” the problem. If you resist, they may continue to persist – and the more you refuse, eventually becoming frustrated and abusive. This is another red flag!
Tech scams are a growing problem as criminals get smarter and more people are being deceived into purchasing bogus “repairs.” Safe practices are critical to avoiding online scams. Never give out personal information unless you absolutely know who you are giving it to.
To learn how to better protect yourself and your business, reach out to us today!
