Welcome back to another edition of El Toro's Tech Blog.
When I report to you the latest tech, it doesn't necessarily mean I am talking about new software or technology. I also include Tips and Tricks as you have seen with the last few entries on Excel Basics.
The latest to talk about is this new trend going around starting to be known as the "Hack Attack". The technical term for this is ransomware. This goes out to all readers of all levels of technology, from the system administrators to the newbie who bought a PC and is still looking for the "any key" button on their keyboard. This is probably one of the most important articles you will EVER read so it is very important you read carefully, print it out for your friends who don't have computers or the family relative who isn't the most computer savvy person and is always calling you for help.
There are many ways of getting the ransomware virus on the computer and it all starts with you. Clicking on a link that you think someone has sent to you, being on Facebook and clicking on a picture that will take you to a site that will guess how old you will be when you decide to get married, or getting an email on how to save money, or getting a text (SMS) message on your mobile phone and responding to it. All it takes is for you to respond in one way or another for the virus to start.
Here are some sample screenshots on what you might get if the ransomware virus has somehow made it to your computer. Keep in mind, you may not even have the virus and people are just dialing random numbers until they get a live person.
Each version of the ransomware virus is different but they mostly work the same way where someone will send you a virus in one of the many methods described (and not described) above. This will then send information back to the person who sent you the virus. Now they have a way to contact you (whether it’s by email or by phone) OR, they just call a bunch of random numbers until they get a working phone, and the patter is they tend to disguise themselves as Tech Support from Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Dell, Lenovo, IBM ... pretty much any company. Now here is the first sign that something is wrong. Unless you have physically gone to a Microsoft/Apple/Dell/etc. store or called them first, TECH SUPPORT NEVER MAKES THE FIRST CALL TO YOU. So that's the first red flag to look out for. These scammers can even disguise their caller IDs to make it look like they are calling from an 800 number from X company. No multi-million dollar company is going to call you first, let alone call to provide you customer support out of the blue.
What you can do as a consumer to protect yourself? If you feel you have been infected with a virus, no matter what you have (Android, Windows, Apple) you can download a free antivirus and run a full scan on your computer. AVG has the best reviews and is available for all operating systems.
If you already got the virus and your computer says your files are locked out, call this number to unlock, contact the FBI and report it. The link will open up in a page that is specific to CyberCrime. They will provide you with the next steps on how to get you back on track but it is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT you report the incident to the FBI.
This other tip may not be obvious but under no circumstances should you EVER provide your credit card, banking number or any financial information to anyone calling you EVER. Think of it like this, if you wouldn’t give this type of information to a random stranger that walks up to you asking for it, why give it to someone calling you out of the blue over the phone?
Please click here to go to the FBI Cyber Crime site for additional information.
I hope you will leave today after reading my blog a bit more informed with this situation.
That's it for now so just a reminder to follow my other blogs. Until next time thanks and Be Safe! =)
El Toro’s Blog
El Toro’s Tech Blog
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