PCSOL Tip of the Week
I Spy at your little computer...
Spyware – What is IT??
Spyware is computer software that is installed secretly on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's permission.
While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's behaviour, the functions of spyware extend well beyond simple monitoring.
Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit, sites that have been visited, but can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, accessing websites blindly that will cause more harmful viruses, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party. Spyware can even change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs.
There are a large number of free spyware removing tools; all have their pros and cons. I have listed the main 3 used by our technicians.
All of them can be downloaded for free for home use:
Super Anti Spyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/
Spybot - http://www.safer-networking.org
Ad Aware - http://lavasoft.com/
Malwarebytes - www.malwarebytes.org
It is important to remember that Spyware are not Viruses.
So, even though virus scans are getting better at it, they will not always find the spyware on your computer.
Thank you for your interest,
Steven Veltmeyer
Managing Director
PCSOL PTY LTD
Thanks to www.wikipedia.org for the definitions.
Disclaimer: PCSOL has no affiliation with the above websites and is providing this information as advice only.
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
PCSOL Tip of the Week
KEEP YOUR PERSONAL'S PERSONAL!
Today I raced upstairs to answer the home phone (which hardly EVER rings) and after answering the phone a polite woman with an American Accent asked if my computer has been fixed or is it still broken... ?
After hearing from about 10 customers during the last week receiving the same type of call - I instantly knew it was a bogus call!
So I played along complaining about my "horrible computer" and all the "problems" I was having. The woman on the phone was sympathetic and offered an easy fix over the phone if I just went to a website and downloaded something (she would talk me through it) OR if I gave her my details she would send me the information. To verify this - she asked for my Date of Birth and last 4 digits of my credit card number.
I said, "Sure - as long as you give me some of your details before handing out mine!" - and for some mysterious reason - she hung up!!!!!
This is one of the most important tips I can give you...
If someone rings saying they are from Microsoft or any company and asking about a faulty computer that you have
DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY DETAILS OVER THE PHONE!!
It is a Fraud!
What do they do?
They call you saying that they are from Microsoft, Apple, HP or numerous other International Companies and ask if you are having problems with your computer. They then go on and suggest that you may have a problem and that they need to verify who you are. They may ask for your Date of Birth, Security Code off your credit card or full name. DO NOT GIVE THEM THESE DETAILS - They are doing this because they already MAY have your credit card numbers and need the extra details to process the order.
How do they do it?
It is quite simple. They have a computer system that just calls phone number after phone number in order. This is a WORLDWIDE scam.
What should you do?
The easiest thing to do is Hang Up!!!
If, however, you have given them your details - check your credit card immediately!
If they have asked you to download something on to your computer - or to change the settings - get it checked immediately!
For more information you can check out Microsoft's release about this issue at http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/msname.aspx
Queensland Police have also released a brochure about identity theft at http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/documents/page27.pdf
This is an Article about the Phone Con from APC Computer Magazine http://apcmag.com/phone-con-no-that-is-not-microsoft-calling.htm
Thank you for your interest,
Steven Veltmeyer
Managing Director
PCSOL PTY LTD
Disclaimer: PCSOL is providing this information as advice only.
KEEP YOUR PERSONAL'S PERSONAL!
Today I raced upstairs to answer the home phone (which hardly EVER rings) and after answering the phone a polite woman with an American Accent asked if my computer has been fixed or is it still broken... ?
After hearing from about 10 customers during the last week receiving the same type of call - I instantly knew it was a bogus call!
So I played along complaining about my "horrible computer" and all the "problems" I was having. The woman on the phone was sympathetic and offered an easy fix over the phone if I just went to a website and downloaded something (she would talk me through it) OR if I gave her my details she would send me the information. To verify this - she asked for my Date of Birth and last 4 digits of my credit card number.
I said, "Sure - as long as you give me some of your details before handing out mine!" - and for some mysterious reason - she hung up!!!!!
This is one of the most important tips I can give you...
If someone rings saying they are from Microsoft or any company and asking about a faulty computer that you have
DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY DETAILS OVER THE PHONE!!
It is a Fraud!
What do they do?
They call you saying that they are from Microsoft, Apple, HP or numerous other International Companies and ask if you are having problems with your computer. They then go on and suggest that you may have a problem and that they need to verify who you are. They may ask for your Date of Birth, Security Code off your credit card or full name. DO NOT GIVE THEM THESE DETAILS - They are doing this because they already MAY have your credit card numbers and need the extra details to process the order.
How do they do it?
It is quite simple. They have a computer system that just calls phone number after phone number in order. This is a WORLDWIDE scam.
What should you do?
The easiest thing to do is Hang Up!!!
If, however, you have given them your details - check your credit card immediately!
If they have asked you to download something on to your computer - or to change the settings - get it checked immediately!
For more information you can check out Microsoft's release about this issue at http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/msname.aspx
Queensland Police have also released a brochure about identity theft at http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/services/reportsPublications/documents/page27.pdf
This is an Article about the Phone Con from APC Computer Magazine http://apcmag.com/phone-con-no-that-is-not-microsoft-calling.htm
Thank you for your interest,
Steven Veltmeyer
Managing Director
PCSOL PTY LTD
Disclaimer: PCSOL is providing this information as advice only.
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