Be Cautious Of This Windows Scam Involving A Phone Call From ‘Windows’ Regarding An Invalid Computer License Or Computer Virus

I just received a call from a customer was almost the victim of a current Windows scam.  She called, and was a little upset that her computer had a virus. Despite being protected with Anti-Virus, firewall and NAT router, and administrative restrictions, she still believed she was infected. Now I say believed, because with the controls tucu put in place, she will be extremely hard pressed to ever get infected with any malicious software ever again.   But tucu can’t protect against social engineering.

From Wikipedia:  Social engineering is commonly understood to mean the art of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information.^[1] While it is similar to a confidence trick or simple fraud, the term typically applies to trickery or deception for the purpose of information gathering, fraud, or computer system access; in most cases the attacker never comes face-to-face with the victims.

“Social engineering” as an act of psychological manipulation was popularized by hacker-turned-consultant Kevin Mitnick.

What had happened was that someone from ‘Windows’ had called her and told her that her license was out of date.  This, in itself, is a red flag right away.   Windows is to Microsoft what Taurus is to Ford. Windows is the name of a product, not a company.  So no one would call you from Windows.  It’s akin to saying I am calling from Taurus, not from Ford, the manufacturer of Taurus.  My supposition is that in order to avoid being charged with fraud, the ‘attacker’ won’t identify himself as being from Microsoft, but rather inserted himself into her trust by being something on the edge of familiarity and just vague enough for you to possibly believe it.  We all know what Windows is.  It’s just believable enough.

The ‘attacker’ then proceeded to claim that the users Windows license was no longer valid and had the person walk through a few steps on the phone to reinforce her perception as being authoritative with respect to his knowledge of the issue.

Regrettably, I have seen this a few times with new customers that did not take adequate precautions to protect themselves, and the end result was that their computers were infected with a virus that they had installed themselves by following the instructions of the person on the phone. They were then defrauded financially.  tucu was able to help protect their computers and networks from future attacks, but the financial and other damage is far more daunting to repair.  Prevention is key.

Fortunately, in this case, with our long standing client, tucu had put sufficient restrictions in place, such that when the attacker began their manipulation, he was not able to get the virus installed and eventually gave up. The customer then called me to ask why she could not do what ‘Windows’ wanted her to and “what is wrong with my computer?” After explaining to her that she was the victim of a con-man and that he most likely would have wiped out her bank account, she was very glad for the controls that tucu put in place, which prevented her ‘attackers’ success.

Please remember; Microsoft is the company that makes Windows.  Microsoft will never contact you via telephone without you first initiating contact with them.

If you want to ensure your computer and network is secure, tucu will be glad to offer you a free quote.

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Most of us, at one time or another, have, or will, drop a beloved and heavily relied upon electronic gadget into a pool of water.  We’ll experience a racing heart beat, slight dizziness and surge of hormones as we panic and have a little freak out about losing all our data, contacts, and electronic crutch!  Enter the BHEESTIE.

BHEESTIE is a bag of super thirsty stuff which will suck the moisture right out of your device.  For $20 a bag, you can have your device back fast ( and dry).

No claims are made about how this will affect any warranty you have remaining on your device, but if you just want your toy back, BHEESTIE will happily help you out.  Learn more about BHEESTIE.

Until next time,

Team Tucu

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Here are 3 basic computer troubleshooting tips that anyone can use to correct a computer issue.  They are useful tips for common computer issues.

This basic guide is split into 2 sections types; Know and Act.  Know sections explain computer issues and possible causes.  Act sections provide troubleshooting tips.  

TIP 1

Know : Computer issues can be caused by hardware, software or even network related sources.

Act: Pay attention to any error message you receive on your monitor.  It may help you hone in on what is really causing the computer issue.

It’s surprising how many people  shut those error messages down without reading them!  Those error messages are the first thing a professional IT technician would look for to gain insight in to what the computer problem really is.  Read the error messages for clues on what you can do to fix the problem, or copy the text of the error messages to share with your professional IT technician, if or when you call them in for help.

Also, try using your search engine to search for the error code.  Chances are, someone else has had the same problem, and you may be able to find a do it yourself solution online.

TIP 2

Know:  A sudden black computer screen usually indicates a memory failure in your computer.  It is usually caused by having too many computer programs in use at once, or trying to process too much data at once.

Act: If you are multi-tasking and experience a sudden black computer screen issue, memory failure may be the cause.    Simply shut down and restart the computer.  A shut down stops all processes that your computer circuits are trying to perform, and allows them to start over.  If sudden black screen issues happen to you often, you may need to upgrade your hardware.

Any call centre or IT technician you call will ask you to do this as the very first step in the troubleshooting process.  Save time; skip the call, shut down and restart, and see if you can solve this computer issue yourself.

TIP 3

Know: Many people are unaware that they are unnecessarily running multiple versions of the same type of software.  This is especially true with antivirus.  Running multiple programs may significantly slow down your computer, and cause performance to freeze.

Act: Check your list of installed programs.  Uninstall unnecessary programs, and choose a single antivirus for everyday use.

Computers are complex, however these basic tips can help you correct common minor issues on your own.  If you can’t sort out the issue, or if you begin to get frustrated, take a deep breath and call Tucu.  We make IT Pain Free.  Toronto: 416.292.3300  |  Durham Region: 905.233.4858

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Free Desktop Organization Software

Does your desktop look like something exploded inside your computer screen?

Do you waste time looking for files or folders?  Fences can help you get organized and keep your sanity through out the work day!  It allows you to create little fences on your desktop ( more like little sections) which you title and insert your various files and folders into.  Everything is visible, just far more organized and easy to find.

Visit Stardock.com , the makers of Fences for your desktop, and download a free copy today.  Here is a snapshot from their website, to show you what Fences looks like on your desktop.

A short video tutorial is available to help you get started.  There is a professional version for a mere $9.99, which offers a host of additional options.  But I have to tell you, the free version is a keeper!

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Digital Copier Hard Drive Data Leaks

60% of Americans do not know that digital copiers have hard drives which retain an image of every copy made using the copier. We’re Canadian, but it isn’t a stretch to consider many of us fail to consider the ramifications of our digital copiers hard drive when selling or disposing of an old digital copier.

Used copiers are sold across the U.S. and Canada, as well as to unknown overseas buyers in Singapore, Argentina and elsewhere, holding easy to download images of all scanned or copied documents.  This video shows used copiers from insurance companies, police stations and other businesses being made available for sale for a few hundred dollars.  Sadly, the video shows that for a few hundred dollars, anyone can buy a hard drive with every single image you scanned stored on it.

In this video, personal information, pay information, social insurance numbers, medical and criminal records were easily recovered.   Obviously, these companies failed to follow PIPEDA or privacy guidelines for disposing of personal information.  What a jackpot for identify theft artists.  What a potential law suit for the companies or the police station who failed to delete the hard drives before disposing of the copiers.

• Do you photocopy pay stubs?
• Medical charts?
• Legal case files?
• Any sensitive information?

If you are using a digital copier to make your copies, be sure to spend the $200-$300 to have the hard drive “scrubbed ( properly deleted) before selling or disposing of your used or unwanted digital copier.  If you need to have your hard drive properly scrubbed, please call Tucu.  This is a service we offer.

For Computer Help, Call Tucu: 416-292-3300 | 905-233-4858

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

PDF Embedded Virus

Adobe’s “Launch” feature has been exploited to allow a virus to be inserted in to a PDF and downloaded to your computer. A new virus, which does just that, is currently circulating.

This version of the virus is being circulated as an attachment in PDF’s titled Royal_Mail_Delivery_Notice.pdf.

If you open a PDF, and are greeted with a dialogue box prompting you do download Royal_Mail_Delivery_Notice.pdf , or to “choose an extraction location”, be sure to cancel the action, close the dialogue box and delete the infected PDF.

FoxIt Readers need to take extra care, as FoxIt Reader does not currently give the user the dialogue box as outlined above, but rather begins automatically downloading the virus to your My Documents Folder.

Until a patch is released, Adobe suggests the following work around to help prevent infection:

In Adobe Reader and Acrobat, edit your preferences

1. Edit
2. Preferences
3. Categories
4. Trust Manager
5. PDF File Attachments – clear or deselect the check box for “ Allow opening of non PDF file attachments with external applications.

If you suspect you have been infected, call us to book a remote or on site support session. Tucu will scan and quarantine any viruses on your system, and update your anti-virus and Adobe settings.  From Toronto, dial 416.292.3300.  From Durham, call 905.233.4858.

Update – Monday May 10, 2010 - Foxit Reader has added a safe mode to help stop embedded viruses from automatically downloading.  Foxit PDF Reader Version 3.3,has a Safe Mode that blocks external commands (embedded viruses) from being executed by the software.  So good news for Foxit fans!

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Hey there Tucu lovers,

When Andy posted this in a Linked In Group we belong to, we had to ask his permission to repost it here on the blog for all of you.  These self proclaimed gurus advertise hard, and small business owners give up their hard earned money to these people when they truly don’t have the right credentials, experience or depth of marketing knowledge to do them any real service.

Be smart.  Be savvy. Dig a little deeper when hiring someone to help you with your marketing service.  For SEO basics, we can help.  For hard hitting SEO success, we recommend The Search Engine People, based out of Ajax Ontario.  THey are a profit 100 company and one of Canada’s finest when it comes to SEO.

Sincerely,
Team Tucu

—————————————————-

Guest Post.  Reprinted with permission.

Step Aside, Internet Marketing Expert Coming Through

I have to plead ignorance. With my 30+ years of a business background, considered by some to be somewhat of a marketing specialist, I never realized that our marketing industry has managed to capture so many internet marketing experts. Wow. What a tremendous feat accomplished in such a short time.

Imagine how impressed any prospective account would be to see Internet Marketing Genius after your name. And, as part of your pitch to him/her you might casually drop the line that he/she could also be considered an Internet Marketing Genius just by becoming your customer. Didn’t you know that the marketing expertness was highly contagious and transmitted that way. Why someone never infected me when I started my marketing journey over three decades ago is beyond me.

I had the pleasure of chatting with one of these Internet Marketing Gurus recently. Not to shortchange him, his full title was Network Marketing Internet Marketing Expert. His email to me reeked of “I’m a network marketing newbie”. Turns out this Network Marketing Internet Mastermind was going to show me how to make a monthly six figure income. Like in $100,000 or more, I asked. He said that it sure was doable. I pressed on, so your monthly earnings are in the six figure plus range. His response, I’m on my way. (He was well trained.) Okay, I had to ask this one, how long have you been a rep with the company? Three weeks was the answer. Interesting…my network marketing Internet Marketing Guru must have been a rapid learner to achieve such a vaulted position as an expert internet marketer in only three weeks.

Funny thing is, I bet he will attract some people into his group not based upon his knowledge of the internet or his truthfulness but his moxie. And, of course, his appeal to a person’s sense of greed and laziness: I want to make six figures a month just as fast as he did.

Can you relate to this?

If you currently use the term Internet Marketing Expert, I really don’t mean to offend you. You very well may be. However, with so many brand spankin’ new entrants crowning themselves into Expert-hood, the word has lost its luster not just with me but with the many people seeking a legitimate online marketer to do business with: your potential customers.
Using words like internet marketing coach or consultant projects how you can assist a customer with a term that is more at the level they feel that they can relate to. Trying to fill those Internet Marketing Big Kahuna shoes is way beyond most of our shoe sizes.

This is Andy “Acci”, Internet Network Marketing King signing off.

Andy “Acci” Acciaioli
AndyAcci.com
401/484-5526

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

If you experienced downtime due to OpenDNS’s recent outtage, try Google’s new Public DNS service.

Although outtage’s don’t happen often, why not cover your bases by using multpiple DNS services.  To use Google’s public DNS, simply add the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to your DNS servers forwarding look ups.

Not sure how? Call us and we’ll walk you through it.

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

In October we reminded all our clients about the update for the AVG AntiVirus Free Edition. Not everyone was quick to update, because a few of you had to call in for help with some nasty virus infections!  We’re happy we were able to help, but really want to help you prevent infections altogether.

It is very important to regularly update your antivirus software.  Viruses are increasingly malicious and intelligent.  Stay safe and take action when you receive our free tech tips.   If you are new to Tucu and want to register for the free tech tips, click here to register.

If you are currently using AVG Free edition, please download the latest edition.  Get your free download here.

If you have questions, or if you suspect you have been infected, give us a call. We can set up a remote repair session with you and clean up your computer up quickly, or, if you prefer, we’ll come and see you in your home or office.

Toronto: 416-292-330o   Durham: 905-233-4858

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services

Tucu Lovers,

We know that most offices lack the fresh air and greenery that make humans feel good.  After watching this video, our office got an overhaul with some refreshing results.

I always say that synergy is a beautiful thing. I am normally referencing the exponentially better results you can get when you work with a coach, great team or partner  on your business projects, but today I’m talking about plants.  3 easy to obtain plants work together to create your own fresh air supply!  The presenter in the video explains that you could be sealed in a bottle with these 3 plants and not die.

Update your work space with a little more oxygen and see if it doesn’t perk up your results.  It worked for us.  And while ot exactly a tech tip, Team Tucu felt like this office tip was to good not to share.  Employ & Enjoy.

On Site Computer Repair, Toronto, Durham Region - On Site Computer Repair & Executive IT Support Services