Warning! Warning! . . .

I am going to go out on a limb here and date myself! Anybody remember this guy from the old TV series Lost in Space? If so, this is the world I have recently lived in.

Many of you know that I have experienced many technology challenges over recent weeks (actually since March). Though VERY time consuming, frustrating and challenging to say the least, I always chalk events such as these up to a learning experience AND learning experiences I have had.

I've had 3 MAJOR virus attacks (and I like to think I practice safe computing), my iPhone crashed, burned & died (fortunately had insurance … another topic for another blog), and within the last couple of weeks COMPLETELY lost and had to rebuild my hard drive. So when I say, I've been there done that . . . I truly have!

My goal is to always give back and spare others any frustrations that I may have encountered. Before I proceed, I'd like to ask you a couple of questions . . .

• Have you ever run into a problem with a product or service and wanted to contact the company via the good ole fashion phone rather than email or live chat?
• Did you have difficulty finding their contact phone number on their Contact Us page?
• If you couldn't find their phone number what did you do?

My guess is . . . You GOOGLED it!!!!  If that is indeed the case, then you SERIOUSLY need to keep reading . . .

Because of the rebuild & restore of my laptop, I am proceeding very cautiously and yes, I am more than a little gun shy.

Yesterday, my anti-virus software was acting very strangely. I was getting pop-ups telling me my anti-virus had been deactivated. The first few times, I elected to ignore the warning because there was no way I could be having problems again. After all, everything was clean, fresh, new and basically out-of-the-box so there was no way that I could be attacked again! Oh no not again! Please tell me it ain't so!!!!

Well, I was attacked again but a little bit different type of attack called FRAUD and I hope EVERYONE learns from my experience. I did a Google search for a phone number for the company of my Anti-Virus. The company name was identified in the description, incorporated in the Domain name AND it was first on the Google page . . . Valuable lesson learned.

The conversation from the beginning never felt right (I think that is called 'gut feeling). After giving them access remotely to my computer, I was told that my computer had been hacked, all my passwords and private data had been stolen and the fact that my computer had just been rebuilt didn't matter.

Well, they certainly had my attention and many emotions were running rapid (they played on these emotions). They stated that once I provided them with my credit card information to authorize $XXX.XX, I would become a lifetime member with MANY perks. After an hour into the conversation, they pretty much had me sucked in. After all, I can't operate my business without the tools of my trade! So, I pulled out my company card, entered my card information (remember they have remote access to my computer at this time) BUT I did all the eyeball checks to ensure it was a secured site and all appearances indicated I was safe.

After entering my credit card information twice and it being rejected twice (knowing funds were there) my gut feeling was becoming more of a reality. My credit card was rejected because it was an international transaction. They suggested that I call my credit card company to release authorization and the pressure was on. I took this opportunity to act on my gut feeling and started to end the conversation, close out the remote session and start my investigative work.

In an attempt to just create an awareness and to make an even longer story short . . . please, please, please be cautious when using the internet for contact information. It was not until the middle of the night (my best time of the day to think when I realized what "I" had done. Sure enough I back tracked to the number I had called so no one to blame but me!

At the end of the day, I have notified all the proper authorities, my computer seems to be in full operation and I am starting to once again regain my sanity. By the way, the problem with the anti-virus software was a simple activation requirement due to the reinstall. Had I not panicked initially which these crooks are banking on (no pun intended) none of this would have even existed!

Another valuable lesson learned . . . Breath in breath out!

Empowering You to Become Your Best Self!

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Do You Practice Safe Computing . . .

Whether you answered YES or answered NO to Practicing Safe Computing then you need to read on . . . Being in the field of technology, I know & understand the importance of ‘buttoning down the hatches’ when it comes to safe computing. Do I always practice what I preach? Evidently not . . . unfortunately, I have been attacked and crippled 3-times in less than 4-weeks and it’s time to take action and precaution.

Nothing can keep your computer, your data OR your smartphone 100% safe unless you never use it but following these suggestions will certainly help decrease your risk.

Run Anti-Virus Software

Make certain you have up-to-date, industry standard anti-virus software running on any computer you use. Check for anti-virus updates regularly AND schedule scans to run frequently.

Keep Your Computer Up-to-Date

Those pesky little popups for installation updates do popup for a reason. Don't be caught in last month's versions—someone's exploiting them!  Set your computer to automatically check for updates for your operating system, your anti-virus software, your web browser, and any plug-ins or other applications (such as MS Office, Adobe Reader, Flash, and Java). 

Once a week is not too often . . . more frequent is better than less frequent!

"Oh no . . . I have a virus!"
If you have an anti-virus program installed (and I don’t want to know about it if you don’t), immediately run a deep full scan of all files and folders.  (Note: This could take some time!)  Hopefully, it will find and quarantine any problems you might have BUT don’t rely on it!

If you don't have an anti-virus program, immediately download one BUT be warned!  Some viruses will prevent you from going to common anti-virus websites. If that is happening to you, or if your anti-virus program can't get rid of it, you may need to contact your computer's manufacturer (if it's under warranty) or get an outside consultant to help you.

If this is the case, then I hope you have your manufacturer’s restore CD close by. If not, either create one OR contact your manufacturer and have them ship you one asap. Unfortunately, most manufactures do not include upon purchase BUT instead upon request.

Backup, Backup, AND Backup Some More

These days, more and more people are using computers to run their business, to store memories, important documents, and various other pieces of information that may need to be kept for long periods of time. Backing up a computer is essential for keeping long term (or even short term) documents around.

Decide on the proper backup media for your needs. CD-R, DVD+-R, tape, hard drives (internal and external), online, and flash drives are all great choices, but the right tool for the job is always best. Do some research on the advantages of each, and choose the one which will best suit your needs.

IMPORTANT … if using an external source make certain you run your anti-virus on that device. Usually, it’s as simple as right-clicking on your device on your laptop or PC.

Take Care Where You Stick Your Drives

A relatively recent development in malicious software is the USB virus, which is spread by copying itself from an infected computer onto a USB flash drive plugged into it, and then is automatically run on the next computer the drive is plugged into.  Again (can't say this to much), make certain any computer you use a portable drive with is running up-to-date anti-virus software.

Sync Your Smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, etc.)

Syncing your Smartphone to your laptop/PC is an added level of security. For example, if you were not diligent in backing up your Outlook (.pst) but you synced with your smartphone, if data was lost in one or the other device (just happened to me) then you have a simple recovery plan.

You know there is something to be said about having to do a complete system restore. Not easy, not fun BUT the end result is clean, faster running system and back-to-the-day you took your toy fresh out-of-the-box.

Empowering You to Become Your Best Self!