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Computer scam

FTC warns: new variation on tech support scams

By on April 11, 2018 in Online Life, Security
In a tech support scam, you’re tricked into believing you must give remote access to your computer to solve a tech crisis of some sort. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning about a new variation on this scam that banks on their good name and real history.
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Consumer alert: latest data breaches at six big companies

By on April 6, 2018 in Online Life, Security
It was not a great week for consumers or their personal and payment information. In a matter of days, SIX companies announced that data breaches could have exposed customer data from millions of customers. Given today’s digital world—even if you managed to avoid being impacted this week—it’s never a bad time to review some steps you can take after a breach:
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Trouble in Paradise: Avoiding Airbnb scams

By on March 22, 2018 in Online Life, Security
Airbnb has made it possible for travelers to live like a local—literally renting out residents’ apartments or homes. While the Airbnb site itself is safe and reliable, scammers may try to lead you off that path.
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Clever tax scam for 2018 is a new twist on an old favorite

By on February 22, 2018 in Online Life, Security
The Internal Revenue service warns that taxpayers could get conned into handing over tax refunds deposited in their accounts—that’s nothing new. The twist is that fraudsters file a real tax return with stolen data so filers get a real, but erroneous, refund. The criminals then pretend to be someone in authority to get taxpayers to “return” the refund money. Find out how it works and what you can do.
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Report: Your smart TV could get hacked, if not protected

By on February 21, 2018 in Online Life, Security
Consumer Reports has found that many smart TVs are vulnerable to hacking if proper security measures are not put in place (i.e., a secure home Wi-Fi network). And, beyond the models they found to be at risk, smart TVs in general pose privacy risks you might not know about. Find out what you can do.
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Don’t be a fool for love: avoiding online dating scams

By on February 12, 2018 in Online Life, Security
Everyone is looking for love, and in this digital age, many turn to online forums to find it. While many do find great relationships or fun dates through dating websites, others have felt the sting of costly scams. Monetary loss coupled with a broken heart? Far from a match made in heaven.
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Be on the lookout: Tax phishing scams are back

By on January 25, 2018 in Security
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the IRS are warning consumers about the return of tax scam season. We’ve talked about this before in 2015 and 2016—and that advice is still valid. However, there are two new scams making the rounds this year you need to watch out for.
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What you need to know about Meltdown and Spectre

By on January 12, 2018 in Online Life, Security
Meltdown and Spectre are names given to two different security bugs found in June of 2017 by Google. These bugs are far-reaching and impact a wide-range of computers, mobile devices and servers across many operating systems, such as iOS, MacOS, Android, Blackberry, Linux, and Microsoft. We've pulled together what you need to know.
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How to outsmart your smart home

By on January 4, 2018 in Online Life, Security
Connected devices can bring a lot of convenience, but they also come with a price: privacy risks. In fact, they pose a variety of unique security challenges you might not know about. Learn what to look for before you buy and steps to take to protect your privacy once they're in your home.
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