Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
1) Unsolicited pop-ups claiming to be from Microsoft or other security services: Janet’s story highlights a common scam tactic, which is fake alerts masquerading as official warnings. Microsoft ...
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says scammers exploit fears, falsely claim computer issues to access your personal data.
• Fake email addresses - Malicious actors sometimes send from email addresses made to look like an official email address but in fact is missing a letter(s), misspelled, replaces a letter with a lookalike number (e.g. “O” and “0”), or originates from free email services that would not be used for official communications.
Hoax warnings are typically scare alerts started by malicious people – and passed on by innocent individuals that think they are helping the community by spreading the warning. Corporate users can get rid of the hoax problem by simply setting a strict company guideline: End users must not forward virus alarms. Ever.
Legal action has been taken against some companies carrying out technical support scams. [56] In December 2014, Microsoft filed a lawsuit against a California-based company operating such scams for "misusing Microsoft's name and trademarks" and "creating security issues for victims by gaining access to their computers and installing malicious ...
These alerts pretend to be a detection of an attack on that computer and the alert prompts the user to activate or purchase the software in order to stop the attack. More seriously it can paste a fake picture of a Blue Screen of Death over the screen and then display a fake startup image telling the user to buy the software. The malware may ...
The best way to protect yourself against email phishing scams is to avoid falling victim to them in the first place. "Simply never take sensitive action based on emails sent to you," Steinberg says.
Phishing scams happen when you receive an email that looks like it came from a company you trust (like AOL), but is ultimately from a hacker trying to get your information. All legitimate AOL Mail will be marked as either Certified Mail, if its an official marketing email, or Official Mail, if it's an important account email. If you get an ...