Scam alerts Archives - Page 3 of 29

Scam alert: Why it’s a bad idea to like, share or comment on ‘Feel Good Posts’ on Facebook

Posted on March 5, 2019

If you use Facebook, you have surely seen tons of “feel good posts” pop up in your newsfeed. And if you’re like most people, you probably “Like” and “Share” some of them.

I used to Like and Share them too, back before I learned how dangerous they can be.

“Feel good posts” typically consist of a cute photo (often of a puppy, a kitten or a child) looking all lovable and cuddly. The photo will usually have some text on it that makes it almost impossible not to like or share the post.

Here’s an example of a typical “feel good post”: [Read more…]

Scam alert: Beware the extremely dangerous ‘Malicious Tagging’ scam on Facebook

Posted on February 28, 2019

As you probably already know, scams and hoaxes abound on Facebook.

Luckily, many of those scams and the vast majority of the hoaxes are relatively benign other than the irritation they cause, but some of them are actually quite dangerous.

One of the most dangerous scams ever to hit Facebook is being perpetrated as we speak.

It’s called the “Malicious Tagging” scam and it typically works something like this…

[Read more…]

Scam alert: Ignore the ‘Confirm you’re an active user’ hoax that’s currently being spread via Facebook Messenger

Posted on February 19, 2019

Well, here we go again with yet another irritating Facebook hoax.

It amazes me that the scammers can manage to come up with a new hoax virtually every day, but somehow they do.

This particular hoax is being spread via Messenger, and as usual lots of folks are falling for it.

The hoax message varies a bit, but it usually reads something like this: [Read more…]

If you use any of these apps from the Microsoft Store, delete them NOW!

Posted on February 18, 2019

Microsoft encourages Windows users to only download Windows apps from the official Microsoft Store because there’s no way to ensure the safety of apps that are available from third-party download sites.

Well, it appears that Microsoft needs to pick up their game a bit if they want to maintain the Microsoft Store’s reputation as a source for safe app downloads.

Security firm Symantec has just discovered that at least eight apps available from the Microsoft Store start engaging in crypto jacking operations immediately after they are downloaded and installed on a user’s Windows machine.

[Read more…]

Scam Alert: Be on the lookout for ‘Evil Twin’ Wi-Fi networks

Posted on February 17, 2019

Have you ever used a hotel’s secure Wi-Fi network while staying there as a guest?

How about the secure Wi-Fi network that serves the building you work in – or even the network at your church?

Many of us routinely use these types of secured Wi-Fi networks without giving them a second thought, because…well, they’re encrypted, and therefore safe, right?

As a general rule these secured networks are indeed safe and we can use them without having to worry about having our usernames, passwords and personal info being stolen.

But there’s also a danger with using secured Wi-Fi networks that you need to know about.

[Read more…]