It’s going around again. And it’s something that you really need to be aware of. People are disguising themselves as a tech support representative from Microsoft or Apple. They claim a horrible virus has infected your computer and they need to log into to it to fix it. However, Microsoft and Apple DO NOT call customers to inform them of a virus. The “representative” that’s calling is trying to scam you. If you were to allow him to log into your computer, he would have access to any saved passwords, your bank account, he could infect your computer with a real virus, or send spam or malware to others from your computer in your name. This is very serious. How can you protect yourself from this crime? By following the few tips below:

1. If someone calls claiming to be from Apple, Microsoft, or any company that you’ve never heard of stating that you have a virus, hang up immediately. Don’t give them anything to work with.
2. Keep your computer free from viruses and malware by running regular anti-virus scans. Windows 10 has a built in antivirus software that is decent. If you need help or have any questions about antivirus software, give us a call at (254) 747-2765. We can give you guidance and assistance to set up these programs.
3. If you own a business, it’s very, very important to have regular, scheduled computer maintenance visits by your I.T. service repair. These visits ensure that your computers are free of any type of virus or malware. They also help keep your computer clean so it can run faster. In addition, these visits are beneficial because the technician can catch a computer issue before it becomes a problem, make technical recommendations where needed, and keep your company up to date with the latest software.
4. In the event that you do receive a pop-up saying you have a virus, don’t click that either. If you do, you can end up getting a virus. If you see a virus pop-up and are unsure about it, call us or your I.T. Provider. We can let you know if the virus is real or not. Many viruses and ransomware will show you a telephone number to call. Don’t call them! They will only be trying to gain access to your computer.

By following these few simple tips, you can stay free from scammers, viruses, and potential threats. We hope you have benefited from these tips and if you want to see more, follow us on social media.

Stay tuned for next week’s email, but until then Happy Computing!!!