Tampa Information Technology Specialists

07/04/2025

PSA - AMEX phishing attempt - these emails are getting more sophisticated. Still easy to spot, but I found this one especially interesting, because it has an entire web page locally embedded, hiding behind Base64 encoding. Aside from the obvious tells, it interestingly had no link associated with the "Review Account" button.

A quick review of the email source revealed the Base64 encoding, then I decoded using https://www.base64decode.org/, which then revealed an entire web page, complete with nefarious links and cookies, embedded in the email.

These attempts always interest me - very sneaky. DO NOT click on links via email unless you can verify their legitimacy. Stay safe out there!

06/01/2024

Another seemingly legit phishing attempt/scam. I've highlighted the parts that don't make sense. Always "hover' before you click to check those links, and generally don't click any links via email anyway, without thorough investigation.

Stay vigilant, friends!

04/27/2024

I received one of these emails today, in my photography business account. It looked official, but I also know that a summons to any court will not come via email.

Residents, businesses being told to show up in court in May

04/13/2024

Okay...so this is the second time I click on a link on my FB wall (AI Art Fails) that goes directly to this Windows phishing scam. Facebook has an obligation to validate the links they advertise on our feeds.

Yes, I understand that these social media platforms are merely frameworks for the public to share/advertise our information. Still, if FB algorithms are being used to entice me into clicking on things, then FB is also obligated to ensure those things we click on are not harming the experience of using said platforms.

Facebook is propagating phishing scams. Scams that destroy your data and take your money.

If Facebook can target the information I receive exactly to what I'm interested in, then they can also ensure the information presented does not harm my experience.

03/22/2024

PSA - this happened to me today...the dreaded Microsoft Security Phishing Scam. I was lazily scrolling through my wall when I clicked on one of those clickbait stories - I think it was something about "celebrity marriages that last" or similar lore. BOOM - instant spazcon-10 with lots of blinky "save yourself click here" stuff.

Here's what you do - don't click on anything in the browser. Do not panic. No harm has been done *yet* - press, and hold, your Windows PC/laptop power button until your PC immediately powers off. Relax for about a minute, then turn your device back on. After reboot, if your browser says "failed to shut down, restore last session" or something like that, DO NOT restore your last browser session(s). Yes, you will lose any tabs that you has open, but you'll also lose the phishing tab.

Before I powered-down, I took a screenshot of what this phishing tab looks like with a handy little toolbox app called "Greenshot." Check it out!

03/22/2024

03/06/2024

All - I just spent a fun night (five hours) with dear friends dealing with a Microsoft pop-up scam from a potentially compromised web site. I had to wipe their laptop and do a factory restore. This case was nasty. The laptop drive's boot file was compromised, as well as several folders with external ownerships that could not be deleted when the drive was removed from the laptop and managed from another administrator-level laptop. The only remedy was a factory wipe/reset. I had to do the factory restore from the USB port, as the internal port would not recognize the drive (corrupted boot file). Fortunately, all user data was saved in other places. Please take the small time to read this article from Microsoft. Protect yourselves. BL: Microsoft doesn't give a s**t about your computer. They've already sold their software.

These scammers/phishers are becoming extremely proficient at burring themselves deep in your systems in milliseconds. If you get a pop-up, IMMEDIATELY press the power button for 3-4 seconds to purge the computer's memory. Do not call tech support. Do not allow any unfamiliar person access to your computer.

Provides information for avoiding and reporting Microsoft technical support scams.

06/04/2022

A group seeking to prevent the 14 acres from being developed has less than a month to raise $2.7 million.

07/28/2017

So proud to be associated with eBoats Tampa. They single-handedly rejuvenated Tampa's neglected expansive waterfront, and are now promoting expanded experiences on the Tampa waterways. Welcome aboard, iTREKKERS! Wishing you both many more years of success. There's no better way to experience Tampa than on the water.

Ya heard it here first: We've teamed up with the awesome crew over at eBoats Tampa to take outdoor adventures in Tampa's Downtown to the next level.

Read all about eBoats x iTREKKERS here: http://bit.ly/eboatsitrekkers

05/27/2017

With all the computer virus fear these days, you may be considering switching to either Linux (Ubuntu) or Chrome OS. One of the problems with Chrome OS is how to "try before you buy?" Is it easy? Confusing? Here's a handy site that walks you through running Chrome OS inside a virtual machine using Oracle Virtualbox - all free downloads for personal use...check it out! The below photo is my own Chrome OS (that runs on my school Chromebook) running inside my Windows 2008R2 box.
http://www.androidcentral.com/how-try-chromeos-virtual-machine-you-buy-chromebook

05/13/2017

This started on Friday (5/12/2017) - there's an easy solution for those of you who just use your computers for browsing the 'net, email, or general purpose documentation, spreadsheets, etc...
Switch to Linux - my personal preference is Ubuntu, but there are many different flavors. Unfortunately I still run Windows for Adobe Create Suite and Quickbooks. If I didn't have a need for those apps I'd be 100% Linux.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/world/europe/uk-national-health-service-cyberattack.html?_r=0

The attacks amounted to an audacious global blackmail attempt spread by the internet, and underscored the vulnerabilities of the digital age.

03/30/2017

This is my good friend Melissa Reyna, CEO of Organic Results SEO...she's not an offshore SEO factory or a one-size-fits-all subscription service. She cares, she's tenacious, and she's tireless. She also knows that the secret to GOOD search engine optimization is through organic results, solid research and long-term care. Many companies will guarantee top search engine ranking, but there are no lasting wins here. Go with someone who does the research and tailors your solution to your market stream. That's Organic Results SEO.