05/07/2016
A WARNING for Clients and Friends:
My clients and friends are once again being inundated with emails and pop-ups about problems with bank accounts, their computers and any other ploy to create a sense of urgency to elicit help from these solicitors. Most of these are scams. I just received an email from a national bank informing me of problems with my online banking account. This was easy for me since I do not have any accounts with this a bank. Unfortunately, some of my clients have not been so lucky.
A client recently had a pop-up on his browser claiming to have found serious problems with his computer, and to fix it he was to call a toll-free number. Concerned that the problem would hurt his computer, he called the number. The call was answered by a courteous man who assured my client that it would be an easy fix if my client would give him permission to remotely get access to the computer to inspect it. My client granted permission and the tech went into the computer, claimed to have found the problem and would fix it for a credit card payment of $199.95. My client told the tech that he'd need to think about it and would be in touch. There was nothing wrong with the computer, but it was about to have many problems.
In my experience, and that of many IT professionals, there is no way that any one can see into any computer unsolicited. The pop-ups are generated to create fear and to make the receiver do things that ultimately end up hurting the computer. I would advice using a good anti virus program with firewall protection. This will protect you from viruses and from any one looking into your computer. It will not protect you if you invite or allow remote access to your computer.
Remember, there are no free rides. If someone is offering something for free, hide your wallet.
