Spam/Scam Avoidance

Everyone wants a silver bullet that will block out all the emails and pop-ups that get in our way nearly every day. News update, there isn’t one. No matter what software or hardware you try to put in place to keep you safe, the best way will always be for you to be smarter than the one who is out to get you.

The term “Don’t click on anything” is too easy I admit. It seems more complicated than that, but often it is not. There are other rules of thumb to follow for sure, but that is the big one.

Sometimes it is hard to be the smart one – and when that is the case, use a lifeline or “phone a friend.”

Recently, an executive,at a major software provider, said something particularly interesting. Theyh said, “if you have any doubt about an email, have literally anyone in the room, take a look at the email.” The theory is, if you are not the person targeted, you will be better at seeing the signs of a scam and avoiding it. And it makes sense. Think about if you are waiting for a package to arrive. You would read any email pertaining to a package as likely being about YOUR package, making you susceptible. If you call over a friend to read the email, they will not have that thought in their mind. They will read the email more clearly, and possibly have better questions, because they have no pre-conceived notions getting in the way.

Anyway, it is useful to know that YOU are the first line of defense, not your antivirus software or firewall.

Lastly if you ever have questions on an email? Ask us 😊.