This is just a simple, friendly reminder to always be careful when responding to emails and even text messages that might look suspicious.
You’ve probably heard lots of warnings to never open emails from strangers and to not click on links or download files you you think might not be safe, but there is even more you need to be careful of.
As Engadget recently reported, even the iPhone is susceptible to text message spoofing. The reality is every device and every source of communications is an opportunity for someone to take advantage of you. You always need to be on your guard!
Here are a few things to watch out for:
- Don’t open an email if you do not recognize the sender.
- Even if you recognize the sender, see if the information they are asking for or are providing makes sense. Someone might be spoofing their email address.
- Don’t blindly click on any links. You are better off going directly to a trusted site and following their menus to the necessary location. If you really want to click on a link, you can put the cursor over the link, then you should be able to see the destination address in the lower left of the window. Try it now: Hover of THIS. You should see: ” https://itechtutor.com/2012/08/tip-of-the-week-totw-text-messaging-scams “
- When looking at a web address (the URL) to see if it makes sense, look at the main domain, the part just before the .com, .net, .org, or .edu. For example, in www.theft.google.com “google” is the domain. If you trust google, you can trust this site. But if the address was www.google.theft.com, “theft” is the domain, NOT google. Don’t be fooled.
- Don’t download any files unless you are really sure you know they are safe.
- Always keep your antivirus software up to date.
- Ask yourself why someone needs the information they are asking for.
- If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Especially on the Internet!
- Anything can be faked on the internet. Even on your smartphone or tablet, whether it is iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, or other.
REMEMBER: Always be a little suspicious and very cautious!
Good Luck,
Richard
The iTech Tutor
