PUPs (not puppies) — avoiding unwanted PC programs

I’ve written about this topic before. In the last few years, I’ve probably seen as much mayhem done on my clients’ PCs by Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) as by computer viruses. In many ways, winding up with PUPs on your PC actually is easier. What can you do? How do you know if you have… Continue reading PUPs (not puppies) — avoiding unwanted PC programs

CA Verizon email users — moving to AOL Mail and more

Are you using a Verizon email address (like someone@verizon.net)? If you have not already received an email message with the subject “Immediate action required to keep email active” from Verizon Notification (verizon-notification@verizon.com), then you should get one soon (deadline is in March)! Here’s what I received yesterday: As a reminder, we are moving your verizon.net… Continue reading CA Verizon email users — moving to AOL Mail and more

Tax scams — email phishing

Tax scams are nothing new. The digital age has made such scams even more common. So, I received a phishing email message today claiming to be from “irs.online.services@irs.gov” with “Update Your E-file Records For 2015 Tax Return” as the subject. A detailed examination revealed that the message was not in fact from the IRS (no… Continue reading Tax scams — email phishing

Valentine’s Day — scams as usual

As I’ve noted in previous posts, while holidays are times to celebrate, they also are opportunities for scammers to trick you. The latest issue of VIPRE Security News reminds us of 5 common scams. 5 Scams Designed to Break Your Heart: Lovely Email or Unlovely Malware? Infected e-cards Google-based Traps Social Media Frauds Sales-related Scams… Continue reading Valentine’s Day — scams as usual

Windows 10 Upgrade — can you still say no?

As indicated in my January 20 post, Microsoft is aggressively pushing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to upgrade to Windows 10. Well, yesterday the situation became more interesting. The Upgrade status was changed from “optional” to “recommended.” What does that mean for you? Here’re some articles which answer that question. Microsoft starts pushing Windows… Continue reading Windows 10 Upgrade — can you still say no?