Staying Safe Online

Dorothy Cushway & George Bowden� - April 2024

Staying Safe Online

• Keep your computer Virus Scanning program up to date
• Run a FULL Virus Scan once a month - this will take a while
• Run the Windows Defender that is on your computer with Microsoft
• Run any Anti-spyware programs you may use - MalwareBytes
• Be very careful when downloading files especially ending in .EXE - make sure you scan them with your virus scanner
• Always scan USB sticks when inserting in your devices

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Types of fraud

1. Data breach at a company
2. Phone call with scammer
3. Client computer infection
4. Identity theft

Youtube comic 10 minutes, 7yrs ago

Youtube videos: scam operations, by Jim Browning

New scams in 2024

Scams our members have fallen for

• Phone calls for gift cards
• On screen warnings of infections leading to remote access by scammer
• Credit card fraud
• False help offerings
• If we have heard of 4, there have probably been a dozen.

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Main types of dangerous programs

VIRUS - a program that spreads around the internet and infects computers. A virus can do a variety of things, it attacks your data by deleting files, scrambling data, makes changes to your systems settings.

SPYWARE - programs for tracking what you do with your computer. Some helps companies you do business with track your activities so they can sell you things. Spyware is used for stealing your passwords.

ADWARE - is a computer equivalent of telemarketing phone calls. After it’s downloaded you will see annoying popup windows trying to sell you things. It can slow your computer down.

Types of Email Scams

Bob Gostischa - Phishing Frenzy - Don't Be the Catch (youtube.com) (posted from Bob’s Newsletter)

Phishing isn't limited to emails. Be cautious of -

• Smishing: phishing uses SMS, with similar tactics as email scams.
• Vishing: Voice phishing, where scammers impersonate legitimate companies over the phone.
• Social Media Phishing: Fake profiles or messages designed to trick you into sharing personal information.

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ANTI-VIRUS SCANNER PROGRAMS

• You have built in scanners with McAfee, Norton, AVG Virus programs if you pay a fee for them
• Learn how to use them one step at a time - that is the only way to learn
• Windows 10 and 11 have a built in program which is sufficient - Windows Defender
• Use your browser’s privacy and security features such as InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge, or Incognito in Chrome

Keeping Secure

Go to the Government of Canada website called:

Get Cyber Safe for many useful tips:

Get Cyber Safe

Let’s take a Cyber Security test:

Take the Get Cyber Safe Checkup - Get Cyber Safe

Marketplace - CBC News

BMO Scam - could happen with any bank:

Full article:

140 BMO customers say they lost $1.5M in transfer frauds, plan to sue bank | CBC News

Video:

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.7170637

Interesting Sites to Explore

How to Geek - interesting articles

https://www.howtogeek.com/

Tech Boomers - lots of interesting articles and How To’s, as well as courses

https://techboomers.com/

Security - YouTubes

Norbert Gostischa from APCUG has many good YouTubes on Security - (301) Norbert Gostischa - YouTube

Tech Boomers - (301) Techboomers - YouTube

Hewie Poplock from APCUG - (301) Hewie Poplock - YouTube

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Interesting Sites to Explore

GCF Global

• Website with lots of learning of all technology, as well as security
• Internet Security - check this link out to Free Internet Safety Tutorial at GCFGlobal