Is it spam? Google analyzes billions of URLs every day and adds spammy ones to a list. Paste a link in here to see if it’s been flagged.
Tech help scam uses a name you know: the Geek Squad
Is your computer running at a snail’s pace? Before you drop a chunk of cash on a new one, clear out some space from the hard drive. Tap or click here to remove the clutter that’s slowing you down.
Sometimes, the problem runs deeper than that. Your computer might not even turn on, or it’s performing erratically. That’s when you may need to reach out for help.
Best Buy’s Geek Squad offers services from computer repair to TV installation. The popularity of the service makes it a ripe target for scammers. Be very careful if you get a message or pop-up from Geek Squad out of the blue.
Here’s the backstory
Cybercriminals wield the Geek Squad name in various scams, knowing some people will take the bait. Crooks often impersonate well-known brands and services as a form of social engineering. You trust these names, so you’re likelier to fall for a trick.
Scammers can contact you via phone call, text, email or even a pop-up on your computer. Here are five Geek Squad scams that you need to watch out for.
RELATED: Tech support scam targets PC users — Here’s what to look for
1. Phishing emails
Phishing scams are among the most common criminal campaigns, and email is a perfect delivery system. Crooks can send thousands of messages at once, and even a tiny percentage of success can net them big bucks.
Let’s say you get an email claiming that your annual Geek Squad security services plan has been renewed at $400 or more. But wait, you didn’t have a subscription, to begin with!
The message uses eye-catching words, such as “charged,” “transaction” and “payment mode,” among others. It goes on to say that the renewal charge will be deducted from your account. The message could look something like this:
Tech trick: Pin important messages on your iPhone so you don’t forget about them
Social media platforms let you pin a post to the top of your page so your audience always sees it first. You don’t have to be an influencer to unleash the power of pinning.
Now you can do the same thing on your iPhone and computer. Go ahead and save entire conversations or pin just important links and computer programs.
Phony election contribution websites are everywhere
Scammers are working overtime as candidates push for donations, even as small as five dollars. With emotions running high, be cautious of fake headlines and misleading donation links.
🎧 Free (malware) to a good home: Cybercriminals are slipping malware into podcasts. They’re targeting podcast-hosting services, inserting links to pirated software and game cheats in episode descriptions and playlists. The links bypass Spotify’s filters and get a nice little boost in search engine rankings. Say it with me: Don’t click on random links, especially for “free” software.
7 things to do after a hacker breaks into your computer
I always feel sympathy when I hear about hackers breaking into someone’s computer. I felt terrible when Phillis from Orlando Beach, FL, called the show and said hackers stole $150,000 from her brother’s PC. If you’ve ever been hacked, you know how scary it is.
Can you spot the giveaway in this scam email?
Sometimes, you get a well-designed scam email that you’re unsure if it’s a phony. Below, you will see a screenshot of a fraud email that nearly had us fooled.
Read on for details on a devious email making the rounds and ways to outwith these scams.
Smartphone use and your heart
A new report links heavy smartphone use to an increased risk of heart disease, but the real cause might not be what you’d expect.
Keep scrolling, saints: Hot Jesus is all over Facebook, flaunting a shredded six-pack and duking it out with the devil (seriously). The AI-generated pics are getting hundreds of thousands of views, with captions that dare you to like and comment to prove your faith. Once the page gets an audience, boom — spam links galore.
You’re my fave: Get quick links to your four favorite contacts on your Android home screen. Tap and hold on a blank spot on the home screen, then pick Widgets to find the list.
I told ya this was coming: Google’s AI search results will soon be loaded with ads. Ask something like, “How do I get wrinkles out of clothes?” and you’ll get summarized suggestions, plus ads for stuff like wrinkle spray, along with links to buy them. Google says it’ll only show ads when it’s relevant. Doubt it.
Hackers’ new target: They’re tricking retail employees to get into their work accounts. Why? To make gift cards to use in stores and online. Stay safe, employers: Tell your team to avoid clicking random links, and make sure your antivirus software is up to date.
This copycat Zoom download is hiding malware
Video conferencing apps like Zoom became extremely popular during the pandemic. Even though many companies are back to working in the office, tons of people still rely on these programs to communicate daily. Tap or click here for Zoom tricks you’ll use all the time.
Genius trick to find any message you're looking for in seconds
Social media platforms let you pin a post to the top of your page, so it’s always the first thing your audience sees. Did you know that this useful feature is also available on your iPhone? Tap or click here to pin messages for easy reference later.
Before you download, check that file! These are the file types hackers love most
If you follow reports from komando.com, you already know that cybercriminals frequently use malicious emails and text messages to infect victims’ devices with malware. The infection often comes from clicking on a Word document or PDF included in the email.
Update your PC! Windows users open to a scary new ransomware attack
What steps have you taken to protect yourself from hackers? Do you use strong passwords and keep your antivirus running and up to date? Do you ignore suspicious emails and links? If you’re doing all this, great! But if you think you are completely safe, think again.
Before you fill out a CAPTCHA form on a website, know a scammer could be behind it
The chances are good that you have come across a human authentication system online. In Google’s version, you are usually asked to point out things like cars, traffic lights or fire hydrants. Other websites might use the popular CAPTCHA test.
Watch out! This streaming scam could drain your bank account
If you thought a global pandemic would stop cybercriminals in their tracks, think again. The dregs of society haven’t cut back on their devious schemes at all.
In fact, they’ve ramped up attacks by incorporating COVID-19 into many of their scams. Tap or click here for details on the latest coronavirus-related scams.