That Tech Guy

03/18/2023

The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, providing us with many benefits and opportunities. However, as the internet has grown, so has the number of online scams. Scammers on the internet are always looking for new and clever ways to trick innocent people out of their hard-earned money.

Online scams are a serious problem that can have devastating consequences. They come in many forms, such as fake online stores, phishing scams, fake job offers, and many more.

One common online scam is phishing. This involves the use of fraudulent emails, text messages, or websites to trick you into revealing your personal information such as your login credentials, social security numbers, and credit card details. Scammers use this information for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, and other illegal activities.

Another common online scam is fake online stores. These sites are designed to look like legitimate stores, but their only purpose is to steal your credit card information. Once you place an order on one of these websites, your credit card information is stolen, and you never receive the merchandise.

Another type of online scam is the fake job offer. In this scam, the scammers offer a work-from-home opportunity or a dream job that seems ideal. They usually require you to pay an upfront fee or provide personal information to get started. Once you provide the information or the payment, you never hear back from the scammers.

The danger of online scams is not just limited to financial losses. They can have serious emotional, psychological, and even physical effects on victims. Victims often feel humiliated, embarrassed, and violated, and in some cases, threats or blackmail can lead to physical harm.

So, what can you do to avoid being a victim of online scams? Here are a few tips:

- Do not respond to unsolicited messages asking for personal information
- Always verify the authenticity of a website or store before making a purchase
- Do not pay any upfront fees for a job or business opportunity
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication whenever possible
- Keep your computer and mobile device up-to-date with the latest security software

In conclusion, online scams are a serious threat that we must be aware of. Taking the necessary precautions can help protect us from being scammed and losing our hard-earned money. By staying vigilant and cautious, we can enjoy the benefits of the internet without falling prey to online scams.

10/25/2022

10/25/2022

I don't recommend doing this unless you're bored and like playing mind games. Fortunately I like destroying scammers on a psychological level.

05/18/2022

I'm proud to announce my site is live! Still very much under construction, bctechguy.ca is now up and running.

02/13/2022

I normally don't post personal stuff here but I just received word that my first client (besides family members) passed away. She saw me grow up, would call me threatening her printer or her eReader. She would encourage me to start my own business and help older people understand their technology. My first pay cheque was a tin of cookies she baked. She was 81 and active to the end. I'll miss her calls, the threats to her computer and her cookies at Christmas, and her choice words when the Blue Jays blew a lead.

01/18/2022

I just got a call from a scam, claiming to be the Federal Trade Commission about a "prize" I won from Publisher's clearing house. Saying I won 8.5 million. I was unaware the FTC has an office in Jamaica. He said it was Jamaica NY. Trust me, it's not. I kept him on the line for 20 minutes confusing the hell out of him. Also, the FTC doesn't operate outside the US. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

11/02/2021

Tech Tuesday:
I recently had a client who was the victim of a gift card scam. Eventually she contacted the RCMP and her bank about it, she explained that she hesitated because she was embarrassed. I understand that, however, the people that do this are professional con-artists. This is what they do every day and you would be surprised by how many people they scam. One thing they push is that they are "investigators" and if you say anything to anyone it could compromise an on going investigation. This is a scare tactic of sorts. If you think you've been scammed do three things as soon as you can. 1) call your bank. 2) call the RCMP and file a report with as much information you can. 3) call someone like me to make sure your system isn't still compromised. We aren't judging anyone, scammers exist and they just caught you at the right moment. We're there to make sure you're safe.

I know how violated people feel after something like this happens and it's terrifying to be sure. Use this moment though. Tell your friends that if it could happen to you it could happen to anyone. The scammers prey on silence, the fear of speaking out and looking foolish. Fight back with your best weapon, speak up and bring them to light. Drag them out of the shadows and you remove their power. Stay safe and speak up.

10/11/2021

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

10/01/2021

This is actually a common scam. It's actually been around for decades this is just a new platform.

The text messages claims that users need to download a security update to rid their device of FluBot malware - but instead the link actually installs that very malware.

09/27/2021

Neighborhood means community, and the concepts behind both terms are bigger than a place. Neighborly sentiment and conduct keep the streets near your home feeling safe and welcoming. New apps and devices make it easier than ever to put neighborliness to work in the interest of public safety.

06/24/2021

Microsoft unveiled windows 11 today, it looks nice, they usually do. They talk about feeling emotional connections to Windows 11, which few people do. Most of my clients just don't want to feel the confusion, frustration and hesitation to touch their own computer. So that means a complete user interface overhaul. I'm sure I'll get plenty of phone calls on this one.

Once again they say it's the "most secure windows system yet." Well I should hope so. For those not familiar with Microsoft it's something they say about every operating system since 1998. Mainly because 1995 had so many security flaws it has become an inside joke for many in the IT field.

Everyone wants to know the cost of course. Like windows 10, it will be free for existing users. As far as I know the upgrade will be to windows 10 users only. Why free? In the past decade Microsoft has changed from an OS only company to a gaming and software company. Most of these are subscriptions in some way. They've also realized that the biggest hurdle to getting their newest version was always the cost, if your system can run the previous operating system then it can run the latest. Making it free allows them to sell apps through their store and make profits with those companies and creators.

So when does it officially launch? They've said holidays 2021. So if I had to guess, I would say October 2021. This fits with when they normally launch a new operating system. Chances are IT professionals like myself will be given preview access.

Here's the question, would you be interested in videos showing off the new features, navigation and such to help you decide if you want to upgrade to windows 11?