Already this second half of 2016 we are seeing a lot more people get scammed and computers hacked.

Unlike traditional computer hacking, where you imagine some teen boy on his computer under a house, most of the scams and people being taken advantage of (we are seeing) are coming from people in which the scam is actually starting over the phone.

How it starts

How it basically works is someone calls your home telephone claiming to be from one of these big companies you have heard from, a c computer business, telephone, electricity etc. All the with the ruse of helping you with your computer problems.

The voice on the other end will say something like, “Your router has a virus”. Or, “Your email is sending out emails suggesting you have someone on your computer”, and they can fix it.

This is called Phishing. Basically, the throw out enough lines and sooner or later someone who is using that phone carrier services says, “Yep, I am a XXXXXX customer, it must be true”.

The Requests

This is followed by requests from you to download their software which will allow them to access your computer and fix your problem for a cost. This should set of alarm bells, but for a lot of people it doesn’t.

So, you are watching them on the screen moving your mouse around and typing all fancy commands when all of the sudden your screen goes black and you can’t see what they are doing.

They do all sorts of things, but the most prevalent is installing Spyware. Spyware like its name suggests spies on you. These types of cyber criminals aren’t ricking there life and freedom to hurt you, they want your money. And spying on you to record username and bank login and password details is a very effective way for them to do this.

What you can do to protect yourself

Antivirus – In all honestly antivirus programs in my opinion don’t do a good enough job with Spyware. I recommend having some sort of antivirus program on your computer (free or paid) but don’t rely on that alone.

Common Sense – The whole reason people are getting access to your computer is because you are allowing them.

The applications they ask you to download and use on your computer to allow them access are not virus, in fact they are legitimate programs people all around the word use (like teamviewer) to administer computers. So that wont set off any alarms on your computers antivirus.

If they are already on – Turn your computer off. The second you see your screen go black and someone is accessing your computer and you can’t see what they are doing, pull the power out of the wall. If its not on, they can’t do any more damage.

Call Townsville Nerds on 0402 807 890

The second someone has been on your computer and you don’t know what exactly they are doing or you are suspicions for any reason, turn off your computer and call 0402 807 890.

I understand your fears and am willing to give you a free scan to see if they have done anything. If you give me a call I can run a free no obligation quote and if you do have something on your computer you are under no obligation to accept my quote.

The diagnosis is still free.