We all wear many hats throughout the year and during the holidays, a Santa hat may be one of them! As you’re making your list and checking it twice, jot down a few tips and ideas from this December issue.
It begins with a warning about fraudulent package delivery emails. While these are always out there, during the Christmas season they tend to become even more prevalent; scammers hope you’ll be expecting lots of package deliveries and will fall for their fake notices. Speaking of fake, you’ll also learn about catfishing (the use of fake online identities) as well as how to avoid a fake Wi-Fi connection while at a coffee shop. On a more festive note, you can enjoy a “ho, ho, ho” lot of recipe and decorating ideas and reminisce with a Bing Crosby Christmas video.
We think you’ll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience.
Here’s what’s inside our December 2013 Newsletter:
PHISHING ALERT – WATCH FOR FRAUDULENT PACKAGE DELIVERY EMAILS
GO PINTEREST-ING! COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS
THIS MONTH’S FAQ – I’VE HEARD THE TERM “CATFISHING” USED RECENTLY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN DECEMBER
TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DATA WHEN USING PUBLIC WI-FI
The Gulfcoast Networking Team
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PHISHING ALERT – WATCH FOR FRAUDULENT PACKAGE DELIVERY EMAILS
Scammers take every opportunity to trick you into doing what they want and the holidays are no exception. Here’s how their holiday package delivery con typically works: They send you an email (claiming to be from FedEx, UPS, etc.) that describes a missed delivery or shipping address problem and tells you to click on a link to correct the issue. The link goes to a spoofed website which attempts to gather critical information like passwords, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and more. Don’t be fooled. The FedEx website says, “FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail or email, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody.” The same is true for the other major package delivery services.
Another similar trick is an email supposedly from the U.S. Postal Service regarding an intercepted package delivery. The email contains a link that, when activated, installs a virus that steals personal information on your computer. Sometimes these emails elicit a sense of false urgency by stating that if you do nothing, you will be charged money.
The best way to combat this type of scam is to avoid opening suspicious, unsolicited emails or clicking on links within them. Warning signs of bogus emails include:
~ Unexpected requests for money
~ Requests for personal information
~ Links to familiar-looking websites that are actually spelled wrong
~ Extensive spelling and grammar errors in the body of the email
You can also adjust the settings in your email application to capture more spam in a junk folder. When you do see emails like these in your inbox, delete them immediately.
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NEWS FROM THE SHOP
It has been a busy couple of months around here. There are several items I think you will find interesting:
NEW COMPUTERS:
Windows XP sunsets in April of 2014. If you have a Windows XP machine, it is not too early to think about replacing it. We have four options available for you:
First: Buy a custom built mini-ITX GCN computer with Windows 7. These systems come with your choice of i3 or i5 processor, up to 16gb of memory, a 1TB hard drive, and a three year warranty.
After Intel’s announcement that they were exiting the desktop motherboard business, we looked at both of the manufacturers Intel recommended. We have settled on a new mini-ITX motherboard that is really nice. It even comes with dual HDMI video ports, built in Wi-Fi capability and dual Gigabyte network ports!
We are delivering these systems as fast as we can build them, so if you want one for Christmas, be sure to give us as much lead time as possible.
Second: Buy a custom built NUC system with Windows 7. These are the Celeron, i3, and i5 variants of Intel’s new NUC line. They are very small, very fast, and quite affordable.
If you don’t need a lot of hard drive space or a DVD drive, these computers are worth a look. They also come with a three year warranty.
Third: Buy a brand name desktop system. We’ve located several very affordable brand name systems with Windows 7. We are keeping tabs on what is available and can let you know what the delivery times are on the model you want.
Brand name systems typically come with a one year warranty. More details can be found on our Specials Page.
Fourth: Buy a brand name notebook system. Like the brand name desktops, we have located several very affordable notebooks with Windows 7. Be sure to give us a bit of lead time if you want one of these as we are typically NOT keeping them in stock. Brand name notebooks typically come with a one year warranty. More details can be found on our specials page.
We are not recommending either tablets or Windows 8 unless you specifically need the mobility.
COMPUTER ACCESSORIES:
We will have a variety of computer accessories on sale between now and Christmas. Come in early for the best selection.
COMMERCIAL / BUSINESS PROJECTS:
We are currently working on several projects for various business customers. We use enterprise class hardware rather than consumer grade equipment. High quality commercial grade equipment is often only slightly more expensive than much less capable consumer grade gear.
Example: We just got done replacing four consumer / SOHO wireless access points (average cost about $90 each) with a single commercial grade access point that cost $100. In this case, the commercial access point costs much less than all the consumer stuff that it replaced.
If you are a business owner and and you have an IT project coming up or if you are spending too much of your own time on IT, we need to talk. Our network monitoring and network management packages are very affordable.
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GO PINTEREST-ING! COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS
Spicy Toppers
For Starry Cider
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775849633254/
10 Holiday Ideas
For DIY Decor
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775849633260/
For the Photographer
With a Creative Eye
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775849633084/
You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/
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THIS MONTH’S FAQ – I’VE HEARD THE TERM “CATFISHING” USED RECENTLY. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Question: A friend mentioned seeing a documentary about an online scam called catfishing. What is it and how can I avoid it?
Answer: Catfishing is when someone creates a false identity to lure you into a false romantic relationship online. The term was coined by the documentary Catfish, which tells the story of a woman who used Facebook to create a fake online identity. Such a “relationship” can involve exchanging messages on Facebook or another social media site, texting, emailing, and so on. Catfishing relationships usually begin to unravel when the perpetrator refuses to talk on the phone or via Skype, and won’t reveal basic information like a home address. These scammers may be lonely, bored, or in some way out for revenge. They may even try to get you to give them money.
If you suspect you are being catfished, do a search for the person’s name to see if the information that comes up checks out with what that person has told you. Also, look at their social media profiles; if they are recently established, rarely used, or include few connections, that’s another clue. Even if the person is legitimate, their motivations may not be. Don’t give money or take any other actions that wouldn’t be appropriate in a similar offline relationship. You can avoid catfishing by being selective about who you communicate with online, as well as what you tell them, and by regularly updating social media privacy settings and account passwords.
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SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN DECEMBER
Reclaim Forgotten Assets
http://www.unclaimed.org
The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators has created this site to help you reclaim property you may have forgotten about including bank accounts, stocks, trust distributions, CDs, safe deposit box contents, and more. Just click on the map to search by your name in your state.
101 Holiday Cookies
http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/top-holiday-cookies/pictures/index.html
For gifts, entertaining, or just for fun, check out this mouth-watering cookie gallery. View photos and get recipes for a wide variety of types (bars, sandwiches, dipped), flavors (chocolate, cinnamon, fruit), and shapes (crescent, swirled, candy cane). Use the social media buttons to share with friends.
Temporary Email Addresses
http://maildrop.cc
MailDrop offers free, disposable, receive-only email addresses to use instead of your real email address. A MailDrop inbox holds up to 10 messages and is cleared if it doesn’t receive a message within 24 hours. Use it to receive e-commerce receipts without signing up for retailers’ “latest offers.”
Holiday Lights Around the World
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/holiday-lights-photos/#/02-light-displays-vienna_42267_600x450.jpg
>From Japan to Copenhagen to Sweden to the U.S., this site shows the best places in the world to see holiday lights. Check out the beautiful variety of decorations hung on shops, in gardens, at amusement parks, and other creative places. Plus, learn about the displays and the traditions they represent.
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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2013/1312_VIDEO_A.htm
Bing Crosby Christmas
Even the Scroogiest will appreciate this video, which includes clips of the crooner’s famous “White Christmas” and a reminder of the holiday’s best qualities. It’s a perfect respite for the busy end-of-year season.
http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2013/1312_VIDEO_B.htm
Mountain Bike Ride
Ready for some extreme sporting without the danger? Check out this video and prepare to be wowed. Mountain biker Kelly McGarry’s helmet-camera-filmed ride includes frighteningly narrow paths and several flips.
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SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DATA WHEN USING PUBLIC WI-FI
Access to Wi-Fi in public places — such as coffee shops, hotels, and airports — can be very convenient. It’s great to be able to use your mobile device practically anywhere you go. However, as with most
Internet-related activities, there are potential dangers including stolen data.
Follow these tips to avoid problems:
1. Start with your mobile device at home. Make sure all antivirus, anti-spyware, and browsing software is updated. Keep your firewall activated at all times.
2. Treat all Wi-Fi connections with suspicion. Hackers can set up fake connections whose names might look legitimate.
3. At the Wi-Fi location, ask someone who works there the name of the network to be sure you’re accessing the right one. If you have a choice between a password-protected connection and a non-password-protected connection, choose password protection even if you have to pay for it.
4. Refrain from completing private transactions, such as banking or purchases that require you to enter a credit card number, using a Wi-Fi connection. Save these activities for home.
5. Even if you’re still operating your device, turn off the Wi-Fi connection when you’re done using the Internet.
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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
Rob Marlowe
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652
727-847-2424
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2013 Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
Portions ©2013 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc., used with permission.