Happy Easter Vern… I like to Eat the Eyes First!
Jim Varney – https://youtu.be/FGZ8nXq0rxA
END OF LIFE
Microsoft has set January 14, 2020 as the last day of support for Windows 7 and Server 2008. If you are still using either product, now is a good time to start planning to replace those machines.
End of service means the software will continue to operate as expected, but any new security holes will remain unpatched. If the system is never exposed to the internet, you have no worries. If it does access the internet, then it is at risk for compromise.
For those reluctant to change, I understand. All new computers purchased at Comp-U-Talk include a free lesson to get you up to speed on the new interface.
NEW BLACKMAIL SCAM
Our friends at KnowBe4 report a blackmail/sextortion scheme. Emails pretending to originate from the CIA are claiming they have evidence of child porn on your computer. We’ve seen variations of this email multiple times in the past. The new twist is, if the embedded link is clicked, they actually plant child porn on your system. If you don’t pay up, they send your information to the CIA. See the full story here: https://blog.knowbe4.com/heads-up-this-evil-new-child-porn-phishing-attack-could-absolutely-ruin-your-life
IS IT A PHISH?
And along those lines, the folks at zdnet.com have put together a list of the most common subject lines used in phishing emails. Think twice before opening emails with these subject lines:
- Request
- Follow Up
- Urgent/Important
- Are you available? / Are you at your desk?
- Payment Status
- Hello
- Purchase
- Invoice Due
- Re:
- Direct Deposit
- Expenses
- Payroll
The complete story can be found at: https://www.zdnet.com/article/these-are-the-12-most-common-phishing-email-subject-lines-cyber-criminals-use-to-fool-you/
Don’t forget to check out the 37 second Jim Varney clip listed at the top of this newsletter. My family has been reenacting this scene for years. Feel free to post your reenactments to our Facebook page. We would love to share your fun.
That’s it for this month. Until Next Month, remember to Keep Your Data Safe and Happy Easter!
~Janet
Because it Made Me Laugh!
