
How to Identify Fraudulent Support
Unsolicited calls from anyone claiming to work for a software company and asking for bank information are not real. Similar calls telling you that your computer/device is infected are usually not real. The best thing to do would be to hang up, report the incident, and block the number. Unfortunately, some of these scams are becoming a little more sophisticated. Sometimes Microsoft scam calls may appear on your caller ID as the real number for Microsoft. This is called caller ID spoofing.
Caller ID spoofing is done through a computer program that allows the user to change the outgoing number to anything. This makes it harder to block and report the scammers.
In the event that you receive a call from any company such as Microsoft, you can always hang up and contact them yourself to confirm if the call was real or not. On Microsoft’s website, they have an option to instantly chat with a real Microsoft support person. You should be able to verify if you were actually being contacted by Microsoft or not. You can also find their real customer service numbers on the Microsoft website if you prefer talking on the phone.
If you are ever prompted with a pop up telling you to call immediately because something is wrong with your computer or information has been stolen, you can rest assured that it is not real. Microsoft error and warning messages will never have a phone number for you to call. Follow the steps below to get rid of and avoid these pop-ups.
How to Get Rid of Pop-Ups
Browser Pop-Ups
If you are browsing the web when you receive a pop-up, all you have to do is close out of it. The best way to do that is by pressing CTRL+W. This will close the tab that is currently in focus without you having to click on anything. This minimizes the risk of you accidentally downloading malware by clicking a false X or initiating other hidden downloads. If you see something did get downloaded, do not click on it in the downloads bar. Go to your downloads folder of your computer and delete the download, followed by clearing your recycling bin to make sure it is completely off your machine.
To avoid browser-based pop-ups like this, make sure you have your pop up blocker enabled. We also recommend that internet users download an ad blocker like Adblock Plus. It is completely free and blocks any intrusive or misleading ads, but whitelists legitimate ads that are clearly labeled as advertisements. If pop-ups persist, check your browser extensions and make sure to uninstall any extensions that you do not recognize.
System Pop-Ups
In the case of receiving odd system pop-ups, this is probably caused by a virus that is already on your computer. If these pop-ups are new and you recently installed some software, you might have missed something in the installer that was packaged with the software. Make sure to uninstall any non-native programs that you do not recognize. If you’ve been having pop-ups for a while and can’t pinpoint where they’re coming from, scan your computer with Windows Defender Antivirus which is built into Windows 10 (if you’re not running Windows 10, make sure to update soon to keep your computer secure).
Never Be Too Sure
It’s important to never immediately trust any email, phone call, or computer message that you receive. Make sure to confirm that you’re talking to the people you think you are to avoid falling victim to a scam that has claimed the dollars of so many. Keep your computer and your money safe and sound. Appletree clients frequently forward us emails and text messages that they’ve received. Many of these scams appear to be legit until we look closer at them. Check out our blog for how to spot a scam email.
When in doubt, feel free to contact Appletree, we’re happy to provide peace of mind.
Subscribe To Our E-Newsletter
Recent Articles
- Everything You Need to Know About Your Google Business Listi
Google My Business is the tool that allows you to directly edit your busine…
- Why You Need an SSL Certificate on Your Website
Have you ever visited a website and been greeted by a warning stating that…
- Social Media After Death
As of this year, at least 2.34 billion people worldwide are social media us…
- Maintaining Your Company’s Social Media
Being active on social media is almost required to run a successful busines…
- Microsoft Scam Calls are Still Rampant
Microsoft scam calls have been around for a while, but they’re still detrim…
Social Media
- We're thankful for all the technological advances that allow us to interact with wonderful clients like you. #HappyThanksgiving! https://t.co/X8DuHRaydz
- Timeline Photos We're thankful for all the technological advances that allow us to interact with wonderful clients like you. #HappyThanksgiving!
- As we're approaching the #holidays❄🎄, keep in mind that you should update your #Windows7 machines to continue receiving updates.
https://t.co/soguio7x7l - Windows 7 End of Life Approaches As we're approaching the #holidays❄🎄, keep in mind that you should update your #Windows7 machines to continue receiving updates.
https://appletreemediaworks.com/windows-7-end-of-life-approaches/ - ‼ #Google and #Samsung phone users ‼
There is a confirmed #vulnerability in your camera app. #Hackers can gain access to your camera through a malicious app, then take pictures, videos, record phone calls, and more. Be sure to keep... - Google Confirms Android Camera Security Threat: ‘Hundreds Of Millions’ Of Users Affected ‼ #Google and #Samsung phone users ‼
There is a confirmed #vulnerability in your camera app. #Hackers can gain access to your camera through a malicious app, then take pictures, videos, record phone calls, and more. Be sure to keep ... - Appletree E-Newsletter ❗IMPORTANT #TechTips and #security information!
We have a new E-Newsletter going out tomorrow morning. Be sure to sign up to get it! Get up to date on scams going around, security, helpful products, and more from Appletree!
Click the link ... - Timeline Photos We are beyond grateful to all of the Armed Forces members that have and are serving our country. Thank you. #VeteransDay2019
- We are beyond grateful to all of the Armed Forces members that have and are serving our country. Thank you. #VeteransDay2019 https://t.co/awu7kQ3dcu
-
-
-
- 🍎If you're experiencing issues with location and time on your #Apple device, you may have missed an #important update. Don't worry, it is still possible to update, but you'll need to use iTunes.
How to update: http://ow.ly/zj1750x2GmE
More info: http://ow.ly/N8GX50x2GmDAs of November 3, 2019, some iPhone and iPad models introduced in 2012 and earlier require an iOS update to resume accurate GPS location. This is due to the GPS time rollover issue that began affecting GPS-enabled products from other ...Update your iPhone or iPad software if you're experiencing issues with location, date, and time - 🍎If you're experiencing issues with location and time on your #Apple device, you may have missed an #important update. Don't worry, it is still possible to update, but you'll need to use iTunes.
How to update: https://t.co/VxG4jFYNNa
More info: https://t.co/Rghvh9Ov32 - Don’t forget - today’s the big day to get your opinion out to the public - BY VOTING! #votingmatters #keepvoting
-
-
- ❗IMPORTANT❗
📱 If your older Apple device is not updated to version 10.3.4 or above, make sure you do so before 8:00 PM (EST) this Saturday or you'll lose the ability to access the internet and online features.
More info ...Starting just before 12:00 a.m. UTC on November 3, 2019,* iPhone 5 will require an iOS update to maintain accurate GPS location and to continue to use functions that rely on correct date and time including App Store, iCloud, email, ...Update your iPhone 5 to continue using App Store, iCloud, email, web, and other services - ❗IMPORTANT❗
📱 If your older Apple device is not updated to version 10.3.4 or above, make sure you do so before 8:00 PM (EST) this Saturday or you'll lose the ability to access the internet and online features.
More info... - How to Stop Unwanted Calls 🤳We know what an #inconvenience unwanted calls can be. There are ways to help prevent yourself from receiving #spam and #robo calls.
Find out here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-stop-unwanted-calls - Happy #LaborDay from us at Appletree! We will be closed to observe the holiday. #UnionStrong
- You may have seen this photo circulating social media (specifically Instagram) for a while now. Head of @instagram, @mosseri, has came out and said that there is no truth to it.
.
.
.
.
#hoax #instagram #privacypolicy - Have YOU signed up for our bi-weekly #eNewsletter yet? Don't miss important #security and #TechTips, helpful products, and #scams going around.
Press the link in our bio to see what you're missing and subscribe for #FREE! - Self control is hard sometimes, I get it.
.
.
.
.
#amazon #primeday #shopping #selfcontrol #onlineshopping #amazonprime - The great grandkids are bezel-less! 📱
.
.
.
.
#bezelless #bezellessdisplay #iphone #smartphone #technology #newtech #meme #techmeme #techjoke #funnytech - Chinese Government Holds Back Everyone’s Internet Freedom: A strong example of the problems this world... Chinese Government Holds Back Everyone’s Internet Freedom: A strong example of the problems this world faces with cyber censorship is what is going on in China. The government blocks many websites, searches, and software based on their content.
- EU-US Privacy Shield Still Not Protecting Your Privacy: Still collecting bulk data, problems with the... EU-US Privacy Shield Still Not Protecting Your Privacy: Still collecting bulk data, problems with the judicial redress act, and no true protection for businesses
- Copyright and Social Media: This has become a gray area. Almost everyone is guilty of... Copyright and Social Media: This has become a gray area. Almost everyone is guilty of sharing something on social media, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, that was copyrighted and not yours to share. But what is fair to ...
Upcoming Events
