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Fake Password Resets ScamDec 4, 2024 | posted by Lily Chavez
One common tactic used by scammers is sending fake password reset messages. While this type of attack isn't new, it remains widespread because it is so effective. In these attacks, scammers may call you or send phishing emails or texts claiming that you need to reset your password or... |
Stay Up To Date On The Latest Scams!Jan 2, 2024 | posted by Jason Nugent
Grandparents Scam You receive a call or text message from someone impersonating a grandchild or loved one asking for money to help with an emergency and providing instructions on where to send the money. These... |
Scammers Hide Harmful Links in QR Codes to Steal Your InformationFrom the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection BlogBy Alvaro Puig Consumer Education Specialist Dec 6, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
QR codes seem to be everywhere. You may have scanned one to see the menu at a restaurant or pay for public parking. And you may have used one on your phone to get into a concert or sporting event, or to board a flight. There are countless other ways to use them, which explains their popularity.... |
Smart TV Terminology Can Be Confusing. We’re Here to HelpShopping for a new TV but confused about the tech jargon?Nov 13, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Looking for a new Smart TV this Black Friday or Cyber Monday for your streaming or gaming needs? Let us help by defining some common terms seen in Smart TV product descriptions and sales. LED vs. QLED vs. mini-LED vs. OLED: LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and is the most common... |
Think twice before taking that social media quizOct 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Your childhood pet’s name, your mother’s maiden name, your first car. Why would a random social media quiz about which Harry Potter character you’d most relate to need to know these things? Well, there’s a chance it’s a scam. These types of topics are all common account security questions... |
Watch out for package delivery confirmation scams this holiday seasonSep 27, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
As the holidays approach and more folks order items for delivery, scams like the one in the image above tend to increase. The sender pretends to be a company reaching out to confirm or schedule the delivery of a package. These kinds of messages almost always have a button or link that they... |
Be Careful When Using Public Device Charging PortsApr 20, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
The list of things to be careful plugging into your devices grows as officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation warn travelers and shoppers to avoid public free phone charging ports. They warn that scammers or bad actors could use these ports, which usually include USB or USB-C, to... |
Keep Your Personal Information Safe When Spring CleaningApr 19, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Ashley found an old Roku in the back of the closet while she was spring cleaning. She had a neighbor that wanted one, so it seemed like a perfect fit. It seemed like the only thing to do was to plug it in and see if it still worked. Ashley was navigating through the settings... |
Tech Term of the Month - March 2023: EthernetMar 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Ethernet is a type of cable that allows devices to be physically connected to your home internet network. While most people connect their devices to the internet via WiFi, an Ethernet connection can also be used for some devices. This can provide a better experience because a physical... |
6 Digital Spring Cleaning Tips to Stay Organized and SecureMar 1, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Spring cleaning is a time when people take inventory of their homes and possessions and clean out any unnecessary clutter. It’s also a great time to do the same thing for your digital life by making sure your data is protected, passwords are updated, and app and program use is reevaluated. Check... |
Watch Out for "Account Suspended" ScamsFeb 15, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
A new favorite tactic of scammers is to try and convince you that one of your accounts has been suspended and that you need to take action to regain access or lift the suspension. The image above is from an email recently received by a BCT staff member that says, in rather poor grammar, their... |
Tech Term of the Month - February 2023: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)Feb 15, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Two-Factor Authentication is an online account security protocol that adds an extra step to the login process to ensure the right person is accessing an account. MFA usually involves a code being sent to a smartphone or email address after the username and... |
Update Your Passwords to Keep Accounts SecureFeb 1, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
Today on National Change Your Password Day, we want to share a few tips for creating strong passwords, keeping them secure, and most importantly, remembering all of them. Try to use a pass phrase rather than a pass word. Pick a 4-5 word phrase, and then include capital letters and symbols... |
'Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scamsBy By Kira Krown, Federal Trade Commission Consumer Education Specialist Dec 12, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
Article courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice blog Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Here’s one for you: Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by spotting and avoiding gift card scams. Then help others spot and avoid them, too. Scammers want you to pay with gift... |
Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scamBy Gema de las Heras, Federal Trade Commission Aug 16, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
Sorry to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service (USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s a scam. The FTC has seen a spike in reports from people getting text messages... |
June is Audiobook Appreciation MonthRent audiobooks and eBooks for free with the Libby appJun 2, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
Did you know you can use your local library card to rent audiobooks and eBooks for free on your smartphone or eReader? Download the Libby app on your phone or tablet, then log in using a card from a local library system like Libraries in Clackamas County (LINCC). Once rented, you can listen to... |
Create and Store Strong Passwords with a Password ManagerMay 5, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
Let’s talk passwords – it’s World Password Day! We all know having strong passwords is important, but are you reusing the same one across multiple websites? This opens the door for vulnerabilities in the event of a data breach. Image caption: The LastPass password generator tool... |