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Fake Password Resets Scam

Dec 4, 2024 | posted by Lily Chavez
#scams #fraud #security #emails #support #tips

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...

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Stay Up To Date On The Latest Scams!

Jan 2, 2024 | posted by Jason Nugent
#scams #security #tips

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...

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Scammers Hide Harmful Links in QR Codes to Steal Your Information

From the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection Blog

By Alvaro Puig Consumer Education Specialist

Dec 6, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#tips #security #scams

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....

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Smart TV Terminology Can Be Confusing. We’re Here to Help

Shopping for a new TV but confused about the tech jargon?

Nov 13, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#tips #technology

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...

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Think twice before taking that social media quiz

Oct 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#security #scams #tips #education

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...

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Watch out for package delivery confirmation scams this holiday season

Sep 27, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#security #scams #tips

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...

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Be Careful When Using Public Device Charging Ports

Apr 20, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips #technology #security

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...

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Keep Your Personal Information Safe When Spring Cleaning

Apr 19, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips #technology #security

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...

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Tech Term of the Month - March 2023: Ethernet

Mar 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#tips #education #education #technology

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...

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6 Digital Spring Cleaning Tips to Stay Organized and Secure

Mar 1, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips

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...

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Watch Out for "Account Suspended" Scams

Feb 15, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips #security #scams

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...

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Tech Term of the Month - February 2023: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Feb 15, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips #security

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...

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Update Your Passwords to Keep Accounts Secure

Feb 1, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams
#education #tips #security

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...

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'Tis the season to spot and avoid gift card scams

By By Kira Krown, Federal Trade Commission Consumer Education Specialist

Dec 12, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
#scams #tips #ftc-article #security #education

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...

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Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam

By Gema de las Heras, Federal Trade Commission

Aug 16, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
#scams #news #tips #ftc-article #security

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...

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June is Audiobook Appreciation Month

Rent audiobooks and eBooks for free with the Libby app

Jun 2, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
#news #technology #tips #community #wifi

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...

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Create and Store Strong Passwords with a Password Manager

May 5, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams
#technology #tips #security

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...

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