Look Out for These Technical Support Scams | Northeast Network Solutions

Look Out for These Technical Support Scams

January 22, 2019

One unfortunate reality of modern life and being connected to the internet is that you really have to be on the lookout for scams. Business owners need to be careful about who they distribute their information to, as well as go to extra lengths to protect passwords, credit cards and identities.

One common scam is someone pretending to be “technical support” who will remotely access your computer only to upload a virus or otherwise damage your system. If you’re looking for legitimate computer support in Albany, NY, you need to be able to tell the difference between scammers and real technical support personnel. Let’s take a look at how you can identify a technical support scam before it does damage:

  • How it starts: This technical support scam usually starts with an odd pop-up message on a website telling you that your computer is “infected” with a virus. The scammers may try to get you on the phone and tell you that your computer is being affected by a problem. Of course, this problem doesn’t exist at all.
  • How they sell it to you: To convince you that this is real, the scammer may tell you they’re from a company like Apple or Microsoft. They may also use plenty of technical jargon to confuse you and persuade you that they’re an expert.
  • How they gain access to your computer: They may ask for information in order to access your computer remotely and then open some files on your computer that “have a problem.” This is the point where your computer becomes vulnerable to an attack—and where scammers make their living.
  • How it’s a problem for you: These technical support scams have varying goals. Sometimes they install malware that does infect your computer with a virus. This will often rip personal information and sensitive data from your computer, such as user names and passwords. Their programs could also repeatedly try to sell you otherwise worthless software or be part of a phishing scam in which you provide credit card data or identity information.

The bottom line is that these people are after your money and want to access your computer—so it’s best to avoid these scams at all costs. Pop-up messages from “technical support” that aren’t from your security software are typically illegitimate and can be ignored. Never share your passwords with anyone who contacts you, and go to a trusted source if you believe your computer has been compromised.

At some point, you may need the assistance of professionals providing computer support in Albany, NY. Northeast Network Solutions is committed to connecting our customers to the right solutions to resolve any problems they may encounter. Whether you need a virtualized server for your medium-sized business or a cloud solution for remote access to vital data, we ensure that you get the support you need, when you need it.

We do it all, from upgrading computers to offering specialized IT support. We even include emergency and after-hours support. Visit us online for a free site analysis, and to learn more about how we’re managing your information technology so you can manage your business!

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