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BEWARE OF SCAMMERS - TRUST NO ONE
Occasionally I find it important to post something to remind everyone, irrespective of the computers (MAC/PC) or mobile phones you are using, beware or SCAMMERS.
There are a multitude of methods scammer will use to get money from you, the most common is using remote access to ANY device that accesses the internet and supports a method you use to facilitate banking or similar transactions.
To keep it simple, NEVER allow anyone access to your device remotely.
Your financial institutions, internet providers, will not call you to advise that you have a problem with your computer or network.
If any of the above do call you, get them to verify your account information, date of birth or similar information, only that institution will know. Even after that, don't allow them access to your computer. Consider calling your institution back using a phone number you know, not searched via the internet.
Another method used to access your computer is via a message received on your computer, saying "your computer is infected, call a Microsoft or similar number for support, do not turn off your computer."
(An example is attached.)
It is a SCAM, and the originator wants access to you computer to take your money.
There is a multitude of screens that may be displayed, they all will lock your computer from normal use and cannot close.
There are several methods to remove this screen, the simplest is to turn off your computer (shut down). If you can't, call your local IT Support person for advice. They will assist you in getting rid of this screen.
Many readers will have had similar experiences, many reader will advise other solutions, I'm presenting a simple WARNING on SCAMMERS, with a quick solution to stop further anxiety after being SCAMMED.
A simple rule to avoid being SCAMMED, is:
Never allow anyone remote access to your computer.
Always validate unsolicited phone calls before discussing confidential information, and
If in doubt, "Hang Up". They can't take your money if you don't allow them access to your computer or device.
I know personally of many that lost money to SCAMMERS, all were scammed via remote access.
You work hard for your money, don't give it to SCAMMERS.

Déjà vu - TPG EMAIL DEBACLE

It’s all happening again!

For those who were affected by IINET closing their Hosted Domain Service, Grapevine Email Service, IINET are now closing their Email Service.

This is not only IINET, but the whole TPG hierarchy!

References to this closure are:

https://support.tpg.com.au/tpg-email-messaging-company

https://help.iinet.net.au/iinet-email-messaging-company

What does this mean?

Email addresses with the following domain are going to affected:

TPG
IINET
Westnet
AAPT
Adam Internet
Echidna
Froggy
Grapevine
iHug
Netspace
Octa4
Ozemail
Powerup
SENet
Supernerd
Tassie
Transact
Up'n'away
Webone

(If I missed anyone under the TPG Hierarchy, please feel free to add them)

You can’t ignore the warnings to change who is supporting your email address.

You can keep your existing email address by moving to The Messaging Company

or

Another provider, such as Microsoft, Gmail, Yahoo, or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

There’s much more to assess but being 'Forewarned is forearmed’.

The costs are enormous, nothing firm on monthly costs to switch, but the energy to change email addresses, advising businesses, friends and associates, all online accounts is on another level.

To my fellow IT Consultants, your support and advice is alway appreciated.

To all readers out there, if you know of anyone being affected by this change, I’m sure many will need support in making any changes to their email circumstances.

TPG email addresses | TPG Support New TPG email addresses are no longer available as of 6 June 2023.

TELSTRA SCAMMERS - BEWARE

I recently received a call from a scammer (TELSTRA) telling me there was a problem with my internet and security. (Don’t have Telstra as ISP)

This obviously rang alarm bells (knew it was a scam) so decided to “string them along, played dumb too” as I wanted to understand how they were going to get my information.

After several frustrating minutes dealing with the first scammer, he passed me onto a second person that I could understand.

Access to my computer was gained by using two applications, TeamViewer and AnyDesk. Both are Remote Desktop applications, NOT Telsra Server applications.

They attempted to deceive me by showing various Windows Log screens and a DOS screen that showed that my computer was being hacked by over 5 hackers. (All rubbish)

When asked about computer access, email access & banking, all of which was told to them, I use my phone for all that, the attention was to gain access to my phone. (Not Happening)

After being the “dumb person” on the other end of the phone, the scammer became increasingly belligerent, to the extent we ended the call.

The calls were from a 03 number, legitimate numbers as I returned the call to validate its authenticity.

A Report was submitted to SCAMWATCH and a call to Telstra advising them of the above incident.

After reading the above, from this there’s a few issues that you should understand.

1. Telstra (nor NBN) will not call you to advise there are security issues with your internet.
2: Telstra (not NBN) will not call to gain access to your computer and certainly won’t want access to your emails or bank information.
3: Never allow unknown persons access to your computer or mobile phone.
4: Never install unknown software onto your computer or phone.
5: Never give out Username or passwords to anyone.

(The above list is not exhaustive)

Common sense will keep your identity, computer, phone and money safe.

“If in doubt, throw out”

BEWARE OF ONLINE FRAUDSTERS USING PAYPAL OR OTHER METHODS OF DECEPTION

I was recently dealing with a person wanting to purchase a product via an online Community Noticeboard.

Irrespective of either buying or selling, always validate transaction yourself via your “real” online account, all transactions.

“Do Not” accept emails purporting to be from your account. Always check the real address from where that email is coming from.

If whilst looking at the email received, click on the originating email address & see where it is actually coming from.

An example of the fraudsters emails as follows:

The “Sender” says it was from: Paypal service

Actual address: paypalservi******.com

This is NOT a PayPal email address (***** not shown)

The deception was not only using email correspondence but continued direct liaison within Messenger.

The profile the scammer used looked legitimate, however after further examination revealed it was a hacked Facebook account.

In the end, three hours was lost, no money was lost.

Now valuable time allocated to alert everyone to the deception these scammers will lower themselves to.

A copy of these Hoax emails shown below as an example of what you would receive.

PayPal have been advised of the incident.

MAJOR EMAIL SERVICE SHUTDOWN CANBERRA (ACT) - GRAPEVINE

Unfortunately another major email service is being shutdown in the ACT.

This has been confirmed by the following link:

https://help.iinet.net.au/grapevine-email-service-closure

No reasons for the shutdown, however the impact is major and unfair to many businesses and personnel in the ACT.

For those relying on an email address relating to Grapevine, you have until the 31 May 2023 to remove all your email from the Grapevine Server & have migrated to a new email address that you feel comfortable with. Recommendations are either Gmail or Microsoft.

Remember the effect of this is serious as all your online correspondence including online account must be updated to your new email address. All financial institutions, utility account and other accounts such as TV supported accounts will need to be updated with your new email address.

Is this the last of IINET changes, no.

They are closing their Hosted Exchange Email Service as at 30 April 2023.
Various customers of mine were impacted with this and appropriate action was taken to migrate their email accounts to a new service.

Lots more going on here and don’t be surprised to see other closures in the near future.

Here to assist if needed. Regards, Rob

HELP PLEASE

As part of my effort to support aged persons that still have vocal and cognitive senses, I’m currently looking at implementing a support plan to assist the elderly.
I have an 92 year old lady that, apart from being “chair bound”, moderate “Macular Degeneration” & isolation, wanting to convert her memoirs of 60 years hand written, is now almost complete without manually typing a word.
To achieve this I built an All-In-One system ( Photo included) screwed to an adjustable stool, followed by wireless keyboard & mouse.
Once setup with Windows 10, applied Dictate ( from MS Store).
The lady has, after five days, converted almost 10 years of memoirs into Word format. What’s more is she is enjoying her new found environment.
There are other support devices required but essentially the above will allow for the “ease of access & speech to text” to facilitate enjoyment & purpose for an elderly person.

Well after reading the above, how can you help?

I need second hand AIO systems, new if possible (LOL), (still trying alternate systems), wireless keyboard & mouse.
The base I’m using was a computer stool on coasters.
If you feel you can assist, I’m open to donations, support & ideas.
Today I linked with an Occupational Therapist that’s wanting to come on board.
I’m also visiting two other aged and nursing homes to present my first model.

All support is welcome and appreciated.

Regards, Rob