Sonoma Tech Support

07/20/2024

So update, This problem was not caused by Microsoft.
It was caused by crowdstrike.
They are a security company that works with Microsoft.
They have an impeccable record. However, an update that they pushed was what started this whole backlog with airlines, many online stores, Banks, office, and many different programs.
So before you're ready to throw your pc out thinking that's it. Microsoft, I'm done with you.
It turns out it wasn't their fault at all.

07/19/2024

If your computer seems slow today, if you're having trouble with Office 365, Outlook, teams, Even things like going online or shopping online.
This is all related to a Microsoft Azure update that went bad.
I'm sure they'll have it fixed probably by the end of the day.
Whole foods took forever to check out.
These things happen with every single tech company, Apple had some big outages, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter.... just be patient. And know it's not you, it's them.

06/09/2023

Security Alert!!

I'll post a link to the article, but here it is. If you get a strange email from somone you know but sent from Adobe, dont' click the links. Here is a transcript of the article:

Hackers are exploiting Adobe Creative Cloud to harvest user credentials
By Anthony Spadafora published January 13, 2022
New campaign hides links to credential harvesting pages inside PDF files

Hacker Typing
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Hackers have come up with a new way to leverage the popularity of Adobe Creative Cloud to bypass email security solutions and harvest user credentials.

Beginning in December of last year, Checkpoint-owned Avanan observed a new wave of hackers creating Adobe accounts for nefarious purposes. After creating an account, the hackers then import a PDF file into Adobe's cloud storage which contains links to sites used to harvest the credentials of unsuspecting users.

By sharing files containing malicious links using Adobe Creative Cloud, attackers are able to appear legitimate to potential victims while also ensuring that their emails will be able to bypass Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and other endpoint protection software.

Hiding credential harvesting pages
In a new blog post, Avanan explains that these attacks begin with an innocent-looking PDF sent via Adobe Acrobat and shared with a user over email. These emails arrive directly from Adobe and a sense of urgency is instilled by an attacker to trick potential victims into opening them.

When a user clicks “Open”, they are redirected to a fake Adobe Document Cloud page where they'll need to click on another button to access their document. While a discerning user may notice the spelling and formatting errors, those in a hurry might click through without thinking. If they do, they are then redirected to a classic credential harvesting page hosted outside of Adobe Creative Cloud where they're prompted to log in and in doing so, give up their email address and password to an attacker.

Over the course of last few weeks, Avanan has observed thousands of these attacks including 400 in 2022 alone.

To avoid falling victim to this and other similar attacks, end users should carefully inspect all Adobe Creative Cloud pages for grammar and spelling, hover over links to ensure the intended page is legitimate and ensure their antivirus software can open PDF files in a sandbox and inspect all links contained within them.

You can read the original article here:https://www.techradar.com/news/hackers-are-exploiting-adobe-creative-cloud-to-harvest-user-credentials

05/17/2023

04/20/2022

My Bank just sent this email and I thought it was great advice:

Imposters are everywhere. Here’s how to spot them.
The more you know about scammers and how they operate, the better you can protect yourself and your accounts. Here are 5 of the most common scams and top ways you can outsmart them.

Spoofing: a scammer pretends to be a reputable company by faking their caller ID name and number. The scammers will often call several times in a row to make you think it’s important.


Outsmart them: Don’t answer the phone, and if you do, don’t give out any personal or account information.

Romance scams: a scammer pretends to be your perfect mate so you’ll send them money for things like plane tickets, medical expenses, or other reasons that will play to your sympathies.


Outsmart them: Don’t send money to anyone you haven’t met in person—no matter how much you care about them.

Tax/bill payment scams: a scammer says you owe taxes or other debts to scare you into sending them money. Often this includes threat of a warrant or other legal action to get you to act fast.


Outsmart them: Never pay a company using gift cards. Big companies and government agencies don’t accept them as a form of payment.

Donation scams: a scammer will offer to deposit money (or a "donation") into your account for no reason. Most of the time, they want you to deposit a check for them into your account.


Outsmart them: Don’t give out your login info, and don’t deposit checks you weren’t expecting from people you don’t know well.

Tech support scams: a scammer pretends to be a software or antivirus company and tries to convince you that your computer is at risk. They may ask you to install programs or give them access to your computer.


Outsmart them: Don’t click on links, install software, or give anyone access to your computer. If you are concerned, take your computer to a reputable local company.
The simplest way to know that something may be a scam is to ask yourself, "Is this too good to be true?" If your answer is yes, or even maybe, immediately cut off contact with the potential scammer. If anyone you don’t know requests money, personal data, or login information, you have reason to be suspicious. Resist pressure to take immediate action, and talk to someone you trust about what happened

09/07/2021

Lately I've had a bunch of calls from people who have had their Facebook account, and or email such as Gmail, yahoo, and outlook.com hacked.
I have tried to fix it for them but often am unable simply because they never did their extra security steps.....ie turning on two step verification, adding a cell phone for text messages, and adding an alternative email to send a recovery password.
These things take a few minutes but without them it makes it almost impossible to get your data, or access back to your account. Also good luck trying to get through to FB, Google or others to help you. They don't have anyone to contact. If you find one online...ITS A SCAM!!!
If you need help with this stuff give me a call.
Otherwise, do it now!!!! While you have access to your account. If you don't know how, try googling: "How do I secure my Facebook account?" Or "How do I secure my google identity?"
It breaks my heart to see some people just not able to get back years of emails, contacts, pictures and posts all because they didn't do this.
That's my public service announcement. Thanks for listening.

06/29/2020

https://www.facebook.com/vivaladirtleague/videos/267814854485162/

Yeah If you need help with the cookies in your case give me a call. 😅

03/17/2020

Scam alert!!!
I have seen a Google document going around supposably from Gavin newsom suspending all rent and mortgages for 3 months during the crisis. It comes with a form to fill out.

I think it's a scam, I think it's identity theft. I don't think California would put up a Google doc.
Also I have not seen this in the news anywhere.
I hope I'm wrong, because that would be really nice but I don't think so.

03/16/2020

Re: Computer Support during quarantine.
So far Sonoma County does not have a mandatory shelter in place order. But if you are having tech problems and still have Internet, I can still help remotely. This is probably the best option if possible.
If you need something more and I need to come to your business/home, I am wearing Nitrile gloves, and wiping everything down with disinfectant both before and after I'm done to keep both of us safe.
Hang in there and we can get through this.
Feel free to call with questions...707-703-2711
Stay well.
Craig

02/14/2020

Scammers and IRS Impersonation - Did You Know?

The IRS has issued alerts about scammers that are continuing to contact taxpayers. Among the most common are phone calls and fake emails. Thieves use the IRS name, logo or a fake website to try and steal money from taxpayers.

Any first contact from the IRS will typically come in the mail.

Please note that the IRS will never:

- Call to demand immediate payment using specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying
- Demand payment of taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

For information on how to report scams or phishing attempts, visit http://IRS.gov/phishing.

Report phishing and scams. Find out what to do If you receive unsolicited communications claiming to be from the IRS.

11/17/2019

Are you still in Windows 7? You only have till January to upgrade or get a new PC. I'm getting great deals on new computers and can help you move all your data and get it all set up. Don't wait till the end and think I'll have time for you. Do it before the cut off date.
Call me 707-703-2711 and let's make an appointment. 😊

10/01/2019

Do you still have Windows 7 on your computer? It's either time to upgrade, or get a new computer.
Come January Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7. That means software you buy, upgrade, updates and security patches will no longer work. Basically if the bad guys find a flaw in Windows, nobody is going to patch it up. We are getting down to the line and I'm going to be crazy busy. I can help you find the right computer for you, update it, secure it and move all your data.
Call me and let's get this done before it's too late, and before I'm too busy.