Don’t Get Hooked

In this age of cyberspace we increasingly rely on technology and the internet for communication and transactions, and with that comes the increased risk of security issues.

It seems we hear regularly about confidential information being accidentally released or databases being hacked, not to mention all the spam we receive in our own inboxes daily. EIL turned to the Golden Isles’ largest network and IT service provider, Coastal Computer Consulting, LLC., to see if they would offer some guidance on keeping your information safe in the digital age. Owner Adam Casgar said that phishing is a very popular topic to address because new scams pop up daily and they’re becoming more convincing. It’s not just businesses

that are targeted, simply surfing the net from an unsecured location or taking what seem to be harmless quizzes on Facebook can put your personal information at risk. Teaching people how to recognize phishing and deal with it is an important first step.

What is phishing? Scammers have several ways to infiltrate your privacy. Most of us know to watch out for fake emails that pretend to be from friends or legitimate businesses, but phishing also takes other forms. You may get phone calls claiming your computer is infected or stating that there’s some other emergency requiring immediate action for which you need to provide personal account information. Phishing is also widespread in social media with fake customer support accounts and links sent through direct messages.

What do they want? The goal of phishing is to acquire your personal information. Cyber crooks want account numbers, login credentials, answers to questions that may be linked to your passwords and security questions. Some are quite sophisticated about collecting that data, and something as simple as verifying addresses, dates of birth, or your mother’s maiden name can come back to bite you. Be very wary when you are asked for this type of information by phone or via email or direct message.

Many scammers will attempt to secure access to your computer so they can install malware, gain control of your equipment, obtain information, and then use it as their own IP address and mask their identity. Scammers may also try to install ransomware that can lock down all or parts of your computer until you pay up. Beware of messages that tell you to install free malware detectors, anti-virus protection, or software to clean up your computer. Often once that so-called “freeware” is installed, BANG! NOW you have malware on your computer and they’re only willing to fix it for a fee, and that is anything but free. Always go to a trusted professional if you suspect your computer may have been exposed to malware.

How do I recognize phishing? Phishing also uses messages that trigger an emotional response, especially fear, that creates a sense that you need to act quickly. Pause to calm that urge and take some time to investigate the source of the message. How did you receive it? Did it flash on a website screen while you were browsing? Is it promoting a product or service? To which of your email accounts was it sent? Do you have accounts or information with the sender? Did the message actually come from the sender? Pay careful attention to “package can’t be delivered” or “we need to update your account information” emails especially. Phishing scams are often disguised as fake contests by retailers, big ticket prizes and giveaways, free travel offers, etc. Businesses can also often be targeted through false customer inquiries. You know the old saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

How can I keep my information safe? Be suspicious of everything … even if it looks totally legitimate! The paramount rule: don’t click on links or open attachments unless you are 100% certain that they are from a trusted source, they are something you are expecting to receive, or you can verify they were sent by the sender and they are the type of file indicated (video, document, image file). If you are not 100% sure, go to the website instead of opening the link through your email. To identify the target website, hover your mouse over the included link. If this website address doesn’t match the name of the sender or has an unfamiliar extension (or denotes a foreign country), that should be a red flag. Watch for subtle mispellings (Did you even catch that

one?). Always remember that major entities like Microsoft, banks, the IRS and other governmental agencies will NOT ask for personal information in an email, phone call, or social media. Do not hesitate to call a business to confirm they sent correspondence if you are in doubt. A few other important rules of thumb that many users forget: don’t allow others to use your computer to access the internet, keep your company and family networks secure and safe from outside access with passwords, when traveling make sure you are using secured and trusted wifi networks and servers if you are transmitting personal information. (continues)

Coastal Computer Consulting Founder Adam Casgar outside the office across from Brogen’s North on Frederica Road.

Service technician Jay Hunter making repairs to a desktop unit.

Of course, you are always welcome to contact Coastal Computer Consulting if you’re concerned that your computer has been attacked or if you’d like to take preventative measures to keep your network safe. You can find a free downloadable guide on the subject that they have prepared titled Protecting Your Business from Hacking and Phishing, in their blog at coastalcpu.com/coastal-buzz/don-tget-caught-in-a-phishing-net.

Coastal Computer Consulting is the premier tech support and information technology service provider in the Golden Isles. They’re celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and nothing speaks louder about their success than their proven track record with clients as well as the expansion of the business during those years. Founder Adam Casgar has more than 25 years of experience working with computers and providing innovative IT solutions for his clients. Adam now has a full staff of experienced computer technicians and a dedicated customer service team to provide tech support and IT services for both small personal computer issues and large company networks throughout Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and the Golden Isles. The Coastal Computer Consulting technicians work with all networks and hardware, all devices, and are extremely wellversed in all platforms. Every technician on the team is a mid- or senior-level engineer with a minimum of five years field experience. Additionally, they are the only Georgia Bureau of Investigation approved vendor in the Golden Isles, with all technicians certified by GBI after passing tests, background checks and fingerprinting, with retesting and recertification every two years. Coastal Computer Consulting excels in providing the level of service that you need at a price you can afford, using professionals you can trust.

Whether you’re looking for an IT service provider for your home or business, Coastal Computer Consulting’s diverse range of services are all tailored to improve your IT operations while reducing costs. They offer managed services, project-based services, remote services, web design, and social media management. Data backups, anti-virus protection, malware removal and software updates are a part of the managed services they can provide. Project-based services include wireless and wired network installation and maintenance, virus and malware removal, system wipe and reload, data backup and recovery, new computer setup, software installation, and one-on-one training.

Coastal Computer Consulting is proud to be a part of the Golden Isles community and actively supports local businesses, sports teams, and non-profit organizations. They also give back through programs of their own like the annual electronics recycling program, food drives, and Coastal Cares free computer donations. Connect with them on Facebook to see what they’re up to and ways you can get involved.

To find the Coastal Computer Consulting office, just look for the big blue C sign on Frederica Road! They’re located at 3605 Frederica Road and can be reached by phone at 912.634.1691. Visit coastalcpu.com for more detailed information about their services and other helpful information.

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