Don't get caught in the latest Tech Support Scams

Over the past month, a few teachers in the district have received pop-up windows informing them that their computers have been infected by viruses and telling them to call a Tech Support number.  The image on the right is an example of what the pop-up may look like.

These pop-ups are scare tactics employed by cyber criminals attempting to hijack your computer and access your personal data.

So, how can you protect yourself? 

First, and most importantly, remember that the only people who should ever provide tech support on your computer are employed by the school district.  

Second, if you get one of these pop-ups remember the following:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• You may not be able to close down your window, so SHUT DOWN your computer.
• Do NOT call the number, EVER.  The pop-up is just a scare tactic. 
• Contact the WPS Tech department via help desk ticket.  

If you would like to read more about these Tech Support Scams check out: https://blog.malwarebytes.org/fraud-scam/2014/11/psa-tech-support-scams-pop-ups-on-the-rise/

If this happens to your home computer, I, personally, recommend running MalwareBytessoftware on your computer.  You can download a free version for your home computer.  Running the software will clean out any malware that may have found it's way onto your computer.  

Finally, you may be wondering what we mean by malware.  Here is a definition from the Kaspersky web site.

The term malware is short for "malicious software." 
Malware refers to any computer program that is designed to do things that are harmful to or unwanted by a computer's legitimate user — meaning you.

So what is malware? It comes in a bewildering variety of forms. 

• Computer viruses are probably the most familiar type of malware — so named because they spread by making copies of themselves. 
• Worms have a similar property. 
• Other types of malware, such as spyware, are named for what they do: In the case of spyware, it transmits personal information, such as credit card numbers.