Generally we’re pretty lucky with Apple products as we tend not be affected by viruses, but there are still things out there we need to be aware of. 

So I thought I’d add a bit of information here to help……

Things to look out for in emails to help avoid being scammed.

1. Aways check the "From" Address. Even if it says it comes from Apple, myGov, ANZ, Westpac, Netflix or a trusted source you get emails normally from, if you double check the "From" address to confirm this. For example if it's going to be an Apple email it would be @apple.com or an ANZ email would be @anz.com.au. The part after the @ symbol should resemble the Business name. By checking that, then someone pretending to be Apple would  normally be sending it from a completely different address such as @gmail.com or @outlook.com or @bigpond.com address - this shows it wouldn't be Apple. (or other companies). Even if the "display name" says Apple, always look at the part after the @ symbol to confirm this.

2. Check how it's addressed to you in the body. Most companies will refer to you by your first name or your full name. if it has no name there, or the first part of your email address or "Dear user" or "Dear customer", then it's likely a fake email.

3. If receiving an email from myGov then generally 99% of the time, they won't ask you to click a link. myGov will advise you there is a message for you on their site so you have to log in yourself, but they won't include a link in the email. Pretty much all the scam myGOV emails will want you to click a false link. Best to ignore those and delete them.

4. In Apple Mail (and some other emails programs also), if you just hover your mouse over a link or a "click here" button and just wait a second (but not actually click it), it will display the link they are trying to send you to. Most of those will be "fake" and not match the proper website for the business. eg Apple would refer you to www.apple.com.au or iinet would refer you to www.iinet.net.au, ANZ would refer you to www.anz.com.au and so on. If it's some weird looking link at the http:// part - then it's most likely fake. And can be deleted.

5. If in doubt, delete it. Or follow up with a phone call from a known good number of the company. If it's an email from Apple, look up the Apple phone number. If it's pretending to be ANZ, look up a statement and get the ANZ number. Or Westpac, The Messaging Company etc. Then call them on their proper numbers, not one that may be in an email. That way, you're the one making the call and can check with the "real business" if what was received is real or a scam.

It's always better to be safe than sorry. And if it's definitely something important, they will get hold of you another way - such as a letter in the post or similar.

Unfortunately these days we have to be a lot more vigilant with everything we do online, text messages or phone calls that come in. So it's better to take a bit more time to "research" or look at that email you've received, or the phone call or text message that has come in. (in some cases, if you don't recognise the number on the SMS or phone call - let it go to voicemail - as a lot of scammers won't leave a message.). As more than likely a high percentage of them will be fake - and can just be deleted and ignored.  

If we all take a little bit more time when these things come in, then in the long run hopefully it will help and save people from becoming victims so you're not part of the $2.3billion Australians lost in 2023 to scams. And hopefully we can bring that figure down each year!

For more information on Scams, you can also have a read at ScamWatch here and latest statistics on their site available here.

Watch out for pop-up’s or “fake web-pages”

One thing that sometimes can be seen more often are “fake webpages” or pop-up’s when you’re surfing the internet to try and con you into believing your computer has a virus, you’re being hacked, or your information is being stolen while you’re online. Or a link that tells you that software you’re using is “Out of Date” and needs to be upgraded, just by clicking a link. These types of things are trying to either get you to install a form of Malware, or get you to call a number and then trick you into thinking they can help - or for a low cost fee,..or access to your computer. 

Generally this will only show up when you’re accessing webpages in Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox or other web browsers. And it will pop up over a page you were on, or when you click a link and it takes you to “another” page. (It’s actually hijacked the link and takes you to a false page). It then advises you’re compromised and need to call a number, or that your software is out of date and to update it.

Some examples of these are as follows - 

If these sort of things do show up, just close the page (either with the red “close” dot or Command-W on the keyboard). Then quit out of the program you’re using and re-open it. Most of the time that will be enough to resolve it.

But if you’re still not 100% sure, you can download a program called MalwareBytes (if not already installed by me) to do a scan and check for you. You can download MalwareBytes from here. Or if you feel the issue is worse than you can call me and I can either help with it or call out to have a look at it. Apple will never have a pop up or get you to call a number like that. And as mentioned above, if you need to follow something up, always look up the number yourself.

In the case shown above where it says your Flash is out of date, you can always check it manually yourself.

For most Applications you run, you can find if there are updates for it (or it’s up to date), by doing the following - Either from the Help menu or the name of the program itself (just beside the Apple  menu) eg Firefox, MalwareBytes etc and then click on “Check for Updates”. It will then advise if there really is an update to do, or it’s already fine. In the case of Adobe Flash, you can go to System Preferences then Flash Player, click on “Updates” then click “Check Now”. It will then advise if it’s either up to date, or show the real download. Apple updates, will show up via the Software Update or one’s you’ve purchased through the App Store Updates.

Or if still not 100% leave it until next visit or email query and I can advise.

But as long as you close the page you’re on, or ignore those types of pop-up’s you’re generally going to be fine. As it won’t install anything or do anything without your input. 

One of those “if unsure, leave it” type things,……..

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