Increasingly I am seeing not only my own business targeted, but I am getting a huge amount of inquiries from other businesses asking me if something they received in an email or through the post or via the telephone is legitimate or a scam.
Invariably they are scams.
There are all sorts of tech threats such as viruses and spyware out there, but it’s the age old tricks that are still fooling small business owners.
Instead of trying to hack into your computer by stealth, scammers are finding it easier to just send you an email, or fax, or just phone you with an offer they hope you can’t refuse.
One of their common tricks is to send a business a fake Invoice in the hope that someone in the office pays it without asking any questions. It’s easy enough to do when you’re under the hammer and snowed under with paperwork.
Office supplies have become a favourite with scammers invoicing you for stationery or toner and ink cartridges that you never ordered, or even sending you an email stating that your refills are ready. Such an innocuous-looking bill could easily slip through the cracks and be paid, especially in a small business without a dedicated accounts department to keep an eye out for such things.
There are a multitude of variations to the fake billing scam, so always check your bills carefully. Another big one is receiving an invoice from dodgy Directory Services or Advertising Company requesting payment for listings which were never published or were ran without your authorisation.
Fake Domain Name renewals are becoming more prevalent now. They will ask for payment so you can continue to use your website address. Sometimes you’ll receive a bogus invoice, perhaps for your Domain Name, or more commonly, one which is similar to your Domain Name.
Some dodgy Domain Name Registrars have been known to send out what looks like an invoice from your current provider but is actually an authorisation to transfer your Domain Name to them. They even check online records to see when your Domain Name is due for renewal, with the hope of catching you off guard because you’re expecting an email from your real Domain Name Registrar anyway.
Dodgy Domain Name Registrars are also known for sending out emails claiming that your competitors are trying to buy up Domain Names similar to your own and offering to sell those Domain Names to you first.
For example my website is www.websitedesignmorayfield.com.au, so they might offer me www.websitedesignmorayfield.net.au and www.websitedesignmorayfield.org.au – claiming that if I don’t pay for them my competitors will buy them in an attempt to steal my customers.
Scam emails are also used to sneak spyware onto computers. Rather than sending out Spam offering cheap medications and Viagra, hackers are now sending spam disguised as a legitimate notification from a Bank, Courier Company, Airline, the Tax Office or Post Office.
The style might change, but they all require you to open an attachment or click on a link to check the status of an order or delivery. Do so and your computer could be infected with Malware designed to steal passwords or perhaps lock down your computer and hold your data to ransom.
Alternatively, you might be logging into a spoof website and handing over your password. The safest option is never to trust links or attachments in such emails and to contact the service provider directly if you’re unsure.
Scammers aren’t afraid to use the telephone either and there have been a spate of phone calls in recent times purportedly from Microsoft, claiming your computer is infected with a virus or has some other issue.
The scammers request remote access to your computer, and then identify supposed errors as an indication you have a virus and then demand money in order to remove the virus. If you receive one of these phone calls, just hang up on them. Once inside your computer they can cause extreme havoc if you refuse to pay.
All of these types of scams rely on human error rather than technical and security weaknesses. Scammers will often target junior staff hoping to fool them. The best way to protect your business is to educate your staff about the potential dangers of scams and enforce strict policies regarding the placement of orders and payment of invoices.
Vigilance and education are the keys to keeping your Business and Bank Accounts safe!!!!
Web Designers Caboolture
/0 Comments/in Web Designer, Website Design /by AdminNote the thoughtful concentration and consideration going into it?
It tickled my funny bone so I thought I’d share it.
Seriously though, if you are looking for a Caboolture Morayfield based Web Designer, give us a call today.
We have been designing websites locally for over 10 years, and have the know-how required to build your Business Website, quickly, efficiently and professionally.
Why we use WordPress for Websites
/0 Comments/in CMS, Open Source, SEO, Website Design, WordPress, WordPress Themes /by AdminThere are many reasons we use WordPress for the basis of our Web Designs. First and foremost for me it’s because WordPress is by far and away the easiest to learn and understand.
But here is a detailed list of the reasons and advantages to using WordPress:
Top 5 WordPress Plug-in’s for your Business Website
/0 Comments/in Business Website, Plug-in's, SEO, Website Backup, Website Design, WordPress /by AdminThere are almost an infinite number of Plug-in’s available for a WordPress based website.
However, there are some that I believe are a must have regardless of what type of Website or Blog you have.
The following Plug-in’s are the top five that I believe are essential and you should have installed:
CMS Websites at risk from Hackers
/1 Comment/in CMS, Hackers, WordPress Security /by AdminContent Management Systems (CMS) websites like WordPress have long been a target for Hackers.
CMS systems like WordPress are popular because they are free and Open Source, and very flexible to such an extent that just about anybody can create a Website, or Blog, or eCommerce website with relative ease.
The problem is that a lot of website owners either fail to keep their CMS and plug-in’s up to date.
New versions of the platform and plug-in’s are regularly released, not just to improve functionality, but to plug security holes.
This is why Hackers love to target CMS websites. It’s because they know there is a high chance of discovering an unpatched website.
Even if you do keep the platform and plug-in’s up to date, you must also do a few other things.
Here is a checklist:
It may sound daunting, but if you have your website hosted and maintained by Spotty Dog Computer Services, all the updates are included in our Monthly Maintenance Fee. And as an added bonus, if a Hacker does manage to compromise your website, we make regular backups so we can restore your website if it all turns pear shaped :-)
Do you want an online catalogue for your Business Website?
/0 Comments/in Business Website, Website Design /by AdminIt is often quite beneficial to display your Business Product Catalogue online in a format that actually behaves like a Print Catalogue.
For a start, even if you have an eCommerce website, a Flipping Book Online Catalogue looks flash and will impress your visitors.
Secondly, it provides a way for your visitors to interact with your website in a fun way, whilst at the same time allowing them to see your Products or Specials or whatever it is you want to display.
Now this can be achieved two ways. Either using a Flipping Book Plug-in, or my preferred method, using software on your computer to create the Online Catalogue, and uploading the files to your website.
Below is an example of a Specials Catalogue that I created for my Computer Repairs Business.
The latest version of the Flipping Book Software has integrated support for the HTML5 standard which means that your publications are readable on almost all devices, including iPhones and Android based Phones, to tablets like the iPad, and E-readers.
Watch the video below to learn more about the capabilities of Flipping Book software.
Small Businesses Targeted by Scammers
/0 Comments/in Scammers, Scams /by AdminInvariably they are scams.
There are all sorts of tech threats such as viruses and spyware out there, but it’s the age old tricks that are still fooling small business owners.
Instead of trying to hack into your computer by stealth, scammers are finding it easier to just send you an email, or fax, or just phone you with an offer they hope you can’t refuse.
One of their common tricks is to send a business a fake Invoice in the hope that someone in the office pays it without asking any questions. It’s easy enough to do when you’re under the hammer and snowed under with paperwork.
Office supplies have become a favourite with scammers invoicing you for stationery or toner and ink cartridges that you never ordered, or even sending you an email stating that your refills are ready. Such an innocuous-looking bill could easily slip through the cracks and be paid, especially in a small business without a dedicated accounts department to keep an eye out for such things.
There are a multitude of variations to the fake billing scam, so always check your bills carefully. Another big one is receiving an invoice from dodgy Directory Services or Advertising Company requesting payment for listings which were never published or were ran without your authorisation.
Fake Domain Name renewals are becoming more prevalent now. They will ask for payment so you can continue to use your website address. Sometimes you’ll receive a bogus invoice, perhaps for your Domain Name, or more commonly, one which is similar to your Domain Name.
Some dodgy Domain Name Registrars have been known to send out what looks like an invoice from your current provider but is actually an authorisation to transfer your Domain Name to them. They even check online records to see when your Domain Name is due for renewal, with the hope of catching you off guard because you’re expecting an email from your real Domain Name Registrar anyway.
Dodgy Domain Name Registrars are also known for sending out emails claiming that your competitors are trying to buy up Domain Names similar to your own and offering to sell those Domain Names to you first.
For example my website is www.websitedesignmorayfield.com.au, so they might offer me www.websitedesignmorayfield.net.au and www.websitedesignmorayfield.org.au – claiming that if I don’t pay for them my competitors will buy them in an attempt to steal my customers.
Scam emails are also used to sneak spyware onto computers. Rather than sending out Spam offering cheap medications and Viagra, hackers are now sending spam disguised as a legitimate notification from a Bank, Courier Company, Airline, the Tax Office or Post Office.
The style might change, but they all require you to open an attachment or click on a link to check the status of an order or delivery. Do so and your computer could be infected with Malware designed to steal passwords or perhaps lock down your computer and hold your data to ransom.
Alternatively, you might be logging into a spoof website and handing over your password. The safest option is never to trust links or attachments in such emails and to contact the service provider directly if you’re unsure.
Scammers aren’t afraid to use the telephone either and there have been a spate of phone calls in recent times purportedly from Microsoft, claiming your computer is infected with a virus or has some other issue.
The scammers request remote access to your computer, and then identify supposed errors as an indication you have a virus and then demand money in order to remove the virus. If you receive one of these phone calls, just hang up on them. Once inside your computer they can cause extreme havoc if you refuse to pay.
All of these types of scams rely on human error rather than technical and security weaknesses. Scammers will often target junior staff hoping to fool them. The best way to protect your business is to educate your staff about the potential dangers of scams and enforce strict policies regarding the placement of orders and payment of invoices.
Vigilance and education are the keys to keeping your Business and Bank Accounts safe!!!!
What your Business should look for in a website
/0 Comments/in Business Website, CMS, Website Design /by AdminThere are several things you should be looking for when getting a website developed for your business.
Below is a list of the top seven considerations that I believe are the most important.
How to access your Hosting Account
/0 Comments/in How To's for Hosting /by AdminThe interface to your Website Hosting is known as cPanel, and it can be accessed in two ways.
The first way is to type http://www.yourdomain.com.au/cpanel into your Internet Browser’s navigation bar (where “yourdomain.com.au” is substituted with your actual Domain Name).
This will present a screen where you are required to enter your Username and Password.
This information was sent to you via Email when you signed up for Web Hosting.
Should you need this information to be sent again, please email us at [email protected]
The other way to access your Website Hosting is by clicking on the link that was in the original email you were sent with the subject heading of “Your Web Hosting is Ready“.
You will be taken a web page that looks like this:
Either of these methods achieves and does the same thing.
Once you have logged into your Hosting Account, you will see the following screen:
From here there are many things you can do, including creating and removing email addresses, changing email passwords, creating Autoresponders etc.
Setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook 2003
/1 Comment/in How To's for Email /by AdminThis “How To” shows you how to set up an email address in Microsoft Outlook 2003.
For “How To’s” on setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook 2007, please see our other “How To” Guides.
To Set Up Your E-mail in Microsoft Outlook 2003
1. In Outlook 2003, click on the Tools menu, then select E-mail Accounts.
2. In the E-mail Accounts wizard window, select Add a new e-mail account, and then click Next.
3. For your Server Type, select POP3 and then click Next.
4. In the Internet E-mail Settings (POP3) window, enter your information as follows:
Your Name
Your first and last name.
E-mail Address
Your full Email address.
User Name
Your full Email address, again.
Password
Your Email Account password that was chosen when the email address was setup.
Incoming mail server (POP3)
“mail.your-domain.com.au” (where ‘your-domain.com.au is replaced with your actual Domain Name.
Outgoing mail server (SMTP)
“your-outgoing-mail-server” (where ‘your-outgoing-mail-server is replaced with your specific Internet Provider’s Outgoing Mail Server (eg. “mail.bigpond.com” if Telstra Bigpond is your ISP, “mail.optusnet.com.au” for Optus, “mail.tpg.com.au” for TPG, etc).
7. Click Test Account Settings to verify everything is configured correctly.
8. Click Next and then click Finish.
Removing message copies from the Mail Server
1. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
2. Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
3. Select your account, and then click Change.
4. Click the More Settings button.
5. Click the Advanced tab, and under Delivery, select the Leave a copy of messages on the server check box.
6. Select the Remove from server after and type in a value of however many days you’s like. The example shows 7 days. This will tell the Mail Server to download all Email messages to your computer but only leave a copy of the messages on the server for a certain number of days. This allows people who want to read their messages at work but also download them for permanent storage on their home computer. We recommend that you choose the smallest number of days that suits your needs. The longer you leave messages on your Mail Server, the greater the risk of filling-up your Mail Server and exceeding your mailbox size quota.
7. Click OK, and then click Finish.
Setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook 2007
/0 Comments/in How To's for Email /by AdminThis “How To” shows you how to set up an email address in Microsoft Outlook 2007.
For “How To’s” on setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook Express or Microsoft Outlook 2003, please see our other “How To” Guides.
To Set Up Your E-mail in Microsoft Outlook 2007
1. In Outlook 2007, from the Tools menu, select Accounts.
2. On the E-mail tab, click New.
3. Select Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP, or HTTP and click Next.
4. Check Manually configure server settings or additional server types and click Next.
5. Select Internet E-mail and click Next.
6. Enter the requested information:
Your Name
Your first and last name.
E-mail Address
Your full Email address.
Account Type
POP3
Incoming mail server (POP3)
“mail.your-domain.com.au” (where ‘your-domain.com.au is replaced with your actual Domain Name).
Outgoing mail server (SMTP)
“your-outgoing-mail-server” (where ‘your-outgoing-mail-server is replaced with your specific Internet Provider’s Outgoing Mail Server (eg. “mail.bigpond.com” if Telstra Bigpond is your ISP, “mail.optusnet.com.au” for Optus, “mail.tpg.com.au” for TPG, etc).
User Name
Your full Email address.
Password
Your Email Account password that was chosen when the email address was setup.
7. Click Test Account Settings to verify everything is configured correctly.
8. Click Next and then click Finish.
Removing message copies from the Mail Server
1. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.
2. Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
3. Select your account, and then click Change.
4. Click the More Settings button.
5. Click the Advanced tab, and under Delivery, select the Leave a copy of messages on the server check box.
6. Select the Remove from server after and type in a value of however many days you’s like. The example shows 7 days. This will tell the Mail Server to download all Email messages to your computer but only leave a copy of the messages on the server for a certain number of days. This allows people who want to read their messages at work but also download them for permanent storage on their home computer. We recommend that you choose the smallest number of days that suits your needs. The longer you leave messages on your Mail Server, the greater the risk of filling-up your Mail Server and exceeding your mailbox size quota.
7. Click OK, and then click Finish.
How to use Webmail
/0 Comments/in How To's for Email /by AdminFrom time to time, you may have a need to use your Webmail facility.
This may because you need to access your email whilst using someone else’s computer, or you may be having an issue with your email service and you want to test it to see if it’s working.
Using Webmail is very easy. Simply visit www.yourdomain.com.au/webmail (where “yourdomain.com.au” is substituted with your actual Domain Name).
This will present a screen where you are required to enter your Username and Password.
Enter your email address as the Username, and whatever Password you chose when you setup your email address, and then click “Log in”.
Once you have done this, you will be presented with the following screen.
You have three options to choose from. They all do the same thing, but just look different. I personally prefer “RoundCube”, so that’s what we’ll run with.
After clicking on RoundCube, you will see the Webmail interface and the Inbox, with any emails that are waiting.
From here, it is pretty much like using any email program, so I won’t go into the nitty gritty’s.
Suffice to say that you can perform all of the same functions as you can with any email program.
Setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook Express
/0 Comments/in How To's for Email /by AdminThis “How To” shows you how to set up an email address in Microsoft Outlook Express.
For “How To’s” on setting up your Email in Microsoft Outlook 2003 or Microsoft Outlook 2007, please see our other “How To” Guides.
To Set Up Your E-mail in Microsoft Outlook Express
1. In Outlook Express, from the Tools menu, select Accounts.
2. A box will appear. Click Add and select Mail.
3. In Display name, enter your name as you would like it to appear on your emails and click Next.
4. In E-mail address, enter your full email address and then click Next.
5. On the E-mail Server Names window, enter your information as follows:
My incoming Mail Server is
POP3
Incoming mail (POP3, IMAP or HTTP) server
“mail.your-domain.com.au” (where ‘your-domain.com.au is replaced with your actual Domain Name).
Outgoing mail (SMTP) server
“your-outgoing-mail-server” (where ‘your-outgoing-mail-server is replaced with your specific Internet Provider’s Outgoing Mail Server (eg. “mail.bigpond.com” if Telstra Bigpond is your ISP, “mail.optusnet.com.au” for Optus, “mail.tpg.com.au” for TPG, etc).
6. Click on Next.
7. In Account name, enter your full Email address, then enter the password that was chosen when the email address was setup.
Removing message copies from the Mail Server
1. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts
2. Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click Next.
3. Select your account, and then click Change.
4. Click the More Settings button.
5. Click the Advanced tab, and under the Delivery section, select the Leave a copy of messages on the server check box.
6. Select the Remove from server after and type in a value of however many days you’s like. The example shows 7 days. This will tell the Mail Server to download all Email messages to your computer but only leave a copy of the messages on the server for a certain number of days. This allows people who want to read their messages at work but also download them for permanent storage on their home computer. We recommend that you choose the smallest number of days that suits your needs. The longer you leave messages on your Mail Server, the greater the risk of filling-up your Mail Server and exceeding your mailbox size quota.
7. Click OK, and then click Finish.