⚠️ Security Alert – Messaging Apps Being Hijacked

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⚠️ Security Alert – Messaging Apps Being Hijacked

No company will EVER ask for your verification code.

The FBI and CISA are warning about hackers targeting accounts on apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps.

🔍 How it happens

Scammers may message you pretending to be:
“Signal Support” or “WhatsApp Support”

They will ask for a verification code sent to your phone.

👉 If you give them that code, they can take over your account.

🔐 How to protect yourself

• Never share verification codes — EVER
• Be suspicious of “support” messages (real support won’t contact you first)
• Turn on 2-step verification / registration PIN
• Use a password manager (example: https://bitwarden.com/) for stronger, safer logins

🚨 If you think your account was hacked

• Re-register your number ASAP
• Remove all linked devices
• Change your security PIN
• Warn your contacts
• Report it: https://www.ic3.gov

⏱️ Act fast — the sooner you respond, the less damage they can do.

💻 If you need help securing your devices or accounts, feel free to reach out.
Robert’s Computer Service / IT
📞 864-494-6089
🌐 www.roberts-computer.com

📝 Summary based on:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2026/03/fbi-cisa-warn-of-russian-hackers-hijacking-signal-and-whatsapp-accounts

Scam alert AT&T rewards are about to expire on date.

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Several people are getting texts saying their AT&T reward points are about to expire. The message includes a link and usually starts with “Dear Customer.”

Looks similar to
“Dear Customer, Your AT&T account currently holds XX,XXX reward points scheduled to expire on date. Recommended redemption methods: – AT&T Rewards Center: {Shortened link} – AT&T Mobile App: Rewards section AT&T is dedicated to serving you.” The shortened URL led to https://att.hgfxp[.]??/???/, a website designed to look like an AT&T site in name and appearance.”

The link goes to a fake AT&T-looking website that asks for your phone number and personal info. Some people even get items shipped, but their information is stolen and later used for fraud or identity theft.

Watch for:
Generic greetings
Shortened or weird links
Urgent “act now” language

Best move: Don’t click the link. Go straight to the AT&T app or type att.com in your browser instead.

Posting this to help others avoid a big headache.

Filed Under: Scams

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After major storms

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After major storms, people often show up pretending to be contractors, insurance helpers, or utility workers. They may pressure you to act fast or ask for payment upfront.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Don’t pay cash or full payment upfront
• Ask for a written estimate and contract
• Verify licenses, insurance, and business info
• Be cautious of door-to-door offers
• Never share personal or banking information
• Contact your insurance company directly
• If someone shows up unannounced, simply say “I already have someone coming to look at it” and close the door. Even if you do not.

If something feels rushed or “too good to be true,” it usually is.

Stay safe, check before you trust, and protect your property and personal information.

— Robert’s Computer Service / IT Service
📞 864-494-6089
🌐 roberts-computer.com

Password Reset Emails — What They Mean & What to Do (All Websites)

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You might get an email that looks like this:

“Hi {username},
We got a request to reset your password.
If you ignore this message, your password will not be changed.
If you didn’t request a password reset, let us know.”

This applies to Instagram and ALL websites.

📌 If you DID request a password reset

Go ahead and complete the reset as normal.

📌 If you DID NOT request a password reset

Treat it with caution:

Do NOT click any links in the email

Open the app or website yourself by typing the address or using the official app

Check your security and login activity

If you reuse passwords anywhere, change them immediately on every site where that password was used

Always use a strong, unique password for each website

Turn on 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) whenever possible

🛡 Why This Matters

Even when a real company sends legitimate reset emails, scammers take advantage of the confusion by sending fake versions that lead to phishing websites designed to steal your login info.

Recently, in Instagram’s case, cybersecurity researchers reported data allegedly tied to millions of user accounts circulating online. While passwords were not included, situations like this often trigger waves of scam and phishing emails.

⚠ Final Takeaway

Getting a password reset email doesn’t automatically mean your account was hacked — but never trust unexpected emails with links. Always go directly to the site or app yourself.

If you would like to read more you can get to

Received an Instagram password reset email? Here’s what you need to know

Robert’s Computer
(864)494-6089
www.roberts-computer.com

⚠️ Summer Travel Alert: Protect Your Devices from “Juice Jacking”

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⚠️ Summer Travel Alert: Protect Your Devices from “Juice Jacking”

With summer travel season approaching—whether you’re flying, taking a train, or staying at a hotel—there’s more to consider than just your tickets, Real ID, and packing list. One growing cybersecurity threat travelers need to be aware of is “juice jacking.”

🔌 What Is Juice Jacking?
Juice jacking occurs when you plug your phone or device into a public USB charging station, such as those found at airport gates or hotel lobbies. Hackers can install a device between the USB port and the outlet that secretly:
Installs malware on your device
Steals sensitive data like banking info or passwords
Locks your phone and holds it for ransom
You may not even know it’s happening.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself
To avoid becoming a victim, the TSA recommends the following precautions when charging on the go:
Use a TSA-approved power bank – charge your own battery ahead of time.
Carry a wall charger (“brick” or power-to-USB adapter) – use standard electrical outlets instead of public USB ports.
Use a USB data blocker – this device allows power through but blocks any data transfer at the hardware level.

Stay safe while trailing.

If you would like to read the hole story at https://currently.att.yahoo.com/tech/cybersecurity/articles/tsa-just-issued-security-warning-220000082.html

Robert Computer / IT Service LLC
(864)494-6089

Pass old cell phone to you young child

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I would like to bring to your attention a few important points regarding wireless phones and their capabilities in making emergency calls. According to the 911.gov website (F&Q), even wireless phones that do not have a subscribed service plan can still dial 911 and reach a live person in an emergency situation.
However, it is worth noting that when a call is made to 911 from an uninitialized wireless phone, the caller’s location is not delivered to the 911 call center. If the call is disconnected, the 911 center also cannot call back to obtain further information about the emergency.
For example, many older phones that have been given to children as toys can still initiate a 911 call. Therefore, it is recommended that parents remove the battery from these phones before giving them to children to avoid potential misuse.
If you are unsure about the capabilities of a specific wireless phone, I suggest referring to the relevant documentation or contacting the manufacturer for guidance.
This is what can happen if you / your kids dial 911 to many times?

If you call 911 too many times without a real emergency, serious consequences can happen, including:

Warnings or Fines: The police may give you a warning at first, but repeat non-emergency calls can lead to fines.

Criminal Charges: In many states, repeated misuse of 911 is considered a misdemeanor. You could be charged with abuse of emergency services, false reporting, or obstruction.

Delayed Help for Real Emergencies: You might tie up emergency lines, which can delay help for someone in a real crisis.

Police Visit: Officers might show up to check if everything is okay, especially if you’re calling often without reason.

Key Rule:

Only call 911 for real emergencies—immediate danger to life, health, or property (e.g., fire, crime in progress, serious injury, etc.). For non-emergencies, use your local police department’s non-emergency number instead.

Spartanburg City Non-Emergency Dispatch: 📞 864-596-2222

Spartanburg County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Main Office: 📞 864-503-4500

I hope that this information he very helpful to you about giving older cell phone to your child. Robert Eyler Robert’s Computer / IT Service

864-494-6089

Goodbye, Skype—Hello, Teams: Microsoft Consolidates Communication Under One Platform

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Microsoft has announced that it will retire Skype on May 5, 2025, marking a significant shift in its communication strategy. Acquired in 2011 for approximately $8.5 billion, Skype’s user base has declined over the years, with daily users dropping to 36 million by early 2023. In contrast, Microsoft Teams has experienced substantial growth, with a fourfold increase in consumer calling minutes over the past two years. Users are advised to transition to Teams within the next ten weeks or export their Skype data using the provided tools. This move underscores Microsoft’s commitment to consolidating its communication services under the Teams platform, reflecting evolving user preferences and technological advancements.

Robert Eyler

Owner

(864)494-6089

US Red Cross scam

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Here is a phishing email that I thought would be a good reminder of this kind of emails. The threat actor are using the U.S. Red Cross. This is what they are doing this time is sending an email title Red Cross Blood Drive. Then in the email would say something like download this file that is attached for information on the blood drive. If you get a popup with to read it click a button to disable macros so the attachment’s content can be shown. It will show you a list ;however, behind the since the hidden malware executes to steals your data from the computer.

If you get any file that you do not know who it is coming from or expecting a file that is asking you to disable any security items. Do not do it and just delete the file.

Owner / Tech
Robert’s Computer Service LLC
864-494-6089

Filed Under: Scams

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Warned of new malware on POS

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Manufacturers of point-of-sale (POS) devices have been warned of new malware that defeats the secure tap-and-pay capability of credit and debit cards. Researchers at Kaspersky say the latest version of the Prilex gang’s malware forces customers using infected POS devices to insert their cards into the payment devices. That way the malware can read transaction information hidden when customers wirelessly tap their cards. POS makers and distributors have to combat this advance.
When you do the tap-in-go and see “Contactless error, insert your card”

This is from https://www.itworldcanada.com/article/cyber-security-today-week-in-review-for-friday-february-3-2023/525172
or
this one has more detail to what happens and what to do

Prilex modification now targeting contactless credit card transactions

You can also go to https://www.roberts-computer.com/blog/
You can also read from the past apps that need to be uninstalled ASAP.

Robert Eyler
(864)494-6089

Malware Apps On Your Device (1/24/23)

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January 24, 2023

You need to delete this ASAP

To save you the trouble of having to go through DES’ Facebook post, we’ve compiled the full list of these 203 malicious apps below. If any of them are installed on your smartphone or tablet, it’s highly recommended that you remove them immediately.

  1. 4K Pro Camera
  2. 4K Wallpapers Auto Changer
  3. Advanced SMS
  4. aipic – Magic Photo Editor
  5. All Good PDF Scanner
  6. All Language Translate
  7. All Photo Translator
  8. Art Filters
  9. Astro + Horoscope & Astrology
  10. Astroline: The Daily Horoscope
  11. Auto Sticker Maker Studio
  12. Avatar Maker Character Creator
  13. Baby Sticker- Track Milestones
  14. Bass Booster Volume Power Amp
  15. Battery Charging Animations Battery Wallpaper
  16. Battery Charging Animations Bubble -Effects
  17. Beat.ly Music Video Maker
  18. Beat maker pro
  19. Beauty Filter
  20. Blood Pressure Checker
  21. Blood Pressure Diary
  22. Blue Scanner
  23. Blur Image
  24. Caller Theme
  25. CallMe Phone Themes
  26. Call Skins
  27. Camera Translator
  28. Care Message
  29. Cartoons Me
  30. Cashe Cleaner
  31. Chat Online
  32. Chat SMS
  33. Chat Text SMS
  34. Classic Emoji Keyboard
  35. Classic Game Messenger
  36. Coco camera v1.1
  37. Come Messages
  38. Contact Background
  39. Cool Keyboard
  40. Cool Messages
  41. Creative 3D Launcher
  42. Creative Emoji Keyboard
  43. Custom Themed Keyboard
  44. Cut, Paste
  45. Dazz Cam- D3D Photo Effect
  46. Dazzle – Insta stories editor
  47. Dazzling Keyboard
  48. Design Maker
  49. Desire Translate
  50. Direct Messenger
  51. Dizzi
  52. DJ it!
  53. Drink Water
  54. Drums: Play Beats & Drum Games
  55. Easy PDF Scanner
  56. edjing Mix
  57. edjing Pro
  58. EmojiOne Keyboard
  59. Emoji Theme Keyboard
  60. Equalizer+ HD music player
  61. Equalizer Fx: Bass Booster App
  62. Facelab
  63. FaceMe
  64. Facetory: Face Yoga & Exercise
  65. Fancy Charging
  66. Fancy SMS
  67. Flashlight Flash Alert On Call
  68. FLMX
  69. Fonts Emoji Keyboard
  70. Frame
  71. Frames
  72. Freeglow Camera 1.0.0
  73. Funny Caller
  74. Funny Camera
  75. Funny Emoji Message
  76. Funny Keyboard
  77. Funny Wallpapers – Live Scree
  78. Gif Emoji Keyboard
  79. Girl Games: Unicorn Slime
  80. Guitar Play – Games & Songs
  81. Guitar – real games & lessons
  82. Guitar Tuner – Ukulele & Bass
  83. Halloween Coloring
  84. Handset – Second Phone Number
  85. Heart Emoji Stickers
  86. Highlight Story Cover Maker!
  87. Hi Text SMS
  88. Horoscope 2019 and Palm Reader
  89. Hub – Story Templates Maker
  90. Hummingbird PDF Converter – Photo to PDF
  91. Hyper Cleaner: Clean Phone
  92. iCons – Icon Changer App +
  93. iMessager
  94. Impresso
  95. Instant Messenger
  96. iWidget Pro
  97. Jambl: DJ Band & Beat Maker
  98. Jigsaw Puzzle
  99. Karaoke Songs
  100. Life Palmistry
  101. Lift: Story Maker
  102. Light Messages
  103. Live Wallpaper Maker: 4K Theme
  104. Loop Maker Pro
  105. Lucky Life
  106. MagicFX – Magic Video Effects
  107. Magic Photo Editor
  108. Memoristo: Brain Test, IQ Game
  109. Memory Silent Camera
  110. Menu Maker!
  111. Meticulous Scanner
  112. Metronome Pro – Beat & Tempo
  113. Metronome – Tap Tempo & Rhythm
  114. Mini PDF Scanner
  115. Mint Leaf Message-Your Private Message
  116. Mood Balance: Self Care Tracker
  117. Music Zen – Relaxing Sounds
  118. MyCall – Call Personalization
  119. Nebula: Horoscope & Astrology
  120. Neon Theme Keyboar
  121. NewScrean: 4D Wallpapers
  122. Notes – reminders and lists
  123. Now QRcode Scan
  124. One Sentence Translator – Multifunctional Translator
  125. Painting Photo Editor
  126. Paper Doc Scanner
  127. Part Message
  128. Password Manager
  129. Path – Horoscope & Astrology
  130. PDF Scanner: Document Scan
  131. Personal Message
  132. Photo Collage
  133. Photo Editor & Background Eraser
  134. Photo Editor – Filters Effects
  135. Photo & Exif Editor
  136. Photo Filters & Effects
  137. Photoly Remove Object & Editor
  138. Photo To Sketch
  139. Piano Crush
  140. Piano
  141. Pista
  142. Pixomatic
  143. Poco Launcher
  144. Premium SMS
  145. Presets for Lightroom
  146. Private Game Messages
  147. Private Messenger
  148. Private SMS
  149. Professional Messenger
  150. Quick Talk Message
  151. Razer Keyboard & Theme
  152. RECOLLECT
  153. Retouch & Cutout
  154. Rich Theme Message
  155. Ringtones HD
  156. ScanGuru
  157. Scanner App
  158. Send SMS
  159. Simple Note Scanner
  160. SlidePic
  161. Slimy
  162. Smart Messages
  163. Smart SMS Messages
  164. Smart TV remote
  165. Smile Emoji
  166. Social Message
  167. SpeedPro Slow speed video edit
  168. Stickerfy: Sticker Maker
  169. Sticker Maker
  170. Stickers & GIF
  171. Stock Wallpapers & Backgrounds
  172. Style Message
  173. Style Photo Collage
  174. Super Hero-Effect
  175. Sweet Pics – Baby Photo Edito
  176. Talent Photo Editor – Blur focus
  177. Tangram App Lock
  178. TeasEar: ASMR Slime Antistress
  179. Text Emoji SMS
  180. Text SMS
  181. Themes Chat Messenger
  182. Themes Photo Keyboard
  183. Timestamp Camera
  184. ToonApp Cartoon Photo Editor
  185. Translate Camera – Speak On
  186. Translator Guru: Voice & Text
  187. UltraFX – Effect Video Maker
  188. Unicc QR Scanner
  189. Unique Keyboard
  190. Universal PDF Scanner
  191. Vanilla Snap Camera
  192. Video Puzzles – Magic Puzzle
  193. Ringtones HD ∙ Ringtone Maker
  194. VOCHI Video Effects Editor
  195. Volume Booster Hearing Aid
  196. Volume Booster Louder Sound Equalizer
  197. Water Reminder
  198. WeDrum: Drums, Real Drum Games
  199. Widget PLUS+ – Photo & Weather
  200. Wow Beauty Camera
  201. Wow Translator
  202. Yoga- For Beginner to Advanced
  203. YouToon – AI Cartoon Effect

You can read more on this apps at https://www.tomsguide.com/news/200-malicious-android-and-ios-apps-caught-draining-bank-accounts-check-your-phone-now