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Rash of telephone scams affecting Windows and Macs
- Do not purchase any software or services.
- Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the “service.” If there is, hang up.
- Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
- Take the caller’s information down and immediately report it to your local authorities.
- Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
- If you tell the scammer you have a Mac, they will still try to get you to gain control over your computer. Do not let them!
Read more at this link. Microsoft is going after these scammers legally. Report the scam here:
- Federal Trade Commission – ftccomplaintassistant.gov
- State’s Attorney General – naag.org/current-attorneys-general
- Better Business Bureau – bbb.org
Have you seen this pop-up? It’s a scam.
It is important to understand that no website can scan your computer for malware or suspicious activity. Mac OS X will never display such a message within your web browser.
Press Command-Option-Esc to display the Force Quit Applications window. Force quit your browser to make the message go away. Restart your computer.
Read a great explanation of this scam here.
What to do before calling Tech Support
1. Shut down the computer/phone/printer/tablet. Turn it back on. Simple, right? This one easy step can fix many problems especially if you haven’t turned the device off and on again in awhile. Printers rarely get turned off and on so they are receptive to this action.
2. If your internet isn’t working, turn off the modem/router and turn it back on. This can be a tad tricky depending on if you have a modem/router combination or you have 2 separate devices. If you have a modem/router combination, there should be an on/off switch on the back of the modem/router. If there isn’t, pull the power cord out, wait 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.
If you have a separate modem and router, unplug both devices from power. (please tell me you can figure out which is the power cord). Plug in the modem first. Wait 2 minutes until all the lights are on or flashing. Then plug in the router. Try your internet again. This works even if one device is not connecting but all other devices are.
3. OK, this one is embarrassing but please make sure it’s “plugged in” or the battery hasn’t run out. No more needs to be said.
4. Got an error message? Take a picture with your smartphone. Those cryptic error messages can sometimes be very helpful in solving or at least diagnosing the problem with your computer.
5. If your printer isn’t working, try these steps:
- Turn off the printer. Unplug it from power. Wait 2 minutes. Plug it back in and turn it back on.
- If it’s wireless, reset your modem/router as described in Step 2.
- If it’s connected by a USB cable, disconnect the cable from the computer and reconnect it.
Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcuts
Go to “Tell me what you want to do” Alt+Q
Open Ctrl+O
Save Ctrl+S
Close Ctrl+W
Cut Ctrl+X
Copy Ctrl+C
Paste Ctrl+V
Select all Ctrl+A
Bold Ctrl+B
Italic Ctrl+I
Underline Ctrl+U
Decrease font size 1 point Ctrl+[
Increase font size 1 point Ctrl+]
Center text Ctrl+E
Left align text Ctrl+L
Right align text Ctrl+R
Cancel Esc
Undo Ctrl+Z
Re-do Ctrl+Y
Zoom 0Alt+W, Q, then tab in Zoom dialog box to the value you want.