ICT TIPS & TRICKS FAQs related to Computer Care 10 Essential Computer Maintenance Tips Today’s computers come in many different shapes and sizes, and each keeps us connected to our digital world at any given time. Whether you depend on your collection of devices for work or play, keeping them in impeccable, unblemished condition is of the utmost importance. From their cosmetic appeal to their operational functionality, a well-maintained computer looks good, lasts longer, and performs reliably. Keeping your PC in tip-top condition lengthens the life of your PC, both internally and externally. A glitchy operating system, overheating CPU, or fast-draining battery are avoidable computer woes that a bit of regular maintenance could defend against. Let’s take a look at these 10 essential maintenance tips, so your PC will see many more years of powerful performance and sleek appeal. 1. Protect with padding Everyone has been there; drops, bumps, and slips result in unsightly cosmetic dings that leave your computer looking less-than-loved. If you’re like most people who travel with their PC, safeguarding against accidents can feel next to impossible when packing your PC away into a carry-on. An exposed laptop is vulnerable to all of the elements of travel you likely want to protect it from. Whether you’re traveling business-class or to a classroom across campus, shielding your PC against the elements starts with a protective case. There are a few different styles of protection that offer differing levels of armor and functionality. These include: SKINS Functioning as a full-body laptop sticker, laptop skins are best for protecting the chassis from light damage and scratches. HARDSHELL SNAP-ON COVERS Polycarbonate, plastic, or rubberized hard shell laptop covers protect your PC while still granting easy access to ports, buttons, lights, and fans. SLEEVES A simple, soft, envelope-style pouch typically made of gentle materials like nylon, polyester, suede, or microfiber, laptop sleeves are lightweight protection. MESSENGER BAG A shoulder bag specifically designed to accommodate your laptop and necessary peripherals, the dedicated laptop messenger bag offers the most padded protection. 2. Organize cords The only thing more frustrating than dealing with long, confusing cables is getting them all mixed up and tangled in the process. Keeping your digital world connected is a must, so nixing the cables isn’t a feasible option. Taking the time to declutter and organize the snake-like mass of wires spawning from your power strip and PC ports is a great first step for both desktop and laptop users. Try these wire organization tips: A ROTATING POWER STRIP Traditional power strips offer a single line or panel of surge inputs. A rotating power strip gives you the freedom to modify the positioning of your many chargers, monitors, and docks. COLOR-CODING CABLES Computer cables tend to be two colors; black and white. Organizing your mess of wires may be as simple as color coding them with reds, blues, yellows, greens, and or using labels in distinguishable hues. CABLE CLIPS Wire management is made simple when you attach cable clips to your desk, wall, or floor. These small clips are designed to hold cables of all different sizes. ORGANIZER PANEL Functioning as a panel of cable clips, a wire organizer panel accommodates multiple wires. Stick it in place with an adhesive or keep it desk-side when you use a weighted panel. Pro tip: Be sure to keep your wires away from any footpaths. Tripping over wires could result in the toppling of your devices, doing more damage in an instant than years of use could ever do. 3. Update your operating system If you’re looking for basic computer maintenance, keeping your operating system up to date is one of the easiest solutions. Regardless of whether you’re a Windows, Mac, or Linux loyalist, updating your PC when new patches are available ensures your PC stays at the cutting-edge of performance power. Windows 10 is known for keeping users in-tune with once-a-day update checks. This automated scan occurs in the background and always notifies you if there are any important software or operating system patches that need to be made. The end goal is to optimize your PC performance, so when Windows suggests you update, you should do it. Pro-tip: Some updates take longer than others. Set aside time before bedtime or during a daytime break to let Windows do its thing without interrupting your workflow. 4. Unplug to avoid overcharging With heightened dependence on wireless devices, optimizing battery power is a top priority for many. There are few things more dreadful than a draining battery when you’ve got hours of work and play left on your day’s schedule. However, it’s better to resist the temptation of plugging in the moment your PC falls under 50% battery life. Unnecessary charging can lead to overcharging, which then leads to regenerative capability deterioration. This often looks like a laptop that can’t hold a charge as well as it could in its earlier days. Being shackled to the weight of a charger defeats the purpose of a laptop’s wireless portability. To avoid a bad battery fate, unplug your device after it reaches 100% charge, and don’t plug in until power is actually low. 5. Purge your system of junk files and programs Computers tend to show their age best in the number of unused files living on their hard drives. Useless programs and old junk files likely take up more space than you realize. From old versions of software to retired versions of your resume, your PC is sure to have its fair share of digital debris festering on your desktop or in your start menu. These programs and files can quickly turn into performance hogs if they continue to accumulate. Before your computer gets to a point where it’s begging for more storage space, use these PC purge tips to relieve your system. Uninstall trialware Run disk cleanup software Empty the recycle bin Delete temporary files Remove cache of offline web pages 6. Run regular antivirus scans Malware attacks can sneak up on you at any given moment, and in the event one does, having a savvy antivirus living on your PC will protect you against the damage viruses bring. Weekly antivirus scans ensure your computer is always clear of malicious software infections. A basic scan will examine your computer for any glaring dangers or outstanding activity. For those who are frequent web-users and download programs and files regularly, consider running a virus scan twice a week. It’s always better to err on the side of safety, especially when your personal data could be at risk. Malware infections can compromise the performance of your computer and expose your confidential information to third-party cybercriminals. Depending on the type of malware installed on your system, a virus could also: Slow web browser speeds Disrupt network connections Freeze or crash your system Alter computer settings Allow unauthorized access to system resources By running regular antivirus scans you can rest assured that nothing slips by. Be sure to choose an antivirus scan servicer that also scans all of your downloads, too. 7. Clean the keyboard and case You’d be surprised to see just how much dust and debris lives underneath your keyboard’s keys. From food crumbs and dog hairs to dust and dirt, and everything else that can fit in between the keys, a number of dirty particles can clog your keyboard. This usually results in sticky or difficult-to-press buttons. Clearing out these hard-to-reach parts of your laptop or desktop setup is most easily done with a compressed air canister, available from office supply stores, computer stores, and hardware stores. FOR EXTERNAL KEYBOARDS Unplug the keyboard from the USB port or power it off if it’s wireless. Tilt the keyboard upside down and shake any loose debris out first. Spray compressed air at an angle and approximately 1-inch away from the keys. Use a damp microfiber cloth to finish the job, removing any excess dust or grime. FOR THE LAPTOP USER Power your laptop off and unplug any USB or power supply inputs. Tilt the laptop upside down and gently tap it to encourage any loose debris to come out. Set the laptop down in its natural position and spray between keys from about 1-inch away. Spray in short bursts moving from one side of the keyboard to the other. If you find certain spots tougher to clean than others, use a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol as a great alternative. Alcohol evaporates more quickly than water which makes it the perfect solution for hardened debris. Pro-tip: When cleaning your laptop or desktop, absolutely avoid pouring any type of liquid onto the body. Water and electronic devices do not mix well and could result in extreme damage to your computer. 8. Update your passwords Believe it or not, updating your passwords is a task as crucial as backing up your data. Verizon’s 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report found that an alarming 81% of hacking-related breaches leveraged either stolen and/or weak passwords [1]. Poor password behavior encompasses everything from using the same password for every account to using simple, guessable passwords like “password” or “123456.” When it comes to basic computer maintenance, protecting your digital world against cybercriminals should always be at the forefront of your task list. No security system is perfect, and more today than ever before, consumers are realizing this on a large scale. If you’re overdue for a password update, consider using these strong password generation tips: Use at least 10 characters Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters Include both numbers and special symbols Add emoticons if possible (:O, :(, :D, :), T.T) A strong password safeguards all of your data against potential third-party hackers which is precisely why it’s such an essential part of computer maintenance. 9. Organize your data It’s easy to let your computer’s data organization run awry when your work and play lifestyle doesn’t leave much time for calculated file management. Whether it’s old music files from your garage band days or downloaded add-ons for your favorite simulation game, your PC’s many folders can grow crowded. If you can’t remember the last time you took a look through your downloads folder, you’re likely overdue for a visit. The same applies to the rest of your default folders (documents, photos, etc.). Dealing with a cluttered desktop or crowded computer folders may be a daunting task, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to a functioning system of files and folders. CREATE LARGE, MAIN FOLDERS Everyone uses their computers for different primary purposes. A freelance writer will likely have completely different main folder assignments than a professional gamer or a business owner. It’s important to narrow down your digital world into easy folder divisions to make your first round of organization a breeze, and your future rounds even easier. CREATE SMALL SUB-FOLDERS Within your larger primary folders, smaller sub-folders make your organization operation even smoother. Being able to categorize files by their functionality or content will help you access them whenever you need them. No search button necessary. EMPTY YOUR DOWNLOADS FOLDER Your downloads folder should function as a temporary cache for recently downloaded files. Get into the habit of placing recent downloads in their proper folders or deleting them once they’ve served their purpose. CLEAR YOUR DESKTOP When you power on your computer and saddle up for your day’s work or some light social media browsing, you want to be able to do so without the stress of clutter. Clear your desktop of any files, folders, or programs you don’t need readily available at every power-on. CHOOSE THOUGHTFUL FILENAMES If you’re frequently saving images, PDFs, and other common files, you know how easy it is to type in gibberish for a successful “Save As” operation. Instead of rushing through, take the time to come up with intentional file names so you always know what’s living on your hard drive and where it’s located. 10. Back up your data Part of owning a modern computer is to prepare for the unexpected. Sudden crashes, untimely glitches, and random hardware failure all have the potential to damage the data living on your PC. Backing up files is one of the most vital computer maintenance procedures PC users can do for themselves. That’s why we’ve ranked it at our final spot. Your computer is replaceable, but without a backup, your information is not. Full backups are usually done on storage-heavy external hard drives and on the cloud. By making duplicate copies of everything on your PC (actually having your data in 3 places is safest), all of your valuable data lives both on your computer and inside of the external drive or cloud. Check out our Knowledge Base guide for a comprehensive walkthrough on how to perform a full backup on your Windows 10 or Windows 8 PC.Maintain Your Desktop Physical CareComputers include various sensitive internal structures, and it’s important to protectthe physical wellbeing of your PC to maintain the internal components that make it run: • Regularly clean and dust. Make sure you take the time to clean your PC ofdust and debris on a regular basis. Most electronics stores carry cans ofcompressed air that are perfect for clearing out the dust and crumbs hidingunder the keys of your keyboard. Additionally, dust that collects in the airvents of your PC could cause overheating. Try to make it a monthly habit to clean your PC’s air vents, connection ports,and keyboard with compressed air. Additionally, you should wipe down yourmouse and computer casing with a cleaning cloth. However, do not useabrasive cleaners – a clean, dry microfiber cloth will do.• Inspect power supply and devices. You more than likely use surge protectorsor similar devices to power your computer. It’s crucial to make sure thesedevices stay in safe working order. You should regularly check your powersupply and power outlets and look for any signs of dust or moistureaccumulation – either could be serious hazards.Make it a point to check the power cords and other cables attached to your PCfor signs of damage or fraying. Such damage can interfere with your PC’sperformance and is a fire hazard. Internal PerformanceCleaning your computer internally means maintaining your system to ensure optimalperformance. Additionally, proper maintenance will help keep your files secure. Apoorly maintained or rarely updated system is more vulnerable to sophisticated hackingmethods.Try to make a few things part of your daily routine: • Run antivirus. Your computer may have vulnerabilities that you don’t noticeuntil it’s too late. It’s important to run your antivirus scan every day to makesure any changes you made or files you downloaded have not compromisedyour system. Additionally, some malicious programs embed into systemswithout warning and require specific actions to trigger. Scanning your systemdaily will help prevent this.• Scan hard disk files. Over time, your computer’s hard drive can slow down dueto cluttered files. When you scan your system for errors using a diskdefragmenter or similar program, you’re essentially eliminating wasted spaceand helping your PC run more efficiently.• Update data backups. You should have at least one method for backing upyour data, whether it is on a cloud storage server or an external hard drive.Make sure you take the time to update your backups every day. That way youwon’t have to worry about losing a day’s work in the event your PCunexpectedly crashes.• Clear your web browser. Every time you go online, the sites you visit storetemporary files such as cookies and browsing history. Clear these files outto help keep them from bogging down your system.• Shut down properly. At the end of the day, make sure you save your workbefore closing all your programs and shutting down your PC. Leaving your PCon when not in use for extended periods prevents it from cooling and canimpact the machine’s performance. If shutting down interferes with your dailyroutine or business requirements, put your computer into a low-power orhibernation mode instead. Energy Saving Tips to Reduce Workplace Energy Costs Establish energy-efficient practices: Depending on the utility company you are paying, they usually have off to high peak times during the day. Try your best to only use excess energy during the low or off-peak times. Encourage your employees to follow this same model and see how energy usage decreases with more initiative. Replace existing bulbs with CFL’s: CFL and LED lights consume less power and offer much longer lifespans. Commercial lights qualified by the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) or Energy Star can ever reduce energy consumption by up to 75% and increase the lifespan of your fixtures by 2-3 times. Use the hibernation feature of computers and laptops: Hibernate feature in laptops and desktops allows you to save your existing work as it is, and you can continue from the same point the next day. Schedule your workstation to switch to hibernate mode after working hours and during weekends. Buy energy-efficient devices: Energy-efficient devices cost more upfront, but over years of use, they’re going to save you money. This holds true for any equipment that runs on electricity – spending a little more can result in significant savings over the years. Use energy-saving features: Educate your employees regarding energy-saving features of air conditioners, printers and let them use those features to cut energy costs. Discard old gadgets if they don’t have it and buy energy-efficient peripherals. How to Keep Your Laptop Battery in Good Condition Here’s the best advice for keeping your laptop battery running as long as it can on its little pack full of chemicals. Don’t worry if you can’t swear an oath to them: like 8 cups of water a day, or 10,000 steps, they’re guidelines, and your life may have present exceptions. But following as many as you will yield. good results over years of use. Keep It Between 40 and 80 Percent Charge If You Leave It Plugged In, Don’t Let It Run Hot Keep It Ventilated, Store It Somewhere Cool Don’t Let It Get to Zero Replace Your Battery When It Gets Below 80 Percent Health Laptops are not good to keep on your lap. Because of their compact size and lack of large cooling fans, laptops can get quite hot, to the point of causing gradual skin burns, or “toasted skin syndrome.” If non- toasted skin weren’t incentive enough, the heat your thighs create by trapping heat and blocking vents is also killing the laptop battery.Analog vs. Digital Analog Digital Signal Analog signal is a continuous signal which represents physical measurements. Digital signals are discrete time signals generated by digital modulation.Waves Denoted by sine waves Denoted by square waves RepresentationUses continuous range of values to represent information Uses discrete or discontinuous values to represent information Example Human voice in air, analogue electronic devices. Computers, CDs, DVDs, and other digital electronic devices. Technology Analog technology records waveforms as they are. Samples analogue waveforms into a limited set of numbers and records them. Data transmissions Subjected to deterioration by noise during transmission and write/read cycle. Can be noise-immune without deterioration during transmission and write/read cycle. Response to Noise More likely to get affected reducing accuracy Less affected since noise response are analogy in natureFlexibility Analog hardware is not flexible. Digital hardware is flexible in implementation. Uses Can be used in analogue devices only. Best suited for audio and video transmission. Best suited for Computing and digital electronics. Applications Thermometer PCs, PDAs Bandwidth Analog signal processing can be done in real time and consumes less bandwidth. There is no guarantee that digital signal processing can be done in real time and consumes more bandwidth to carry out thesame information. Memory Stored in the form of wave signal Stored in the form of binary bitPower Analog instrument draws large power Digital instrument draws only negligible power Cost Low cost and portable Cost is high and not easily portableImpedance Low High order of 100 megaohmErrors Analog instruments usually have a scale which is cramped at lower end and giveconsiderable observational errors. Digital instruments are free from observational errors like parallax andapproximation errors. https://www.diffen.com/difference/Analog_vs_DigitalProtect Eye from Computer / Notebook Screen Can Screens Make Your Eyesight Worse? Digital Eye Strain (DES), or computer vision syndrome, is more common today than ever before. Realistically, virtually everyone uses a screen in their daily life, and screen time is higher than ever before. While not everyone spends every day looking at a computer monitor, most people do use smartphones at a minimum. Experts believe that DES occurs in around 50% of computer users. So, do screens make your eyesight worse? Well, the good news is that eye strain isn't a long-term problem. There's no evidence that strain makes your eyesight worse in the long run, but it can cause significant discomfort and often makes getting through a workday more difficult. How A Computer Screen Affects Your Eyes How exactly does the screen affect your eyes? There are several signs to look out for, and they vary slightly depending on whether you primarily use a computer or a smartphone. Let’s take a look at some of those complaints and explore how you can avoid them. The American Optometric Association recognizes the most common symptoms of eye strain as: Headaches Blurred vision Dry eyes In extreme cases, neck and shoulder pain. How To Protect Your Eyes From Computer Screens Your eyes aren’t designed to stare all day at something directly in front of you, especially a digital screen. With the 20/20/20 rule, you give your eyes a much-needed break during long and extended work days. The rule is as follows; if you look at the screen for 20 minutes, you must look at something at least 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. However, the longer you look away from your screen, the better! Ensure Your Room Is Well Lit It may sound counterintuitive, but less light in your room is actually better for your eyes when you’re working on a computer. Offices shouldn’t be too bright, so when possible, close your curtains and reduce your use of fluorescent lighting. Aim to use lower voltage bulbs and make sure your ambient lighting is about half as bright as        the average office. Have Regular Eye Exams Regular eye exams with an experienced eye doctor help to keep your eye health in check and ensure any problems you might be having aren’t anything other than normal eye strain. It also provides you with an excellent opportunity to talk to an expert about your habits and eye health. Reduce Glare Glare on your computer screen can cause eye strain as it stops your eyes from adjusting as easily as they should to the content you’re trying to focus on. To combat this, use an anti-glare matte screen where possible (rather than glass-covered LCDs). If you wear glasses, make sure your lenses have an anti-reflective coating that will benefit you in front of a computer. Cyber Security Tips & Tricks: Prevent Phishing Attacks This awareness campaign emphasizes the critical importance of protecting yourself from phishing attacks. Phishing, often disguised as legitimate communication, poses a serious threat, leading to data theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to personal information. By staying vigilant and implementing simple security measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these scams. Remember, IT security is everyone’s responsibility. Artificial intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence (AI) What is artificial intelligence (AI)?Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computersystems. Specific applications of AI include expert systems, natural language processing, speech recognitionand machine vision. How does AI work?As the hype around AI has accelerated, vendors have been scrambling to promote how their products andservices use it. Often, what they refer to as AI is simply a component of the technology, such as machinelearning. AI requires a foundation of specialized hardware and software for writing and training machinelearning algorithms. No single programming language is synonymous with AI, but Python, R, Java, C++ andJulia have features popular with AI developers. In general, AI systems work by ingesting large amounts of labeled training data, analyzing the data forcorrelations and patterns, and using these patterns to make predictions about future states. In this way, a chatbotthat is fed examples of text can learn to generate lifelike exchanges with people, or an image recognition toolcan learn to identify and describe objects in images by reviewing millions of examples. New, rapidly improvinggenerative AI techniques can create realistic text, images, music and other media. AI programming focuses on cognitive skills that include the following: Learning. This aspect of AI programming focuses on acquiring data and creating rules for how to turnit into actionable information. The rules, which are called algorithms, provide computing devices withstep-by-step instructions for how to complete a specific task. Reasoning. This aspect of AI programming focuses on choosing the right algorithm to reach a desiredoutcome. Self-correction. This aspect of AI programming is designed to continually fine-tune algorithms andensure they provide the most accurate results possible. Creativity. This aspect of AI uses neural networks, rules-based systems, statistical methods and otherAI techniques to generate new images, new text, new music and new ideas.How do I check if my email is spam? Here are some additional tips to help you identify and avoid spam emails: Check the sender information: Verify that the email is coming from a legitimate source. If the sender’s email address looks suspicious or unfamiliar, it’s best to avoid opening the email or clicking on any links. Check the content: Look for any spelling or grammar errors in the email. Legitimate emails are usually well-written and free of errors. Check the links: Hover over any links in the email to see where they lead. If the link looks suspicious or leads to an unfamiliar website, do not click on it. Check the salutation and signature: Legitimate emails usually include a proper salutation and signature. If the email does not include these elements, it may be a spam email. Check the spam score: You can use an email checker tool to check the spam score of an email. This tool analyzes the email content, sender ID, SPF records, DNS settings, IP blacklisting, domain reputation, domain keys, DKIM, and PTR records to determine if the email is spam or not. I hope these tips help you stay safe online! How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive Google Drive is a cloud storage service, which becomes a popular online service that many peoples use it to sync data, back up and transfer. What if one day you delete your important files but you want to recover, how should you do? Don't worry, this post offers you 4 ways to recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive. Part 1: Is it Possible to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive You may want to ask "Can you recover permanently deleted files on Google Drive". Yes. Deleted videos, photos and presentations are automatically added to Google Drive Trash, which can restore about 30 days. But how do I recover permanently deleted files from Google Drive after 30 days? If you empty the recycle bin, there are still other ways to recover permanently deleted files on Google Drive, such as using the third-party software. Part 2: 4 Ways to Recover Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive Here are 4 ways to help you restore permanently deleted files from Google Drive no matter you have backup or not. Way 1: How to Recover Deleted Files from Google Drive Trash? The easiest way to retrieve permanently deleted files on Google Drive is by restoring it from the Trash folder. How long does Google Drive Trash keep deleted files? All erased files are temporarily stored in Trash within 30 days. Here are the steps to restore deleted files from Trash: Step 1. Just go to Google Drive.com, click the "Trash" option on the left side. Step 2. Select the files you need. Step 3. Right click the files and choose the "Restore" option. Way 2: Try Software to Restore Permanently Deleted Files Google Drive If you have installed Google Drive on computer before and have synced your files on computer to Google drive, then you can try to use the professional tool -Windows Data Recovery to retrieve deleted files by scanning the folder where Google Drive is placed on the computer. Step 1Launch Any data recovery software on your computer and choose a location where Google Drive sync your files. Click "Scan" to scan lost files Step 2After the scan is finished, you can check if the lost files are displayed in file view. Step 3Preview lost files and then click "Recover" button. And choose a location to save. Way 3: Contact Google Drive Support to Get Permanently Deleted Files from Google Drive This is another method of recovering permanently deleted files from Google Drive. You should use this method if you are having difficulty recovering your deleted files via other methods. 1. Open Google Drive website and click on the "?" icon. 2. Click on the "Send feedback". 3. Fill in the form stating your requirement and submit it. Google Drive support team will contact you later, and you can tell them you wish, they will help you recover the lost files Bonus Tip: How to Use Google's Backup and Sync Google has some applications that can performs a backup. Although these apps are not very professional, they can help users preserve the Google Drive data for an unlimited time period or back up Google Drive to an external hard drive. How to download your Google Drive folders with Backup and Sync Client? Here are steps: Step 1Go to Google drive website to download the Backup and Sync app. Step 2 Launch the app and log in with your Google account. Once you sign in successfully, a window will pop up, in which you can choose the folders to continuously back up to Google Drive. Then Click "Next" button. Step 3Click on the "Got it" button. Step 4Choose the option "Sync My Drive to this computer" Step 5Select a local folder to place your downloaded Drive files. Step 6Tick "Sync everything in My Drive" if you need to sync the whole Drive; If not, select "Sync only these folders" to back up selected folders. Step7Click the "START" button. After that, you can copy all the downloaded files and save in another folder or device. Conclusion There are 3 ways to restore permanently deleted files on Google Drive . You can get deleted files back from Trash, ask the administrator for help, or contact Google's support team. But if you have installed Google Drive on your computer, using Windows Data Recovery can help you recover permanently deleted files with ease. Tips: OtterPilot Meeting Awareness for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) This awareness campaign highlights the importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA provides an additional layer of security beyond passwords, making it significantly more difficult for unauthorized users to access your accounts. Remember, adopting MFA and staying vigilant can greatly enhance your overall security. Cybersecurity Tips & Tricks: Security Guidelines for Using Public Wi-Fi This awareness campaign emphasizes the importance of secure Wi-Fi usage in public spaces. While public Wi-Fi networks offer convenience, they can expose users to significant security risks, including data theft and unauthorized access. By adhering to the best practices outlined in the infographic below, you can safeguard your personal information and ensure your privacy. Remember, staying vigilant and implementing simple security measures can dramatically reduce your risks when using public Wi-Fi. Cybersecurity Tips & Tricks: Awareness for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Recognizing these common signs of a scam could help you avoid one. Four Signs That It’s a Scam Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know. Scammers often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the government. They might use a real name, like the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations. They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real. Scammers say there’s a PROBLEM or a PRIZE. They might say you’re in trouble with the government. Or you owe money. Or someone in your family had an emergency. Or that there’s a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it. Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately. Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted. Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way. They often insist that you can only pay by using cryptocurrency, wiring money through a company like MoneyGram or Western Union, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), then tell you to deposit it and send them money. How To Avoid a Scam 1.Block unwanted calls and text messages. Take steps to block unwanted calls and to filter unwanted text messages. 2.Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to a request that you didn’t expect. Honest organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers. 3.If you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID. 4.Resist the pressure to act immediately. Honest businesses will give you time to decide. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer. 5.Know how scammers tell you to pay. Never pay someone who insists that you can only pay with cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, a payment app, or a gift card. And never deposit a check and send money back to someone. 5.Stop and talk to someone you trust. Before you do anything else, tell someone — a friend, a family member, a neighbours — what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.