Connections for August 2022

Cornerstone Group © 2022 People fall victim to tech support scams since the phone call, email, or pop-up message appears to be serious—about an “urgent computer problem”—and from a well-known tech company such as Microsoft or Apple. Don’t be fooled. Tech support scammers may use lots of technical terms to try and convince you immediate action is required. They may ask you to open some files or run a scan on your computer, and then tell you those files or the scan results show a problem. Here’s what else scammers may do: • Ask you to give them remote access to your computer, which lets them access all information stored on it. • Try to enroll you in a worthless computer maintenance or warranty program. • Install malware that gives them access to your computer and sensitive data, like usernames and passwords. • Ask for credit card information so they can bill you for phony services or services available elsewhere for free. • Try to sell you software or repair services that are worthless or available elsewhere for free. • Direct you to websites and ask you to enter credit card, bank account, and other personal information. Now that you know the warning signs, you’ll be able to more easily spot tech support scams and act appropriately. If a caller says your computer has a problem, hang up. Legitimate technology companies will not call you out of the blue. Be aware that scammers use fake caller ID information to look like local businesses or trusted companies. If you get a pop-up message warning you of a computer problem and telling you to call tech support or click on a link, ignore it. Never give remote access to your computer or provide your password to someone who contacts you unexpectedly. It’s also important to keep your computer’s operating system and other software updated, so you’ll have the latest protections against security threats. For assistance, call Panora Fiber at 641.755.2424 in Panora or 641.332.2000 in Guthrie Center. No, Microsoft is Not Calling You About a Computer Problem Great Customer Service Starts with Great Employees We should know! Panora Fiber has an amazing team of 14 employees, who bring strong experience, spe- cialized skills, and a positive attitude to their jobs each day. If you’re one of our employees—or you have a friend or family member who works for us—consider this a public thank you for everything! It’s because of our employees that Panora Fiber is able to consistently provide an excellent customer experi- ence. Our goal is to make things easy for you, whether you’re signing up for service, getting service installed, or seeking answers to a technical issue or account question. Because our employees are local, their help is never far away and always responsive. You can also count on neighborly friendliness that stands out compared to the lackluster service from so many national providers. Are you interested in joining our team? Follow us on Facebook for job postings.