BIOS is software that is running in a chip located on your motherboard, you can enter BIOS usually by hitting DEL once the computer is turned ON but this sometimes varies and it depends solely on the motherboard manufacturer. Inside BIOS you can configure your computer components and set up some other important things including passwords for BIOS itself or for the entire system.
Password itself is meant to protect access to BIOS from other non-technical users or to prevent access to the system from other people if for example computer is in one household and you would like to be the only one having access to it. However, passwords can be forgotten, and sometimes you can even purchase a second-hand computer with a password on it.
In this guide, we will lead you through ways on how to remove your BIOS password so you can regain access to your BIOS settings.
Use Manufacturers master password
Most motherboard manufacturers have built-in a couple of master passwords for BIOS access. If your motherboard has one you can easily find it on the manufacturer's website. Use the master password and remove other passwords inside BIOS, save and exit.
Remove CMOS battery
If you could not find the manufacturer's master password or your motherboard model does not have one remove the CMOS battery to reset BIOS. Note that this method will reset the whole BIOS not only the password. Open on side of your computer casing and locate the round battery on it, do not worry, there is only one battery so you can not make mistake. Remove the battery and leave it outside for around 20 to 30 minutes then place it back as it was, CMOS is reset now and you can access BIOS.
Reset BIOS via jumper
If you want to remove only the password and do not touch other BIOS setting you can locate the BIOS password reset jumper. How the location of this jumper and position is different from the motherboard to motherboard we can not cover them all here and it is advisable to read the manual or find information on the official manufacturer's website.
If you would like to read more helpful articles and tips about various software and hardware visit errortools.com daily.
Error 504 is a type of runtime error that occurs on Windows PC. A runtime error is a bug that causes software or hardware problems thereby preventing programs from working on your PC correctly.
This error may occur during the execution of the program. It also slows down your PC performance.
Solution
Error Causes
Error 504 can be triggered by many causes such as:
Incompatibility between 2 software programs
Malicious software
Missing DLL files
Registry issues
Further Information and Manual Repair
Whenever you experience the error 504 on your system, it is advisable to resolve it immediately, typically because runtime errors like error 504 can lead to system failure and valuable data loss which is more than often hard to recover.
To resolve this error code, you don’t necessarily have to hire a professional for the job. In fact, here are some solutions that you can try to fix by yourself, even if you are not a computer programmer.
1. Get the latest updates for Windows and for the program showing the error
This is a quick way to resolve runtime error 504 on Windows PC. To update the latest updates for Windows and for the program causing the error, open Windows Update by going to the start menu.
In the search box type ‘update’ and then in the list of results click Windows Update. In the left pane click on check for updates, wait while Windows looks for the latest updates.
It will show you a list of updates available select the important updates that you want to install. Then click ok and then click install updates.
After the updates are successfully complete, restart your PC and try running the application. If the error still persists, then try the solution given below.
2. Scan For Malicious Software
Sometimes the runtime error 504 may occur due to viral infection and malware. So, to resolve it download an antivirus. However, the antivirus can also slow down your PC performance.
3. Scan for Registry Issues
Another way to resolve it is to scan for registry issues. The registry and DLL files get damaged when it overloads with too much data. This particularly includes irrelevant and obsolete files. Registry issues trigger runtime errors like 504.
The best way to resolve it is to download Restoro. This is an advanced and multi-functional PC Fixer embedded with multiple utilities like a registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer.
The registry cleaning utility resolves registry issues by removing the unnecessary files completely and repairing the damaged dll files. The antivirus module scans and removes all kinds of malicious software on your PC like viruses and Trojans, thereby resolving the runtime error 504 in seconds.
As for speed, Restoro also functions as a system optimizer which boosts the performance of your system significantly.
Restoro is safe and bug-free software. It has simple navigation and a user-friendly interface which makes it very easy to operate and workaround. It is compatible with all Windows versions.
Click here to download Restoro and resolve error 504 today!
If you suddenly see a system icon or an application icon that has a blue and yellow shield or icon overlay at the corner, this indicates that the application has to run with admin privileges and each time you run these kinds of applications, a UAC or User Account Control prompt will appear to confirm if you really want to run the application. Although this kind of behavior is for security reasons, it can get quite annoying especially if you use the application on a daily basis. To make it convenient for you, this post will walk you through how you can remove the blue and yellow shield icon from an application on your Windows 10 computer.
The User Account Control or UAC setting is the one that ensures no program can run with administrative privileges unless it is allowed by the user. This stops any program that could be potentially harmful to the computer from making any changes which are why keeping this setting to its default state is for the best and making any changes in its setting is not recommended unless it is really needed.
So if you really have to remove the icon overlay in an application, there are several ways you can do that. You can try reinstalling the program and set Compatibility or change the UAC level. For more information, refer to every option given below.
Option 1 – Try to reinstall the application and set Compatibility
As you know, the application icons where you can see the shields are shortcuts mostly and they signify that the User Account Control will appear each time you launch the app. Thus, if you have an app that you use regularly and you’re certain that the app can be trusted, you can try to reinstall the app and set its compatibility by following these steps:
You need to uninstall the app first and then install its latest version. You must not run or open the app after you reinstall it, not until you’ve completed the steps.
Next, you have to right-click on the shortcut icon of the app, and from the menu, select Properties.
Afterward, go to the Compatibility tab and look for the checkbox labeled “Run this program as an administrator” and uncheck it.
Now click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. This should remove the shield icon from the app.
Option 2 – Try changing the UAC level
Tap the Win + Q to open the search bar and type UAC to see the User Account Control setting.
From the UAC setting, lower the UAC level by selecting the settings that say, “Notify only when apps try to make changes to my computer”.
After selecting that option, you shouldn’t be getting any warning now when you run the app with the shield icon. But keep in mind that this is not a temporary setting which can be risky especially if the app can’t be trusted.
Steam Autumn sale is still raging and other storefronts like EPIC and GOG have also had their go, and as the year slowly closes we reflect on the best games released this year.
The games presented are not in any particular order and as sales are still raging pick one for you for a good time.
F1 Manager 22
If you are into formula racing this new manager is something we will wholeheartedly recommend. How it has been a very long time since a good F1 manager has been released this one is breath of fresh air. Masterfully done and fun to play, also licensed with real teams and cars get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1708520/F1_Manager_2022/
Stray
I like cats, but this game is on another level from its competitors. Unique approach, great storyline, and of course orange cat as the main character! Set in a cyberpunk environment following the story of some unfortunate androids you can do most cat things like playing in boxes, etc but essentially the game is a puzzle platformer which in my opinion is a great thing. Meow your things and get the game while it is discounted: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1332010/Stray/
Neon White
Mirror's Edge was the very unique game when it was released introducing parkour into the gaming world, and Neon white brings it one level up. With competitive parkour FPS gameplay this game is great for killing some time and competing with your friends but most of all it is fun to play experience. Get it here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1533420/Neon_White/
This game needs to be experienced in order to fully grasp its magnitude and quirkiness. From the creators of borderlands comes a new IP fusion of fantasy, guns, and crazy ideas all wrapped into an action RPG looter shooter with a recognizable borderlands style of graphics. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286680/Tiny_Tinas_Wonderlands/
Norco
Winner of multiple awards, Norco is a classic point-and-click adventure game with a great sci-fi story with a lot of environmental focus. Story and atmosphere are the main selling points for the game and if you enjoy good stories with interesting characters give this one a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1221250/NORCO/
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
Expansion for Massive multiplayer online roleplaying game brings so much to the table that we just could not oversee it and place it aside. Technically not full standing game since it is the expansion it still delivers on many fronts and since it is supposedly the last expansion now is the best time to pick it up and give a final fantasy 14 a go: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592500/FINAL_FANTASY_XIV_Endwalker/
Elden Ring
Of course, the list would not be complete if we did not include Elden ring, a great example of how a difficult but well-executed game can go over and beyond. With a story on par with great epics and compact as in dark souls, this title will provide you with many hours of gameplay and content. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1245620/ELDEN_RING/
When trying to run Computer Management, or when running mmc.exe or compmgmt.msc from a command prompt you get the error that the application has been blocked for your protection then keep reading in order to solve the issue. This is a permission issue where if a regular user tries to run such system tools will result in saying that it has been blocked. Along with this, you may have a Group Policy issue. This can be fixed, but you will need admin permission to achieve it. It’s because when they are run from the command prompt with elevated privileges, it works.
Change Group Policy Settings
If your account is an admin account, and you are still facing the issue, then change the group policy settings:
Open Group Policy Settings by typing gpedit.msc in the run prompt followed by pressing ENTER
Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Management Console > Restricted/Permitted snap-ins
Locate Computer Management policy, and double click to open it
Enable it, exit Group Policy.
When Enabled: The snap-in is permitted and can be added into the Microsoft Management Console or run from the command line as a standalone console.
When Disabled: The snap-in is prohibited and cannot be added into the Microsoft Management Console or run from the command line as a standalone console. An error message is displayed stating that the policy is prohibiting the use of this snap-in.
Temporarily disable UAC
UAC is the user access control panel, and if you need to run the command right away, you can choose to disable it for some time. Click on the Start button, and then type UAC to find the User Account Control Settings.
Click to open, and then slide down the notification setting at the bottom. It will temporarily allow launching the application as there is no check. However, make sure to switch to default once you are done.
Toolbar.Dll is one of the most destructive software you will encounter on your Personal Computer.
For every report out there you read about threats to your Windows PC, a significant number speak about Toolbar.Dll. Technically, this is non-essential to the functioning of your computer yet poses great dangers to your computer's security. It can cause massive destruction if not properly resolved.
Solution
Error Causes
As suggested below, the sources of Toolbar.Dll are many and broad:
a) Misconfigured System: Nothing causes this malfunction on your own Computer a lot more than having a misconfigured system. You ought to anticipate this malfunction and repair the situation before it gets worse.
Especially if you have Toolbar.Dll files on your computer. More often than not the situation can only get worse.
b) Broken Windows OS File: the 2nd trigger of Toolbar.Dll, and that is linked to the primary aforementioned one, is a broken Windows OS file. Fix it as soon as you realize its existence.
c) Installation Issues: If you poorly install Windows on your PC, you generate a loophole by which Toolbar.Dll malfunction might appear. You essentially provide a massive possibility to the Toolbar.dll error to affect your Computer, if you neglect to finish an install or uninstall procedure.
d) Removing Programs and Hardware Incorrectly: When you decide to remove programs and hardware, you need to exercise caution. Should you be rash with this specific procedure, you raise the odds of striking the Toolbar.Dll malfunction on your Personal Computer.
e) Incorrect Shut-Down: unless you want to strike this malfunction, ensure that you shut down your Computer procedurally. Regardless of what hurry you might be in, always power down your computer correctly.
Further Information and Manual Repair
In the event you strike the Toolbar.Dll malfunction on your Personal Computer, you shouldn't get frightened. But, prior to starting considering of ways that to fix this malfunction, you should look for the signs, to be able to recognize it.
The malfunction exists in your Computer in circumstances where software programs can't load properly.
The situation might be repaired in numerous methods, as revealed below:
Switch on your computer, and log in as the superuser/admin. Next, select All Programs, subsequently go to Accessories. Under Accessories, choose System Tools. Click on System Restore from the menu.
A fresh window will appear. In the new window, find the choice designated "Restore My Pc To An Earlier Time", before you click next.
Search for the newest System Restore update from "On This List, Click a Restore Point" before you click Next once more.
Pick Next when a verification window appears on the screen. After the complete procedure is done, reboot the pc and the Toolbar.Dll malfunction will soon be no further.
Each of the measures suggested previously, are for advanced pc users. You must obtain the very best software on the web to eliminate this malfunction, in case you are a non-techie. Alternately, contact a tech to help fixing the problem.
Recently, a lot of users reported getting several error messages when they upgraded their Windows 10 computers. One of these error messages users encountered during a Windows 10 upgrade is the Error 0x8007002C-0x4001E. if you are one of the users who is facing this error, read on as this post will help you fix it.
When you encounter this error, you will see the following error message on your screen:
“We couldn’t install Windows 10We’ve set your PC back to the way it was before you started installing Windows 100x8007002C-0x4001E, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase with an error during PRE_OOBE operation.”
To resolve the 0x8007002C-0x4001E, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase error, here are some suggestions that might help.
Option 1 – Try flushing the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folders
You have to stop a couple of services such as BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services. And to do that, you need to flush the contents in the SoftwareDistribution folder. The Software Distribution folder in the Windows operating system is a folder that can be found in the Windows directory and is used to store files temporarily which might be required to install the Windows Update on your PC. Thus, it is required by the Windows Update and maintained by WUAgent. Aside from that, it also contains all the Windows Update History files and once you delete them, you will most likely lose the Update history. As a result, the next time you run the Windows Update, it may result in a longer detection time.
Open the WinX Menu.
From there, open Command Prompt as admin.
Then type in the following command – don’t forget to hit Enter right after typing each one of them.
net stop wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After entering these commands, it will stop the Windows Update Service, Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), Cryptographic, and the MSI Installer
Next, go to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder and get rid of all the folders and files thereby tapping the Ctrl + A keys to select them all and then click on Delete. Note that if the files are in use, you won’t be able to delete them.
After flushing the SoftwareDistribution folder, you need to reset the Catroot2 folder to restart the services you just stopped. To do that, follow these steps:
Type each one of the following commands.
net start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
After that, exit Command Prompt and restart your computer, and then try to run Windows Update once more.
Option 2 – Select the Keep your files option
You can also select the option to perform an in-place upgrade and opt for the “Keep my files” option during an installation as it might make the process a lot smoother and if you need to perform a clean install, you can do so once the setup is completed.
Option 3 – Try to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
Running the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter could also help you resolve the 0x8007002C-0x4001E, The installation failed in the SECOND_BOOT phase error. To run it, go to Settings and then select Troubleshoot from the options. From there, click on Windows Update and then click the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
Option 4 – Try to run Microsoft’s online troubleshooter
Aside from the Windows Update Troubleshooter, you can also run the online troubleshooter of Microsoft as it can help you with Windows 10 upgrade errors.
Option 5 – Perform a clean install
If none of the options worked, you can try to clean install Windows 10. Just make sure that you have the ISO from the official Microsoft Website and then a bootable USB drive to install Windows 10 again. Take note that this will delete all the data from your drive where Windows 10 was installed previously.
Error 0x80010108 is a Windows Live Photo Gallery error. This error prevents the Windows PC user from viewing photos. The error code is often displayed in the following format:
‘An error is preventing the photo or video from being displayed’ Error code 0x80010108
Solution
Error Causes
The error 0x80010108 occurs due to multiple reasons including:
To view the photos on your Windows PC, it is advisable to fix the problem right away.
Furthermore, you should also not delay in fixing this problem especially if the underlying causes are related to the registry or viral infection. These can pose serious system and security threats including system failure, crash and data breaches.
Further Information and Manual Repair
To resolve this error on your system, you don’t always have to hire a technical expert or be a technical whiz yourself. Here are some easy and effective methods to resolve error 0x80010108 on your PC immediately:
Method #1
To repair Windows Live Essential Software Settings, go to the start menu and then click the control panel.
Now in the control panel go the option Programs. In the programs click the tab programs and features and then select Windows Live Essentials and click repair tab. Once the settings are repaired, restart your PC to activate changes.
Method #2
Go to the start menu and type regedit.exe and then press enter. Type the following key: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.bmp.15.4 shell open DropTarget then right-click DropTarget and then Rename. Prefix a hyphen so that it becomes “-DropTarget”.
Now type the following for each GIF/ICO/JPG/PNG/TIF file types:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTWindowsLive.PhotoGallery.gif.15.4 shellopen DropTarget
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.ico.15.4 shell open DropTarget
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.jpg.15.4 shell open DropTarget
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.png.15.4 shell open DropTarget
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT WindowsLive.PhotoGallery.tif.15.4 shell open DropTarget
Method #3
Download Restoro on your PC to scan for both registry issues and malware. Restoro is a multi-functional PC Fixer embedded with utilities like a powerful registry cleaner, an antivirus, and a system optimizer to name a few.
The registry cleaner scans and detects all registry-related issues. It removes all unnecessary files damaging the registry and corrupting the registry settings. Simultaneously, the antivirus removes all kinds of malicious software affecting your PC including spyware, viruses, and Trojans.
The system optimizer feature ensures that your PC works at the optimal level and does not slow down during and after the cleaning process.
Restoro is efficient and safe.
It has a user-friendly interface and simple navigations which makes it quite easy to operate. It can be downloaded on all Windows versions including.
Click here to download Restoro to resolve error 0x80010108.
Distributed Component Object Model or DCOM is a module on Windows computers that allows computers to run programs over a network to another computer. It is a software component from Microsoft that allows COM objects to communicate with each other while that program is remotely running over the network. The COM Model is another extension of the DCOM model which both work together in order for the intended task to be executed. To make this module work, there are three components needed such as the Class Identifier or CLSID, the Programmatic Identifier or PROGID, and the Application Identifier or APPID.
However, DCOM does not always work as expected as it could still encounter some errors. One of them is error 1084. Because of this error, the execution of programs in a remote computer on the network would be interrupted. So if you encounter the DCOM error 1084 when you try to start a service like running the DISM tool or in other scenarios on your Windows 10 computer, then this post could help you. Refer to the instructions given below to start troubleshooting the problem.
Option 1 – Try checking the status of DCOMLAUNCH Service or DCOM Server Process Launcher and its 3 dependencies
The DCOM Server Process Launcher service launches both COM and DCOM servers in response to object activation requests. This is why if this service is stopped or disabled, the programs that are using COM and DCOM won’t properly function. So you need to make sure that the DCOMLAUNCH service is running.
In the Cortana search box, type “services” and click on the Services icon to open the Services Manager. Alternatively, you can also tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run prompt and then type “services.msc” in the field and hit Enter to open the Services Manager.
Next, check the following services:
DCOM Service Process Launcher
Background Tasks Infrastructure Service
Local Session Manager
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
Then right-click on each one of the services and click on their Properties.
After that, select Automatic from the drop-down menu of Startup Type and make sure that all the aforementioned services are Running.
Now click OK for each one of the services.
Option 2 – Troubleshoot the problem in a Clean Boot State
There are instances that some conflicting programs installed in your computer might be the one that’s causing DCOM error 1084. To identify which program is causing the problem, you need to put your computer in a Clean Boot State. To do so, follow the steps below.
Log onto your PC as an administrator.
Type in MSConfig in the Start Search to open the System Configuration utility.
From there, go to the General tab and click “Selective startup”.
Clear the “Load Startup items” check box and make sure that the “Load System Services” and “Use Original boot configuration” options are checked.
Next, click the Services tab and select the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box.
Click Disable all.
Click on Apply/OK and restart your PC. (This will put your PC into a Clean Boot State. And configure Windows to use the usual startup, just simply undo the changes.)
From there, start to isolate the problem by checking which one of the programs you installed recently is the root cause of the problem.
Option 3 – Try to use the DISM tool
You might want to repair potentially corrupted files in your system as having them could also trigger the DCOM error 1084. To repair these corrupted system files, you can run the DISM commands:
Tap the Win + X keys and click on the “Command Prompt (Admin)” option.
After that, input each one of the commands listed below sequentially to execute them:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once you’ve executed the commands given above, restart your computer and check if the DCOM error is now fixed.
Option 4 – Reset your computer
Tap the Win key or click on the Start button located in the Taskbar.
Then click on the Power button at the bottom right portion of the screen.
Next, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard and then click on Restart. This will restart your Pc into the Advanced Startup options.
Note: Once you have access to the Advanced Startup options, you have to go to the setting which allows you to Reset your Windows 10 PC. All you have to do is select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC to reach the following screen
Afterward, select either the “Keep my files” option and then proceed to the next on-screen instructions that follow to reset your Windows 10 computer without losing your files.
Living in today's world sadly is still living in the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been more than a year and sadly pandemic is still very strong and we are battling it on a daily basis.
Governments all over the world are trying to battle pandemics in their own way with their own ideas and prevention measures. We as individuals can not very much influence how will the pandemic itself go but fortunately in this modern age of information we can at least follow and be in the loop at the current state of the situation regarding it.
Today instead of having a troubleshooting article or tips and trick for your PC we are doing something else but in the domain of internet technology, you know, just to keep everything still IT related ????
Below you will find websites with small descriptions of what they do to keep yourself informed and hope to get over this dreadful pandemic.
If you are interested in real-time COVID-19 information about active cases, death tool so far, new cases and the number of vaccines administrated so far I would recommend WHO's dashboard. How WHO is a non-government institution composed of doctors from all over the world with just a single goal in mind, to help and put an end to this pandemic is a great non-biased source of information on the current state of virus spread.
Please be aware that Vaccinefinder is working only on the territory of the United States of America. The reason why it was included in this list is that basically it is a great idea and I hope to see this site expand on other world regions or at least that inspires the emergence of another worldwide website with this type of content.
If you live in the USA, this site will be a great help since you can track where and how many shots are distributed to states and even towns in America.
This site is also for U.S. residents, this time it is about tracking cases in each state with details and statistics. If you are interested in more detailed statistics of hospitalized patients per state or overall you are just interested in statistics about the pandemic in the U.S. this site might provide all the information about your needs.
On national public radio or NPR for short, there is a special section devoted to the coronavirus where new articles about pandemic are released daily with new information and new findings on how to battle it and the current state of things. A great informational site to keep up with the current state of things.
Google has not been inactive during this pandemic and on its page specially dedicated to the COVID-19 virus you can find a lot of free information updated daily. From safety and prevention tips to data about pandemics there is a lot of ground covered on-page and we recommend at least going through the prevention section to inform yourself how to keep yourself and others safe.
This daily updated chart can show how many cases and deaths are from chosen time period all in form of a chart, you can see charts for each country in the world how COVID cases rose or dropped along with the death tool it brought.
There you go, 6 websites to track and inform yourself about this dreaded pandemic which has managed to change the world and people's lives forever, sadly on the bad side.
Ever gotten an e-mail offer that seemed just a little bit too good to be true? Might’ve been a phishing attempt! These are everywhere and can come in many different forms.
So what’s phishing exactly, how can you detect it and how can you keep safe?
What is phishing?
Phishing (pronounced like fishing) is a type of cyberattack that tricks the user into trusting the source and revealing sensitive information. Fishing being the perfect analogy, the bait is a legitimate-looking site, e-mail or file and when you take a bite, your identity, banking information and much more can be revealed and stolen.
Credit: Anne Nygård on Unsplash
Some phishing attempts are incredibly obvious, others are super elaborate. Like with most types of malware, cybercriminals have become extremely well-versed in phishing and anyone can fall for it. To help you recognize and avoid it, we’ll take you through a couple of phishing types and give you tips on what to do if faced with them.
Phishing techniques
E-mail phishing
This is actually the most common type of phishing. A cybercriminal creates an e-mail containing stuff like attractive offers, legitimate-looking attachments or links and makes it appear as though it’s coming from a trusted source.
Credit: Justin Morgan on Unsplash
For example, it looks like it’s coming from your bank or your favorite retailer. The logo looks legit and the structure of the e-mail seems familiar, so you might get tricked into clicking on whatever clickable content is in it.
Unfortunately this exposes your device to malware that hands your data off to the hacker, who can decide what to do with it further.
SMS and social media phishing
Like the above example, you could be approached with lucrative offers or links via text messages or social media messages. Typically, the messages seem relevant to the user as they will be made to look like they’re related to apps or services you’re using.
Voice phishing
Voice phishing attacks are schemes that appear as though they’re coming from a credible number. Normally, you’ll get a call about something related to credit cards or taxes to get you into a state of worry, leading you to disclose personal information on the phone.
Spear phishing, whaling and BEC
Spear phishing normally targets specific individuals within a company who are likely to have access to sensitive data. Spear phishers spend time collecting information they can use to reach out to the individual looking as trustworthy as possible. They’ll typically lead with something relevant, for example mentioning an upcoming company event, and make a seemingly legitimate request.
Whaling is a more elaborate form of spear phishing, which targets people in even stronger positions such as executives or high-value individuals. The ultimate goal is to get them to transfer financial or other sensitive information that can be used to compromise the entire business.
Credit: Azamat E on Unsplash
BEC, or Business e-mail compromise, is a specific spear phishing technique carried out via e-mail. While there are many ways this is done, most commonly you’ll see instances where the phisher poses as a CEO or similar executive, or as a lower-level employee in specific positions (e.g. sales managers or financial controllers).
In the first situation, the impersonator reaches out to employees requesting them to transfer certain files or pay invoices. In the second situation, the phisher takes control of the employee’s e-mail account and sends false instructions to other employees in order to obtain data and information from them.
What can you do?
There are many ways you can be aware and spot a phishing attempt. Here are some tips:
Always check the sender’s address in your e-mails, even when they seem to come from a familiar source.
In any instance where payment information is requested, be very, very careful.
If you are receiving attachments you never asked for and definitely didn’t expect, better not click on them.
Beware of content that transmits a sense of urgency (sales deals, urgent updates to login credentials, etc.).
Bad spelling and grammar are usually a telltale sign of phishing.
Links that look shortened (e.g. Bit.ly) or just suspicious in general - if you have a bad feeling, do not click on them.
If you are receiving threats, you probably shouldn’t be clicking on anything in that message.
Always examine first-time senders in detail.
Block suspicious e-mail addresses, numbers and social media accounts.
If you are receiving a coupon for free stuff… You aren’t.
If you’re being asked to update your payment details by a service you use, such as Netflix, chances are it’s an impersonator.
Those are some of the ways to identify and prevent phishing attacks. However, sometimes phishers disguise themselves a little too well or a misclick happens and there you go - you’ve been exposed to malware.
Credit: FLY:D on Unsplash
This won’t happen if you invest in powerful protection software from the get-go, though. A good antivirus program like Bitdefender will keep you safe from becoming a victim of phishing scams. In fact, it will protect you from malicious attacks overall.
Be it your household or your business you’re concerned about, there are a bunch of different packages and options available, providing different kinds of cybersecurity services. That’s the only way you can ever really be sure you aren’t at risk of a digital attack.
Summary
Have you ever been targeted by phishers and didn’t know that’s what it was until you read this article? Many can relate. Protect yourself before it’s too late!
Error Causes
