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CompuConsult
is a Calgary based IT Services Company for small & medium
sized businesses. We make our clients computer networks reliable, secure and more efficient while reducing costs. |
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Identity
Theft. |
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All the good things we've come to appreciate about the Internet, are in danger of being taken away from us by international criminals... and technology is only a partial solution to protecting Internet users. by Jack
Vanderlee Identity theft and fraud are, perhaps, the two most serious problems facing the Internet. If not curbed, these crimes have the potential to make the Internet very untrustworthy. While online banking and e-commerce is usually very safe, as a general rule you should be very careful about giving out your personal financial information over the Internet. René Sloos - CompuConsult President: I pay attention to this topic as an answer to the people who are asking me how to deal with phishing (identity theft) issues. Some have asked for detailed advice, which I hope this e-Magazine will provide. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who might benefit. You are welcome to print it, quote from it, link to it, anything that will help to get the word out. My philosophy is that every IT - service provider has the responsibility to make the internet a better place for all. What
is phishing exactly? Phishing is trying to filch and steal consumers' personal identity data and financial account information. Criminal organizations usually use e-mails to trick people into giving away financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords or social security numbers. Such an
email could look like this: (Don't be surprised to even see a very
trusted logo -bank, credit-card, e-Bay, retailer- on there!) René Sloos: Once you click the link, you will probably see an even more convincing website with an official logo, and some fields to enter your information. Because of the 'emergency style' text, people tend to do the worst in these situations. They just give it away... So, be wary of e-mail! Never click on any link to a bank, eBay, or other merchants. Instead, open a browser (not just a new window) and type in the URL yourself. When in doubt, call the institution using the number listed in the phone book, not one provided in the e-mail or link. |
René Sloos: We will provide some tips below, so you will avoid many of the scams and traps that criminals create to gather personal information which they then turn into cash. These tips will also help protect yourself against unscrupulous marketers and other lower life forms.
It can be a perplexing problem. As a certain Microsoft guru told me recently at a Las Vegas exhibition: "If someone wants to click on a link, can we stop them?" Viruses, hackers and spyware can all be dealt with through mostly technological means. But how can technology help someone who's decided to click on a link that appears to be part of a message from his or her bank—but really isn't? While e-mail and Web sites can be armed to help deal with the phishing problem, wide adoption of that technology—or even agreement as to what technology to use—has yet to be achieved. In the meantime, our best defense may be an educated user, who is also protected by the latest anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and privacy-protection software. Meanwhile, the criminals are becoming ever more sophisticated. In a "worst nightmare" scenario, criminals hijack the Internet's servers or users' desktops and redirect people to fake web sites when they type in correct Internet addresses for banks or other institutions. Such attacks could be difficult or impossible for victims to recognize and will require advanced technological solutions. Very scary huh? René Sloos: The number and sophistication of phishing scams sent out to consumers is continuing to increase dramatically. It's part of our job (the IT service providers) to educate our clients and prospects. It's absolutely in everybody's interest to know about these things. We will continue to inform people about the latest developments through our e-Magazine and other channels. See our Tools, Tips & Tricks section on how to avoid Identity Theft disasters.
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Accelerating Technology Commercialization WestLink is a unique, innovative organization formed in 1999 to facilitate communication, collaboration and technology development and commercialization in Western Canada. WestLink achieves its vision through the provision of services and targeted gap-filling programs that encourage and promote collaboration, skill building, and regional networking. Over its history, WestLink has responded to the various and changing needs of its expanding membership by developing and delivering a diverse and increasing variety of programs and services. Programs and Services
As WestLink has grown, so too have its successes. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Conference Board of Canada have both recognized WestLink in recent years as an effort that deserves encouragement and support in its continuing development. Technology transfer offices at academic and research institutions within Western Canada are relating and sharing expertise as never before, and WestLink continues to further develop its relationships with industry partners to complete this circle of opportunity. As an additional result of its achievements, other groups across the world have begun to recognize the value that WestLink Innovation Network has brought to Western Canada. These groups are formalizing collaborative agreements with WestLink for consultation and expertise in establishing similar models elsewhere. As this happens, WestLink Innovation Network is fast becoming known in North America and elsewhere around the world as a leader in connecting the technology commercialization sector and catalyzing not only innovation, but also mentorship, skill building, communication and collaboration. For more information on WestLink Innovation Network and its programs, visit www.westlink.ca |
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Secure * Nobody needs to verify your passwords. Ever. * Practice good computer hygiene. Don't click on unknown attachments. Run both anti-virus and anti-spyware applications. Firewall and privacy protection software are also a good idea. Update this software, as well as your operating system, on a regular basis. * Use the listed telephone number and ask for that person's extension. Criminals often give scam telephone numbers to intended victims. Or just grab the phone book and call the financial institution they claim to be.
* Only provide personal information when you initiate the transaction and never when someone requests it, whether online or over the telephone. *
Order credit reports yearly and review them carefully. (These are often available
for free. * Watch credit card and bank statements for small withdrawals. These are sometimes used to take small amounts of money that customers don't consider to be worth reporting. But 10 cents a month from 100,000 accounts really adds up. * Shred it! Use a cross-cut shredder (makes confetti, not long strips which are too easily reassembled) or burn documents containing personal information. Do not store PINs on your computer; lock them up or encrypt them. * Don't provide (or offer) unnecessary information. Ask yourself, "Why do these people need my information?" * Lying is OK. At least, in some circumstances, such as questionnaires which require an answer. Make something up. (A friend of mine has both a real birthday and a fake one that she usually gives out.) CompuConsult
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Efficient
Did you know that Microsoft Office comes with a whole range of templates? These templates are predefined layouts
for letters, forms, presentations, etc. Using a template can save you
a lot of time and a stunning end-result. You can
also create a consist look and feel to the documents your company
needs. You can also setup a central location on your network for workgroup templates. This allows all users in your network to use the same set of templates.
Try this in Microsoft Word: It's that easy! "Taming
Templates
CompuConsult |
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Profitable Accurate communication starts with finding people when you need them, and you know the problem. People tend to create their 'personal' contact lists. They just use their own 'little systems' to contact their co-workers. And let's face it, most people are just lazy regarding filling out contact information. Do you...huh? Let's not go there. Do you realize how much time gets totally lost because of inefficient personal contact systems? What? Are we trying to sell you a new CRM system? Hmm... didn't we promise to make your business more profitable with providing valuable tips? Here's what to do: ask your system administrator to gather as much staff contact information as possible in the 'network directory'. He (or she) will know what you mean. What it will do for you? You click on the toolbar in Outlook, type a 'contact' (e.g.'John') and the network directory will find your info. Even if you didn't enter it in your Outlook address book! And yes, this also works for Smartphones and Blackberries. Imagine how much time (= money) you and your staff will save. No more lists in 37 versions, no more print outs, no more outdated information. No more DUPLICATION OF WORK, which means SAVING TIME! Isn't time the most valuable asset these days? Everybody's contact info will be complete (cell phone, home phone, home email, personal faxes, you know the drill...) and readily available, to everyone! And there
is more...
Please, pass
it on to your IT people and start saving time. CompuConsult |
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Every
Month
in our
e-Magazine: Who's Dilbert? Dilbert loves technology for the sake of technology. In fact, Dilbert loves technology more than people. He's got the social skills of a mousepad and he'd rather surf the Internet than Waikiki (which, considering the physique he developed after years of sitting in front of a PC screen, is a blessing). |
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| Coffee
is Hot, Coffee is Cool, And the winner is:
Todd: René: Todd: René: Todd
(left) is now an expert in making fine European Espressos... |
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CompuConsult
CompuConsult
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CompuConsult
also certified as We are proud to announce that CompuConsult Inc., after being a Microsoft® Certified Partner for 5 years, also has been certified as a Microsoft® Small Business Specialist! As one of the requirements for attaining Small Business Specialist status, CompuConsult had to pass Microsoft®’s Small Business Sales and Marketing Skills Assessment, designed to test the company’s knowledge of the dynamics and dependencies of the small-business market, as well as the value to small business of several software solutions, including Windows® XP Professional, Microsoft® Office 2003 and Windows® Small Business Server 2003. According to Microsoft®, CompuConsult has demonstrated expertise in planning and building solutions for small businesses. As part of the Small Business Specialist Community, CompuConsult will receive a valuable set of benefits from Microsoft®, including access to training specifically designed for the small-business industry, small-business marketing materials for reuse, special partner offers, and the ability to use the Small Business Specialist logo in marketing materials, which can help give the company a competitive advantage in the marketplace. “CompuConsult is extremely pleased with our status as Small Business Specialist in Calgary,” said René Sloos, President of CompuConsult. “This special designation increases the value we bring to our client relationships as the ‘go to’ Microsoft® partner in the Calgary area.” Guaranteed IT Solutions! CompuConsult Inc. (403) 206-2233 |
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Thank you for your interest in CompuConsult Inc. If you would rather not receive our e-Magazine, send an email to e-Magazine@compuconsult.com and type "no thanks" in the subject line. |
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