Phishing, Scams and Spoofs Archives

Solitary Facebook Admin for Your Business or Organization Danger

by Charles Oropallo | Sep 13, 2024 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Technical Help

When managing a Facebook page for your business or organization, having only one administrator can lead to significant risks. If the sole admin is locked out, loses access, or their account is hacked, the entire page can be compromised. This makes it difficult to recover control, update information, or remove harmful content. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s crucial to add multiple admins who can step in if issues arise. Being proactive about page security ensures your business’s social media presence remains secure and functional, minimizing downtime and protecting your brand from potential harm.

CleanTalk: The Best Security and AntiSpam Plugin Used by CharlesWorks

by Charles Oropallo | May 30, 2024 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Spam, Technical Help, WordPress

CleanTalk is an indispensable security and anti-spam plugin for CharlesWorks. It offers ease of use, effective spam protection, and comprehensive security features. The exceptional support from CleanTalk’s team ensures our sites remain secure. As trusted partners, we proudly promote CleanTalk through our affiliate program, benefiting both our clients and our business. Discover why CleanTalk is a trusted tool in our web development arsenal.

Caution: The “Pig Butchering” Phishing Expedition

by Charles Oropallo | Feb 26, 2024 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Spam

In the article “Caution: The ‘Pig Butchering’ Phishing Expedition,” I delve into a sophisticated scam I recently discovered through John Oliver’s HBO show. “Pig Butchering” is a phishing scam that merges romance and investment fraud, often involving cryptocurrency. Scammers meticulously build trust over time, aiming to exploit it for financial gain. I emphasize the importance of watching John Oliver’s segment on this topic, as it provides crucial insights into the scam’s workings and its widespread impact. The article outlines practical steps to avoid falling victim to “Pig Butchering,” including skepticism towards unsolicited messages, the importance of research, and never sharing personal or financial information online. Awareness and caution are highlighted as the best defenses against such scams.

Avoiding New Phishing Pitfalls: A Personal Encounter

by Charles Oropallo | Dec 2, 2023 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs

In my recent article, I delve into an encounter with a new phishing pitfall, involving a cunning WordPress-related email scam. I highlight the email’s deceptive elements, such as its urgent tone and seemingly legitimate links. Through my experience, I emphasize the importance of vigilance and knowledge in identifying and avoiding such scams. The article provides practical tips for spotting red flags in suspicious emails and reinforces the need to verify information before taking any action. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of online threats and the continuous need for cybersecurity awareness.

Don’t Take the Bait: The Rising Tide of Phishing Scams

by Charles Oropallo | Oct 15, 2023 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs

This article discusses the rising threat of phishing scams, particularly through text messages. It provides a detailed guide on how to report phishing texts to Google and your mobile carrier. The article also offers additional tips for avoiding phishing scams, such as being skeptical of unsolicited messages and using a password manager. The key takeaway is to be cautious and not open messages unless you are certain of the sender’s identity.

Don’t Fall for the ‘One Ring’ Telephone Scam!

by Charles Oropallo | Jul 18, 2023 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs

Delve into the ‘One Ring’ phone scam, a deceptive scheme that can lead to unexpected charges. This article provides insights into the scam’s modus operandi, offers preventive measures, and guides you on how to report such incidents. Stay informed and protect yourself from this pervasive issue.

Understanding WordPress’s xmlrpc.php File and Navigating Potential Misuse

by Charles Oropallo | Jul 7, 2023 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Technical Help, WordPress

This article dives into the potential misuse of WordPress’s xmlrpc.php file, a feature that allows for remote procedure calls. While it can be handy for various tasks, it can also be exploited for malicious purposes. The piece further discusses how to protect your site, including the option to disable the feature if not in use, and how to respond to possible “bug bounty” phishing requests related to this feature.

Another Lying Spammer’s BS

by Charles Oropallo | Jan 19, 2023 | Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Spam

Forgive me if I appear annoyed. Unfortunately, messages like these are quite common. As website developers, we see them far too often. They waste our time. They are based on outright lies. What bothers me the most is that these messages frighten our web clients into...

Anatomy of a Phone Text Phishing Attempt

by Charles Oropallo | Jul 31, 2022 | Email, Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Spam

Phishing - attempts to trick people into giving up sensitive information - has been on the rise for many. many years now. Even seasoned internet individuals can fall prey to the bad actors perpetrating this criminal activity. The Phish Here is an example of a text I...

Best Practices for Mitigating Website Hacks

by Charles Oropallo | Jun 29, 2022 | Email, Phishing, Scams and Spoofs, Web Hosting, WordPress

We at CharlesWorks are often asked by our web clients if their site is protected from malware and getting hacked. They also want to know if there site IS hacked, whether there be a charge to fix it. The totally hack-proof website The totally hack proof website has no...