INSIDE THIS ISSUE Phishing Alert Watch For Fraudulent Package Delivery Emails Holiday Spirit & Warm Family Traditions Go Pinterest-ing! Cool Stuff To Pin On Your Pinterest Boards This Month's FAQ I've Heard The Term "Catfishing" Used Recently. What Does It Mean? Sites Of The Month Great Sites To Check Out In December Two To View A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss Short Tutorial How To Protect Your Data When Using Public Wi-Fi |
Hello West Central Internet Subscribers We all wear many hats throughout the year and during the holidays, a Santa hat may be one of them! As you're making your list and checking it twice, jot down a few tips and ideas from this December issue. It begins with a warning about fraudulent package delivery emails. While these are always out there, during the Christmas season they tend to become even more prevalent; scammers hope you'll be expecting lots of package deliveries and will fall for their fake notices. Speaking of fake, you'll also learn about catfishing (the use of fake online identities) as well as how to avoid a fake Wi-Fi connection while at a coffee shop. On a more festive note, you can enjoy a "ho, ho, ho" lot of recipe and decorating ideas and reminisce with a Bing Crosby Christmas video. The goal of each of our eNewsletters is to keep our subscribers informed regarding their Internet connection and to improve their Internet experience. We think you'll find this information interesting. To see what's inside this issue, simply scroll down the eNewsletter or click on the links within the index to the left. Thanks for reading! - West Central Internet Services Team |
Phishing Alert – Watch For Fraudulent Package Delivery Emails
Holiday Spirit & Warm Family Traditions
In the true holiday spirit, we invite you to start a new family tradition of helping others. There are many people in our area without warm winter coats. We hope to help by collecting gently used coats, hats, scarves and gloves to distribute to families in need. From now until mid-December, WCTA will accept donations at the Sebeka and the Menahga offices. Gently used coats should be clean and in good condition. We are working with the Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership, Inc. to distribute the coats; if you are in need of a coat you should contact your county office.
We are also collecting new toys and gifts for those in need, working with The Empty Stocking Fund. All donations of toys, games, gifts and money will be distributed to area families just in time for Christmas. Drop off your donations at either WCTA location by December 6th so that they can be wrapped, and matched up and delivered to families. The Empty Stocking Fund is a local organization that works with area churches and schools to help needy families at holiday time. Families in need may be working families with a lower income that just covers the basic needs, or a family that because of a tragedy can no longer afford Christmas presents. Let's help make Christmas morning special for everyone in our communities!
Go Pinterest-ing! – Cool Stuff To Pin On Your Pinterest Boards
This Month's FAQ – I've Heard The Term "Catfishing" Used Recently. What Does It Mean?
Question: A friend mentioned seeing a documentary about an online scam called catfishing. What is it and how can I avoid it?
Answer: Catfishing is when someone creates a false identity to lure you into a false romantic relationship online. The term was coined by the documentary Catfish, which tells the story of a woman who used Facebook to create a fake online identity. Such a "relationship" can involve exchanging messages on Facebook or another social media site, texting, emailing, and so on. Catfishing relationships usually begin to unravel when the perpetrator refuses to talk on the phone or via Skype, and won't reveal basic information like a home address. These scammers may be lonely, bored, or in some way out for revenge. They may even try to get you to give them money. If you suspect you are being catfished, do a search for the person's name to see if the information that comes up checks out with what that person has told you. Also, look at their social media profiles; if they are recently established, rarely used, or include few connections, that's another clue. Even if the person is legitimate, their motivations may not be. Don't give money or take any other actions that wouldn't be appropriate in a similar offline relationship. You can avoid catfishing by being selective about who you communicate with online, as well as what you tell them, and by regularly updating social media privacy settings and account passwords.
Sites Of The Month – Great Sites To Check Out In December
Two To View – A Couple Of Amazing Videos You Don't Want To Miss
Short Tutorial – How To Protect Your Data When Using Public Wi-Fi
Access to Wi-Fi in public places — such as coffee shops, hotels, and airports — can be very convenient. It's great to be able to use your mobile device practically anywhere you go. However, as with most Internet-related activities, there are potential dangers including stolen data.
Follow these tips to avoid problems:
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins, click here.
Thanks for your business! Best regards The WCTA Communications Team Internet Specialists WCTA Sebeka 308 Frontage Road Box 304 Sebeka, MN 56477 1-218-837-5151 or toll free at 1-800-945-2163 Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. |