StuTech

🛡️ Friday, August 14 – Fraud Prevention Friday
Never Trust Caller ID Alone

Your phone says it's your bank...

Your doctor's office...

Even a government agency.

It must be real... right?

Not necessarily.

Caller ID can be spoofed.

🛡️ Today's Tip

If someone asks for money or personal information over the phone...

Hang up.

Then call the organization back using the number on their official website or the back of your credit card.

Never trust the number that called you.

StuTech

Secured. Supported. Simple.

🍎 Something new is happening at StuTech!

We’re always looking for ways to make technology a little less frustrating and a lot easier to use.

Today, StuTech is beginning something new: Mac Made Simple — one-on-one training for people moving from a Windows PC to a Mac.

Switching computers is one thing. Switching from Windows to macOS can feel like learning an entirely new way of doing things.

Where did my files go?
What exactly is Finder?
Why doesn’t right-click work the way I expect?
Where are all the settings I used to know? 😂

That’s why we created a 5-hour, hands-on training program specifically for people who already know how to use a Windows PC but want to become comfortable and confident using their Mac.

We cover the everyday things that actually matter — navigating macOS, Finder and files, browsers, email, settings, security, shortcuts and more.

No rushing. No technical jargon. No expectation that you already know how everything works.

Just patient, practical training at your pace.

Today we’re delivering Mac Made Simple for the first time as a one-on-one program. Depending on the response, we may soon offer it to other StuTech clients and potentially as a small-group class.

Because at StuTech, technology shouldn’t be intimidating.

It should be Secured. Supported. Simple.

🚨 Thursday, August 13 – Threat Awareness Thursday
The Email Looks Real... Until You Read It Carefully

Scammers have become very good at making fake emails look legitimate.

Company logos.

Professional layouts.

Even signatures that appear authentic.

The clues are often hidden in the details.

🚨 Today's Tip

Before clicking a link, check:

✅ The sender's email address.

✅ Spelling and grammar mistakes.

✅ Unexpected attachments.

When in doubt, contact the company directly using a phone number or website you already know.

StuTech

Secured. Supported. Simple.

🎓 Wednesday, August 12 – Work Smart Wednesday
Take a Picture Before You Call

When something goes wrong with your computer, one of the best things you can do is...

Take a picture.

Error messages often disappear before you can read them again.

A simple photo gives your technician valuable clues about what happened.

💡 Today's Tip

Before calling for support:

📸 Take a picture of the error.

📝 Write down what you were doing when it happened.

⏰ Note approximately what time it occurred.

Those three pieces of information can dramatically speed up troubleshooting.

Sometimes one picture really is worth a thousand words.

StuTech

Secured. Supported. Simple.

🚨 This phishing email almost did everything right.

I received this email today, and I had to share it because it's a perfect example of how sophisticated phishing has become.

At first glance, it looked legitimate.

The sender knew specific details about my professional background.

They referenced companies I've worked with.

They mentioned actual accomplishments from my career.

And then they told me they were recruiting for a Vice President position at ConnectWise.

If you work in IT, you know ConnectWise. It's a highly respected company in our industry.

Having someone reach out about a VP opportunity there would be flattering. It's an honor to have someone look at your career and think you might belong in that conversation.

And that's exactly why this kind of phishing works.

It doesn't always scare you.

Sometimes it flatters you.

Sometimes it presents an opportunity you want to believe is real.

The rest of the email helped sell it.

No terrible spelling.

No Nigerian prince.

No gift cards.

It was professional, personalized, and filled with accurate information about my career.

But then I looked closer.

Red flag #1: The sender couldn't remember his own name. 😂

The email came from Robert Bellamy.

The message says:

“My name is Douglas P. Ward…”

And it's signed:

Robert Bellamy.

🚩 Well, that's awkward.

Red flag #2: The email came from Gmail.

Someone claiming to be an executive recruiter representing established organizations and recruiting for a VP position at a major technology company was using a generic Gmail account.

Not automatically proof of a scam.

But definitely something I'm going to verify.

Red flag #3: I went directly to ConnectWise.

I didn't click a link in the email.

I opened my browser, went directly to ConnectWise's careers page, and searched for the position myself.

There was no VP of Customer Success position listed.

Now, executive searches aren't always publicly posted, so that alone doesn't prove anything.

But combine it with everything else?

🚩 Two different names
🚩 Generic Gmail address
🚩 Unsolicited opportunity
🚩 Position I couldn't independently verify
🚩 An email containing a surprising amount of personal career information

I'm out.

Here's what I really want people to understand:

Stop looking for phishing emails that LOOK like phishing emails.

Modern scams can be polished, grammatically perfect and incredibly personalized.

And with AI, creating something like this has become ridiculously easy.

A scammer can learn where you've worked, what you've accomplished, who you know and what kind of opportunity might get your attention.

Personalized doesn't mean legitimate.

And remember this one:

Sometimes the hook isn't fear. Sometimes it's flattery.

Before you click, reply or call:

Stop. Think. Verify. Protect.

Go around the message and verify everything independently.

Those extra few minutes might save you from a very expensive mistake.

StuTech
Secured. Supported. Simple.

💡 Wednesday, August 12 – Tech Tip: The Fake Geek Squad Renewal

I see versions of this email all the time.

It looks like Geek Squad is telling you that your subscription has renewed — usually for $400, $500, $800 or more.

And here’s what makes the scam so effective:

You may have actually used Geek Squad in the past.

So when an email arrives saying:

“Your subscription has been renewed for $799.99.”

your first reaction might be:

“WHAT?! I didn’t authorize that!”

And that’s exactly the reaction the scammers want.

They want you to panic and call the phone number in the email.

🚨 DON’T CALL IT.

The charge usually doesn’t exist.

The “Geek Squad Support” number isn’t Geek Squad.

The scam starts when you call.

The person on the phone may ask for your credit card information, bank information, or even convince you to install software so they can remotely access your computer.

What should you do?

✅ Don’t reply to the email.
✅ Don’t call any number in the email.
✅ Don’t click links.
✅ Check your credit card or bank account yourself to see if there is actually a charge.
✅ If you’re still concerned, contact Best Buy/Geek Squad using contact information you find independently — not from the email.

And please talk about scams like this with your parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends.

Scammers love urgency.

You don't have to respond immediately just because an email says you do.

STOP. QUESTION. VERIFY.

If you receive something like this and aren't sure whether it's real, send it to me. I'm always happy to take a look before you click, call or pay.

Technology should make life easier — not scarier.

💡 Tuesday, August 11 – Tuesday Tech Tips
Restart Your Phone Once a Week

When was the last time you restarted your phone?

If you can't remember...

You're not alone.

Many people go weeks or even months without turning their phone off.

💡 Today's Tip

Restarting your phone once a week can:

✅ Clear temporary memory

✅ Improve performance

✅ Fix small glitches

✅ Help complete software updates

Think of it as giving your phone a good night's sleep.

It only takes about a minute, and your phone will thank you.

StuTech

Secured. Supported. Simple.

🖥️ Monday, August 10 – Managed Services Monday
Your Computer Gets Checkups Too

Most people think computer maintenance only happens when something breaks.

The truth is...

The best maintenance happens before anything goes wrong.

While you're enjoying your day, StuTech is working quietly behind the scenes to help keep your devices healthy.

🖥️ Behind the Scenes This Week

✅ Installing security updates

✅ Checking backup status

✅ Monitoring device health

✅ Looking for early warning signs

✅ Helping prevent problems before they become expensive repairs

Just like regular checkups help keep you healthy...

Regular computer maintenance helps keep your technology healthy too.

StuTech

Secured. Supported. Simple.

❤️ Sunday, August 9 – Sunday Support Reminder

No Question Is Too Small

One of my favorite parts of owning StuTech isn't fixing computers.

It's seeing the relief on someone's face when they say...

"Oh... that's all it was?"

Technology changes every day.

No one knows everything.

And you should never feel embarrassed to ask for help.

❤️ Today's Reminder

I'd much rather answer a five-minute question today...

Than spend five hours helping recover from a preventable mistake tomorrow.

If something doesn't seem right...

If a message feels suspicious...

If you're simply unsure...

Reach out.

That's exactly why StuTech is here.

📱 Saturday, August 8 – Safe Social Saturday

Think Before You Share Your Vacation

Everyone loves vacation photos.

Your friends do too.

But posting that you're away from home while you're still on vacation can unintentionally tell the wrong people your house is empty.

There's nothing wrong with sharing your memories...

Just consider sharing them after you get home.

📱 Today's Tip

📸 Take all the pictures you want.

🏖️ Enjoy your vacation.

🏡 Share your favorite memories when you're safely back home.

Your vacation will still be just as beautiful a week later.