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Thanks. I have an MS acct and a backup but not on the iPhone. Can only have one backup and it’s on the iPad.  I only have two accounts so not a big deal to setup again.  Can I add accounts on new iPhone and then delete accounts on old iPhone later or do I have to delete them before setting up on new iPhone?

Oh and this is good info from SSA:

https://www.ssa.gov/scam/

SCAM ALERT
The Social Security Administration will never threaten, scare, or pressure you to take an immediate action. If you receive a call, text, or email that…

• Threatens to suspend your Social Security number, even if they have part or all of your Social Security number
• Warns of arrest of legal action
• Demands or requests immediate payment
• Requires payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, internet currency, or by mailing cash
• Pressures you for personal information
• Requests secrecy
• Threatens to seize your bank account
• Promises to increase your Social Security benefit
• Tries to gain your trust by providing fake “documentation,” false “evidence,” or the name of a real government official…it is a SCAM!

Do not give scammers money or personal information – Ignore Them!

Protect yourself and others from Social Security-related scams
• Try to stay calm. Do not provide anyone with money or personal information when you feel pressured, threatened, or scared.
• Hang up or ignore it. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up or do not respond. Government employees will not threaten you, demand immediate payment, or try to gain your trust by sending you pictures or documents.
• Report Social Security-related scams. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email that mentions Social Security, ignore it and report it to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Do not be embarrassed if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss.
• Get up-to-date information. Follow SSA OIG on Twitter @TheSSAOIG and Facebook @SSA Office of the Inspector General for the latest information on Social Security-related scams. Visit the Federal Trade Commission for information on other government scams.
• Spread the word. Share your knowledge of Social Security-related scams. Post on social media using the hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others.

Please also share with your friends and family.

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Steve, SueW

I like to think that I would never fall for that kind of stuff and hope I never do.  It is disturbing to know that predators are able to dupe those who are most vulnerable – especially the elderly!!

My mother (77 yrs old) recently fell for an email scam and called the 800# on a phishing email for something she didn’t order and knew she hadn’t ordered! The guy had her clicking on links, fortunately, on her ipad, but I was really upset when I found out.  It is too easy for these criminals to trick people.

I try to warn my family and friends – but everyone thinks I’m crazy, over-the-top nuts with this stuff and they kind of tune out……security, unfortunately is not a common concern, at least not in my experience. I currently am trying to get two friends to update their routers, wish me luck!! 🙂

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SueW

Thanks for the links, I’ll check them out. I just purchased an ipad pro 11″ – it hasn’t arrived yet.  I already am paying for extra Icloud storage ; )

I have ICloud for backup, am not using Icloud drive for files, though that is an option. I currently have Carbonite and Macrium backup to a Seagate drive.  I will keep the laptop, but I don’t want to keep maintaining it, plus it’s old (read ready to break, not ready for Win11!), so I wouldn’t use it for backup.   I would put the files in MS365 Personal Vault and backup to a harddrive (that would be similar to Carbonte & Macrium, I think).

I think the only app that would not work is Quickbooks, which I only need for history purposes (business sold in 2018) – which I can continue to access on the laptop. I cannot justify purchasing QB online for our needs.  I moved financial tracking to an excel spreadsheet that I have been using instead of QB (which was a fantastic app for personal finances!) I think there are limitations with Excel function on IOS – e.g. pivot tables don’t work – but I’d have to see how that goes. I am aware that there are many personal financial apps out there, but am not willing to give up my banking info to them.

I have an Epson printer and can use Airprint.  I will not use Macrium or Carbonite any longer. Nord VPN will work.  That’s about it, I don’t have too many Windows apps.

I suppose worst case scenario is I move my stuff to the cloud, invest in a harddrive for backup and try it.  And if I find I need the Mac Mini for backup or functionality, I’ll have to spend more money.  Thanks!

I will likely purchase a Mac next time as I love my iPhone and Apple watch which I have acquired since I got the Dell 8930 desktop..

Ditto!! Sick of Dell.   Sick of Microsoft!  Apple has its issues too, but I believe it will be a much better experience. Just purchased a new iPad (Apple Black Friday deal) and Magic Keyboard.  I am looking at a La  Cie SSD for my files.  I will need another device for backup.

thanks – I knew about remote wipe too. I think I was confused about what ‘enable encryption’ means on IOS! I am all set.  : )

True and I have a passcode. So I have protection, as you point out.  I suppose this is extra protection, because a 6-digit passcode can be broken, can’t it? But then I have to consider, how likely that would occur for me? More likely, the device (lost or stolen) would be wiped out and reused. I guess then, I’m ok with the passcode only. Or am I incorrect in my thinking here?

thanks I will take your advice and skip the AV software.  I keep my devices updated.  I can check urls on Virus Total. I try to be very careful with messages and emails – I can usually spot malicious ones and I don’t click on any links.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. The article from consumer reports that Susan had posted said this –

Use AV software. Macs and mobile devices need antivirus software, too. And there are a bunch of security suites out there that will cover nearly all of your gadgets, whether they run Android, iOS, MacOS, or Windows.

As mentioned before, due to Apple security restrictions, AV software can’t scan iPhones for viruses, but it can do other helpful things like block malicious websites, calls, and texts.

I am using DuckDuckGo and I know Safari (which has some protections) is in the background.  So I was thinking I’d get something just for the reasons above.  I appreciate the information you provided

 

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AlexEiffel

I have the same question. It seems the consensus here is:  Intego and Malwarebytes free on demand.  I had read that Bitdefender was also good.  Is anyone using anything else? I also need something for my iOS devices. I know there is no a/v scanning, just protection from malicious websites, spam calls, etc. What are you all using for your iOS devices? I have not been using anything, but iOS is becoming more vulnerable every day.

Thanks I thought of that but I don’t know how to attach my router. The primary router is in the landlord’s apartment.  How do you connect to the WiFi? I don’t see a port for a cable in the apartment.

I know Apple is becoming more and more prone to attacks. I have looked into antivirus for ios, but still I’m not sure what is best. Any suggestions? I can keep my devices updated

I am still on a Windows laptop but will be transitioning to a Mac in a few months. What antivirus is best for Mac? Thanks.

As I said previously, we are at a rental property for a few months. I ran shields up and some tests from https://www.routersecurity.org/testrouter.php using my iPad. They all were good. But the landlord had not changed the router default password, which I had him change immediately. Also, there is no guest network. I haven’t seen anything buggy on my iPad, which is on the network. I am using a vpn.  I am reluctant to connect my laptop to the WiFi network.

I can use my phone hotspot, but cellular data plan is only 6gb.  $15 per gb if you go over.  Upgrading will cost me $50 more per month. I will not need it when I go back home, however, I don’t think 6gb will be enough.  I suppose I could use cellular data, $50 more per month  would give me 9gb as opposed to permanently paying $50/month more.

If I run NordVPN on my Dell laptop using the router at this rental property, would that be ok?or should I stick to using cellular hotspot? Thanks

One more question ; )

Now mind you the attackers can still get you with browser attacks and phishing these days so I’d argue that this “direct attack” method is less likely to occur these days, but especially if you have older tech that relied on specific ports to be open, this is still a quick and dirty tool to use to check that your outside edge of your network is what you expect it to be.

what is direct attack?