The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, and technology often plays a significant role in making the festivities even more memorable.

Whether you're giving or receiving new devices, hosting family gatherings, or simply wanting to ensure the security of your digital and physical assets, these technology tips will help you make the most of your tech during the holiday period.

Preparing New Devices

If you're planning to give someone a new phone, tablet, or gaming console, it's essential to set it up properly before wrapping it. Most devices require initial updates to ensure optimal performance and security. By turning on and updating the device beforehand, you can avoid the frustration of slow updates on Christmas morning when everyone is eager to start using their new gadgets.

Securing Devices Digitally and Physically

During the holidays, especially with young children, it's crucial to both digitally, and physically, secure your devices. Implementing digital security measures, such as setting up passwords or PIN codes, can prevent accidental deletion of important documents or unauthorized access to personal information.

Additionally, be mindful of the physical safety of your devices. With the excitement and chaos of holiday gatherings, accidents can happen. Keep devices out of reach of young children or consider using childproof cases to protect them from accidental drops or spills. Also, be careful with charging cables and ensure they are placed in safe locations where they won't be tripped over, potentially causing the device to fall.

Guest Wi-Fi Network

If you're hosting family and friends during the holiday season, it's a good idea to set up a guest Wi-Fi network if your router supports it. A guest network provides a separate Wi-Fi connection for your guests, while keeping your main network secure. This separation prevents guests from accessing shared folders or other resources on your network, protecting your sensitive information from any potentially infected devices brought by your guests.

Even if you completely trust your guests, their devices might unknowingly be infected with malware that could spread to your own devices. Setting up a guest network creates an extra layer of security and peace of mind.

Have you recently received an email claiming to be from Norton informing you of an upcoming subscription renewal? Be cautious, as this could be a scam.

The "Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam" is making the rounds. This article aims to inform you about what to look for and how to avoid it.

The Deceptive Email

The Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam involves a fake invoice for antivirus renewal. Norton, a well-known antivirus brand, is being used as a disguise to trick users into believing they need to renew their subscription immediately. The scammers prey on the trust associated with the Norton brand to deceive their victims.

Recognizing the Scam

Several red flags can help you identify the Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam. First, the price mentioned in the email is often exorbitant, and a sense of urgency is created by stating that the invoice must be paid within 24 hours. The email may also instruct you to call their billing department to cancel the subscription or request a refund for the amount that hasn't actually been charged.

The Scam Unfolds

Once you call the provided number, the scam begins to unfold. The scammer on the other end of the line may request remote access to your computer, claiming they need to resolve the issue or process the refund. This is a major red flag, as legitimate companies such as Norton would never ask for remote access to your computer over the phone.

The scammer might then ask you to log into your bank account and note the current balance. They will then manipulate the code on the Web page to make it appear that they have refunded a larger amount of money than they were supposed to. They will demand that you repay the excess amount back to them, insisting that it was a mistake. Unfortunately, the initial refund never occurred, and by paying the difference back to the scammer, you have fallen victim to their scheme.

Protect Yourself

To protect yourself from falling victim to the Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam, it's important to remember a few key points:

• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails: If you receive an unexpected email regarding Norton subscription renewal or any other service, take the time to verify its authenticity before taking any action.
• Verify with trusted sources: If you are a Norton customer, contact Norton directly, either through their official website or customer support hotline, to confirm the legitimacy of the email and the renewal request.
• Never give remote access to your computer: Legitimate companies will never ask for remote access to your computer over the phone. If someone requests this, it’s a clear indication of a scam.

If you have fallen victim to the Norton Subscription Renewal Email Scam or need cybersecurity assistance, we are here to help. Scammers may have planted malware on your computer when they had access.

Remember, staying informed and cautious is the best defense against scams. Question suspicious emails or phone calls and seek professional assistance when needed.

Call us at 940-282-0290.