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Scam & Security Library
Know a scam when you see one.
Plain-English guides to the scams, tricks and tech problems we see every week in Kansas — with real-world examples so you know exactly what to look for.
- Real examples with red flags marked
- For homes and businesses
- Written by your local IT team
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The 3 scams we see most
How to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)
Fake pop-ups, surprise phone calls and gift-card payments. How tech support scams work, the red flags, and what to do if a scammer got in.
Scams & phishing7 Red Flags in a Phishing Email (With a Real-World Example)
An annotated example phishing email and the seven red flags to check before you click, plus what to do if you already did.
Scams & phishingThat “Your Computer Is Infected” Pop-Up Is Fake: How to Spot Scareware
A flashing warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. That is scareware. How to spot it, close it and recover.
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How to Spot a Tech Support Scam (and What a Real Tech Will Never Ask You to Do)
Fake pop-ups, surprise phone calls and gift-card payments. How tech support scams work, the red flags, and what to do if a scammer got in.
Scams & phishing7 Red Flags in a Phishing Email (With a Real-World Example)
An annotated example phishing email and the seven red flags to check before you click, plus what to do if you already did.
Scams & phishingThat “Your Computer Is Infected” Pop-Up Is Fake: How to Spot Scareware
A flashing warning says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. That is scareware. How to spot it, close it and recover.
Security alertOffice 2021 Support Ends October 13: What Kansas Businesses Need to Do Now
Microsoft ends support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, with no extension and no extended security updates. Here is what to do.
Security alertIs Your Microsoft 365 Backup Still Working? Microsoft Is Shutting Off EWS
Microsoft is turning off an old connection method called EWS in Microsoft 365. Older backup, CRM and scheduling tools may quietly stop working.
Security alertMikroTik Router Owners: Attackers Are Taking Over Routers. Patching Alone Isn’t Enough
Attackers are taking over MikroTik routers that have SSH exposed to the internet. Updating is step one; checking for a backdoor is step two.
Security alertCameras and HVAC Controls on Your Business Network? New Warnings Show Why to Separate Them
New government advisories on building controllers and a camera cloud used by hundreds of brands show why these devices belong on their own network.
Security alertVPN and Remote-Access Gateways Are Under Attack: Questions to Ask Your IT Provider
Attackers spent September 2026 breaking into remote-access and network security appliances. What it means for your business.
Security alertRunning Your Own Server? SharePoint, GitLab and Linux Flaws Are Being Exploited
Attackers are exploiting flaws in self-hosted SharePoint Server, GitLab and the Linux kernel. If you run your own server, here is what to do.
Security alertBuying Microsoft Copilot? Watch the New Usage Billing and Check the Nonprofit Discount
New Copilot Business subscriptions come with pay-as-you-go billing already turned on. What to set first, plus a discount for churches and nonprofits.
Scams & phishingHow Search Results Can Land You in Trouble: Fake Ads, Fake Support Numbers and Bad Downloads
Scammers buy search ads and build look-alike sites so the first result you see is theirs.
Scams & phishingEmail Safety and Identifying Phishing Attempts
How to recognize phishing attempts and keep your inbox safe.
Scams & phishingScam Text Messages (Smishing): Unpaid Tolls, Package Holds and Fake Bank Alerts
Unpaid toll texts, package holds, fake bank alerts and “wrong number” chats are all smishing. See examples and learn what to do.
Scams & phishing“Are You Available? I Need a Favor”: The Gift Card Scam That Pretends to Be Your Boss
An urgent message from “the boss” asking an employee to buy gift cards is one of the most common small business scams.
Scams & phishingQR Code Scams: Why That Parking Meter Sticker Could Cost You
Fake QR code stickers on parking meters, flyers and emails send you to look-alike payment pages. How to scan safely.
Scams & phishing“A Document Was Shared With You”: How Fake Sign-In Pages Steal Passwords
“Someone shared a file with you” emails lead to fake sign-in pages. How to tell real from fake.
Scams & phishingFake Renewal Invoices: “Your Subscription Has Been Renewed for $399.99”
Emails saying your antivirus or support plan renewed want you to call a fake refund department.
Scams & phishing“Is This You in This Video?” How Hacked Social Media Accounts Spread Scams
Messages from friends asking “is this you in this video?” or for a code usually come from hacked accounts.
Scams & phishingAI Voice Cloning and the “Grandparent Scam”: When a Loved One’s Voice Isn’t Real
Scammers can now copy a loved one’s voice with AI. The warning signs and one simple defense.
Scams & phishingSelling Online? Watch for These Marketplace Buyer Scams
The verification code scam, overpayment refunds and fake checks, and how to sell safely.
Scams & phishingFake Job Offers and Check Scams: “You’re Hired — No Interview Needed!”
Remote job offers by text with no interview, high pay and a check to deposit are scams.
Scams & phishingTax Season Scams: Fake IRS Texts, Refund Emails and Threatening Calls
How the IRS really contacts you and how to protect your refund.
Scams & phishingFake Bank-Change Requests: The Email Scam That Steals Business Payments
An email asking you to send a vendor payment to a new bank account is one of the costliest business scams.
Computer & browserIs Your Browser Hijacked? Signs, Causes and How to Fix It
Spammy notifications, a new homepage and pages that redirect on their own are signs your browser has been hijacked.
Computer & browser“Your Browser Is Out of Date”: Fake Update Pop-Ups That Install Malware
Websites that offer an “Update Now” download are installing malware. Here is how real updates work.
Computer & browserNavigating the Digital Frontier: Internet Safety in Today’s World
Understanding the risks online, from identity theft to malware and phishing scams.
Computer & browserPublic Wi-Fi Safety: Look-Alike Networks and What Not to Do on Hotel and Café Wi-Fi
How to use public Wi-Fi and charging stations more safely.
Computer & browserSlow or Spotty Office Wi-Fi? 7 Fixes to Try Before You Call Your Internet Provider
Dead zones and dropped calls are often a Wi-Fi problem, not an internet problem.
Passwords & accountsPassword Safety 101: Protect Yourself Online
Your passwords are the first line of defense against cyber threats.
Passwords & accountsMFA Fatigue: Why You Should Never Tap “Approve” on a Sign-In You Didn’t Start
Repeated “Approve sign-in?” prompts on your phone mean someone has your password.
For businessesBreak-Fix vs. Managed IT: Which Makes Sense for a Small Kansas Business?
Pay for IT help only when something breaks, or pay monthly to keep it from breaking? A plain-English comparison.
For businessesWhy Penetration Testing Is No Longer Optional
Rural businesses, municipalities, churches, medical offices and schools are all targets now.
For businessesSwitching Your Business Phones to VoIP: 8 Questions to Ask First
Numbers, pricing, internet, failover and 911 — ask these before you switch.
For businessesThe Pitfalls of Thinking We’re Tech-Savvy
Why consulting a professional is essential.
Cyber news
Headlines from trusted security sources
Think you clicked something bad?
Disconnect from the internet and call us. We clean up after scams every week, no judgment.
Print these out
6 rules that stop almost every scam
Put them by the phone. Share them with parents and employees.
Never let someone who called YOU connect to your computer
Real tech support doesn't call out of the blue. You call them, at a number you know.
Never share a code sent to your phone
Verification codes unlock your accounts. Nobody legitimate will ask you to read one back.
Gift cards are for gifts — never payments
No real business, government agency or boss asks to be paid in gift cards.
Verify by calling a number you already have
Not the number in the email, text or pop-up. Use your bill, card, contacts or the official website.
Always click “Block” on notification requests
Sites you allow to send notifications are a top source of fake virus alerts and pop-ups.
When in doubt, ask us
A two-minute call to 620-960-8711 can save you thousands. We're happy to take a look.
Think you clicked something you shouldn't have?
Disconnect from the internet and call us. No judgment.
Central Kansas Managed Services Provider: managed IT, cybersecurity, backup, networking, business phones and hardware for Hutchinson and central & western Kansas.
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