What Is Phishing?

Phishing is an attack in which the scammer attempts to trick you into clicking on a malicious link, downloading malware, or sharing personal or sensitive information. Phishing attacks can occur via telephone, email, text, or social media platforms. Messages are often generic, and they often appear to be from a trusted, legitimate source, such as a bank or courier company. Phishing attacks are on the rise, so it is important to recognize the signs. 

What Are The Signs Of Phishing Attacks?

Spotting a phishing attack can be difficult. However, it is important to recognize those messages to ensure scammers are unable to take advantage of us. Here are some signs to look out for to recognize phishing attacks:

The Message Asks You To Share Personal Information

Any legitimate organization would likely never ask for personal information over the telephone, email, or text, so this should be a red flag. Scammers and cyber attackers are crafty in making their messages appear legitimate. If you are suspicious about a message you have received, it does not hurt to be cautious and contact the organization that supposedly sent the message. When contacting that organization, it is essential to use official contact information. 

The Message Involves A Threat

Scammers often utilize threats to persuade you to do what they want. Most people fear what may happen if they do not comply with the scammer's request. A common phishing attack is over the telephone, whereby scammers claim to be government organization members. They are after personal information, such as your social insurance number, and threaten fines or even that you will be arrested if you fail to comply. If you receive a threatening message that claims to be from a legitimate source, do not panic or let the scammer scare you into giving them what they want. 

The Message Comes From A Suspicious Sender

Phishing attempts can be difficult to spot as they appear to be from a legitimate organization. An immediate red flag is when the sender's email address does not match the organization. In terms of telephone calls or text messages, searching the sender's phone number will either confirm or deny its legitimacy. 

The Message Includes A Suspicious Link

Cybercriminals or scammers often send messages that trick victims into clicking on a link. In an attempt to steal personal information from the victim, the links are to websites that appear to be legitimate but are spoofs. If you do not click the link, the scammer cannot get what they want from you. 

Three signs of a suspicious link include: 

• The link URL in the message does not match the legitimate organization’s website URL.
• The message includes incorrect grammar or overuse of exclamation marks and other punctuation. 
• The message involves logos that look ‘off” or poorly designed templates. A government organization would never send messages like this. 

Although there is no infallible way to recognize phishing attacks, knowing the signs will help protect you and your loved ones. Always remember that if something appears suspicious, it likely is. 

With predatory scams such as phishing attacks rising, we all must protect ourselves. They could fall victim to a predatory scam regardless of age or intellect. If you have any questions regarding phishing attacks, contact the IT experts at Burnt Orange IT Solutions. We can help your business mitigate risk and be prepared for any IT-related emergency.

We hope this article gave you some insight. If you want to ensure your business’s IT security, contact the Trusted Saskatoon IT professionals at Burnt Orange Solutions, and we will take IT worries off your plate.

"IT Support You Can Trust and Understand"

Burnt Orange Solutions are your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts

Having to call your Saskatoon plumber every time a drain in your home gets clogged can become time-consuming, and frustrating, not to mention very expensive. Your drains may work right now, but clogs can happen at any time. Though plumbing codes, normal plumbing maintenance, and good drain pipe materials can keep the rate of clog formation to a minimum, most people do not have the advantage or the ability to decide what plumbing materials are to be used. No one thinks about plumbing maintenance until there is a clogged drain. Clogged drains can create severe water damage to a home’s structure (such as the wiring) and can be a potential health risk. Problems caused by a clogged drain can be avoided by taking the necessary steps of drain maintenance to prevent clogs from occurring. Remember, prevention is not only easy to do but can save you a lot of money in the long run!

Tip 1: When cleaning up after dinner, run hot water through the drain to prevent grease buildup and hard water deposits. Once every few days, to really prevent buildup in your pipes, first put in a half cup of baking soda, followed by a half cup of vinegar, and then wash it through with boiling hot water.

Tip 2: Check your bathtub stoppers every three months for hair and buildup of biofilm (a mixture of bacteria, food particles, soap residue, and body oils that hardens as layers begin to build up and lead to a clogged drain) and see if the stopper needs to be replaced due to wear and tear. Once a week, fill the bathtub halfway to three-fourths full (while the stopper is in the drain) and then pull out the stopper. The weight and volume of the water will fill the pipe and will flush the drain line.         

Tip 3: Have your home plumbing system regularly inspected for maintenance from the team at JOB Heating and Air. As a preventative measure, at least once a year, hire a plumber to snake your home’s drain lines for any buildups that can lead to a clog. For major connections, such as your septic tank or your main pipe to the sewer system, have periodic inspections. Small roots that penetrate a drain pipe can be cleaned up before it turns into a big problem. If regular inspections are not performed by a plumber, the roots can become entrenched in the drain pipe and will have to be replaced altogether. 

Tip 4: Special clog prevention for kitchen sinks includes: removing all kitchen waste from the sink; not pouring coffee grinds down the sink; not pouring grease down the sink; and catching all food from falling down the sink.

Tip 5: Most plumbers will tell you to avoid using chemical-based cleaners as clog prevention on a regular basis as they can corrode metal pipes after a while. A natural cleaner is an enzyme/bacteria-based cleaner. Once poured down a drain, it creates colonies of good bacteria that destroy bad bacteria that cause clogs in your drains. Use natural-based cleaners at night, just before everyone goes to sleep – large amounts of water used after the cleaner can get rid of the good bacteria before it has had time to work.

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing company. We show up on time, deliver on budget and we leave the work area cleaner than when we arrived! At JOB we take pride in our plumbing services in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from our clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.

Check the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve:

The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety feature that is designed to release pressure if the water in the tank becomes too hot or the pressure becomes too high. To test it, lift the lever and let it snap back into place. If water flows out of the valve, it’s working properly. If not, it’s time to replace it.

Drain the Tank:

Draining the tank helps remove sediment and minerals that can build up over time, reducing the efficiency of your water heater. You should drain your tank once a year to remove this buildup. Simply attach a hose to the drain valve and run the water into a drain or bucket until it runs clear.

Check the Anode Rod:

The anode rod is a metal rod that is designed to corrode instead of the tank. If the anode rod is worn down, the tank is more likely to rust and leak. To check the anode rod, remove the access panel and inspect the rod. If it’s less than a quarter inch in diameter, it’s time to replace it.

Insulate the Tank:

Insulating the tank can help reduce heat loss and increase the efficiency of your water heater. You can buy a pre-cut insulation blanket for your water heater or wrap the tank with insulation.

Regularly Check for Leaks:

Check the tank and connections for any signs of leaks. If you notice a leak, it’s important to have it repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

In conclusion, regular water heater maintenance is essential for ensuring that your water heater lasts for many years to come. By following these tips on maintaining your water heater, you can keep it in good working condition and prevent costly repairs and safety hazards. If you are unsure about how to maintain your water heater properly, it’s best to consult JOB Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing company. They can inspect your water heater and make necessary repairs or replacements to ensure it works properly.

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing company. We show up on time, deliver on budget, and leave the work area cleaner than when we arrived! At JOB, we take pride in our plumbing services in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from our clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.