NEWS
HMS TRAINING AND SUPPORT
REGULAR IT TIPS AND NEWS - SUMMER 2025
NEWSLETTER JUNE 2025 – SUMMER SECURITY SPECIAL
SIMPLE CYBER SAFETY TIPS
Fake Login Emails Are on the Rise Again
Some scammers are sending emails that look like they’re from familiar websites like Amazon, PayPal, utilities or even your bank. These emails often say something scary like, “Your account is locked!” or “We need you to verify your identity.” If you click the link in the email, it takes you to a fake website that looks real – and asks you to log in. If you enter your password there, then verify it’s you via email or text, the scammer can immediately log in to your account before the 2FA code expires. Once they’re in, they can change your security settings as well as use your account as they wish. Using Passkeys (see below) is more secure as the authentication method is not associated with a written code and it can’t be recorded at the point of login, but not all online accounts use them yet.
What You Can Do:
- Don't click links in emails – even if you think you trust it! AI is allowing scammers to create very realistic scam emails. It’s a hard habit to get out of, but it’s the only way to avoid being scammed via a phishing email. Instead, use your browser (Edge, Chrome, Safari, Firefox) to get to the website that’s linked to in the email. Most email clients now come with the ability to disable links and pictures in emails, so if it’s available, use this to stop you clicking the links inadvertently.
- If you're not sure about an email and can’t reach the website concerned, call the company using a phone number you trust (not the one in the email).
- Learn to identify the less sophisticated suspect or phishing emails. Look for spelling errors in the email subject or text and check the sender’s email address – any that look odd should be treated as suspect and the email treated with caution/scepticism, reported as spam/phishing and/or deleted.
New Phone Text Scams Pretend to Be Your Family
There’s a scam where you get a text saying something like: “Hi Mum/Dad, I lost my phone. This is my new number. Can you send me some money?” It sounds like your son or daughter, but it’s really a trick.
What You Can Do:
- Call the family member on the number you already have saved and check the message’s veracity.
- Never send money or personal info without speaking to the recipient first.
Windows and iPhones Had Big Security Updates in May
Recently, both Microsoft (Windows computers) and Apple (iPhones/iPads/Macs) released important updates to fix security holes in their operating systems. Hackers were trying to break in using these holes.
What You Can Do:
- Make sure your device is updated.
- On Windows: Click the Start button → Settings → Updates.
- On iPhones/iPads/Macs: Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
- On Android phones: Go to Settings → System → System Updates → Download and Install
- Restart your device if requested.
Passwords are Easily Hacked if You’re Not Diligent
What You Can Do:
- Use a different password for each website. If one gets stolen, the others are still safe. Can’t remember them all? Try using a small notebook or a password manager app.
- Use passwords of 15 characters or more with a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Do not use a single word or name; combine words together that can’t be looked up in a dictionary.
- Use 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) when offered (as a minimum, it’s better than nothing) – this ensures new devices must check it’s you that’s logging in, via text or email, before allowing you to log in.
- Use Passkeys when offered – ensures it’s you logging in from one device using biometric data (facial recognition, fingerprint or an authentication app) on another device .
- Check your saved passwords’ security by using the Apple Passwords app (iPhone/iPad/Macs), Edge Passwords Manager (the Edge Browser is secured by your Microsoft Account) or Chrome Passwords Manager (the Chrome Browser is secured by your Google Account). Make sure your Apple, Microsoft and Google accounts are secured using Passkeys.
- If you don’t want to use Apple, Microsoft or Google to record and/or secure your passwords, you can no longer be expected to remember them all! Use a small alphabetical notebook and write them down, or use a third-party app such as Bitwarden, Bitdefender, Dashlane or Norton to record and secure the passwords for you. All these methods are better than trusting to luck.
SECURITY NEWS
Windows 10 Protection is Ending
Microsoft will stop sending free security updates for Windows 10 in October 2025. People using older computers must either upgrade to Windows 11 - if their computer can - or plan to replace their computer if it can’t. Without Windows OS security protection, your computer becomes an easy target for hackers. Third-party antivirus apps can protect you from viruses but can’t fix new security flaws in the Windows operating system – so sadly there’s no way round this.
Chrome Users Should Update Their Browser Now
Google is pushing out a patch to the Chrome browser that prevents attackers from accessing your personal information or corrupting your computer system. You should update your browser immediately. To check for updates in Chrome:
- Go to the three dots in the top right corner of the window
- Choose Settings
- Choose About Chrome
- Choose Version
This forces Chrome to check for updates. If a new update is available, click the link to install it and follow the onscreen instructions.
For more security information and tips head to https://hmstraining.co.uk/security.html for further reading.
Stay safe on the world wild web!
Cathryn
Disclaimer: Copyright HMS Training 2025. Facts and prices published in this newsletter are time sensitive and may go out of date. The content is based on my personal research and opinion.