What is Phishing, and how can we avoid being caught is a question I am often asked. Well, let me explain. Phishing is a form of fraud where the attacker attempts to steal personal information such as your computer username, the password and your banking details to gain access to your accounts.
The goal of the phisher is the theft of sensitive information, your money and your identity. In this article, I explain what phishing is and how you can prevent being caught by a phisher.
Types of phishing scams
Phishing attacks vary according to the attacker’s objective, the complexity of the fraud and quality of the forgery. Also popular is the targeting of specific individuals, known as Spear Phishing and in the case of C-level executives it is called Whaling,
A popular type of phishing is called deceptive phishing. In this scam, fraudsters impersonate a legitimate company and attempt to steal personal information and login credentials
Spear Phishing
Spear phishing is a form of attack that targets specific individuals, roles or organisations. Attackers first do in-depth research about the person or organisation they plan to target, making the attack more believable and thereby increasing the possibility of success.
Whaling
“Whaling” describes spear phishing attacks directed at executive officers or other high-level targets in business or government. The goal is to trick the target into disclosing sensitive corporate or governmental information through social engineering, email spoofing and content spoofing efforts.
Deceptive Phishing
Deceptive Phishing is the most common type of phishing scam. The intention is to impersonate a legitimate company’s official correspondence. To protect yourself from this kind of attack:
- Always check the URLs for redirections to
unknown websites
- Look for generic salutations
- Check for grammar and spelling errors scattered
throughout the email
Pharming
Some of the more popular phishing techniques are:
- Embedding a link in an email that redirects you to a scam website
- Installing a Trojan via an email attachment that allows the intruder to obtain sensitive information
- Changing (spoofing) the sender address in an email to appear as a reputable source and request confidential information
- Requesting confidential company information over the phone by impersonating an employee
Conclusion
We often get asked, “what is phishing and how to avoid it?” Well, phishing is a form of fraud where the attacker attempts to steal personal information such as your computer username, the password and your banking details to gain access to your accounts.
Educating the end-user to these threats and implementing anti-malware and anti-spyware solutions will reduce the success rate of the phisher.
Windows 11 Upgrade - Will it work on your lapop?
So, you’re wondering about Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. It looks snazzy and has some neat features. But can your current laptop actually run it? Don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in IT to figure this out! We at abacon IT in Cape Town are here to help you understand the basics.
Upgrading your laptop to Windows 11 can give it a new lease on life. However, Windows 11 has certain system requirements. These are the minimum specifications your laptop needs to have to run the software smoothly. Think of it like needing the right ingredients for a recipe – without them, it just won’t work properly.
One of the most important parts is your laptop’s processor, often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the “brain” of your computer. Windows 11 needs a fairly recent and capable CPU to function well.
Which Processors Work with Windows 11?
Here’s a simplified look at the processors that are generally compatible:
Intel Processors:
- Generally, Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer. You might see names like “Intel Core i5-8xxx” or “Intel Core i7-11xxx.” The first number after the “i” (or “i3”) usually indicates the generation. So, an “i5-8250u” is an 8th-generation processor.
- Intel also has its Pentium and Celeron processors. For Windows 11, only certain newer models are compatible.
AMD Processors:
- For AMD, Windows 11 requires Ryzen 2000 Series and newer. You’ll see names like “AMD Ryzen 5 2xxx” or “AMD Ryzen 7 5xxx”. Again, the first number after “Ryzen” indicates the series.
- AMD also has Athlon processors. Similar to Intel’s Pentium and Celeron, only specific newer Athlon models will work with Windows 11.
Important Note: This is a general guideline. There can be exceptions, so it’s always best to double-check your specific processor.
How to Find Out Which Processor Your Laptop Has
Don’t fret, Windows makes it pretty easy to see what CPU is inside your laptop:
- Right-click the Start Button: This is the Windows logo (usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
- Select “System”: A new window will pop up with information about your computer.
- Look for “Processor”: You’ll find this listed under the “Device specifications” section. It will tell you the name of your processor, including the manufacturer (Intel or AMD) and the model number, which usually indicates the generation or series.
Once you have this information, you can compare it to the general lists above.
Other Important Bits for Windows 11
Besides the processor, there are a few other things Windows 11 needs:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): Consider this your laptop’s short-term memory. Windows 11 requires at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. More is always better for smoother performance. Instead, consider 16 gigabytes (GB).
- Storage: To install Windows 11, you’ll need at least 64 GB of free space on your hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drive). An SSD generally makes your computer much faster.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a security feature. Most modern laptops have this, but it’s worth checking. You can usually find information on how to check for TPM 2.0 in your laptop’s BIOS settings (you might need to consult your laptop manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing this).
- Graphics Card: Your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most reasonably recent graphics cards will meet this requirement.
- Display: You’ll need a screen with a resolution of at least 720p (HD).
Still Not Sure? We Can Help!
Figuring out all these technical details can be daunting. If you’re still unsure whether your laptop is ready for Windows 11, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at abacon IT in Cape Town.
Our friendly team can quickly assess your system and give you straightforward advice. We’re here to help your SME thrive with reliable IT solutions! Contact us at 072-601-2858 or email info@abacon.co.za, and we will call you back.
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