Internet security scam hits Wanganui

An internet security scam that has gone global has arrived in Wanganui.
Gareth Cheyne, proprietor of Harvey Norman Computers and Communications Wanganui, said he had received calls from six customers in recent weeks asking why they had been contacted by someone pretending to be IT support.
"The scammers direct the customer to download an application called LogMeIn, a remote administration application.
"After the customer follows their instructions the fake IT support person logs into their computer remotely and plants viruses," Mr Cheyne said.
"They then inform the user that they can remove the viruses for a fee - on average $249. They then ask the user to provide credit card details over the phone. This should immediately start alarm bells ringing.
"LogMeIn is a legit application, but random people are using it to scam others. It's almost becoming an epidemic worldwide and now it's in our town - people should be made aware. You can actually Google 'LogMeIn scam' and there's heaps of stories about it."
Mr Cheyne warned never to give credit card details out over the phone unless the person on the line was known to you.
"There are internet security tools available that will block these types of scams. Some people think because they have AVG on their computer they are okay. AVG is an anti-virus tool, not a a security tool. If people have a problem or think they are being scammed they can give us a call and we will try to help them," Mr Cheyne said.
 
FIVE TIPS
Five computer security tips from independent IT operator Viv Johnson, owner of PingIT.
- Keep your software up to date, ie antivirus, antisypware, operating system.
- Don't trust anyone on the internet. Even the ones you know.
- Always check the internet addresses.
- If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never give out information such as PIN numbers, bank account numbers, passwords.