Never plug in a USB drive that you are provided for free or do not recognize.
With packaging looking legitimate enough at first glance, scammers are sending out fake Microsoft Office USB sticks — loaded with ransomware — to individuals.
As reported by Tom’s Hardware and PCMag, the USBs are sent out to randomly selected addresses in the hopes of convincing targets that they inadvertently received a $439 Office Professional Plus package.
Protect yourself from tech support scams. Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers use scare tactics to trick you into unnecessary technical support services to supposedly fix device or software problems that don't exist. At best, the scammers are trying to get you to pay them to "fix" a nonexistent problem with your device or software. At worst, they're trying to steal your personal or financial information; and if you allow them to remote into your computer to perform this "fix," they will often install malware, ransomware, or other unwanted programs that can steal your information or damage your data or device.
Please reach out to OIS if you are unsure the validity of a USB drive.
Michael Platt
Never plug in a USB drive that you are provided for free or do not recognize.
With packaging looking legitimate enough at first glance, scammers are sending out fake Microsoft Office USB sticks — loaded with ransomware — to individuals.
As reported by Tom’s Hardware and PCMag, the USBs are sent out to randomly selected addresses in the hopes of convincing targets that they inadvertently received a $439 Office Professional Plus package.
Protect yourself from tech support scams. Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers use scare tactics to trick you into unnecessary technical support services to supposedly fix device or software problems that don't exist. At best, the scammers are trying to get you to pay them to "fix" a nonexistent problem with your device or software. At worst, they're trying to steal your personal or financial information; and if you allow them to remote into your computer to perform this "fix," they will often install malware, ransomware, or other unwanted programs that can steal your information or damage your data or device.
Please reach out to OIS if you are unsure the validity of a USB drive.