Sydney Web + Tech

Website and Internet Specialists

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Very quick hack for a faster safer Internet

one.one.one.one for a faster safer internet. If you are like me, you are always looking for faster and safer internet connections.

There are several ways to make your internet safer. Virus and malware companies have overlays that examine the traffic coming into your computer to block potential threats. VPN companies protect your privacy, and if you are using a VPN solution such as NordVPN you can get an excellent cyber security layer that will block malware, pop-ups anddramatically increase your privacy.

If you are looking for protection and privacy but do not want to spend more money or run yet another load hogging application, you might wish to look at Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for families. This is a replacement for your current DNS Servers and boasts greater response speed for DNS requests.

I have been testing the Warp+ product on my Android Phone for a while now and I really like the added security it gives me. Cloudflare - for a faster safer internet

Cloudflare have comprehensive instructions for setting up your Windows or Mac OS computer here. to protect your PC or Mac.

The best part of this little hack is it is so non invasive and requires no additional software. As this is a change to your network settings It won’t interfere with anything else you may be running such as Anti Virus software.

I highly recommend you give this a try.

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Update Zoom Now!

There has been an important notice regarding Zoom software. You now need to update your software to greater than Zoom version 5.0. If you have not upgraded before May 30th, Zoom clients will receive a forced upgrade when trying to join a meeting.

The reason for the upgrade is to fully enable GCM Encryption across the Zoom platform. Click on the link for more information.

 How do you Upgrade Zoom?

Please note: Images below are a little blurry. If you click on the image you will get a clearer larger version. – You can click on the close button at the bottom of the enlarged image to go back to the post.

It is always a good idea to make sure your computer operating system is up to date and you regularly back up.  Close any open programs, other than Zoom before updating as a precaution and also to maximise memory and CPU availability.

Updating is a fairly easy process, once you navigate to the correct menu in the application.  Please note the directions below are specific to the Zoom Desktop Software. Variances may occur in Android or IOS Versions of the application.

  1.  Open Zoom –  On the top right of the application will be your profile icon.
  2. Determine if you need to upgrade :
    Click on your Profile Icon and a drop down will be displayed.
    Click on “Help” then “About Zoom”  A dialog box will be displayed with information about your copy of the application.  The Version number will be displayed. If the version number is below version 5.0  you need to update.
  3.  Upgrade Zoom: Click on Your Profile then “Check for Updates” and the Update Process will begin.  If a release is available, Zoom will display information on what the available update is and you will see an update button.  Click Update to begin the update process.
  4. That’s it!
    The update process should go OK and that’s all you will need to do. If , however all goes south on you. The easiest action is to  remove the application and reinstall from the download link on the Zoom website.

 

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Sydney Web + Tech Hosted WordPress Websites Updated to WordPress v 5.2.3

WordPressWordPress has released version 5.2.3.

Sydney Web + Tech are constantly working behind the scenes to secure and maintain your website.

We take website security seriously and strive to be diligent as does WordPress.

This latest update is a maintenance and security release.

Websites on version 5.2.2 – we will be upgrading you to 5.2.3.

Websites not on version 5.2.2 – we will be upgrading you to the most secure point version that your site is currently able to be upgraded to.

For more information on the WordPress 5.2.3 release, please see the blog post below from WordPress.org:

WordPress 5.2.3 Security and Maintenance Release

If you have any questions you can contact the SW+T team on our contact page

Like to know more about secure managed hosting?
Get Protected

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Website Check

Website Checklist

website check

The same as caring and maintaining our cars, our homes and anything we have invested in, we should periodically do a website check.

Here are just a few questions you should be asking.

Is your website more than 2 years old?
Older websites can look out of date, as well as start deteriorating, if not updated.

Is your website Mobile Friendly?

This will greatly affect your Google ranking.

Can you recover from a disaster:

such as being hacked, or your website being damaged or lost completely?
Sadly, we have written many websites quickly from scratch as clients have lost everything from such disasters.

Do you backup regularly?
If so, have you tested that back up to make sure it works?

Is your website secure?

Is the site protected with SSL?
It is virtually a requirement of Google. Viewers don’t want to visit unsafe sites.

Are the passwords you and others use to access the site more than 15 characters and cryptic?.
We see multiple password attack attempts daily.
Your website’s security may depend on that long, annoying password.

Is the site scanned for malware regularly?
Can you detect if files are being changed without your permission?
We have all seen examples of what malware can do.

Do you keep your site up to date?

Is the code on your site updated when new versions are released, such as: plugins, core code or themes?
Keeping code updated is another way to help protect against hacking.
Your security may be compromised through old code.

Is it is a risk to the viewer?
Hacked sites can have hidden malware that is passed on to other computers. Your client’s security can be in jeopardy.

Is your site slow or damaged?
Viewers will click away from sites that don’t load quickly or are not working properly.

These factors will influence your sites effectiveness in delivering your message and attracting new clients.

 How did your website go?

I’d like a Free Website Check Up*

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Western Union Money Transfer Scams

Were you a victim of Western Union Scams?

Western Union scams

There has been so many different scams involving Western Union as the conduit for payment.

Here’s one example from several years ago, involving a family member and the sale of their truck.

The truck was advertised in the Trading post and one day later it was sold.
But…
The buyer was on an oil rig.
Although payment for the truck itself was ok, he was having difficulty in transferring money for the truck to be shipped from N.S.W. to W.A., without which the sale could not go through.
Would it be possible for the shipping cost to be added on to the total truck sale price, and to send the shipping cost directly to the shipper via Paypal?
Of course it will be handled by Western Union, so it’s all above board.

Alarm bells were rung and the sale did not go through.

Below is the email from Paypal, involving the payment through Western Union.

western union scams

You may be Eligible for a Refund

Not everyone has escaped these scams
Western Union has admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud and has paid a US$586 million to the US Department of Justice. This money is being used to provide refunds worldwide to eligible victims.

Take Action Now
The ACCC is encouraging all Australians who lost money to Western Union scams (including dating and romance scammers) between 2004 and 2017 to take action by 31st May. You may be eligible for a refund.
Further information can be found on the ACCC website :Victims scammed via Western Union.

If you would like any information or advice regarding scams in email or through the internet, please contact us.