Alan Healy 
Co-Owner, Computer Concepts | Apple Authorized Repair & Service | Business Technology Solutions | 20+ Years in Tech | Serving Yorktown, Williamsburg & Hampton Roads | MAKE IT WORK
October 2, 2026
Hi neighbor,
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year’s national message is a good one. The National Cybersecurity Alliance’s 2026 theme is “Don’t Make It Easy For Them,” and it aims to make life harder for cybercriminals. At our counters in Williamsburg and Yorktown, we see the same thing every week: scammers rarely need to be clever. They just need you to act fast. Here’s what to watch for right now. cybermagazine
- The fake “I’m not a robot” check
You land on a website and see what looks like a normal security check. Hacked websites are showing fake Cloudflare CAPTCHAs that ask you to prove you’re human. The instructions tell you to press some keys or paste something into your computer.
🚩Red flag:A real CAPTCHA never asks you to open a command box or paste anything. Close the tab. buttondown - The frozen-screen virus warning
Your screen suddenly locks up on a scary warning while you’re browsing. It usually has a phone number for “Microsoft” or “Apple Support.”
🚩Red flag: Real companies never put a phone number in a pop-up. Don’t call it. Force-quit the browser or restart, and if it comes back, bring it to us. buttondown - “Government agents” who need your money
Callers are claiming to be federal agents from the FBI and other agencies. Others pose as the FTC. The FTC says a real employee won’t text you a photo of their ID to “verify” who they are. The agency will also never tell you to move your money to protect it, or to pull out cash or buy gold and hand it to someone.
🚩Red flag:Threats, urgency, and gift cards, crypto, cash, or gold. buttondown.com +2 - Too-good-to-be-true online stores
You find a store you’ve never heard of selling a brand you know at 65% off. With holiday shopping starting, expect more of these.
🚩Red flag:A brand-new site, huge discounts, and payment by wire, Zelle, or crypto only. buttondown - Swapped QR codes on parking meters
Scammers are putting their own QR code stickers over the real ones on parking meters.
🚩Red flag:A sticker on top of a sign. Pay in the official app or at the meter instead. buttondown - Voices that sound real but aren’t
Criminals are using AI to create convincing fake identities, imitate voices, and run scams at scale. A call that sounds like your grandchild in trouble may not be them.
🚩Red flag:An emergency plus a request for secrecy. Hang up and call them back on the number you already have. Better yet, agree on a family code word. mvsb
The 3-second rule
Before you click, call, scan, or pay, stop and ask yourself: Did I start this conversation? If you didn’t, slow down.
Already clicked? Don’t be embarrassed. Act fast.
- Contact the company you used to send the money right away and try to cancel or reverse the payment. ftc
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. ftc
- Bring your computer to us. We’ll check for remote-access software and malware, and help you lock down your accounts.
Not sure if something’s a scam? Forward it to us or stop by. A Time With A Tech session is a great way to set up two-factor login, a password manager, and Backblaze backup in one sitting.
📍 Williamsburg: 4324A New Town Ave · 757-564-3996
📍 Yorktown: 4328 Geo. Wash. Mem. Hwy · 757-873-1580
Stay safe,
The Computer Concepts Team