Renzi Technology Help Desk

Welcome to the Renzi Technology Help Desk! If you are still having trouble after following the tips below, please contact 315-788-5610 to speak with an expert!

 

Understanding Email Threats

It's important for all users of email to take appropriate safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the email system and the data handled by it. Listed below are some of the common types of email threats that exist. For a more detailed overview, including visual examples of potential email threats, please click here to view a secure PDF.

Three Main Types of Spear Phishing
  • Click only - prompts you to click on a malicious link
  • Credential - prompts you to enter your login usernames and passwords
  • Attachments - prompts you to download an infected attachment
Warning Signs of a Phish
  • Unknown sender
  • Emotional appeal
  • Spelling / grammatical errors
  • URL link
  • Solicits sensitive information
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Scams
    • Uses emails to trick recipients into initiating a fraudulent wire transfer, often by impersonating a high-ranking executive within the organization or a vendor/supplier. A BEC scam may resemble a spear phishing attack. However, very rarely do they include a malicious hyperlink or attachment.
    • Usually Plain text emails that are usually not stopped by perimeter security.
    • These types of emails typically spoof a legitimate user within the organization to increase the chances you'll trust and interact with the message.
    • Payroll Diversion Scams – threat actors are now masquerading as regular employees to send emails to HR/ Payroll personnel asking them to update their direct deposit details.

Please view the PDF here for specific examples of these types of emails including CEO fraud, bogus invoice emails and payment request emails.

Disabling Pop-Up Blockers

A pop-up blocker is any program that prohibits a pop-up at some point in time. This may consist of multiple internet windows, or actual pop-ups caused by coding on a webpage. Generally, pop-up blockers are installed to avoid pop-up ads from webpages. However, depending upon the pop-up blocker, they may block useful information as well. These could include option screens such as print and download options screens, or they could stop pop-ups which would confirm downloads or show a result to a page. Take the following steps to disable pop-up blockers on your specific web browser.

Chrome (Windows)

By default, Chrome will notify you when a pop-up is blocks and give you an option to see it. To turn off pop-up blocker, follow these instructions:

  1. Click the Customize and Control Google Chrome menu (the three dots in the upper right corner)
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click Advanced at the bottom.
  4. Under Privacy and Security, click the Content Settings button.
  5. Select Pop-Ups and Redirects.
  6. To disable the pop-up blocker, uncheck the Blocked (recommended) box.
  7. To enable pop-ups on specific sites, check Blocked (recommended) and click Add next to Allow and enter the URL(s).
Firefox (Windows)
  1. Select the three horizontal bars in the upper right corner.
  2. Select Options.
  3. Select the Privacy and Security tab.
  4. To disable the pop-up blocker, uncheck the Block Pop-Up Windows box below Permissions.
  5. To allow specific pop-ups, click Exceptions and enter the URL(s).
  6. Close the window.
  7. Click OK.
Internet Explorer (Windows IE 8 and earlier)
  1. Click Tools.
  2. Click Pop-Up Blocker.
  3. Click Turn Off Pop-up Blocker.
Internet Explorer (Windows IE 9 and later)
  1. Click the GEAR icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Select the Privacy tab.
  3. Uncheck Turn on Pop-Up Blocker to disable the pop-up blocker.
  4. Click the Settings button to disable pop-up blockers for specific sites.
  5. Click OK.
Chrome (Mac)

By default, Chrome will notify you when a pop-up is blocks and give you an option to see it. To turn off the pop-up blocker, follow these instructions:

  1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome menu (the three dots in the upper right corner)
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Click Advanced at the bottom.
  4. Under Privacy and Security, click the Content Settings button.
  5. Select Pop-ups and Redirects.
  6. To disable the pop-up blocker, uncheck the Blocked (recommended) box.
  7. To enable pop-ups on specific sites, check Blocked (recommended) and click Add next to Allow and enter the URL(s).
Firefox (Mac)
  1. Select Preferences from the Firefox menu.
  2. Select the Privacy and Security tab.
  3. To disable the pop-up blocker, uncheck the Block Pop-Up Windows box below Permissions.
  4. To allow specific pop-ups, click Exceptions and enter the URL(s).
  5. Close the window.
  6. Click OK.
Safari (Mac)
  1. From the Safari menu, select Preferences
  2. Click Websites at the top of the window
  3. Select Pop-up Windows.
  4. To disable the pop-up blocker select Allow next to When Visiting Other Websites.
  5. To allow specific pop-ups, navigate to the web page, follow steps 1-3 and then select Allow next to the name of the site.