Pandemic reality number one: people are home and, on their computers, more than ever. Pandemic reality two: the more people are online, the more vulnerable they might be to online scams. In fact, experts estimate that one in four computer users have received a Covid-related phishing e-mail.

1. Don't Get Caught by A Phisherman. How to Spot Phishing e-mails in The Covid Age
Worcester, MA, January 26, 2021 -- Pandemic reality number one: people are home and, on their computers,
more than ever. Pandemic reality two: the more people are online, the more vulnerable they might be to online
scams. In fact, experts estimate that one in four computer users have received a Covid-related phishing e-mail.
Nothing is sacred and that’s why phishing remains one of the top ways computer users fall prey to internet
thieves.
"Phishing" is a term used for computer hackers who attempt to get you to reveal information that can then be
used to exploit your email or computer account. While you can have a security program running in the
background, you still need to be on your toes to be able to detect a phishing attempt that gets by your security
system.
“Phishing e-mails are very subtle and often look quite legit,” said Paul LaFlamme, owner of the Worcester, MA-
based IT firm Centrend. “Knowing some of the red flags that come with a phishing e-mail can help you avoid
some major problems with your computer, your online reputation and, in many cases, identity theft.”
LaFlamme’s first piece of advice is to make sure of the source of the e-mail. If it’s not from someone you know
or if the domain name in the e-mail does not match the company it says it’s from, delete it.
Password verification e-mails also pose a potential risk. Many phishing e-mails will request you to click a link
and then provide your e-mail and password. If you did not start that process (e.g., forgot your username or
password), do not click on the link. If its from a company/website you recognize, log on from your browser,
typing in the domain, and then log in.
“Where people get fooled is when the sender seems familiar,” said LaFlamme. “Just remember, companies
usually don’t send out those types of e-mails on their own. Typically, it’s in response to a request from you.”
To further safeguard against phishing attacks, LaFlamme advises against using the same password for multiple
websites.

2. “Phishers can smell patterns. Using the same password for every login can make you easy prey,” said
LaFlamme. “I recommend using LastPass or similar password storage apps. With these apps, you just need to
know your one password to log in and you can store the username and password for all your other sites.”
Adds LaFlamme, “LastPass and other apps like it are particularly valuable as our computer time has increased
during the pandemic and a lot of folks have let their guard down a little.”
With offices in both Worcester and Sturbridge, Massachusetts, Centrend provides on-site Information
Technology (IT) managed services and consulting to business customers throughout New England. Those
customers include companies in the manufacturing, real estate, finance, insurance, legal, non-profit,
construction and hospitality industries.
In addition to its medium- and small-business customers, Centrend has a home consumer division, Whiz Kid
Support. Material for future podcasts will also include the issues impacting many remote workers and home-
based businesses.
For more information on Centrend, visit https://www.centrend.com/
About Centrend:
With offices in both Worcester and Sturbridge, Massachusetts, Centrend provides on-site Information
Technology (IT) managed services and consulting to business customers throughout New England. Those
customers include companies in the manufacturing, real estate, finance, insurance, legal, non-profit,
construction and hospitality industries. Centrend’s consumer division, Whiz Kid Support, provides computer
support services to individual home users and to small/independent businesses with three or fewer computers.
For more information on Centrend, visit (https://www.centrend.com/).
Media Contact:
Steven Dubin, PR Works
SDubin@PRWorkZone.com
781-582-1061