We have had a timely reminder from our IT providers to be vigilant at home and at work concerning the security of your IT equipment, PCs and the like.

The "Microsoft" or "Windows" telephone scammers are STILL doing the rounds so please watch out for this, ensure that your staff, and in particular those in the office know that these scams are in operation.

If you haven't heard about this scam, you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be from Microsoft, Windows or other IT vendor/provider, they will inform you that there is an issue with your computer, commonly they will claim your computer is full of viruses.  The caller will ask you to follow some instructions to "sort the issue", yeah right!  What they will actually do is help you to install a virus on your computer which could potentially leave all your personal and/or business information (including passwords) accessible to the scammers.

It is important to note for a start that Microsoft (like banks) will never approach members of the public in this fashion.

If you get one of these calls just hang up on them, or if you have some time on your hands, play along for a while (don't do anything with your computer), or to really get them going tell them you have an Apple.