Don’t get caught by this holiday email scam!

The holidays are a busy time for all of us and with the advent of online shopping to avoid the crowds we are becoming conditioned to receiving purchase related emails from a variety of sources.

The cyber crime community is well aware of this and a new trend in cyber crime using fake order confirmation and other typical purchase-related emails has been noticed, as reported by internet security company Malcovery. The primary payload of these emails is the malware known as ASProx, a particularly nasty trojan that collects email addresses and passwords from it’s victim’s computers, then turns the infected machine into a botnet relay allowing spam messages to be passed through it.

Malcovery reports that in December 2013, spammers used ASProx to deliver fear in the form of a Failed Delivery email from CostCo, BestBuy, or WalMart.  Malcovery analysts identified more than 600 hijacked websites that were used as relays to prevent detection by causing the spammed links to point to websites that had been “white listed” until the very day of the attack. People responded because the email told them their Christmas gift shipment had been delayed and the only way to get a refund was by clicking the (infected) link.

This year the scammers are getting even craftier and their tactics have changed. Fake order confirmation emails appeared after cyber Monday with titles like “Thank you for your confirmation,” “Order Confirmation,” “Thank you for buying from [company name],” “Acknowledgement of Order,” and “Order Status.”. The email content now targets people’s greed by saying that a delivery (that they didn’t order) is waiting for them:

“We are happy to inform you that our online store HomeDepot.com has an order whose recipient details match yours.  The order could be received in any Local Store of HomeDepot.com within the period of 5 days.  Open this LINK to see full information about your order.”

Opening the link infects the victim’s machine.

Another trend is with hijacked credit card numbers. Instead of charging several hundred dollars on a single credit card – which is immediately noticed and blocked – online thieves are now content to charge several thousand people $20 – $30 each, which is less likely to be noticed by either the bank or the victim.

Cognoscape is committed to your security

There are a few simple rules to follow whenever you open your inbox:

  • Ask yourself: Were you expecting this email?
  • Check the sender’s address – hover over the address to verify the sender
  • Check the link address – hover over the link to read the address it is sending you to. Does the domain name look valid?
  • Learn to spot fake domain addresses
  • If you have any concerns DO NOT click the link, instead type the address into your browser and access the information from there
  • Review your credit card statement regularly for fraudulent transactions
  • Remember scammers target people’s greed – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Would you like to learn these techniques and have them taught to your colleagues? Cognoscape are now providing a series of lunch and learn presentations to avoid phishing scams and keep you safe from these attacks. Fill in the “Request a Consultation” form to the right of this blog post if you would like more details.

Don’t forget your friends need to know about this too – please share this post!

Cognoscape LLC, Dallas based IT Support firm to sponsor 2014 Dallas Bar Association Pro Bono Golf Tournament.

Cognoscape is pleased to sponsor the 2014 Dallas Bar Association Pro Bono Golf Tournament to benefit the Dallas Volunteer attorney Program tomorrow May 1st, 2014.   Please join us for a cold beverage when we pull up to your foursome in the beverage cart :-)   The drinks are on us for this great cause and we hope to see you.

Michael St Martin|Cognoscape|ITServices

Keeping up with Technology – Speaker for your event?

With the rate of technology ever increasing and the importance it has on becoming a successful business, Michael is increasing his number of speaking engagements as a value add activity to surrounding communities.   He can easily adapt his talk to the audience or topic and speaks on all things technology and how to maximize it for your desired results.   Please let us know if you are interested in having Michael speak at your upcoming meeting.   Read Michael’s full bio below.   Thanks!

Keeping up with TechnologyMichael St Martin|Cognoscape|ITServices

Michael St. Martin

Learn what’s up with the latest technology trends and how “Strategic Technology Acceleration” can rocket your business forward.  Is your technology a competitive advantage?  Do you know how to leverage Cloud Computing? Mobile Devices? Is your network secure? Michael St. Martin will provide information and real world tips that you can use immediately to make your systems an asset instead of a liability.

Michael St. Martin is an entrepreneur and founder of Cognoscape, a Business Technology company that specializes in bringing Enterprise Class technology solutions to Small and Medium Business. While Cognoscape is the newest of Michael’s successful business ventures, his experiences include executive positions with Accenture, building sales organizations with NetIQ and Permeo and adding value to multiple IPOs’ and M&A’s.   His current passion resides in assisting business owners to utilize technology and gain a competitive advantage while streamlining their business.  

Michael has spoken to audiences both large and small, always imparting insight into the latest technology and how to apply it to the audience.   “My goal as a speaker is to give the audience something to take away immediately and apply to their business that day, while entertaining them along the way,” says Michael.   So… great and timely content, mixed with Michael’s engaging style motivates the audience into action!

Cognoscape sponsors Dallas CPA Society Golf Tournament

Cognoscape, Dallas IT Company to help sponsor the Dallas CPA Society Annual Golf Tournament

Cognoscape is honored to help sponsor the Dallas CPA Society Annual Golf Tournament today at Gentle Creek in Prosper, TX.   Join your colleagues and friends for lots of fun, prizes, awards,  food, and more!   Prizes will be awarded for Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Straightest Drive, etc. Say hi to Chad King, Director of Sales and Marketing who will be manning the beverage cart :-) 

Cognoscape sponsors Dallas CPA Society Golf Tournament

Cognoscape Platinum Sponsor Convergence 2013

Cognoscape, a Dallas IT Services company is pleased to be a Platinum Sponsor of Dallas CPA Society Convergence 2013

Cognoscape Platinum Sponsor Convergence 2013

Please stop by our booth for the chance to win a free Roku streaming player https://www.roku.com/

CONVERGENCE 2013 is the Dallas CPA Society’s 8-hour Continuing Professional Education Day which will be held at the Omni Hotel Dallas on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, and is expected to attract over 1,500 participants.

Join us for 8 hours of CPE credit featuring 43 sessions of important topics and nationally-noted speakers on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Omni Dallas Hotel located at 555 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202.

This year’s keynote speaker for the event luncheon is Billy M. Atkinson. Many of you will remember Billy as the ebullient introducer of David Walker, our 2011 keynote presenter. Mr. Atkinson, now retired from practice after 39 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, has served in a variety of leadership positions with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Last fall, he was named Chairman of the newly-created Private Company Council, an organization set up to work with the Financial Accounting Standards Board to determine whether and when to modify US GAAP for private companies. It replaces the Private Company Financial Reporting Committee. Mr. Atkinson will be speaking on this new group and its initiatives, as well as other timely topics related to the FASB.

The day includes many special benefits to members, including a resume critique. If your resume needs to be updated, bring a hard copy to the DCPAS table and an expert in the field will review it and provide constructive feedback.

Special thanks and recognition to the companies who have signed on to sponsor CONVERGENCE 2013.

DBA Pro Bono Golf Cognoscape

Cognoscape Dallas IT Company is honored again to help sponsor the Dallas Bar Association Pro Bono Golf Tournament

DBA Pro Bono Golf CognoscapeBenefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program – Join us for a beverage at the DBA Pro Bono Golf Tournament – Chad will the one in the Beverage Cart  helping to keep you hydrated.

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time: Registration: 10:00 a.m.

Tee-off: 1:00 p.m.

Location: Brookhaven Country Club Registration: To register, click here. For more information: Contact Rhonda Thornton.

Michael St Martin|Cognoscape|ITServices

March 10 episode of PlayMakers Talk Show, Join us at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10 on KLIF 570 AM

Coming Up On This Week’s Show

Michael St. Martin is an entrepreneur and Co-founder of Cognoscape, a Business Technology company that specializes in bringing Enterprise Class technology solutions to Small and Medium Business.

While Cognoscape is the newest of Michael’s successful business ventures, his experiences include executive positions with Accenture, building sales organizations with NetIQ and Permeo and adding value to multiple IPOs’ and M&A’s. His current passion resides in assisting business owners to utilize technology and gain a competitive advantage while streamlining their business.

His company Cognoscape is a fast growing Managed IT Service Provider with expertise in the legal and professional services market segments. In speaking about Cognoscape, Michael says “We call our approach Transformational IT which goes beyond keeping your network up and running by implementing a complete technology renovation. Our clients experience using technology to its fullest advantage which improves their business as well as the service they provide to their clients.”

Both Michael’s home and business are in Addison, TX where he has been a resident for 24 years. Originally from the Boston area he enjoys the culture and folks he has become friends with in the area. Michael has been active in coaching his daughter and son’s soccer teams, enjoys golf and has been married to his wife Karen for 12 years.

Join us at the ALA Business partner Expo today at the Belo Mansion from 4:00 – 7:00P – Win a Nexus 7!

Please drop by our booth for a chance to win a Nexus 7 at the ALA Business Partner Expo.   This is an annual event put on by the Dallas Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators.   See you there!   Cognoscape is an IT services company located in Addison TX.   They specialize in working with the legal community and offer various legal specific services. 

Our Legal Technology Solutions include:

  • Practice Management Solutions
  • Data storage and virtualization solutions for e-discovery, archiving and document management.
  • Managed, archived email
  • Software as a Service (SaaS) for lawyers lets you pay only for software applications you use. Our SaaS solutions cover all of your purchase, installation, setup, ongoing support and upgrade costs on a subscription basis – without a large capital investment
  • Proactive 24×7 Network Monitoring and alerts for critical issues
  • Branch or virtual office connectivity support
  • Remote access to your office files and data while traveling or in court
 

 http://www.dallasala.org/news_and_events/in_the_news

Cognoscape helps sponsor DBA Bench Bar Conference

 

DBA Bench Bar Conference 

Cognoscape LLC, the Dallas based IT Services and Technology company is proud to help sponsor the Dallas Bar Association’s Bench Bar Conference again this year at Horseshoe Bay at the Marriott Resort in the Texas Hill Country.   The conference will be held next week on September 27th through the 29th.   We’ll be sponsoring the Hospitality Suite for the duration of the conference so please come by and visit us.  There will be music, Texas sized beverages, snacks and lots of festivity for all!


Cognoscape Brookhaven Business Alliance

Brookhaven Business Alliance Happy Hour

Cognoscape Brookhaven Business Alliance

 Brookhaven  Business Connect HAPPY HOUR


Tuesday, September 25th, 6:00 P.M. till Close
Brookhaven Country Club

In our own Cabana out by the pool, adjacent to ‘The Haven’

End your summer in style! Join us for our FREE END-O-SUMMER Happy Hour.   We’ll be out at the relaxing cabana area by the pool (adjacent to ‘The Haven’) of Brookhaven Country Club. Enjoy networking with great friends, free hors d’oeuvres (+ one free drink ticket), a cash bar and the ambiance of this casual setting.

 https://www.brookhavenbusinessalliance.com/events.html

This event is open to all Brookhaven Members and their guests. Bring your friends and business associates to join us for a relaxing evening of networking, fellowship and fun.