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Don't click on links that aren't safe. Just Don't do it!

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Real Estate AZ Broker BR030809000

Don't click on links that aren't safe. Just Don't do it!

An associate of mine is bumming big time. And I feel for the guy. He's normally so on top of everything that he makes my head spin some days. The other day as he was working on a project for me he stopped over to show me what he thought would work out the best. He mentioned that he was going to do a little more searching on the internet as well.  I liked what I saw and wasn't sure we needed to look further.  

But he wanted to research it a little bit further because he had some more cool ideas in mind. And then for some unknown reason he clicked on a link in the post he was reading. The link simply said - For more ideas click here -

 

And in a split second his screen went dark.....

 

Internet Safety Tips

 

The look on his face said it all.  Oh Cr**!  What in heavens name was he thinking doing such a crazy thing. It was so unlike this whiz of a guy to make such a mistake.  He immediately called the help desk to see if they could help him diagnose the issue and figure out how he could solve it.  They were only able to go so far without him bringing in the laptop.

 

Turns out his hard drive is fried - totally fried -  and his back up is not current.

 

I'm probably speaking to the choir here, right? But just to be on the safe side once again, Be sure to NOT make this mistake and click on links that you just don't know anything about.  There are wacky folks out there looking to create havoc for others. Why they spend their time on the dark side, I have no idea.  But they do and it's real. Also be sure you back up your files - daily.  If you ever do get yourself in a bad situtation at least you'll be able to recover the information and save yourself some major headaches.

 

Don't click on links that aren't safe. Just Don't do it!

 

 

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Comments(30)

Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Anna Banana, you just want to smack people that do things like that, they have way to much time on their hands. But anyway, great advice.

Aug 29, 2011 02:24 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Andrea - yes I would like so smack them.  So senseless.  Glad to see you're back online!!!!

Aug 29, 2011 02:27 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Cut and paste the link to MS Word.  Then Mouse over it.  You will see "The Real Link".

 

Aug 29, 2011 02:36 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Excellent Advice Fred for those that are tempted to click on those links.  Thanks!

Aug 29, 2011 02:39 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Anna,  My husband, the IT expert drills those words into my head constantly.  In fact, I think he chants them to me while I sleep.  He also makes sure I have an external backup at all times.  There are some crazy folks out there who derive pleasure at watching others suffer.  It is such a shame!!!!  It does keep my hubby in business though.

Aug 29, 2011 02:45 PM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

Great reminder, Anna...just like other shortcuts we rationalize...just this once...it'll never happen to me...time is the one true non-renewable resource, once it's gone, that's it.

Aug 29, 2011 02:51 PM
Christine Hooks
Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ
Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

Oh Anna.....I never backup.  I will begin now.  That would KILL me!

Aug 29, 2011 02:57 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna- we can't be reminded enough.  I have Carbonite which backs things up automatically, as well as an external HD and certain info backed up on a thumb drive.. oh and am getting into Google docs.  Just think if these people would just focus their energy on positive and productive work. (Suggesteda)

Aug 29, 2011 02:58 PM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Anna, This is a good reminder to all of us.  I also use Carbonite and have an external Seagate drive.  I'm with Kathy, imagine if they used their "creativity" for something productive.

So sorry about your friend's computer.  That really stinks.

Aug 29, 2011 03:12 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

NOOOOOOO! That dreaded link~I try to avoid all of them. My husband has threatened me to no longer link look....I have personally sent too many hard drives to their graves. I'm so sorry. ;-) Deb

Aug 29, 2011 03:14 PM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Good words. I am so paranoid if I get spma related/style email even from family or friends I dont open it. Especially nowadays when so many people are getting their email hijacked and then spamming the daylights out of people in their contact list.

If you dont know dont go!

Aug 29, 2011 03:44 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Even the choir needs reminding sometimes. Thanks for sharing.

Margaret

Aug 29, 2011 04:07 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I agree with Margaret, even the choir needs to be reminded...........I hate it when things like that happen.

Aug 29, 2011 11:00 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hi Anna-thanks for the reminder on the backing up department-going to get at that this morning now!

Aug 29, 2011 11:53 PM
Cathy Criado
Criado Realty - San Antonio, TX
Making Real Estate Profitable

GM Anna!

Just to try to remind folks, I hit the "suggest" button.  I learned this lesson as a Freshman in college taking Computer Science 1301.  Sitting in a lab, the power went out.  Lots of folks had some choice words to say. Since I was just getting started, I had no idea what was going on. Somebody explained it to me and from that day on I back up, often. I usually back up files 2-3 times per month.  I keep all my contacts backed up.

I put them on my external hard drive and keep it tucked away safely.  Did I mention I married an IT consultant? He reminds me often. 

Thanks for looking out for us!

Aug 30, 2011 12:39 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Belinda - haha he chants it to you while your asleep.  Hmmmmmm!

Marie...exactly 'just this once'. got cha!

Chris lots of easy ways to backup online and pretty inexpensive as well,

Kathy sounds like you've got all bases covered.  Carbonite is a good one. And yes, if only they would do just that, use their energy in a positive direction.

Elyse - thanks I'll let him know. He hopes to pick it up today or tomorrow.  Bummer - and he had to travel for buiness without it.

Deb - oh no tell me you're not a hard drive killer.  Hope that you never do it again!!

David - same here. I don't open stuff that people I know send me sometimes.  When they send a bunch of emails they're just forwarding on - it makes me wary.

Margaret - agreed!

Roger - well we've got a lot of choir members here!  Me too - never fun.

Marco - easy to back up online.  I use memopal, others here use carbonite...and there are more.  I also use dropbox for files...that is fantatic.

Cathy - you learned it a young age. Lucky you!  And then to marry an IT guy - lucky again!  Thanks!  And you're welcome.  It just felt like I should once again remind folks because if happens to such a smart guy as my associate (which never has happened before) it could happen to anyone.

Aug 30, 2011 02:08 AM
Michael Collins
*ROCK REALTY|Broker|Realtor|Real Estate|WI Short Sale Agent* - Janesville, WI
CDPE, SFR , Wisconsin Short Sale Specialist Realto

Great advice, and thank you Fred for your MS Word suggestion!

Aug 30, 2011 04:33 AM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Anna, I've gotten much better at not clicking on things but sometimes they look harmless! There are just TOO many wicked people out there that ought to put that effort into doing something good instead!

Aug 30, 2011 05:24 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I have clicked on things before and in that instant thought WHY DID I DO THAT?  I've been lucky.....no harm done.  Usually I'm so cautious!  Your poor friend!

Aug 30, 2011 10:12 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Anna, I bet most of us do not have current back-ups of our systems, we are all playing roullete, hopefully not russian roullete ;-)

Sep 04, 2011 03:58 AM