Hi everyone!

We want to share a quick heads-up about a very sneaky scam hitting business owners lately. Cybercriminals are posing as eager prospective clients and asking to hop on a quick Zoom or Microsoft Teams video call to discuss hiring you.

Once you click their meeting link, the trap springs.

How the Trick Works

1. The Technical "Glitch": You click the link, but it fails to load. The "client" quickly emails you back saying, "Teams is acting up on my end. Try this Zoom link instead!"
    

2. The Forced Download: Clicking that second link opens a webpage that looks exactly like a loading screen, but it silently drops a file directly into your Downloads folder.
    

3. The Payload: The file sitting in your downloads folder isn't a meeting launcher at all. It is malicious software disguised as one.

Am I Infected Just By Clicking?

Here is a huge sigh of relief right off the bat:

The Golden Rule: A file sitting quietly in your Downloads folder cannot harm your computer just by existing. It requires you to double-click and open it to cause trouble. If you didn't open it, your computer is safe.

• If you are on a Mac: You have a great built-in safety net. Most scammers push Windows files (ending in .exe). Your Mac fundamentally cannot read or run a Windows file, so it sits there completely harmlessly.
   

• If you are on Windows: Windows PCs are the primary target for these .exe files. If you double-click that download, it executes instantly and installs software designed to steal passwords or compromise your data.

Your Quick 4-Step Action Plan

If you ever run into this situation, just follow these quick steps to clean things up:

• Step 1: Trash the File

  Go into your Downloads folder, locate the file (ending in .exe, .zip, .dmg, or .pkg), and drag it straight to your Trash or Recycle Bin. Empty the trash permanently.
   

• Step 2: Clear Your Browser Cache

  Clear your web browser's history and cache (Safari, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). This completely wipes away any tracking footprints left behind by the scammer's webpage.
   

• Step 3: Run a Security Scan

  Open up your antivirus software (like Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, or Bitdefender) and run a quick scan to keep your local system completely green-lit.
   

• Step 4: Verify by Phone

  If the email came from someone you know, give them a quick call. Their email account was likely hacked, and they will be incredibly grateful to know someone is using their name.

Quick Tip:

Real Zoom and Teams links will never force your browser to download a random file just to join a standard call. If a link triggers an automatic download, close the tab and empty your downloads folder!

We've always got your back. Stay safe out there!