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Hackers Are Trying to Break Into Your Accounts — See the Proof!

Regular reader David B. wrote recently to say that hackers are working relentlessly to break into people’s accounts using passwords they have found online from big data breaches.

He suggested I look at my Microsoft account to see a sample of what he was talking about. So I did that. And…. WOW…. every few hours hackers from around the world were trying to log into my account.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Microsoft security log

Scroll down the list.

Do you believe this… crooks from Brazil, Argentina, Russia, China, Ukraine, Bosnia, Chile, etc. are trying to access my account multiple times a day!

What can you do to protect yourself? I’m no security expert, but at a minimum turn on two-factor authentication on your various accounts, so it is not just a simple password that is needed to log in. You will typically instantly be sent an email with an additional passcode that you have to enter in order to access your account. Using a passkey is another way that some sites use where face recognition or a fingerprint is needed to authenticate your access.

To check your own Microsoft account for hacker activity, go to Account.Microsoft.com, and sign in. Once you do that, select “security” from the menu, and then “View my sign-in activity.”

You will be shocked.

Here are some resources to help improve your computer security:

  • How to turn on 2-step verification on your Microsoft account;

  • How to secure your Google account;

  • Online privacy and security tips from the FTC;

  • 12 simple things to do to be more secure online.

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    Conclusion to MrConsumer’s Tempur-Pedic Mattress Saga

    Costco Tempur-PedicBack in February, MrConsumer told you about his decision to buy a $2,000 Tempu-Pedic Supreme mattress sight-unseen from Costco.com after trying the hardest to learn its specs and test the most similar model in a retail store. This was contrary to his long-held belief and counsel to never buy a mattress mail order. (See original story.)

    The mattress and foundation arrived on a cold day in mid-February. The delivery people warned me that it was frozen because it had been in the truck for a long time. And yep, it was literally hard as a rock.

    Once it came to room temperature, it still felt very hard despite the fact this was a “medium” firmness mattress, not a “firm” one. Jumping into bed that night felt like hopping onto a board. I am quite familiar with memory foam mattresses having had one for over 10 years, where you only slowly sink into it (and then have to climb out of that hole to roll over). And I was aware that memory foam tends to become firmer when in a cooler environment.

    The next day, I decided to heat it with an electric blanket hours before bed to try to soften it up. That worked only slightly, but am I really going to have to use an electric blanket on it even in the summer? I keep my bedroom at 65 degrees year-round, which is right in the optimal temperature range (65° – 75°) for their mattresses according to the Tempur-Pedic website.

    I called the dedicated Costco-Tempur-Pedic hotline and was advised to walk on it, to speed up the breaking in process. So for four days in a row, I paced back and forth on every inch of it 15 minutes at a time. It did not make one bit of difference.

    To demonstrate how hard the mattress felt even after having it for a week, I made a video showing me knocking and pounding on it like a door and even being able to bounce a half-dead tennis ball off it.

    *MOUSE PRINT:

    Needless to say, I called Costco-Tempur-Pedic to take back the mattress. And they did so without any pickup fees or hassle (part of the reason I felt protected buying from them in the first place). A few weeks later, I got a full refund.

    Lesson learned.

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    Option-Packing Adds Needless Costs to Dell Computers

    MrConsumer recently ordered a new Dell desktop computer since his old one was just over 10 years old. Even with discounts and waiting for a good sale, his new pc was still going to cost about a thousand dollars.

    Dell lets you customize your computer to a degree by adding, upgrading, or removing certain components such as memory, SSDs, or the video card. They also state the increase or decrease in price as a result of any change.

    On the same customization page at the end, Dell includes a section on software. Here, you can see that the computer comes with McAfee antivirus.

    McAfee included

    Only if you look at the detailed online invoice after you make your purchase, which is not emailed to you, do you see that you actually purchased McAfee.

    *MOUSE PRINT:

    Dell McAfee

    McAfee wasn’t a freebie that Dell threw in with my purchase, they charged me $31.58 plus tax for a year’s subscription to it, that I neither asked for nor wanted. And in fact, I uninstalled it when the computer arrived as Windows 11 comes with Microsoft Defender built in.

    My first request to Dell to get a $31.xx refund went unresponded to. My second request took Dell at least two weeks to process, but I just got a phone call saying they would make an exception and give me a $33.55 refund.

    The internet is filled with complaints about Dell tacking on charges to computer purchases for what generally would be considered optional add-ons. I can’t believe some class action lawyer has not gone after the company for this practice that has apparently been going on for years.

    We asked Dell to comment on their practice of forcing computer buyers into the purchase of McAfee. A spokesperson responded:

    McAfee+ Premium protection is included in the price of that system and listed in the specifications on the webpage. We offer this to provide our customers with a security suite that helps protect their device, identity and privacy. It includes antivirus, identity monitoring, VPN and more. The invoice provides a more detailed price breakdown of the system, including all SKUs that make up the system. The invoice price will match the price listed on the webpage, ensuring that, prior to purchase, customers are informed of the total price they’ll pay for the specifications listed.

    All that sidesteps the issue we raised that it should be the customer’s option to purchase or not purchase McAfee and the price should be disclosed before purchase. What do you think?