Tech talk – U3A Redcliffe Inc.

SCAM ALERT

Some of our members have reported receiving emails purporting to come from our previous President, Russell Hopkins, requesting them to buy Apple gift cards. This is a scam.

If you receive one do not open and delete immediately.

Financial impact of scams

IDCare has recently posted the following interesting statistics on Facebook, explaining the financial impact scams on Australians.

From 27 per cent of cases in 2020 the rate of financial losses linked to scams has increased to 35 per cent in 2025. Worringly, some scam types see average losses rise by as much as 140 per cent.

Scammers keep changing their tactics, so it is important to stay informed and always verify requests for money or personal information, as well as act quickly if something feels wrong.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait: Call IDCare on 1800 595 160.

For trusted tools, resources and support follow this link: idcare.org.

Smartphone tips from Be Connected

There is no denying that smartphones are now a part of everyday life. Sadly, however, there are times when even the most savvy of us may be faced with a problem. The Be Connected website has lots of very useful information. Here are two topics they are promoting for April 2026.

How to contact emergency services from a locked Android phone

Click here to go to the web page with information explaining what you need to do to call emergency services from almost anywhere in the world from a locked Android phone. You can watch the video or read the guide, which you can also print.

You can find information on sending an SMS to an emergency contact even if the phone is locked by following the link on the right-hand side of the page.

How to save money on petrol

Click here to go to an article which explains how to use trusted fuel price apps and websites that compare real-time prices near you.

The Queensland Government doesn’t have its own fuel price app. However it does allow other app developers to access its fuel price database. Queensland’s Department of Energy and Public Works website has a list of the apps and websites, such as Fair Fuel Finder (RACQ) and EzySt, that use this central database. The Queensland Government isn’t associated with any of these apps or websites.

Housekeeping emails

Every time U3A Redcliffe sends out the fortnightly Campus Communique, there are a number of ‘bounces’, because the intended recipient’s email inbox is full and the data allowance has been exceeded.

Different email applications handle data allowances in different ways. If you do not clean out your inbox from time to time you may stop receiving emails because there is no more space available.

You can learn more about data and data management on Be Connected.

Even if you do delete old and unwanted emails, you may need to empty your deleted items folder/trash bin. Some email services, such as Gmail, automatically empty items after a specified period. In the case of Gmail, this is 30 days. However, other email services may not do this and your deleted items area just gets fuller and fuller. It’s a bit like putting your rubbish in the kitchen bin but not taking it out to the garbage bin so Council can come along and take it away.

If you have a lot of old emails in your inbox or deleted items area, going through them one by one can be very time consuming. You can, however, select a range of emails easily and delete them with just one tap of your ‘delete’ key or icon.

Click here to view a YouTube video on how to select multiple email in Gmail. Other email applications will probably work in the same way.

What’s on, on Be Connected

In their March newsletter Be Connected has, as always, a wealth of information.

Useful apps to make everyday life easier

With millions of apps at our fingertips, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time.

Be Connected has hand-picked a selection of useful apps to guide you through activities such as managing your medications to getting around town and saving money on food. They’ve included tips to help you download them safely.

Click here to read the article.

Getting started on your smartphone

Be Connected’s how-to videos are designed to help you learn the basics of both Android and Apple smartphones. They will show you what the home and side buttons do, how to check for software updates, close unused apps and websites, and switch between portrait and landscape modes.

Click here to watch these videos.

Learn how to do a Google reverse image search

Unlock a handy digital skill in minutes with this easy-to-follow video, which shows you how to use Google’s reverse image search to look up information using a photo. This feature works by looking for the same or similar image online and telling you where it came from, what’s in it or if it’s real or part of a scam.

Click here to watch this video.

iPhone security tips

The Australian Signals Directorate is launching a new series of quick and practical tips on how to improve security settings on iPhones. Please note, this is for iPhones only, not Android.

How to secure your devices

Device security is more important than ever. Don’t risk losing data or having information stolen.

Click on this link to see the Australian Signals Directorate’s excellent information on how to secure different types of devices.

Upcoming Be Connected courses and presentations

Be Connected, is an Australian Government website which provides a wealth of information to help build computer skills.

Among the easy-to-follow courses available are Fun things to do with your photos and Tips for shopping safely online.

Webinar presentations for March are iPhone basics on Thursday 19 March at 2:00 pm (3:00 pm AEDT) and Protect Yourself Against Scams on Tuesday 24 March at 2:00 pm (3:00 pm AEDT).

Fake app update and security alerts

If you go online to read the newspapers or play games, watch out for fake alerts telling you to update apps or other software.

The image to the left is a screenshot taken from the Courier Mail app. It does include the word ‘ADVERTISEMENT’ in light grey under the image, but this is hard to read on a small device because of the pale colour and small type size.

Like most hosts, the publisher would not be aware of the type of ad being hosted on their app. They simply sell the space and do not check all the ads that are hosted.

Fake ads may be red, or mimic a classic screen, such as Microsoft’s ‘blue screen of death’. They may look like a real app update or security alert. Or they may flash and emit loud, grating, alarm sounds or other audible warnings. Some will lock your computer screen so the Close button [X] does not work. This last group is designed to generate fear and panic.

Other types install a browser that takes over from your default browser and generates numerous pop up ads.

Whatever you do, do not click anything. Run your anti-virus and a clean-up tool such as CCleaner or Norton Power Eraser or call someone you know can assist you.

Can you spot the scam?

Scam emails and messages never seem to stop. What is really scary is that they are often very hard to tell from the real deal.

The Australian Signals Directorate has a short quiz which helps you find out how good you are at spotting scams. You can click this link or visit the Australian Signals Directorate and go to the Threats page.

Australian Cyber Security Centre and Australian Signals Directorate website provides sound advice on how to protect yourself online.

You can sign up to receive newsletters about cyber threats here.

2025 Cyber Breaches

If you receive any emails or messages which ask you to provide personal information by clicking a link, don’t click through. Your personal information may have been stolen in a cyber attack on an organisation you deal with. The

Data breaches are happening all the time. Hackers typically steal personal information and demand payment for the information to be kept private: otherwise it is leaked on the Dark Web.

Major security breaches, such as Qantas, iiNet and Optus, are usually in the news but others, such as Hertz, Wendy Wu Tours, Natures Organics and Volkswagen may also affect members.

Just a few of the major breaches in 2025 are:

Western Sydney University – April and October 2025
Loyola College – September 2025
iiNet – August 2025
Scotch College – August 2025
Belmont Christian College – August 2025
Metricon Homes – July 2025
Louis Vuitton – July 2025
United Australia Party – July 2025
Qantas – July 2025
Skeggs Goldstien – June 2025
The Legal Practice Board of Western Australia – May 2025
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) – May 2025
Watkins Steel – May 2025
Hertz – April 2025
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney – April 2025
REST and AustralianSuper – April 2025
13Cabs – April 2025
Vroom by YouX – March 2025
NSW Department of Communities and Justice – March 2025
The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) – March 2025
Wendy Wu Tours – March 2025
Zurich Insurance – March 2025
Australian National University – February 2025
Natures Organics – February 2025
Christian Community Aid – January 2025
University of NSW – January 2025
Volkswagen – January 2025

Investment Scams

As retirees, many of us are interested in investing our money wisely as well as maximising our income from those investments. While the maxim ‘If it looks too good to be true, it probably is’ is as sound as ever, scammers have become very sophisticated and it can be hard to work out is real and what is not.

IDCare monthly newsletter, Cyber Sushi, has a great update on investment scams. Click here to read all about it.

There is also some excellent information on how to tell if a website is legitimate.

October 2025

AI for Beginners

Originally designed by developer Buzz Usborne as a birthday present for his 75 year-old fatheer, 2 Weeks AI is a free, online, crash course for beginners and a ‘power-up’ for enthusiasts. It needs no technical knowledge. Students receive an email every day for two weeks, delivering bite-size lessons with the aim of making them confident when using AI.

Click here to go to the 2weeks AI website for more information and to enrol.

September 2025

Warning for Gmail users

Members who use Gmail and Google Cloud should be aware that they are at risk of phishing attempts after Google’s databases were hacked. While information such as names were leaked, passwords have not been exposed.

The article includes advice on how to protect yourself near the bottom of the page.

This article from PC World contains more information.

September 2025

Scam phone calls and emails

There is a new scam targeting our members. It comes in the form of an email seeking payment for the purchase of gift cards and/or providing personal information.

A similar round of emails was sent to members about twelve months ago.

These emails are not sent through U3A Redcliffe and may be considered a scam. If in doubt, DELETE.

August 2025

Who can I turn to? – Support for identity theft and scams

IDCARE is an independent not-for-profit offering expert support and frontline insights into scams, identity theft, and cybercrime. From its headquarters on the Sunshine Coast it provides a service for Australians and New Zealanders, which is the only one of its kind in the world.

If you suspect you have been scammed or someone has stolen your identity, IDCARE’s experts will assess your situation and develop a tailored plan to help you.

Click here to visit IDCARE ‘s website and find out more about their services. Among its resources are fact sheets on areas such as staying secure using Gmail, Facebook, and iPhones and using Password Managers.

You can keep up to date with what’s happening in cybersecurity and what to watch for in the world of scams by subscribing to their newsletters. You can also keep up to date by following them on Facebook.

July 2025

Inserting online pictures and stock images in Microsoft 365 Office applications if options are greyed out

If you are used to using the built-in facility in Office 365 applications, you may have found the Online Pictures and Stock Images options under the Insert tab are greyed out.

Click here to download written instructions on how to turn on these Insert Picture options.

Click here to go to the Microsoft website which explains all the features that become available once Connected experiences is turned on.

Click here to go to a You Tube clip showing how to turn on Connected experiences.

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Be Connected:

Free online help

U3A Redcliffe runs a number of courses to help members become computer savvy and expand their existing computer skills. However, there are times when it may be more convenient to hop online to find the answer to a problem or practise a few skills.

The e-Safety Commissioner runs Be Connected, a website full of useful information about using computers and devices. U3A Redcliffe is proud to be associated with this program.

Be Connected has a wealth of useful and relevant information, ranging from free classes for beginners to podcasts with useful information for everyone about topics such as avoiding impersonation scams and how facial recognition is used by banks, airports, and the like as part of their security measures.

Whether you use Microsoft, Android or Apple, there will be something of interest to everyone.

Has your personal information been compromised?

Sadly, we hear all too often about personal information being harvested through data breaches involving some of Australia’s largest corporations. These include Optus in September 2022, where criminals stole

Names
Birth dates
Addresses
Phone numbers
Passport information
Driver’s license numbers
Government ID numbers
Medical records & Medicare card ID numbers.

In December that year the Medibank data breach affected over nine million members.

More recently, this year, data breaches have included University of NSW, JB Hi Fi, Natures Organics, Australian National University, Zurich Insurers, Wendy Wu Tours, 13 Cabs, and REST and Australian Super.

You can check whether your personal details have been stolen in a data breach by going to the website Have I Been Pwned?

Simply type your email address in the box and click on the pwned? button.

If you are lucky you will get this message.

If your email has been in a data breach will will get a message similar to this.
Below the results you will see details of the data breaches in which your information has been included.

If your data has been involved in a breach the best thing to do is change your online passwords.

If you suspect your identity has been stolen you can contact ID Care Australia and New Zealand for support and advice.

May 2025

Information for Microsoft 365 subscribers

Update: Microsoft has been fined and ordered to refund subscribers who paid the inflated price to receive the unwanted CoPilot software. Click here to read the ABC’s report.

Members who subscribe to Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) will probably have a shock to see a huge increase in the annual fee. This is because of the inclusion of Microsoft’s AI program, Copilot in the subscription.

If you do not want to use Copilot you can change to a ‘Classic’ subscription, which includes the usual Office apps without Copilot. The following information is taken from the Microsoft Support website. Click here to go to that page.

‘Downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family Classic

1. Go to Services & subscriptions. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, if prompted.
2. Find your current subscription and select Manage > Cancel subscription
3. To downgrade to another plan with fewer features, select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you.
4. Follow the instructions to complete the switch.

Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews. ‘

March 2025