Don’t Be Scammed – Ignore the Apple ID Has Been Locked Email

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

Here is another example of scammers trying to prey on the folks least expecting it. This time, it is the beloved and dedicated Apple users.

An Apple ID is an important piece of authentication when it comes to apple products. It is used on your Macbook Air, your ipod’s your Apple iPhones, access to the App Store and iTunes Store and more. Its what connects you to the Apple cloud.

So when a letter comes through, like this one which actually made it through spam filters, stating your Apple ID is locked and you have to visit the link to unlock you quickly, you might just do that without thinking twice.

But before you do, always call or visit the Apple’s site by manually typing in the Apple’s website (https://www.apple.com/).





So our clients have been receiving these in the mail. Your probably thinking, wait how does this relate to website stuff? Well plenty, considering over 50% of the users searching the web and visiting websites is all done on those smartphones. And 1/2 of those smart phones are some type of iPhone.

So we want to provide this information to protect you, whether you are a client of ours or not for your reference. Here is the word for word mailing that you may receive. Hoping you are finding this from searching, ultimately protecting yourself from this spam company.
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Don’t Be Scammed – Ignore The iDNS Domain Registrar Spam Letter

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

From time to time, some of Northwoods Web Designs (NWD) clients as well as ourselves, receive letters from fraudulent domain registrars who prey on people who don’t fully understand the domain registration service by sending letters in the mail about their expiring domain and requests payment.

We get asked about these from our clients, which tells me they have clearly deceived their letters pretty well to try to trick some domain owners into thinking a domain renewal invoice.

So I first wrote about this a couple of years ago, but my clients and myself are still receiving these. Which is a problem. Why? Because it means many of you are still falling for the scam and paying United Arab Emirates 300-500% higher cost to own the registration to your domain.





Why is this considered Spam? Because its unsolicited (you didn’t ask for it) and is a fraudulently deceiving letter, making you think the worlds going to end if you don’t transfer your domain name to them. In which after they own your domain name registration, they can jack your price higher/hold your domain hostage to force you to pay.

So we want to provide this information to protect you, whether you have registered your domain name with Northwoods Web Designs or some other provider. Here is the word for word mailing that you may receive. Hoping you are finding this from searching, ultimately protecting yourself from this spam company.

These companies who send these letters, such as iDNS,  attempt to convince you into transferring or renewing your domain using their service. Which on average is 500% above the market rate for domain name services. 
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Beware of iDNS Domain Registrar Scam

Security, Spam Hall Of Shame

From time to time, some of Northwoods Web Designs (NWD) clients as well as ourselves, receive letters from fraudulent domain registrars.  We get asked about these from our clients, which tells me they have clearly deceived their letters pretty well to try to trick some domain owners into thinking a domain renewal invoice.

So we want to provide this information to protect you, whether you have registered your domain name with Northwoods Web Designs or some other provider.




These companies who send these letters, such as iDNS,  attempt to convince you into transferring or renewing your domain using their service. Which on average is 500% above the market rate for domain name services. 
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3 Pieces Of Information Every Website Must Contain

Web Wise

website-informationWhen working with a web designer company, such as Northwoods Web Designs, we make sure your site is designed and created to meet your expectations and make sure 3 key pieces of information are presented well on the site for visitors.

Because you know your business and service offerings the best, all content is provided by the client for any website developments.This is the general direction of any website designer company.

Content writing is very important to a website. Not having good content on a great looking and professional designed website is like having a Toyota Prius 4 cylinder motor stuffed inside a Chevy Corvette.  It will look great, but its performance will not be on par.


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Make your life easier: Organize your email with these 5 simple tips

Computer Tips, Web Wise


Listed below are my top 5 tips I use regularly to keep email usage organized, efficient and prevent wasted time searching and staring at emails.

  1. The big one, there should only be two reasons for keeping an email

The email is considered a reference email or a follow up email. Create a reference folder or label (Gmail) to move these types of emails. They must have important material or documents attached that will be used at some point for reference. All other emails can be tossed as they are either meant to be read or needed to be flagged to act upon.

2. Group similar messages in folders or labels (Gmail)

Of course if you stick to tip #1 these folders will be all reference folders. Some grouping folders or labels could include like AUTO and HOME and those that are misc go to REFERENCE folder.
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