How to protect yourself against SIM swapping
SIM swap, the latest fraud technique, happens when a hacker is able to transfer your mobile phone number to another SIM card in their possession thereby securing their exclusive use of your number and in doing so, part of your identity. Fraudsters can physically change it if they have access to your phone or do so remotely by calling your mobile phone provider to impersonate you and activate a new SIM card. How do you find out if you've been the victim of a SIM swap? A SIM card is the bridge between your mobile device, your number and your provider. You may have already had to ask to swap your SIM card yourself either because you lost your device or changed to another mobile service provider. Your phone number then was legitimately transferred to a new SIM card. However, if you’re the victim of fraud via a SIM swap, your mobile device could suddenly lose its connection to the cellphone network you’re subscribing to. So you won’t get any more calls, texts or emails because now the hacker is receiving them on their device. The fraudster can also reset your passwords and access your online accounts to use them as they please, especially when your phone number is used as an authentication factor or for recovering your accounts. How can you protect yourself from this type of fraud? To avoid making yourself an easy target for fraudsters, here are a few tips to improve security for your SIM card: Add a complicated PIN to lock your SIM card and keep it secret. Choose complex usernames and passwords that are different across all your accounts (emails, social networks, banks, government, etc.). Use two-factor authentication that is more secure than emails or texts, for example a security key or an app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. Make sure you’re not needlessly sharing personal details. Your birthday, phone number, card numbers, driver’s licence numbers, subscriptions numbers or any other number should remain confidential and should not appear in your emails or on social networks. Be vigilant when it comes to phishing attempts by email, text or phone. Never give out personal information through those means. What do you do if you’re the victim of SIM swapping? To report the fraud, contact the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Warn your financial institution and have them block your credit cards to protect your accounts. You can also apply to credit assessment agencies to make sure this fraud is recorded in your file. Videotron cares about your safety. If you realize that hacker has swapped your SIM card, go to a store with your IDs so our representatives can quickly remedy the situation and replace your SIM card. Find a storeMessaging apps: What are the differences and which is best for you?
By Michel Baril, your Pro Messaging apps are incredibly popular. In fact, WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger and the like have been downloaded billions of times. This success is due in part to our desire to communicate instantly—and at no cost—without having to actually place a call. Even though these apps generally have the same basic features, each has its own unique characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, which mean they aren’t necessarily interchangeable. So how do you get your bearings navigating the selection? Which one should you choose? Here’s an overview. Good old text messaging Text messaging aka texting or SMS (short message system): This is the most well-known messaging app. It’s included in practically all smartphones and doesn’t require an Internet connection because communication goes directly from one mobile phone to another. Pros: This application is very easy to use and Internet is not required (unless you want to send an attachment). Cons: You need to know the mobile phone number of the person you wish to reach. You can’t send heavy files (heavy videos, large documents, etc.). The ever-handy email Emails are well-known and as effective as ever, but they’re also associated with the 1990s emergence of the Internet. Even though email may no longer be the choice means of communication for social connections, it’s still first for business. And it continues to be a great choice for long messages. Pros: Privacy, as there is no personal information linked to the application. Plus, emails can be accessed via several platforms with no need to install a special program. Cons: Email isn’t as instantaneous as other applications. You also need to know the email address of the person you want to contact. There may be size limits on outgoing files, depending on the server that’s used. Messenger: The other face of Facebook Messenger is Facebook’s private messaging service. In addition to supporting written texts, Messenger allows you to make calls, with or without video, or to send voice messages directly via the app. Pros: This app is really comprehensive and gives you a lot of options, including group conversations. Cons: Messenger follows the same privacy rules as Facebook, so depending on the settings you choose, the people you contact may be able to see your profile in whole or in part. WhatsApp and Viber: Two comparable competitors These applications aren’t quite twins, but with many things in common, you might call them kissing cousins. WhatsApp and Viber are a lot like Messenger, but one major difference is you need someone’s mobile phone number in order to reach them. Pros: Both have numerous features, are easy to use and offer a wide range of emojis, which is a real advantage in today’s communications! And one of their biggest strengths is that you can send large files such as videos. Cons: Since you need to know the cell number of the person you want to contact, WhatsApp and Viber aren’t ideal when it comes to privacy. Skype: More than just calling Skype has become extremely popular by offering free worldwide calling—but it’s much more than just a telephone app. With features similar to those on WhatsApp and Viber, Skype has the distinct advantage of working on any device, including computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. Pros: Privacy is a big one, as the people you contact can only see your email address and city/country. Skype allows VoIP (voice over IP) calls, meaning that for a small sum you can call a telephone directly, even if the recipient of your call doesn’t use Skype. Cons: Since this app is often used for overseas calls, the sound quality is always dependent on the quality of the Internet connection. Snapchat: The king of instant Snapchat is a leader for instant video sharing. Represented by a cute ghost icon, this easy-to-use app allows you to text friends in a snap or send them photos or brief videos, all of which disappear shortly thereafter. Pros: Your contacts only have access to your profile name. Snapchat lets you text your friends and offers all kinds of augmented reality options for maximum personalization. Cons: This app has more limited usage options. It’s essentially used for sending short-lived photos and videos to your followers. And the winner is... If you want to know which app(s) are best for your needs and lifestyle, the best thing is to try them out for yourself. This will give you the chance to check out their interfaces and features, and to see how many of your contacts are already using the app. Last but not least, I’d like to throw in a good word for a new app that I really like called “Kik.” It simplifies group conversations, includes tons of emojis and, as the cherry on top, it lets you make your own animated GIFs. Explore. Text. Test!All about Club illico mobile
Several Videotron Mobile plans include the Club illico mobile service. What is it? How do you install it on a device? What kind of content does it feature? Find answers to all your questions below. What is Club illico? Club illico is a streaming platform for content in French. It features a variety of original series produced in Québec, as well as hit French-language shows and movies. New content is added each week. What is Club illico mobile? Club illico mobile is a feature included in most Videotron Mobile plans, including All-Inclusive plans. It lets you access all Club illico content on a phone or tablet, no matter where you are in Canada—even when you’re on the go. How to use Club illico mobile on a device Subscribe to a plan that includes Club illico mobile, like the All-Inclusive plans. Download the Club illico app on Google Play or the App Store. Log in to the app using your Customer Centre credentials. Enjoy your entertainment experience! Note that Club illico mobile is a simplified version of the full app, which you can access when you subscribe via the TV service. The Club illico mobile version has some limitations. Learn more about viewing methods and limitations. Want to enjoy the full experience on a big screen? Find out how to add Club illico to your TV service.Mobile data backup 101
Last update: January 25, 2024 Getting ready to change cell phones? Is your current phone showing signs of aging and may soon die on you? Here are various ways you can transfer data from one phone to another or save it in a secure location—and enjoy peace of mind, no matter what happens to your device. What is a data backup? Backing up a cell phone means transferring data (photos, contacts, call history, settings, etc.) from your device to a different location for storage. Different backup methods allow you to save different types of data. The purpose is to have an extra layer of security that allows you to recover the content on your phone and transfer it to a new device. It's important to choose the best method for your specific needs. 1. Cloud backup In addition to providing a convenient backup solution, the cloud lets you sync your content across multiple devices. Simply create an account on the platform of your choice, based on your mobile device: iCloud (Apple) Samsung Cloud Google Drive Then, depending on the platform, determine what you want to save to the cloud and how often. Pro tip: Find out how much free storage you get. It may be worthwhile to purchase a subscription for more storage capacity. 2. Backing up data directly on a computer A traditional backup technique is using a USB cable to save your phone’s data to a computer. Here’s how you do it: Connect your phone to your computer using the USB cable that came with your mobile device. This will give you access to your phone’s storage and allow you to transfer photos, videos and even songs directly from your cell phone onto your computer. The procedure is very similar to using a USB key. Once the USB cable is connected, your computer should recognize your phone as a new hardware device. Now you should be able to access the files on your cell phone. To complete the backup, simply save copies of your photos and videos onto your computer. Pro tip: This technique allows you to transfer photos, videos and music only. You won’t be able to transfer other information, such as your contact list. 3. Backing up data using transfer/backup software If you want more options for phone-to-computer backup, your best choice is a software solution. The new phone you purchased is the same brand as your previous device? The software allows you to transfer more content such as contacts, photos, apps and sometimes even more. It’s important to note, however, that transferable content varies from software to software. Most cell phone manufacturers have a program that you can install on your computer. The steps to follow can vary from one company to another, but the basic principle is the same. Download and install the transfer software. Apple Samsung LG Huawei Once the software is installed, connect your phone to your computer. Follow the instructions to back up your data or transfer content to a new phone. Essentially, using software is a better solution if you want to save more than just photos and videos. It also guarantees a faster transition when you switch phones of the same brand. Pro tip: Consider backing up your phone data every time you add new content that’s important to you. After all, data saved on your computer six months ago will not contain any new contacts or photos added since then. Make it a habit to back up your data regularly! We’ve seen some of the different ways you can transfer data from your phone to your computer. Have questions about this topic? Feel free to ask in the Community Forum!
