Seven short rules for an older adult who uses a computer at home, and a blank for one family member's phone number. Print it, fill it in together, and put it where it will be seen.
It prints on one US Letter page. Only the card prints.
If someone says your computer has a problem — stop.
A pop-up with a phone number, or a call saying your computer has a problem, is a trick. Do not call the number.
Never let anyone connect to your computer unless you called them first, on a number you already had.
If a warning will not close, hold down the power button until the computer turns off.
Hang up and call back on a number you already have. A real company will not mind.
Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
It is OK to say no and hang up at any time.
Report scams at ic3.gov.
Before you pay anyone or let anyone onto your computer, call:
Name:
Phone:
obsidianridge.io
How to use it
Print the card and sit down together. Write in the name and phone number of a family member or friend who can pick up on short notice.
Put the card where it will be seen: on the fridge, by the phone, or next to the computer.
None of the rules needs any computer knowledge. The card makes one habit easy: when something feels wrong, stop and call that person first.
Check the number once a year, and whenever it changes.
Ridge Watch is managed monitoring for individuals' and families' computers, on Windows and Mac. Security analysts in a 24/7 security operations center review every alert and act on it: they fix it, note it, or take the computer off the network to contain it. Containment is one of those three outcomes, not what happens every time. A contained computer stays offline until we review it, within one business day.
Blocking remote-control tools is coming soon, Windows Pro only.
Ridge Watch cannot stop a phone call, or someone being talked into paying, whether by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a bank login for a “refund.” A real remote-access tool that someone lets in on purpose may not raise an alert: CISA notes these tools generally do not trigger antivirus. Phones and tablets are not covered.
