Multiple languages often can confuse spellcheck
Q. When I access my email using the Mail app on my MacBook Pro it shows that spelling and grammar check is on. But it never checks or corrects any typos. Can you advise how I can activate this feature so that it works as it should?
A. This problem is something I see quite a bit with people who have multiple languages and keyboards configured on their computers.
It can be nice to easily switch back and forth to a second or third language keyboard input or proofing tool, but it can make spell check act strangely.
To fix this problem you’ll want to go into System Preferences and search for spelling. This will take you to your keyboard preferences and here you will want to change spelling from Automatic by Language to U.S. English.
Once you do that, your spell check features should start working properly again.
You can tweak these settings as needed if you are working in other languages.
Q. I received an email that claims to be from Norton indicating that I have been billed several hundred dollars
for their antivirus software. I never ordered this software. Should I call them and dispute this claim?
A. This is a scam email and you should never, under any circumstance, call the number in the email.
These scams will change out Norton for Best Buy or Amazon or any number of other companies. The email will contain what looks like a real invoice with real company logos to make it appear official.
The scammers are counting on you to be concerned that you are being billed for something that you didn’t purchase and that you will call the number to cancel the order.
They will answer the call as if they are the Norton company or whoever else they are falsely representing themselves as and will be more than happy to help you reverse the charges.
This usually leads to them taking control of your computer and getting access to your bank accounts and other personal data.
You should always be skeptical of messages like this and you should never give a stranger access to your computer unless you know for sure you are dealing with a reputable company.
If you have fallen victim to one of these scams you should contact your bank immediately and probably also change your passwords. I would even go so far as to suggest backing up your documents and other personal files and having your computer wiped clean and reloaded just to make sure it is free of any possible malware left by the scammers.