Observations
  • Home
  • Observations
  • Trendcasting
  • Odds 'n Ends
  • Science/Technology/Experiments
  • Mental Health

"Microsoft Support" scammers still active...

4/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Based on past experience it is clear that scams on the internet come and go as they become overused and fail to provide the scammer with clear results. But some return after a brief absence to bring continued threats to users. The “cold call” from someone representing Microsoft Service is one that has returned and I was the subject of that call. Here is how it transpired:
I received a phone call from Frank, identifying himself as a Microsoft Technical Support representative. He had a thick Indian accent, and was difficult to understand and that seemed to be a good point to hang up, but being curious, I continued. I know that I am being politically incorrect but I really don’t care. Frank advised me that they had been informed that I was having a computer problem. When I asked him how he knew this he said that Windows sends data to them when a problem has been detected. I played along and said that the start- program was very slow and took 5 to 8 minutes to boot up. He said that it was easy to fix that and if I turned on my computer we could remedy the problem. My computer was already on and I said that I just turned it on and wanted to ask some questions while it started. I wanted to know how he would fix the problem and what the process was. He said that once it was up and running, he would supply a website URL for me to enter and the he could see my computer. (Read Take Control!). I then asked how much it would cost and he said that they had a downloadable malware package for $250.00. When I told him that I could not afford that he said that they also had a very good program for $99.00! What a great deal! So, I thought that if there was even a remote possibility that he was really from Microsoft Technical Support that he would be interested in my security. So, I suggested that we terminate the call and I would return the call using the Microsoft number and then asked for his ID number. He said that this is not possible and to please continue. I said no and he abruptly disconnected.
So, what do we know about this scam from the past? If you follow the caller’s instruction and load the fake URL, he now has access to your computer. He can then go to the task manager and proceed to “processes” and show you that the usage is at 80 or 90 % which is dangerous even if it is fine. Or he can call up msconfig and show you anything that may be “wrong”. Or in my case of the slow start program, he could say that it is easy to clean up. (With the software he is selling)! And how will we pay for this if purchased? With PayPal or credit card where we supply all of the information he needs to hack the account. And if we download the software he provides, he can plant a virus, other bugs, or even restrict access to your own computer! Microsoft is aware of the scam and offers some good information here. My suggestion is to hang up on Frank before he hangs you up...

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    June 2021
    October 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    April 2019
    October 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Categories

    All
    Advertising 1895
    Applications
    Bulb Act
    Cgi
    China Concerns Again
    Cloud Computing
    Drones
    End
    Family Mediation
    Gas Prices
    Gesture Technology
    Google Antitrust
    Grocery Deception
    Heathkit
    Infolust
    Infrastructure Failure
    Mechanical Computer
    Medical Devices
    Medication Mistakes
    Mental Health
    Original Ideas
    Pc
    Politics Of Fear
    Post Office
    Recycled News
    Rushing To Judgement
    Salmonella
    Siri
    Social Media Business
    Sopa
    Stock Market
    Texting
    Trendcasting
    Urine
    Wireless
    World

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.