Warning

[thescruff]

So they say theres on born every minute.

Mate gets a phone call to say there's a problem with his computer ( there was ) and supposedly from Microsoft and they are gonna fix it. Just got to type a few commands and cough up 20 quid. screen goes black and they walk off with £10k, and little old me is left to get rid off the trash.gen virus with a little help from the forum . see virus-t81241.html

Apparently because the bank didn't or couldn't confirm the payment he may get it some or all of it back, they did say that it's a billion pound scam.

So be careful people and ask yourselves how? would they know there's a problem with your computer. String em along for as long as possible them tell them the computer wont start "I thought you knew that"

[BillyGoat]

Personally Scruff, I wouldn't even entertain the thought of removing ANYTHING that's left on the machine. To do anything other than think of it as fully compromised is mad these days.

I'd like to think I'm experienced enough to do it, but I wouldn't. Not in a million years.

- Backup data (and scan using various engines) on a clean trusted machine
- Fully erase
- Reinstall the operating system
- Update and protect with suitable software (might consider something beyond AV - something that offers site and download protection that educates and warns the less experienced)
- Create a snapshot/backup of the machine to return if needed

[thescruff]

Thanks BG I was of the same impression. could you ever trust it 100%.

Only problem you may be able to advise, there are 3 computers, independent but on the same network are the other two likely to be infected.

Have run loads of different scans etc and nothing shows.

[Bob225]

the Microsoft scam has been around for 10 years, what makes me laugh is the fact they tell you to go to 3rd party websites

Things to say to get rid of them

I have a mac
I'm a MCP (Microsoft certified professional)
Will it cause my Kernel to panic
What's a com-pu-ter
I need to put the phone down, so I can use my dial-up connection

[thescruff]

I prefer my version Flash.

"The computer wont start I thought you knew that"

I've had loads of such calls from Mircrosoft wanting to repair my computers over the years.

[BillyGoat]

Thanks BG I was of the same impression. could you ever trust it 100%.

Only problem you may be able to advise, there are 3 computers, independent but on the same network are the other two likely to be infected.

Have run loads of different scans etc and nothing shows.

I've not seen any reference to others on the networking being infected - it's typically remote access that they install on the machine by was of the user (to override security), but that's not to say methods don't change or evolve.

I'd just do the machine in question if the others show up clear.

BG

[Bob225]

They use basic freeware remote connection software - they can only see what you give them access too

first thing to do is make sure the firewall is in place, change the default password on your router, default passwords can be hacked just by requesting the serial number what can be done remotely

if in doubt remove any programs recently installed

[steviejoiner74]

I know Apple isn't everyone's cup of tea but up until a few years ago I always had a laptop,always got viruses. Since I got myself an iPad I've never had bother with viruses,is apples operating system really that much better than folk running Microsoft Windows on a PC or laptop with anti virus software?

[Dave54]

the Microsoft scam has been around for 10 years, what makes me laugh is the fact they tell you to go to 3rd party websites

Things to say to get rid of them

I have a mac
I'm a MCP (Microsoft certified professional)
Will it cause my Kernel to panic
What's a com-pu-ter
I need to put the phone down, so I can use my dial-up connection

I use "I run Linux"
Which usually gets them to hang up.
I agree with what's been said about not trusting the machine. Could be nasties hiding anywhere.

[village idiot]

the last time my Indian friend James called I had had a really bad day so he got vented at, the tirade of expletives he received before he hung up was about 97% of a 3 minute call

[Timllfixit]

I tell them I have an Apple, or run Linux too. And Indians called James, or Kevin or whatever? I say .."Isn't that funny, my name is Ranjit............" in my best West country yokel accent.

[kellys_eye]

I tell them I have an Apple, or run Linux too. And Indians called James, or Kevin or whatever? I say .."Isn't that funny, my name is Ranjit............" in my best West country yokel accent.

Count yourself lucky - my surname is common in India and the last time we got a call from one of their centres they asked us to speak Gurjarat (spelling?) so they could understand us better....... the missus took the call and told them, in a very Scottish accent, where to shove it..

[BillyGoat]

I never get these calls. Had a land line for 18 months and as far as we are aware, we've only had 2 phone calls on it!! We didn't answer either as they only rang twice before hanging up.

BG

[OchAye]

I had the "microsoft engineers" a number of times. They stopped calling after I kept them talking for a total of 1.5 hours and then I would not part with any money or anything else because I could not understand that "I had a problem".

[joinerjohn]

Had problems with my last computer and decided to re-install Win7 from disk. I'm fairly "au fait" with computers, but must have had a bad day. Installed Win7 then proceeded to download and install Chrome browser. Then downloaded and installed the drivers for the graphics card (Nvidia) A warning sign came up telling me to install the latest version of Adobe Flash and I unwittingly clicked the link, (picking up a virus instead of anything bloody useful) Once the computer was up and running, I couldn't set a home page (kept defaulting to summat strange).
Doh, I'd forgot to download and install an anti virus software program before anything else. Ended up formatting the HDD and re-installing right from the bloody beginning again. (What a waste of a day )