www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Evening All
Received a phone call yesterday from somebody claiming to be from Windows,
saying that "my computer was sending error messages to their server"
and that "she would talk me through the procedure for resolving the issue before my computer crashed"
English was certainly not her first language and judging by the delay in her response every time i asked
a question,it sounded like she was calling from abroad.
I told her it wasn't a convenient time and could i phone back and the number she gave was
0114 360 3333.
I don't really know enough about computers to know whether what she said is feasible or not,
but it all sounded a bit iffy to me.Needless to say i haven't phoned back.
Any thoughts ?

It is a Scam. Hang up if they call back.
dave

Cheers Dave

A scam of the highest order. Many people have been ripped of by them. I normally keep them on the phone as long as possible after all they're paying the phone bill and then tell them that I'm using a Mac and not a Windows PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/pre ... camPR.aspx

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/ma ... rity-calls

http://conversation.which.co.uk/technol ... -yourself/

I know it's alink to my own website but have a look here

pistonbroke1957 wrote: I told her it wasn't a convenient time and could i phone back and the number she gave was
0114 360 3333.

The number is genuine...http://www.easysoftech.com/

...but the call was a scam!

wrinx

I had a similar call to my landline two weeks ago. The guy had an Indian accent and in the background you could hear the typical din of a call centre (obviously recorded to make the call sound even more genuine) He said he was from Microsoft and that I had a virus. He asked me to hold down the key with the windows logo on it and press another key. I asked him where he was calling from and he said London. I then asked where in London and he said Westminster. I then asked for his address and he hung up. I don't know what could be achieved by holding down the windows key and pressing another key

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like my instincts were right for a change !

southwood3 wrote:I had a similar call to my landline two weeks ago. The guy had an Indian accent and in the background you could hear the typical din of a call centre (obviously recorded to make the call sound even more genuine) He said he was from Microsoft and that I had a virus. He asked me to hold down the key with the windows logo on it and press another key. I asked him where he was calling from and he said London. I then asked where in London and he said Westminster. I then asked for his address and he hung up. I don't know what could be achieved by holding down the windows key and pressing another key

hold down alt + f4 nah dont do it really or do if you are curious.........

Mod 2 just did.

i said not to
although now you know what it does and it is a very handy shortcut, as is windows + L to lock your desktop

My screen has gone pink

you got a pink background?

They started off quite casual and helpful, but as people have wised up they have become more agressive in their approach.

They will now say things along the lines of:

"If you don't do this, we'll cut your computer off from the internet and block you from using it until we fix the issue - you are affecting other people and your ISP will also block you".

The key press is Windows Key and Pause/Break to bring up system properties. They will then direct you to to Event Viewer where you'll see all sorts of "errors". These are what they scare you with when in fact, they are perfectly normal.

They will direct you to a website, where you'll be socially engineerd to install a 'fix' for these problems. It can include:

- keyloggers
- malware
- adverts generators
- trojans
- spyware
- other malicous software.

I have seen reports of whole drive encryption - they literally hold you ransom until you pay for the unlock. Seriously.

It doesn't benefit you keeping them on the line, they use VOIP - fixed rate lines, so it cost them no more than time.

Top advice:

- warn parents, friends family. Microsoft DO NOT CALL to fix your computer.
- Hang up, do not entertain the call
- DO NOT goto any websites / download or install anything they ask
- make sure you AV software is installed, working and up to date - if you don't have any, Microsoft Security Essentials is free of cost and a great form of protection.

They really are scum bags.

BG

Just pressed (and held down) windholes key and pause break, just to see what would appear...and it just came up with "Basic information about your computer"

Any other buttons I can press??????