I think my computer is begin targeted!! Why? i got nothing interesting!

systemcrash · 20. Dec 2010, 06:01 PM

Ok today i had a phone call, From Micorsoft... they start by telling me that they recieved information form my isp (which they told me was Sky and it is) that sky informed them yesturday that my computer is running slow, (Which i doubt because i was reinstalling my entire sytem yesturday) Suspicion#1 but i gave him the benifit of the doubt. He explained that browsing the internet can download malicious files, bla bla bla. then said he'll help me repair my computer Suspicion#2

i followd his directions, "Press win+r to bring up the run box and enter eventvwr click on the application tabs, then to count all the red and yellow errors." I had around 130 "Close down event veiwer then press win+r again delete what is in there already and enter inf. press ok." Which opens inside the windows folder suspicion#3 "in the new window press ctrl+a and on the datails ion the left count how many files were selcted" I had 1469 But there windows files right??

He Continued "oh my god thats alot thats why your computer is running slow.." suspicion#4 I still hadnt finished my fresh install!! Then he asked "are you running a anti-virus?" I told him avast anti-virus Which is one of the best out there. He asked if it was free or paid and i told him free version the "oh my god you are runnig a free antivirus! the malicious files can still be downloaded through a weak anti-virus. Suspicion#5 But i was intersted where all this was heading.

He then told me to "press win+r and then type www.teamviewer.com and press enter." which takes you to a website durrr then to download the software and run.

At this point i thought enough is enough, I dont know if he really is from microsoft and im not going to let him have acess to my computer unless i can confirm if any of this i lagitamit, so thought id post here to see if people know of this. If its some sort of scam/Hack or legit And im just to suspicious. anyway hes ringing back tomorrow at 2pm because i told him i didnt have the time to do it now.

When he told me that my isp was sky a normal person would be amazed oh it must be true, but i know all they need is to record your IP address. and any web page can do it, for anyone that wants proof so not to be fooled go here http://whatismyipaddress.com/ If this site can do it any site can then target you.

MidnightCowboy · 20. Dec 2010, 06:17 PM

Cold calling PC users to sell rogue security software is a definite scam.

This was on the BBC news a while back and I highlighted it here:

Anti-Virus Cold-Call Scam

1002richards · 21. Dec 2010, 05:45 AM

Total scam ... don't have anything to do with this type of call.

Unless of course you've time on your hands and want to play along with them but wind them up with "problems" downloading the rubbish they try to get you to install .... really string 'em along for ages and it'll keep them away from someone else who may fall for their scammming.

garth · 21. Dec 2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by systemcrash

"oh my god you are runnig a free antivirus! the malicious files can still be downloaded through a weak anti-virus. Suspicion#5 But i was intersted where all this was heading.

Scam. At this point for me the game would be on, and i would now relentlessly insist he provide me with details about the "weak AV, why it is weak, what product he would recommend to replace it with, what the detection/FP rates are of his suggestion compared to my existing AV and where his information is obtained. And so on.
Alternatively, if he phones back, tell him the call is being recorded and see how persistent he is

systemcrash · 22. Dec 2010, 01:56 PM

Well just to update, He didnt ring back next day, but he did ring back today. Not at the time i told hime to ring me back on though. And he seemed to have forgoten he rang me 2 days ago, And started saying exactly the same things as though reading from a script, I couldnt be bothered with the hastle so i told him i didnt own a working computer, and that pritty much put a end to the conversation.

But then i came back here to update this thread, and wish maybe i did have a little fun with him. But i'l be ready for him next time. Il set up a vertual system, To see what he does? is there a way to hack out of a virtual system? just to make sure....

there is only one downside, when he rings my landline instead of a number being displayed it says 'international' and cant get his telephone number to report it.

jim · 22. Dec 2010, 02:49 PM

I get "International" 2 or 3 times every day. I just pick up and hang up. They never ring straight back. I'm saving up to get True Call. That puts a stop to all this.

20. Dec 2010, 06:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
systemcrash Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 192	I think my computer is begin targeted!! Why? i got nothing interesting! Ok today i had a phone call, From Micorsoft... they start by telling me that they recieved information form my isp (which they told me was Sky and it is) that sky informed them yesturday that my computer is running slow, (Which i doubt because i was reinstalling my entire sytem yesturday) Suspicion#1 but i gave him the benifit of the doubt. He explained that browsing the internet can download malicious files, bla bla bla. then said he'll help me repair my computer Suspicion#2 i followd his directions, "Press win+r to bring up the run box and enter eventvwr click on the application tabs, then to count all the red and yellow errors." I had around 130 "Close down event veiwer then press win+r again delete what is in there already and enter inf. press ok." Which opens inside the windows folder suspicion#3 "in the new window press ctrl+a and on the datails ion the left count how many files were selcted" I had 1469 But there windows files right?? He Continued "oh my god thats alot thats why your computer is running slow.." suspicion#4 I still hadnt finished my fresh install!! Then he asked "are you running a anti-virus?" I told him avast anti-virus Which is one of the best out there. He asked if it was free or paid and i told him free version the "oh my god you are runnig a free antivirus! the malicious files can still be downloaded through a weak anti-virus. Suspicion#5 But i was intersted where all this was heading. He then told me to "press win+r and then type www.teamviewer.com and press enter." which takes you to a website durrr then to download the software and run. At this point i thought enough is enough, I dont know if he really is from microsoft and im not going to let him have acess to my computer unless i can confirm if any of this i lagitamit, so thought id post here to see if people know of this. If its some sort of scam/Hack or legit And im just to suspicious. anyway hes ringing back tomorrow at 2pm because i told him i didnt have the time to do it now. When he told me that my isp was sky a normal person would be amazed oh it must be true, but i know all they need is to record your IP address. and any web page can do it, for anyone that wants proof so not to be fooled go here http://whatismyipaddress.com/ If this site can do it any site can then target you. __________________ If it ain't broke don't fix it, improve it, break it then fix it

20. Dec 2010, 06:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
MidnightCowboy Site Manager Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South American Banana Republic, third bunch from the left Posts: 9,250	Cold calling PC users to sell rogue security software is a definite scam. This was on the BBC news a while back and I highlighted it here: Anti-Virus Cold-Call Scam __________________ Knows nothing and cares even less

22. Dec 2010, 01:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
systemcrash Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 192	Well just to update, He didnt ring back next day, but he did ring back today. Not at the time i told hime to ring me back on though. And he seemed to have forgoten he rang me 2 days ago, And started saying exactly the same things as though reading from a script, I couldnt be bothered with the hastle so i told him i didnt own a working computer, and that pritty much put a end to the conversation. But then i came back here to update this thread, and wish maybe i did have a little fun with him. But i'l be ready for him next time. Il set up a vertual system, To see what he does? is there a way to hack out of a virtual system? just to make sure.... there is only one downside, when he rings my landline instead of a number being displayed it says 'international' and cant get his telephone number to report it. __________________ If it ain't broke don't fix it, improve it, break it then fix it

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21. Dec 2010, 05:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
1002richards Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sussex, UK. Posts: 167	Total scam ... don't have anything to do with this type of call. Unless of course you've time on your hands and want to play along with them but wind them up with "problems" downloading the rubbish they try to get you to install .... really string 'em along for ages and it'll keep them away from someone else who may fall for their scammming.

22. Dec 2010, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
jim Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: near Ashford Kent England Posts: 304	I get "International" 2 or 3 times every day. I just pick up and hang up. They never ring straight back. I'm saving up to get True Call. That puts a stop to all this.