There is a new scam going around. Bad for you and bad for Microsoft, they are
using the Microsoft name to get paid. No this is not a blogpost against
Microsoft, although I am not a big fan of them.
I know of at least two confirmed cases of people who did pay, before they found
out this was a scam.
The scam works as follows:
You receive a phone call from a Microsoft representative, at first this seems
like a normal call maybe a marketeer or some one trying to sell you something.
But this isn't the case, the representative tells you they received a message
that your computer has been affected by spyware or a virus and Microsoft is
just calling you as a courtesy.
Next the representative will tell you they can fix it, but they will need
access(remotely) to your computer and there is a fee to pay. You agree and
they ask you to go to a website to download a piece of software that will give
them access to your computer. They will ask you several questions after they
gain access to keep you on the line. After the representative gets done you
get presented with a bill ranging anywhere from $39-$129 dollars. They could
ask you for credit card info at this point put there are also cases known where
they will ask you for bank information.
So what is it they really do?
If you followed what was happening, you could have already known this was not a
real call from Microsoft. Microsoft will never call anyone out of the blue,
you can call them and get information about the version of windows you are
running. But they will NEVER call you. They can't see, nor do they feel
responsible, for what happens after you install Windows. It is up to you to
protect the computer from spyware and viruses. Microsoft doesn't fix computers
at all so they don't really need access to the computer. The website you get
send to is not a Microsoft website, if Microsoft where to do this you would be
send to one of Microsoft's domain's like microsoft.com. If the domain name is
not microsoft.com it's not really Microsoft. The software you downloaded is
indeed software to remotely access your computer they access your computer and
install some software to log everything that happens on the computer. One of
the softwares installed is a keylogger, a piece of software that records each
and every key-press on you keyboard, used to log all of you usernames,
passwords and anything else interesting for these criminals.
After you hang up with them and check the credit card that you used or check
your bank there will be more money charged, or missing then you agreed to.
These calls are made by criminals they are out to get bank and credit card
information it is a confirmed scam. Don't fall for it hang up the phone.
Protecting your computer is easy, download AVG Free to protect against viruses
also download Malwarebytes to protect against spyware(see links at the bottom
of this article). Both of these softwares are FREE they won't cost you
anything. There are pro versions but the free versions work just fine. If
you are worried about screwing up the computer have a friend that knows
something about computers or computer tech do it for you. Your friendly
computer guy can always help you out, even if it doesn't make them money. I
know I give out my share of free information when ever somebody calls me or send
me an email or Facebook message.
Get AVG Free here: http://free.avg.com
Get MBAM (Malwarebytes) here: http://www.malwarebytes.org
Follow the words "Free Download" on those pages to get the free versions.