Posted on 02/25/2015 5:15:58 AM PST by GYPSY286
I need some advice from Freeperland folks who are savvy with computer issues. Last evening, I received a call from a "Windows Security Center". They knew my name and obviously my phone number. Gave me a spiel that Windows software security had been compromised/corrupted and according to their records, knew I had Windows 7. To prove they were legit, they had me start my computer and prompted me through a series of commands to bring up my specific Windows license number. She read it off and that license numbers was listed on my machine. She prompted me to run a program which showed a long list (2,400+) events under the EventR which apparently showed many "Warnings". She then had me go to www.fastheal.net and click on Technician No. 3 for remote access. Yes, I know I should not have done this. Technician performed a scan (which took about 8 minutes) and the last line in the scan stated that Windows software was corrupted. She offered to remove the Windows software with new/updated software, anti-virus software, etc. etc. Said it would take about 90 minutes to remove all the "junk" files" (946 of them). They want $100 for five years service (or $285 for lifetime sevice). I knew better than to give them any bank/credit card info over the phone. If my computer has been hacked, I won't give them info online either. I told her I wanted to "think about it". She's supposed to call me back on Friday.
I ask them for their street address so I can send the cops over. Otherwise, ask them if their refrigerator is running.
Sigh.
Here’s a link to the real Microsoft Windows Security Center:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx
You should opt in to receive automatic updates from Microsoft, if you haven’t already done so.
There’s a link on the above page regarding phone scams and what not to do and what to do if you get one.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
Disconnect your computer from the network right now and leave it diconnected while you try to salvage what files you can from it and buy another computer. Or call someone who knows what they are doing. Those are your two choices.
Not to mention, I'm the paranoid type when it comes to this stuff. I wouldn't trust that PC anymore after you gave them remote access. God only knows what else they were doing that you couldn't see. If it were mine, I'd format and re-install the OS now.
When he calls back on Friday, ask him if his mother raised him to be a scumbag criminal scammer.
We've got a guy at work that responds to telemarketers with "What are you wearing?".
Too late. Leaving the computer on the internet means its new owners will just download more and more malware to it. It is probably impossible to fix with any native tools at this point. The only way to fix it is to yank out the network connection, then work on turning off the malware. That can generally be done running autoruns and turning off most items. Nothing will work well after that but that includes the malware. Then he can salvage files and buy a new computer or reflash firmware and reinstall the OS on this one.
1. Sign up at MajorGeeks.com
2. Logon and go to the Malware Removal Subforum
3. Create a New Thread and describe your symptoms as accurately as you can.
4. Do what they tell you to do - EXACTLY
4. It may take a day or two but they will clean your computer of any viruses or malware. They have never failed to do so for me. Very, very professional help and it is FREE. And note that they supply all of the analysis and reporting tools that you need as freeware that is available on their website.
Another ‘after’ recommendation FOR EVERYONE.
After you get it back it shape, of course, backup your data files frequently. If the data is worth saving on your hard drive, it is worth backing up to external drives, as well.
And, consider making an ‘image’ backup of your hard drive occasionally (after major software updates or semi-annually). Windows Backup does imaging. So do several ‘free for home use’ software companies. I currently use Macrium Reflect.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx
Microsoft don’t call you. I is a scam.
Don't need a new puter just replace the hard drive.
windows 8 crashed for me. took it to the computer guy - he told me basically to take it out in the woods and use the .22 and put it out of its misery. there was something that got through with the kasperskys 2015 software - malware virtually destroyed everything. Operating with Windows 7 on laptop now awaiting a new desktop computer to arrive! DO NOT USE Kasperskys 2015.
I’ve gotten about 15 calls from them. The interesting thing is that they never mention the word “Microsoft”. The first time they called I knew it was a scam. Now, my wife and I both give them an ear full.
oh8eleven is absolutely correct. my son had lifelock and transunion doing credit monitoring and had done some credit activity (applied for a car loan or credit card). Transunion reported the credit pull within minutes of the activity; lifelock didn’t alert him for over 24 hours.
I’m not an expert, but I recommend that you run, not walk to some credit protection agency such as Lifelock and sign up for a credit protection service. (I don’t know anything about Lifelock either) make your own choice. They already have everything that you had on your computer.
A local radio host - troubleshooter - has people call in with their numbers (they are usually pretending to be IRS or local utility companies).
He calls them, leads them on for a bit, then hands it to them. And he gives out the number to his listeners. So a few thousand people are calling these scammers, shutting down their phone systems. Quite funny actually.
They are getting quite aggressive lately, cursing and threatening, when they are caught.
This is what hackers call “social engineering”, when they call you on the phone pretending to be someone else to get information/money from you. They are not from Microsoft, they are scam artists who probably already have spyware and viruses on your computer.
Your best bet is to wipe the machine. Backup your important files, then reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows and your software.
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