[poncho-mike]

I got a strange call earlier tonight. The person identified themselves as a representative of Microsoft. I was told my computer was emailing out repeated warnings because it had been infected with a virus.

I told the caller I had Norton Internet Security and my definitions were active. I was told that Norton was third party software and was inadequate to protect my computer.

They asked me to install a third party software that allowed them to scan my computer. I balked and killed my computer, telling them I had a power failure. I have disconnected my home PC from the internet. I have DriveClone Pro installed, which allows me to restore my computer to a previous backup. It restores the entire hard drive from a stored image, not just the files.

I am running Windows XP. The person told me to bring up the Start Menu, right-click My Computer, select Manage, select System Tools, Event Viewer, and select Application. A bunch or messages came up, most were Information, there were a couple of Errors, and there were a few Warnings. These went back about two months.

They told me to select the error and see if it would allow me to delete it, which it wouldn't.

I'm naturally suspicious, so I killed power to the computer and told them I lost power and killed the PC.

So when viewing the Event Viewer, what should I expect to see? Can these be deleted?

I highly doubt Microsoft would call me up, and suspect this is a scam. Has anybody else heard of this? As a side note, I've got a few strange cold calls lately. It started after the whole Target scam, as my wife used our Debit Card and Credit Card at Target.

Any thoughts on this?

[Qball]

Sounds like someone went on a phishing trip, to me.

[salem1912]

Has Target contacted you, if not what are you suppose to do wait for something to happen??

[poncho-mike]

Our credit union called and cancelled the old credit card, and issued us a new phone number. As I understand it, not only was credit card information stolen, but personal information such as address and phone number info was stolen as well. That would explain the cold calls.

[pontiacstogo]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I highly doubt Microsoft would call me up, and suspect this is a scam.

Bingo.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...ague_consumers

[KS circutguy]

Its a scam,do not let them take over you're computer. They probably have already put malware on it. The only way to completely resolve the issues is a fresh install.what OS?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[KS circutguy]

For God's sake get rid of XP!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[KS circutguy]

BTW, Microsoft NEVER calls anyone about software issues. Lol

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

It was just a Phish , Mike.
There are no options to delete those messages from that angle.

Likely going to sell you some bogus PC Cleaner or Disinfectant or Security Software.
Or maybe they were going to trick you into granting remote access.

If they had malware or a trojan in your box - they wouldn't need to call you about anything to get at your goodies.

Best protection for your machine is surfing while signed onto a Non-Administrator privilege account. Thats even better than Norton Protection.

I'm sticking with XP until it wont go another inch.
By then Win7 or 8 will be free from more numerous sources.

[KS circutguy]

Brother I give up.lol

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[arbys]

You did the smart thing. I only communicate anything personal when I onginate the email or calls. If I am the least bit interested I ask for their phone # or email address and I will get back with them. It usually shuts them up.

[unruhjonny]

as mentioned earlier, this is an ongoing scam;
many people have been duped by it.
IIRC all duped parties end up payig this scam company money, and installing malware on their computer.

There is nothing wrong with windows XP, I on the otherhand prefer the older operating systems, and loath all the new ones.

[PMD1969]

Microsoft would never make a phone call.

[pugslyx234]

My son got me a mac and put firefox on it for me he is really good at this stuff, he is a I.T. director wish I had some of his computer wisdom.

[poncho-mike]

I was on my work laptop last night when I first posted this.

The person called me on my telephone land line. I had some doubts, but I went along until I got uncomfortable. The person asked me to go to a website and install TeamViewer. I'm familiar with remote share programs like TeamViewer, so I Googled it quickly and it appeared to be safe. I downloaded it and received a UserID and password.

The caller then asked me for the user and password, and that's when I knew something was awful fishy. I killed power to my computer instantly and told him we were having a winter storm and we had lost power. I wasn't about to give him control over my computer. I immediately disconnected my computer from the internet.

My first thoughts were to un-install TeamViewer to insure he couldn't access my computer. I have software called DriveClone Pro on my computer. About twice a day, it will back up an image of my computer to my hard drive. It saves a total two weeks worth of these images. These aren't just a backup of My Documents, it is an image of the entire operating system, software, and documents.

I restored my computer to the previous day's image and there was no trace of TeamViewer at all. It also totally removed TurboTax 2013, so I'll have to re-install that. Restoring the image takes about an hour, then the computer always wants to run the Checkdisk option. After it came up, I ran a Norton Antivirus scan on the entire hard drive and found nothing. Once I felt all was safe, I connected back to the internet and let Norton update my antivirus. I'm convinced I'm clean and he never had a chance to install anything.

The guy has called me back twice while I was at work. He asked my wife to turn my computer back on so he could determine the level of infection on my computer and would provide an estimate to resolve my problems. She was aware and did not turn it on.

The phone number the guy gave my wife is registered to someone in Spanish Fork or Springville Utah. Does anybody here live out in that area?

Mike

[KS circutguy]

Keep in mind a virus scan won't always find the keyloggers these aholes install.BTW you did good. Team view is a great remote tool I use a lot to help fix PC's remotely. Free to use too.
Had a friend in California ,retired teacher get the same call only he let them do their thing.Cost him $300.00 then he called me cause 4weeks later they said he had more malware they need another $200.to fix.lol
I did a dban wipe and helped walk him through a fresh install of Windows 7 (BTW ; we was running 7 before) he admitted he clicked an add on some sight and that's what started it.
Spendy lesson to learn.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Tambo]

This scam has been running in OZ for years. I have personally been phoned by a "Microsoft technician" over twenty times. The callers are in India and try to tell you their name is James or some such with an Indian accent you could cut with an axe. After the first few times of telling them to F off you I c, I started to have some fun and told the caller he'd rung the local Mosque and that he was an infidel and I was sending 100 holy warriors to slit his throat. Other times I answer and then say there's someone at the door and can he please hang on ... I then leave the phone off the hook and go back to watching TV. I got my first call some years ago and they are still at it, as we got three calls last week after about a nine month absence.

If you follow their advice and download the suggested site your computer will be loaded with virus and hacked and they will have all your details like bank accounts passwords etc.

[PONTIAC-ONE]

Originally Posted by KS circutguy

BTW, Microsoft NEVER calls anyone about software issues. Lol

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Of course they don't...there's 100s of millions of computers ( if not billions?) using Microsoft and they have time to call people at home... Hahaha.

I had a few calls from "them" too, first time they hung up on me when I asked how they had the time to call all the users at home.

2nd time I just told them to F-OFF!!.. no calls since.

[py71lemans]

I also got the call. I just told them it was F***ing Bull**** and hung up.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by poncho-mike

I was on my work laptop last night when I first posted this.

The person called me on my telephone land line. I had some doubts, but I went along until I got uncomfortable. The person asked me to go to a website and install TeamViewer. I'm familiar with remote share programs like TeamViewer, so I Googled it quickly and it appeared to be safe. I downloaded it and received a UserID and password.

The caller then asked me for the user and password, and that's when I knew something was awful fishy. I killed power to my computer instantly and told him we were having a winter storm and we had lost power. I wasn't about to give him control over my computer. I immediately disconnected my computer from the internet.

My first thoughts were to un-install TeamViewer to insure he couldn't access my computer. I have software called DriveClone Pro on my computer. About twice a day, it will back up an image of my computer to my hard drive. It saves a total two weeks worth of these images. These aren't just a backup of My Documents, it is an image of the entire operating system, software, and documents.

I restored my computer to the previous day's image and there was no trace of TeamViewer at all. It also totally removed TurboTax 2013, so I'll have to re-install that. Restoring the image takes about an hour, then the computer always wants to run the Checkdisk option. After it came up, I ran a Norton Antivirus scan on the entire hard drive and found nothing. Once I felt all was safe, I connected back to the internet and let Norton update my antivirus. I'm convinced I'm clean and he never had a chance to install anything.

The guy has called me back twice while I was at work. He asked my wife to turn my computer back on so he could determine the level of infection on my computer and would provide an estimate to resolve my problems. She was aware and did not turn it on.

The phone number the guy gave my wife is registered to someone in Spanish Fork or Springville Utah. Does anybody here live out in that area?

Mike

DUDE !