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Hey folks, just a thought I'd post to warn people about something.
Today I got my fourth call (in the space of about 6 months to a year) from someone claiming to be from a technical support company calling about "errors and warnings" on my computer.
I've been using computers for a touch over 20 years, I know there's nothing wrong with my machine and I also knew from the first time that it was a scam.
If you follow the steps, they ask you to click on START and then RUN and enter a number of things like "eventvwr" or "prefetch malware" and so on. They try to convince you that the "errors and warnings" you see are a huge problem and that all the files when you type "prefetch malware" are viruses and malicious software.
It's all complete bull.
If they are particularly creative they'll tell you they've recieved error messages from your computer so they are contacting you to fix them. They always ask what operating system you're on - if they HAD recieved error messages from your computer, they'd already know.
Whatever they say though, and however far you go through the process, don't do anything that might let them take control of your computer. Personally I stop when they ask me to input pin codes (usually on a support website). Don't pay them a penny, don't give them your email address, your phone number or anything else. It's a scam.
If you're concerned about malicious software and viruses just put the phone down on them* and update your security software. If you don't have any or the protection that came with the computer has "expired" just go along to the Malware Removal section of the Support Forum at MajorGeeks.com and read the "read and run this first" thread. Do that and you'll have a well secured, clean computer. Any problems, register on the forum and ask for help.
Hopefully most of you are confident enough with computers to see right through the scam, but I know there are some on here who aren't so confident and that's the kind of person these scams target. Don't be sucked in and don't worry. Again, if you're concerned, just get along to the MajorGeeks forum and follow the "Read & Run me first" thread.
Malware Removal - MajorGeeks Support Forums
All the best.
*unless, like me, you want to string them along so they can't scam someone else while you're on the line - my best so far was having them on the line for well over an hour - maybe closer to two.
Today I got my fourth call (in the space of about 6 months to a year) from someone claiming to be from a technical support company calling about "errors and warnings" on my computer.
I've been using computers for a touch over 20 years, I know there's nothing wrong with my machine and I also knew from the first time that it was a scam.
If you follow the steps, they ask you to click on START and then RUN and enter a number of things like "eventvwr" or "prefetch malware" and so on. They try to convince you that the "errors and warnings" you see are a huge problem and that all the files when you type "prefetch malware" are viruses and malicious software.
It's all complete bull.
If they are particularly creative they'll tell you they've recieved error messages from your computer so they are contacting you to fix them. They always ask what operating system you're on - if they HAD recieved error messages from your computer, they'd already know.
Whatever they say though, and however far you go through the process, don't do anything that might let them take control of your computer. Personally I stop when they ask me to input pin codes (usually on a support website). Don't pay them a penny, don't give them your email address, your phone number or anything else. It's a scam.
If you're concerned about malicious software and viruses just put the phone down on them* and update your security software. If you don't have any or the protection that came with the computer has "expired" just go along to the Malware Removal section of the Support Forum at MajorGeeks.com and read the "read and run this first" thread. Do that and you'll have a well secured, clean computer. Any problems, register on the forum and ask for help.
Hopefully most of you are confident enough with computers to see right through the scam, but I know there are some on here who aren't so confident and that's the kind of person these scams target. Don't be sucked in and don't worry. Again, if you're concerned, just get along to the MajorGeeks forum and follow the "Read & Run me first" thread.
Malware Removal - MajorGeeks Support Forums
All the best.
*unless, like me, you want to string them along so they can't scam someone else while you're on the line - my best so far was having them on the line for well over an hour - maybe closer to two.
)
...my guess is that they knew straight away how thick/easily convinced I was and knew Andi possibly isn't!(even though I know he is!
)
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