#4394692 - 12/14/17 12:01 AM
microsoft "support" scam
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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I clicked on something today and my computer froze, no input allowed. woman's voice warned me that I should stop, not try to fix it myself, a hacker was attacking (how do they know that?) and advising me to call 1-888-467-1397 for their help. they called it a telephone free number rather than toll free. I looked it up on smart phone and it hit on scam. I had to unplug from internet (otherwise it keeps reloading), clear temporary internet files, clear cache, download and run Malwarebytes and restart. they found 1 Trojan and 13 registry problems and quarantined all. it seem to be ok now. I was pretty annoyed thinking they were ransomware, I'm getting too old for this kind of aggravation, spent 2 hours doing something I did not enjoy.
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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#4394695 - 12/14/17 12:26 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
cichlidfan
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
Woodbridge, VA, USA
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Don't click on stuff that you don't know what it is and where it goes. Not complicated.
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero, i7-6700K, Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Crucial 32GB DDR4 2133, Samsung 950 Pro NVMe 256GB, Samsung EVO 250GB & 500GB SSD, 2TB Caviar Black, Zotac GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme 8GB, Corsair HX1000i, Phillips BDM4065UC 40" 4k monitor, VX2258 TouchScreen, TIR 5 w/ProClip, TM Warthog, VKB Gladiator Pro, Saitek X56, et. al., MFG Crosswind Pedals #1199, VolairSim Pit, Rift CV1
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#4394697 - 12/14/17 12:35 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 24,005
oldgrognard
Administrator
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Administrator
Lifer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 24,005
USA
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But, but, but ... then how do you cruise porn ?
Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Someday your life will flash in front of your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.
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#4394700 - 12/14/17 12:38 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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it was a story on the MSN homepage, which is usually safe, even if over run with ads
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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#4394701 - 12/14/17 12:41 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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the only input I could make was control-alt-delete and shut down, but it was still there when I restarted. I do know enough to avoid clicking that junk.
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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#4394703 - 12/14/17 12:43 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
cichlidfan
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
Woodbridge, VA, USA
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But, but, but ... then how do you cruise porn ? it was a story on the MSN homepage, which is usually safe, even if over run with ads Examine an unknown link. Does it make sense for where you think it should go? If unsure, don't click it. This applies to porn sites as well as news sites.
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero, i7-6700K, Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Crucial 32GB DDR4 2133, Samsung 950 Pro NVMe 256GB, Samsung EVO 250GB & 500GB SSD, 2TB Caviar Black, Zotac GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme 8GB, Corsair HX1000i, Phillips BDM4065UC 40" 4k monitor, VX2258 TouchScreen, TIR 5 w/ProClip, TM Warthog, VKB Gladiator Pro, Saitek X56, et. al., MFG Crosswind Pedals #1199, VolairSim Pit, Rift CV1
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#4394704 - 12/14/17 12:46 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: MarkG]
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
cichlidfan
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
Woodbridge, VA, USA
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Any PC's (desktops and laptops) that are important to me don't have online capability, and I'm going to keep it this way for as long as I possibly can. What do you use them for? How do you update/install software?
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero, i7-6700K, Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Crucial 32GB DDR4 2133, Samsung 950 Pro NVMe 256GB, Samsung EVO 250GB & 500GB SSD, 2TB Caviar Black, Zotac GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme 8GB, Corsair HX1000i, Phillips BDM4065UC 40" 4k monitor, VX2258 TouchScreen, TIR 5 w/ProClip, TM Warthog, VKB Gladiator Pro, Saitek X56, et. al., MFG Crosswind Pedals #1199, VolairSim Pit, Rift CV1
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#4394707 - 12/14/17 12:57 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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mostly recreational. update games through Steam. back up important business on external hard drive. do weekly backups.
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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#4394708 - 12/14/17 01:02 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: cichlidfan]
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,481
MarkG
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,481
The Bayou
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Any PC's (desktops and laptops) that are important to me don't have online capability, and I'm going to keep it this way for as long as I possibly can. What do you use them for? How do you update/install software? AutoCAD, iTunes (organization/playlists for iPod Shuffles and burning MP3 CDs), games, math and programming DVD courses. For updates, I look for downloadables which can be installed offline (download from online laptop and transfer via flash drive after virus/trojan scanning), else I don't update. The one PC (laptop) that I go online with is used *only* for going online. If ever I get ransomware (my biggest concern), I'd simply restore my HD via an Acronis disk image, losing nothing because I keep nothing on it that I could lose.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
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#4394710 - 12/14/17 01:12 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: cichlidfan]
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,166
Flogger23m
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,166
US
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Don't click on stuff that you don't know what it is and where it goes. Not complicated. That will work, but you can get a virus via Amazon.com's advertisements. Adblock used to help a lot with that, but they have evolved a bit. I believe the addon "Noscript" for Firefox is even more effective to.
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#4394712 - 12/14/17 01:18 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: MarkG]
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
cichlidfan
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,042
Woodbridge, VA, USA
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Any PC's (desktops and laptops) that are important to me don't have online capability, and I'm going to keep it this way for as long as I possibly can. What do you use them for? How do you update/install software? AutoCAD, iTunes (organization/playlists for iPod Shuffles and burning MP3 CDs), games, math and programming DVD courses. For updates, I look for downloadables which can be installed offline (download from online laptop and transfer via flash drive after virus/trojan scanning), else I don't update. The one PC (laptop) that I go online with is used *only* for going online. If ever I get ransomware (my biggest concern), I'd simply restore my HD via an Acronis disk image, losing nothing because I keep nothing on it that I could lose. I see how that can work but it strikes me as so cumbersome that it isn't worth the trouble. For example, I do my taxes, via TurboTax which always requires an update. Having to run around and hunt for downloadable, and transferable updates, is too much work vs being cautious in the first place. While I agree that a certain level of paranoia is not a bad thing, there is a point where it is so counterproductive that it is not worth it. I have an alarm system on my house, including cameras. However, I have two dogs and weapons in strategic locations. I don't expect to be burglarized but I do expect, and plan, to be able to kill anyone that attempts it. To each their own though. If it works for you then more power to you.
Last edited by cichlidfan; 12/14/17 01:19 AM.
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero, i7-6700K, Noctua NH-D14 Cooler, Crucial 32GB DDR4 2133, Samsung 950 Pro NVMe 256GB, Samsung EVO 250GB & 500GB SSD, 2TB Caviar Black, Zotac GTX 1080 AMP! Extreme 8GB, Corsair HX1000i, Phillips BDM4065UC 40" 4k monitor, VX2258 TouchScreen, TIR 5 w/ProClip, TM Warthog, VKB Gladiator Pro, Saitek X56, et. al., MFG Crosswind Pedals #1199, VolairSim Pit, Rift CV1
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#4394717 - 12/14/17 02:02 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
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Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
MS
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the only input I could make was control-alt-delete and shut down, but it was still there when I restarted. I do know enough to avoid clicking that junk.
Don’t feel bad, there’s nothing magical about clicking a mouse, and seeing things like this doesn’t necessarily mean you clicked on something. Programming-wise, a mouse click is just an event, a marker more for your benefit. “mouse over”is the same kind of thing...and requires nothing more than you passing your cursor over a specific spot to activate, just the same as if you had clicked on it. There might not even be anything there to click on, just a area to pass the cursor over to activate. From time to time, run the free version of these apps in this order: adaware...in safe mode junkware removal tool...in safe mode hitman pro...needs to be online malwarebytes free scanner That group will take care of most things you might find. Create a restore point first. Also, the full version of malwarebytes plays well with windows defender, unlike some, and makes for good real time protection. Most of those ads are for real services, but still a ripoff. They charge $400 to run a set of free apps like I listed. Most people will have something that looks suspicious on the pc already...which is probaby in your case too. Then they catch it and it looks nefarious “justifying” the charge. It usually doesn’t go further, more phishing/social engineering than actively targeting and hacking someone.
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#4394719 - 12/14/17 02:22 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: cichlidfan]
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,481
MarkG
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 12,481
The Bayou
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While I agree that a certain level of paranoia is not a bad thing, there is a point where it is so counterproductive that it is not worth it.
To each their own though. If it works for you then more power to you. Probably works for me because I don't use the latest/greatest of anything, most updates of my software have long since ceased. You used TurboTax as an example, that would probably be on my online laptop since my wife (an accountant) files our taxes online anyway, directly into the IRS online forms. So it's not too big a deal for me, but we'll see how it works out when I finally get a new PC and try to keep it offline. I'm probably not paranoid enough with some things, I use my full real name on this site all the time, even posting my address when I'm doing something cool in my backyard and want to show it via Google Earth (1/8m walking path).
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
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#4394720 - 12/14/17 02:38 AM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 15,786
Haggart
I Fought Diablo
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I Fought Diablo
Veteran
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 15,786
The Lone Star State
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4 critical things Mark you can do right now to surf safer:
1. Don't click on stuff you're not sure about including email links 2. Be sure your browser settings are set to best protect you 3. Make sure you have a good anti-virus (3 years now with Norton and i've seen Norton stop attacks like the one you described before) 4. Make sure your software is kept up to date and set up any anti-virus software to auto update and do a daily auto scan of your PC
"everything lives by a law, a central balance sustains all"
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#4394808 - 12/14/17 05:37 PM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: Haggart]
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 209
ADorante
Member
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Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 209
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4 critical things Mark you can do right now to surf safer:
1. Don't click on stuff you're not sure about including email links 2. Be sure your browser settings are set to best protect you 3. Make sure you have a good anti-virus (3 years now with Norton and i've seen Norton stop attacks like the one you described before) 4. Make sure your software is kept up to date and set up any anti-virus software to auto update and do a daily auto scan of your PC While it's convenient to rely on anti-virus software to get a feeling of relative security, there are some more important precautions computer experts suggest to take. We had this discussion in a SimHQ Community Hall thread before, so I shamelessly link to myself: Link 1 (note: EMET no longer works in Win 10 but still in Win 7) So I repeat: 1.) Keep Windows, browser and other used software updated! Enable the auto-update function, but be in control! I.e. Keep checking if it really updates. 2.) Your browser needs anti-advertising-functionality against malware payload in malicious ads. The uBlock Origin addOn for Chrome and FireFox is recommended. 3.) Strongly consider a no-script add-on for your browser. I installed mine after someone on this very forum rickrolled us all with a silly JavaScript embedded in the thread page. I was so pissed that I couldn't stop it going through the complete song line by line. I never regretted installing No-Script for Firefox since then. For Chrome use Scriptsafe as addon. 4.) Anti-virus software is like any other software connected to the internet: it has bugs and they are exploitable by other actors with terrible results for you. The bigger the security team behind it, the safer it gets. Microsoft is the biggest player in the field. Just saying. 5.) If you're still using Win7, add Microsofts tool EMET (Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit) (see link above) to your computer. Last point, andCoasty, forgive me if I'm wrong but seeing that you read MSN I was assuming you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer. If You are still in Windows 7 I would recommend to ditch IE and migrate to another 3rd party browser. The old Internet Explorer is a favorite landing zone for all kinds of malware due to its security flaws. (I haven't read anything about the new MS browser software in Win 10).
"It's people like you that give people like you a bad name!" - Jessica Jones
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#4394816 - 12/14/17 06:20 PM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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I use windows 10, automatic updates, trend micro antivirus, ccleaner, Malwarebytes, and am very selective about where I go. no porn sites.
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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#4394845 - 12/14/17 08:26 PM
Re: microsoft "support" scam
[Re: coasty]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty
Senior Member
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
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never much interested me, why watch, when you can do?
Have you seen the Arrow? WWW
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