weird message from Microsoft.

chunkolini · Apr 13, 2010

I was out at work today, Mrs C and junior C were in the house, Junior C watching trash online. On the screen came up a message claiming to be from Microsoft telling us that there were lots of viruses on our PC, Mrs C clicked onto the message, it started 'doing something' so she deleted it.

A few minutes a phone call came in claiming to be from 'Windows' telling us that our PC was full of viruses, the told her he would transfer the call to somebody and sort it out. She was then cut off.

Sounds a bit rum to me, anybody got any idea what might be going on.
A call from 'Windows' I thought they were called Microsoft.

We have antivirus by AVG which seems to one of the worthy free ones.

Chunko'.

Wozzaaah · Apr 13, 2010

I'd be seriously worried about that Chunko'!
Sorry to be the harbinger of doom but it sounds like whatever it was that your wife clicked has gleaned personal data from your pc.
The call would be them trying to confirm your or your wife's identity.
I don't know what to suggest other than changing all your passwords and be on your guard for anything suspicious.

Rubber Duck · Apr 13, 2010

I read / heard somewhere that it's a scam! :mad:

Someone phones you up claiming to be from Microsoft and asks for certain details about your computer.

If people give this information they can gain access to it and then things like credit card details, personnel information (ID fraud) and anything else that is of use.

malcolm · Apr 13, 2010

It will be a bit rum.

There are a few ways it can be done, but it's easiest to download malware if you can get a click. Your PC will now be infected.

Some of these are a pain to remove but don't contact the scammers as they'll only download more malware.

There have been a few threads on the forum that ought to do the trick. I'd suggest a search but chances are that would be intercepted. Instead here are a couple:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=9951&highlight=malware
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2415&highlight=malware

Paul. · Apr 13, 2010

I've had one of my pc's attacked twice recently,it's not a virus more spyware / scumware, most of these attacks are easy to deal with once you know the tricks. initially you could download superantispyware its free and pretty good, spybot is another one, best to run them in safe mode, a lot of spyware starts with windows and will block attempts to get rid of it, in safe mode it wont be active.

naughtyboy · Apr 13, 2010

brother something similar last year on a thursday.
went to get money from cash machine on sat and found his account empty.
be careful.
not sure if they managed it cos he uses laptop and wireless internet.

zzr1200 · Apr 13, 2010

Try this asap, free online scanner

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/

oz. · Apr 13, 2010

I had a "Windows Antivirus" try to download itself the other day. Quite funny as I don't use Windows!

Wasn't sure if it could still cause damage so it was promptly stopped.

chunkolini · Apr 13, 2010

Chers all, funny how some things seem suspicious to some people and not to others.

I installed Superantispyware thingy, it detected and quarantined lots of mal and adware whatever they are a few other things I have never heard of.

Banky and fleabay stuff etc all seem fine for now, we will keep a close eye for misdoings.

Re internet banking, we have a random number generator thingy from the bank supposedly to prevent this kind of thing.

Once again this site come up with the goods.

Chunko'.

the snooper · Apr 13, 2010

i recieved a call at work a few weeks ago from an asian guy who stated we have detected errors on your computer can you switch it on and i will show you the errors
to which i replied how can you see errors we dont have the internet or any network here at all but he was insistant in the end i just told him he was stupid or words to that effect and hung up on him.

what i suspect is happening and may well be the same in chunkos case is they find your web site with your telephone number then contact you and try to get you to go online so they can hack your pc (actually no hack needed because they get you to give them access by saying we will show you the errors on your pc if you follow our instructions) they then get your personal info and also try to get bits of info off you while you are on the phone with them.

so beware its happening

Paul. · Apr 13, 2010

You should clean out your internet cache, and temporary files too, better still download and run ccleaner it'll do all that and more, including cleaning up any registry entries left by the malware.

chunkolini · Apr 13, 2010

Have done that stuff, I think we were lucky that Mrs C was not connected to the nice helpful chappie, I wonder if the phone call was just a coincidence.
But then I do have me email adres and phone numbers on website, then again the message from Microsoft came up as a popup not as en email.

Anyway, be vigilant.

Chunko'.

Wozzaaah · Apr 13, 2010

I reckon by pure chance it was two unrelated incidents by the sound of it so ignore my scaremongering. :laughing:

The popup thing is rife, says you're infected (which you're not) then you click a link to clean it and become infected! :mad:

Had one like that the other week, a mate's daughter's laptop. Was a right pain to clean but got there in the end.
I'd never heard of this phone call thing but that would make sense though I still don't see how they'd gain access without you installing a rogue app or trojan.
I'd LOVE to get a call like that, I'd certainly give them the runaround! :laughing:

tux · Apr 13, 2010

Bad news Chunko. I think I'd be tempted to forwarn the bank if you have any banking details on your machine, even with the random number algorithm generator thingy.

the snooper · Apr 13, 2010

evening woz you can give someone remote access to your pc and for those that dont really know what they are doing they could get caught out.

the snooper · Apr 13, 2010

if it was windows defender that poped up i suppose these people could have activated it by an attack on your ip address and pc then already having your phone number contact you stating you have viruses and previously seeing that message some people might go along with it and give them access

Wozzaaah · Apr 13, 2010

the snooper said:
evening woz you can give someone remote access to your pc and for those that dont really know what they are doing they could get caught out.

Hehe, If some complete stranger with an Asian accent phoned me and asked me to grant him remote access to my PC I 'may' be slightly suspicious! :clapping:

Unfortunately I've had 'customers' (I say that loosely as they seem to think I'll work on their PC for several hours for a cup of tea and nothing else :mad:

) who haven't the sense they were born with and just go "durrrr...ok" when a popup asks to install this or that.
(Apologies to Mrs Chunko' :ashamed:

)

chunkolini · Apr 13, 2010

Aye.
Especially if he rang on behalf of 'Windows'.

Chunko'.

brightspark · Apr 13, 2010

my comp got infected last month i had mcafee antivirus installed .it had run out the day before .quite a coincidence realy as i hadnt had any virus attaks in over a year .a warning came up

you have 50 viruses on comp some antivirus firm came up. cant remember who. it had overwritten mcafee so i couldnt use it

next came send your credit details and sign up for the year and clear the infections :laughing:

RIGHTO SENT EM STRATE OFF :whistle:

NOT THE ONLY THING THEY WOULD CLEAR IS ME BANK BALLANCE

Hitch · Apr 13, 2010

"Please confirm your postcode and date of birth Mrs Chunko..."
"Now we will setup a password for future use..."

I would expect a lot of people use the same passwords for everything...

As above though, i would just give your bank a quick buzz, get them to keep a close eye on it for the next month or two.
And go through and change your passwords just to be on the safe side.

weird message from Microsoft.

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