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Resolved An unusual question about Microsoft..

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by bellisimo, 2011/03/16.

  1. 2011/03/16
    bellisimo Lifetime Subscription

    bellisimo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    This afternoon I had phone call from a man who said he was with Microsoft and that they had discovered there were some dangerous files in my computer.

    He offered to go into my computer and connect remotely and remove said files.

    It made no sense to me so I told him my computer is running fine and I have no problems at this time. I should probably have asked him to tell me my name because I can't imagine Microsoft calling everyone who runs Windows Operating Systems and offering free online support of this kind.

    Am I right in assuming this guy was up to no good?

    Thanks you,

    bellisimo
     
    bellisimo,
    #1
  2. 2011/03/16
    JohnB Lifetime Subscription

    JohnB Well-Known Member

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    Good for You

    You did the right thing. I doubt very much that MS would call you up out of the blue and ask for access to your computer. They would only ask for access if you had contacted them about a problem and then they would set up a case number or something like that, then you might get a call from them. My experience is that they correspond with you by e-mail.

    Whoever called you was probably looking for personal information to steal.:eek:

    Well done in telling him/her to get lost.
     
    JohnB,
    #2


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  4. 2011/03/16
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi bellisimo. You did the right thing. Normally computer companies will never ask you for personal information or ask you if you can give them access to your computer unless you have a support ticket open with a company.

    If you get an e-mail or a call out of the blue and they ask you for your banking details or access to your system you can make the assumption that the person is up to no good and they are trying to scam you.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #3
  5. 2011/03/16
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    IMHO just common sense. There's no way anyone at Microsoft would know what they claim to know.

    I would have asked his name and telephone number & told him I'd call back. I'd call the police instead.

    Somewhere on our site is another such report, but I can't locate it right now.
     
    Arie,
    #4
  6. 2011/03/16
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    This is getting more common:eek:

     
    Steve R Jones,
    #5
  7. 2011/03/16
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    You should run thorough virus/malware scan to see if something is installed on your system & phoning back.

    Just in case.
     
    Last edited: 2011/03/16
    rsinfo,
    #6
  8. 2011/03/16
    bellisimo Lifetime Subscription

    bellisimo Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks for your replies. I appreciate your comments.

    bellisimo
     
    bellisimo,
    #7

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