A very clever spam

Gayle · 22-06-2010, 21:27

Be very careful.

I got a phone call today from a man who said that he was from Microsoft. He said that he could tell that my software was compromised, that my IP address showed some unusual activity which meant that a few Trojans had got through. He asked if my computer was going a bit slower than usual. He asked if my antivirus was up to date. As it happens, by coincidence, I actually knew that my antivirus needed updating.

Anyway he was quite believable.

Then he said that to fix the problem all I had to do was carry out a sequence of key strokes. At that point I told him that I would close down my computer and get my antivirus updated. He insisted that I should do what he asked me to do. Again I refused and told him what I would actually do. Then he hung up.

It was all quite plausible.

cashman · 22-06-2010, 22:21

theres some devious gets about Gayle, but does yer anti virus not scan n update daily? have mine set to do that.

entwisi · 23-06-2010, 05:11

heh I'd love him to call me......

Margaret Pilkington · 23-06-2010, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

heh I'd love him to call me......

I'd love him to call you too.......I am sure you would run rings around him.

jaysay · 23-06-2010, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Be very careful.

I got a phone call today from a man who said that he was from Microsoft. He said that he could tell that my software was compromised, that my IP address showed some unusual activity which meant that a few Trojans had got through. He asked if my computer was going a bit slower than usual. He asked if my antivirus was up to date. As it happens, by coincidence, I actually knew that my antivirus needed updating.

Anyway he was quite believable.

Then he said that to fix the problem all I had to do was carry out a sequence of key strokes. At that point I told him that I would close down my computer and get my antivirus updated. He insisted that I should do what he asked me to do. Again I refused and told him what I would actually do. Then he hung up.

It was all quite plausible.

Nice one Gayle, I had the same gentleman on myself last week, well I'm saying the same he had an Asian accent, I let him go through his spiel, you know were they throw Mr Farrer in after every sentence, I just told him my PC is fully protected I am having no problems, so SOD OFF phone down, the cheeky git rang back and had another go, this time I changed the first word of my two word sign off

shakermaker · 23-06-2010, 10:02

I got a spam e-mail the other day from a bot posing as someone from HMRC. Obviously the charade was clear rather early on as HMRC haven't got that e-mail address and I was addressed as 'Dear Applicant'. However the e-mail went on to give instructions on how to claim back gazillions in back-taxes, as long as I give over certain information. Straight in the spam folder it goes...
Worrying, though, when you think some will fall for crap like that.

jaysay · 23-06-2010, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakermaker

I got a spam e-mail the other day from a bot posing as someone from HMRC. Obviously the charade was clear rather early on as HMRC haven't got that e-mail address and I was addressed as 'Dear Applicant'. However the e-mail went on to give instructions on how to claim back gazillions in back-taxes, as long as I give over certain information. Straight in the spam folder it goes...
Worrying, though, when you think some will fall for crap like that.

I keep getting Emails supposedly from an American shipping company who say they have tried to deliver a package to my home and there was no one in (I'm in 24/7) it then goes on and asks me to down load an invoice and then collect the package from their depot. For a start never heard of the firm and I haven't ordered anything anyway, yet they keep trying, I must have had about 6 of these Emails in the last three months, in fact the latest one was only this morning

Neil · 23-06-2010, 10:37

I had a phone call from Jackie the other day, she had a strange accent for a Jackie.
The conversation went something like this.

Jackie
Hello my name is Jackie I am from ......

Neil
Your names not Jackie

Jackie
Yes it is......

Neil
No it not, whats your real name

Jackie (she started again)
Hello my na(then she stopped) I am from such and such......

Neil
Why should I speak to you when you are lying about your name?

Jackie went quiet then so I put the phone down laughing

jaysay · 23-06-2010, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I had a phone call from Jackie the other day, she had a strange accent for a Jackie.
The conversation went something like this.

Jackie
Hello my name is Jackie I am from ......

Neil
Your names not Jackie

Jackie
Yes it is......

Neil
No it not, whats your real name

Jackie (she started again)
Hello my na(then she stopped) I am from such and such......

Neil
Why should I speak to you when you are lying about your name?

Jackie went quiet then so I put the phone down laughing

Ya little Tinker Neil

MargaretR · 23-06-2010, 11:07

I once needed a Dell PC reformatting and was guided through it by the Dell technical support helpline.

At one stage the engineer took control of my PC (with my consent) and I was amazed to see him doing things remotely whilst I just watched.

The caller who contacted Gayle appears to be attempting to induce people to volunteer for that degree of intrusion, and thereby having access to anything on your PC.

When I allowed it, it was to a Dell engineer whom I had telephoned, and the access was done after my hard drive had been wiped clean.

Gayle · 23-06-2010, 16:24

They phoned again today!!!!!

mattylad · 23-06-2010, 17:02

Write down the keystrokes they are asking you to do if they phone again.

Restless · 23-06-2010, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

heh I'd love him to call me......

lol and him mention that hes from microsoft.... You can say, well i work for linux goodbye

Studio25 · 24-06-2010, 09:29

I'd have to have a bit of fun with such a caller, as well. The "sequence of keystrokes" is probably to start up the remote assistance feature, or a link to a compromised website. I'd say I'm entering the details, while brewing up...

Then I'd see how much effort he put into "computer support" trying to establish why he can't hack into the PC. When he's finally losing the will to live, I'd say "Oh wait a minute - it's not switched on"

jaysay · 24-06-2010, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I once needed a Dell PC reformatting and was guided through it by the Dell technical support helpline.

At one stage the engineer took control of my PC (with my consent) and I was amazed to see him doing things remotely whilst I just watched.

The caller who contacted Gayle appears to be attempting to induce people to volunteer for that degree of intrusion, and thereby having access to anything on your PC.

When I allowed it, it was to a Dell engineer whom I had telephoned, and the access was done after my hard drive had been wiped clean.

Dell did that with me too Margaret, watching the cursor move about on the screen by itself was very strange, but better than me clod hoping about about not knowing what I was doing