We’ve been fielding a higher than normal volume of calls lately from customers asking why Microsoft is calling them to save their computer from a virus. Our customer’s number one question: how does Microsoft even know my computer has a virus?
That’s a fair question to ask, and the answer is: they don’t. And it’s not Microsoft on the other end of the line. If you get a call like this, hang up – immediately. While they can’t harm your computer through the phone lines, they can waste your time and leave you wondering if you’re machine has been compromised.
Thanks to a handful of customers who have called in to report this scam, here is our list of red flags:
- Caller says they are calling from Windows, Microsoft, or from Mircotech or PCE Fix on Microsoft’s behalf.
- Caller tells you that you have a virus, and that a variety of bad things are going to happen to your machine if you don’t let them fix the virus.
- Caller may tell you to call his company back and to speak to his manager.
- Caller asks to gain remote access to your computer.
- If you do give them remote access to your computer, caller may direct you to the Event Viewer in Windows which shows details about various hardware and Windows software issues. This Event Viewer is always full of messages, even on a healthy computer, but the caller will convince you that these are the warning signs of the impending disaster.
- To gain your trust in their knowledge, they may ask you to check random folders within the Windows directory that general home computer users will have never had need to look at before. The caller will indicate that a lot of files in this folder, or no files in this folder, is a very bad sign. This is inaccurate.
- You might have to type various commands into the ‘Run’ box or start simple Windows diagnostic programs that are installed by default on your computer. Various screens will appear and the caller will say this looks very bad. Again, not true.
- They might ask you to run a registry checker program that will show hundreds of “errors”. It is common for the Windows Registry to have ‘errors’ in it, but it generally does no harm at all. In fact, running an aggressive registry cleaner can do much more harm, and potentially leave you with a computer that will not boot up.
- Caller asks for credit card info to fix your computer.
Why all the lies?
Scammers are gaining access to your machine in an attempt to steal personal information for the purpose of identity theft. That aside, scammers are also attempting to simply infect your computer with viruses and malware – and we honestly don’t know why. We think it’s awful, and that’s why we are warning you about it.
What to do if you’ve been led astray: Most websites talking about this scam will encourage you to reinstall Windows, and change all your passwords (computer, bank, email, etc). If you are still concerned about your machine’s integrity, or don’t know how to reinstall Windows, we suggest you bring your machine in for a diagnostic. Despite the potential for extreme damage to your machine (and personal life), removing these viruses and hidden tracking programs from your machine is actually quite anti-climactic. Your best defense, however, has nothing to do with your machine at all. If you get a call like this, hang up the phone!
