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T O P I C R E V I E WjuniperbToday I got a phone call from "microsoft". A man with a thick foregion accent who said he was calling to say my computer, windows 7, sent them a report stating I had received junk files,maleware and I had a virus on my computer and was I aware of it. I said no and what did he want me to do about it. He said go to your computer and I will walk you through it. Rather freaked out, I hung up. How on earth could he get my home phone # and trace a computer generated report back to me. I never gave phone # or personal info when I registered windows. I went to computer and did a Malwarebytes deep scan and lo and behold there was a file in a game: Bejewled. Trojan.FakeA. So I ask, is this really Microsoft calling me or someone who sent the virus and was trying to get me to open it for remote access? This is too wierd for words. I`m pretty freaked out by the big brother aspects of this.------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumijuniperbI did find this on the virus: quote:Trojan FakeAlert is an extremely dangerous and malicious program that weakens a computer's security features to install malware such as rogue anti-spyware programs. Trojan FakeAlert may disable legitimate antivirus programs running in the background, and then replace it with a fake security program. After infecting a system, Trojan FakeAlert creates several fake malware files, which the fake anti-spyware program claims to be "infected." Upon displaying the scan report, the fake program restricts manual removal of the infected items, and urges the user to pay for a license or subscription. The objective of the scheme is to scare users into paying for a nonexistent program. I ran into this virus before and it was a bugger to remove but it still creeps me out... ------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumiPixieJaneThis wasn't microsoft. That was a scam artist. And if you did what he wanted then you need to call your credit card companies, bank, etc, and alert them, assuming you do any of that online or even just keep your pin numbers, etc, on your computer. And they "got" your number because it was randomly chosen. Your caller ID may have even ID them as Microsoft, but it's easy to defeat, even spoof a phone number giving them a false ID. Coincidentally, I believe my last post was about this just a few hours ago...let me see...yep, you were also on that thread, so here's the relevant part reposted to here: quote: I know I've gotten a handful of spammers from India trying our number (who can defeat caller ID, though I had to laugh when the Indian could barely speak English yet my Caller ID said they were Microsoft in Washington). Almost invariably these scam artists would call relentlessly (and sometimes every few minutes) until they got a live operator who'd then claim they detected a virus on my computer and want to "help" us so that if we'd done as they said then the caller would be able to hack our computer and steal our personal identities and even accounts.Usually as soon as I let them know I'm aware of their scam they took me off their sucker list, though one (the one who could barely even speak English) would keep trying even after I let him know. In his case I just told him I had to go upstairs and boot my computer, please hold, and set the phone off the hook (kept him from ripping someone else off for awhile, as well as sweet revenge in annoyance), though of course I made sure those who lived with me knew what was going on and to NOT follow his instructions. Everyone but the boy has their own phones they carry and prefer so it wasn't a problem, save the boy and I let him know that scam artists like the guy on the phone were scum and he didn't have to treat them respectfully, if he needed the phone just hang up without saying anything to make his call. I wondered if I hadn't messed up when the boy took that as license to exercise all sorts of prankish toilet humor on the scammer, but given that the scammer finally took our number off his list I now allow it.Oh, and obviously if someone calls you asking for your pin numbers or other codes, credit card numbers, etc, you do NOT give it to them. Remember, it's a scam, no matter how friendly or legite they sound, no matter that they say they're from your credit card company or whatever (they're not). (Same applies to email.)juniperbThanks PJ. I did NOT give him any info nor open my computer to him. I guess the freaking aspect was after updating and scanning my computer in the a.m. and finding it virus free. Later that afternoon there was one. Coincidence?------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumijuniperbCoincidentally, I believe my last post was about this just a few hours ago...let me see...yep, you were also on that thread, I`m trying to find the thread. Point it out?Edited to add: I found your thread. Had I read beyond "robo call" I should have saved myself a headache. Sometimes I skim a lengthy post to try to get the info and this time robo call wasn`t the point I needed for future use....------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumiSven555juniperb, you probably know this, but Microsoft will NEVER call you just randomly. They will only call you, if you request them too.Also, as for the Bejeweled virus you found, where did you download that game from? or is it played of a CD? juniperbSven, thanks for info. The Bejeweled game is one that quite a few years old and was downloaded from the popcap game site. ------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumiSven555 quote:Originally posted by juniperb:Sven, thanks for info. The Bejeweled game is one that quite a few years old and was downloaded from the popcap game site.No worries Well, Popcap is the official site for Bejeweled, but I think downloading games from them can be a little bad. It's almost like them sort of games come pre-bundled with a Trojan virus (it attaches itself to the game file when you download) and just sit there waiting until after a certain period of time they activate. Maybe it's been put in there purposely to ensure you have brought the game legitimately? From the description you gave about fakeAlert trojans, it sounds like they work progressively and then make you pay for the game whilst simultaneously destroying the game.That sounds ridiculous. charmainecIt was a darn scammer, Junibug. All sorts out there..------------------ quote:You will find the Treasure. The Map is within you. Randall <3jellyfishtryWhat pixiejane said JuniperB. They've been doing this around the world for a long time, and sometimes the police asks these people be reported.Just be really careful about putting your phone number, or exchanging it thru email or on the net in general, and if you do always delete that email, or ask the person who got it to delete it as soon as they have taken down the information.and don't panic, they really can't do more harm, hence why they need to call you to try to 'complete' their scam.hope this info is of any use to you!juniperbMy snowball is really rolling downhill. Today I got a letter from the St of Mi Dept of Community Health stating my info had been compromised. My name, birth date, SS# and diagnosis (which was nothing, a mammogram). I placed a fraud alert with the credit bureaus. Thanks JFT. Now I will call the police, thank you .------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. RumiRandallAll kinds.
Rather freaked out, I hung up. How on earth could he get my home phone # and trace a computer generated report back to me. I never gave phone # or personal info when I registered windows. I went to computer and did a Malwarebytes deep scan and lo and behold there was a file in a game: Bejewled. Trojan.FakeA.
So I ask, is this really Microsoft calling me or someone who sent the virus and was trying to get me to open it for remote access? This is too wierd for words.
I`m pretty freaked out by the big brother aspects of this.
------------------Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. Rumi
quote:Trojan FakeAlert is an extremely dangerous and malicious program that weakens a computer's security features to install malware such as rogue anti-spyware programs. Trojan FakeAlert may disable legitimate antivirus programs running in the background, and then replace it with a fake security program. After infecting a system, Trojan FakeAlert creates several fake malware files, which the fake anti-spyware program claims to be "infected." Upon displaying the scan report, the fake program restricts manual removal of the infected items, and urges the user to pay for a license or subscription. The objective of the scheme is to scare users into paying for a nonexistent program.
I ran into this virus before and it was a bugger to remove but it still creeps me out...
And they "got" your number because it was randomly chosen.
Your caller ID may have even ID them as Microsoft, but it's easy to defeat, even spoof a phone number giving them a false ID.
Coincidentally, I believe my last post was about this just a few hours ago...let me see...yep, you were also on that thread, so here's the relevant part reposted to here:
quote: I know I've gotten a handful of spammers from India trying our number (who can defeat caller ID, though I had to laugh when the Indian could barely speak English yet my Caller ID said they were Microsoft in Washington). Almost invariably these scam artists would call relentlessly (and sometimes every few minutes) until they got a live operator who'd then claim they detected a virus on my computer and want to "help" us so that if we'd done as they said then the caller would be able to hack our computer and steal our personal identities and even accounts.Usually as soon as I let them know I'm aware of their scam they took me off their sucker list, though one (the one who could barely even speak English) would keep trying even after I let him know. In his case I just told him I had to go upstairs and boot my computer, please hold, and set the phone off the hook (kept him from ripping someone else off for awhile, as well as sweet revenge in annoyance), though of course I made sure those who lived with me knew what was going on and to NOT follow his instructions. Everyone but the boy has their own phones they carry and prefer so it wasn't a problem, save the boy and I let him know that scam artists like the guy on the phone were scum and he didn't have to treat them respectfully, if he needed the phone just hang up without saying anything to make his call. I wondered if I hadn't messed up when the boy took that as license to exercise all sorts of prankish toilet humor on the scammer, but given that the scammer finally took our number off his list I now allow it.Oh, and obviously if someone calls you asking for your pin numbers or other codes, credit card numbers, etc, you do NOT give it to them. Remember, it's a scam, no matter how friendly or legite they sound, no matter that they say they're from your credit card company or whatever (they're not). (Same applies to email.)
Usually as soon as I let them know I'm aware of their scam they took me off their sucker list, though one (the one who could barely even speak English) would keep trying even after I let him know. In his case I just told him I had to go upstairs and boot my computer, please hold, and set the phone off the hook (kept him from ripping someone else off for awhile, as well as sweet revenge in annoyance), though of course I made sure those who lived with me knew what was going on and to NOT follow his instructions. Everyone but the boy has their own phones they carry and prefer so it wasn't a problem, save the boy and I let him know that scam artists like the guy on the phone were scum and he didn't have to treat them respectfully, if he needed the phone just hang up without saying anything to make his call. I wondered if I hadn't messed up when the boy took that as license to exercise all sorts of prankish toilet humor on the scammer, but given that the scammer finally took our number off his list I now allow it.
Oh, and obviously if someone calls you asking for your pin numbers or other codes, credit card numbers, etc, you do NOT give it to them. Remember, it's a scam, no matter how friendly or legite they sound, no matter that they say they're from your credit card company or whatever (they're not). (Same applies to email.)
I guess the freaking aspect was after updating and scanning my computer in the a.m. and finding it virus free. Later that afternoon there was one. Coincidence?
I`m trying to find the thread. Point it out?Edited to add:
I found your thread. Had I read beyond "robo call" I should have saved myself a headache. Sometimes I skim a lengthy post to try to get the info and this time robo call wasn`t the point I needed for future use....
------------------
Christian, Jew, Muslim, Shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged. Rumi
They will only call you, if you request them too.
Also, as for the Bejeweled virus you found, where did you download that game from? or is it played of a CD?
quote:Originally posted by juniperb:Sven, thanks for info. The Bejeweled game is one that quite a few years old and was downloaded from the popcap game site.
No worries
Well, Popcap is the official site for Bejeweled, but I think downloading games from them can be a little bad. It's almost like them sort of games come pre-bundled with a Trojan virus (it attaches itself to the game file when you download) and just sit there waiting until after a certain period of time they activate.
Maybe it's been put in there purposely to ensure you have brought the game legitimately? From the description you gave about fakeAlert trojans, it sounds like they work progressively and then make you pay for the game whilst simultaneously destroying the game.
That sounds ridiculous.
quote:You will find the Treasure. The Map is within you.
They've been doing this around the world for a long time, and sometimes the police asks these people be reported.
Just be really careful about putting your phone number, or exchanging it thru email or on the net in general, and if you do always delete that email, or ask the person who got it to delete it as soon as they have taken down the information.
and don't panic, they really can't do more harm, hence why they need to call you to try to 'complete' their scam.
hope this info is of any use to you!
Today I got a letter from the St of Mi Dept of Community Health stating my info had been compromised. My name, birth date, SS# and diagnosis (which was nothing, a mammogram).
I placed a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.
Thanks JFT. Now I will call the police, thank you .
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