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"Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 22nd, 2014, 3:16 pm
by BlackCat
Have any of you received a phone call saying this yet? I have. Obviously I knew it was a scam, but what does the scammer try to do with your computer if you stay on the line?
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 22nd, 2014, 3:47 pm
by Bullet Magnet
Yep. I stayed on the phone for a while just to see what they would do.
In my case, they told me they manage a database that lists all viruses on all Windows PCs around the world and they were alerted on mine. They point you to the Windows Event log which contains log messages regarding harmless errors or warnings. They then ask to remote in. I stopped at that point (told them I was a computer programmer and they hung up), but I assume they check browser settings for credit card information.
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 22nd, 2014, 3:52 pm
by BlackCat
Do you remember the accent of the caller? If so, let me take a wild guess...
Nigerian?
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 23rd, 2014, 5:58 am
by Checkmate
I haven't had this happen yet but I think I'll have a good time when if it does. >=)
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 24th, 2014, 6:42 am
by Pause
first call i got i told them i was the local state police office.. they hung up pretty quickly haha
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 24th, 2014, 10:31 am
by Bullet Magnet
I read a funny story about a guy who programmed a pretty nasty virus and attached it to a "Word document" entitled BankAccountInfo.doc with some VBA attached. He put that on a remote machine and the scammers immediately grabbed it. Funny stuff.
Re: "Your computer has a virus"
Posted:
September 26th, 2014, 6:37 am
by Pause
Now THAT is awesome