"Your computer has a virus"

[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?

[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.

[BlackCat]

Do you remember the accent of the caller? If so, let me take a wild guess...

Nigerian?

[Checkmate]

I haven't had this happen yet but I think I'll have a good time when if it does. >=)

[Pause]

first call i got i told them i was the local state police office.. they hung up pretty quickly haha

[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.

[Pause]

Now THAT is awesome