Tech support scam are nothing new in the information technology world. I received a request on a third party website where I earn supplemental income answering computer and technology related questions. Here is their request:
Someone from Microsoft called me about 10 mins ago and told me that my computer is being hacked. Can you help me. I don’t know how long it’s been going on but the man said it’s been a couple of weeks.
This individual was using a computer with Microsoft Windows 10 installed. Here is my response:
Microsoft employees do not call out to users. However, there are a lot of scammers out their that claim that they are with Microsoft to try to scam you out of money. Yes, most likely a scammer.
How would anyone from Microsoft know if you were being hacked? You could run some malware, spyware, antivirus scans. Also, make sure that your software firewall is turned on.
I gave this individual some additional tips in case they were that paranoid, which I did NOT have to do. They requested I remotely connect to their computer, but declined. This would have required an additional charge, and would NOT have been necessary.
If anybody calls you claiming they are from Microsoft, then that means they are being deceitful. Microsoft does NOT pay people to call you about security. You need to learn how to use analytical, critical, logical, cynical thinking.
How in the fucking world would anyone from Microsoft know that you were being hacked? They would have to have access to your network connection and be running network scans themselves. Also, if anyone calls you making wild claims, why would you believe them?
These scammers can be quite deceitful besides just wanting your money. Some will remotely connect to your computer and install adware, malware, spyware, viruses, keystroke logger, tracker, etc. I used to hang up on these types of callers, until I instituted a better call screening system for my business.
When in doubt do NOT give access to your computer. When in doubt do NOT give out your credit card information.