Your computer is infected …

Have you heard about nice people who call you to let you know that your computer is infected and they can help you to cure it? Maybe one of those people called you or someone you know?

Recently my phone rang. When I answered, a voice with a thick Indian accent said, “Ma’am, I am from Microsoft Technical Support. Your computer is infected. I can help you. Please, go to your computer and I will tell you what to do.”

I was elated. I heard about such people before, but now I had a chance to see for myself how they operated. I said, “Sir, I am very glad you called. I cannot speak right now; can I call you in 10 minutes? Could you tell me your name and your phone number?”

My caller obligingly told me that his name was Sam Pakar (he spelled it for me) and that his phone number was 510-374-4990. He claimed to call from California.

I called the number back and hung up after two  rings. A minute later Sam Pakar called me back. He told me to open my browser, providing step by step instructions. Then he told me how to go to www.support.me web address. Most people should stop before going to an unknown web address, because your computer can get infected by a bad website, or even a good website subverted by crooks. However, I have so much protection on my computer, I could afford trying unknown web site. When I got to the web page to which www.support.me redirected my browser, I recognized LogMeIn remote access software that could allow my caller to take over my computer. Of course Sam did not tell me that was his plan; he dictated a six digit number and told me to type it in a box on that page and click a submit button. At that point I decided that the game was getting too hot and disconnected.

However, I was not done. I went to Google and checked that phone  number. Not only there were numerous complaints about these crooks, but at least one story mentioned a caller trying to log into the bank account of a woman he duped into giving him control of her computer.

When you hear the words, ‘infection’, ‘malware’, ‘virus’, you may get so nervous that you wish someone could help you. When people offer to do just that for you and mention such well known companies as Microsoft, Dell or whatever manufacturer you bought your computer from, you may feel relieved. However, these companies will never  call you out of the blue. If you think something can be wrong with your computer, get help from someone reputable, be it a computer repair shop, your family computer guru or your own computer-literate child. Do not follow instructions from people who cold call you on the phone. They may be trying to steal your information or money.