Do Windows engineers ever ring you about computer trouble?

[windywillow]

I've just had a call from someone claiming to be from Windows, telling me my computer is about to crash.

I'm very suspicious about anything like this, but is there any chance that it could have been a bonafide call?

I asked him for his telephone number and he gave me a number which is very similar to my own - when I mentioned this, he said he knew it was.

I know there are lots of scams re computers, but are any of these calls ever genuinely from Windows?

[Mamyalynne]

I told one I was having palpitations.....he disappeared quite quickly.

[sometimesit]

Tell them you already have double glazing thank you very much and put the phone down.

[daffy654]

windywillow, the only program I can find via Google called System Suite is a utilities one, it has no anti virus component. Can you tell me which company manufactures your product please?

[windywillow]

Sorry Daffy, I've no idea. An engineer (in the flesh) repaired the computer for me and loaded System Suite on it. Prior to that I'd been using AVG.

I've no idea why he took off the AVG and replaced it with SS, but he was of the opinion that SS was the way to go. :o/

[daffy654]

I think I have now found the correct program windywillow, unfortunately the reviews are not good for it. I don't rate AVG either and have been using Microsoft Security Essentials (it's free).

[windywillow]

I wish I understood more about the computer. Unfortunately I just can't take it all in. Microsoft Security Essentials is ringing a bell with me for some reason. Perhaps I've got that too. :o/

[Hopkirk]

Apparently they get you to show some sort of error page on your computer, and all computers will come up with something that looks worrying.

If that is all they did, then I would stop worrying now.

The best advice I heard was to hold the phone up to the smoke detector and press 'Test'

[MarkRae]

I sincerely hope you haven't got more than one antivirus application running - that will kill your computer's performance.

You're not paying for System Suite, are you...?

[windywillow]

No Mark, I'm not paying for SS.

When I switch the computer off at night, I'm sure I get a message about updates, and something to do with Microsoft. Perhaps it's not Microsoft Security Essentials.

[MarkRae]

If you click Start and then go to your installed programmes, can you see Microsoft Security Essentials...?

[joko]

I've had them become quite nasty when ive questioned them on things ... they hate being kept waiting haha

[Mick-Talbot]

I got a call about my infected laptop last week, I was at a loose end so I thought I would have some fun.

He used the phonetic alphabet to tell me to type something into google, I assume in an attempt to direct me to their website.

I played along and he asked me what I saw......


"There seems to be some sort of acronym" I said

'What is that please'

So I spelt it out using the phonetic alphabet.

Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo Oscar Foxtrot Foxtrot

'You must have typed in something wrong, lets try again.

We went through the process again I think on the second attempt he had understood my acronym, because he slammed the phone down..

[windywillow]

Mark, yes I can see it there. Should I delete System Suite?

[windywillow]

Lol@Mick-Talbot.

[joko]

if there are any computer whizzes on here itd be great if we could all come up with some blurb - a kind of script - for people to say to them that makes them think you are doing as they have asked but are making loads of mistakes and getting loads of error messages, that you can tell them ... but which keeps them online for as long as possible.

the more time we waste of their the less chance they have to scam someone else

[MarkRae]

Go to Start, Control Panel, Programs and Accessories, which may be called something slightly different depending on which version of Windows you're running.

If you see both Microsoft Security Essentials and System Suite there, then yes definitely uninstall System Suite. You'll almost certainly have to reboot afterwards...

[windywillow]

Joko, this man was getting quite shirty too. I asked for his telephone number and asked him to ring me back in half an hour. He hasn't rang back yet.

[windywillow]

Thanks Mark. They are both there, so I will uninstall System Suite.

[joko]

i just laughed my head off at him and he put the phone down haha

[joko]

i am going to get some kind of rape alarm thing and tell them my computer is making a funny noise and say its a bit quiet but put your ear up to the phone - then play the siren haha