Microsoft Security

[outrageous]

I received a call today from Microsoft saying my computer was at risk and they gained access to my computer and showed me that they had received alerts as to someone hacking my laptop ???? Apparently my certificate expired and I have no firewall protection ... I am a bit of a dunce with technology so don't know whether they are the real deal or not .. They want me to purchase protection £130 or £250 for lifetime .. I fobbed them off and said I needed time .. Should I trust them .. Any help appreciated thanks

[bibblebub]

Absolutely not - you call yourself "a bit of a dunce with technology" and they are using that to try and panic you into handing over money. It's just a scam.

[bibblebub]

p.s. they are nothing to do with Microsoft just scammers using the name.

[SlackAlice]

It's a common scam, do not allow them any access or give them any money. You can check via 'Control Panel' whether your firewall is On/Off.

What version of Windows are you running?

[outrageous]

It's Windows 7 and they showed me the corrupt files that were not running etc and they have access now ???

[bibblebub]

IT IS A SCAM and is well known e.g. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/scammers-hacking-victims-computers-calling-phone/story?id=18378841

[hc4361]

Reboot your computer now.

They did have access to your machine but rebooting will make sure they don't have now. They will have played a file of some sort showing fake information to encourage you to pay up.

I hope you have your firewall on, and an anti virus program running

[outrageous]

Thanks for your help I will do so

[SlackAlice]

Also, if you do online banking then consider changing all your passwords along with passwords for any email addresses you have.

You can that your Firewall is on by clicking 'Control Panel' and should find it listed there.

[SlackAlice]

//You can 'check' that your Firewall is on by clicking 'Control Panel' and should find it listed there. //

[outrageous]

Thank you all very helpful and I will do as you say appreciate it

[outrageous]

Just rebooted and my Firewsll was on so I have been taken for a mug .... Well learnt my lesson and thanks to all your help I will go back and change passwords etc .... So grateful xxx