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  3. Any get a call from TechStork about Windows security?

Any get a call from TechStork about Windows security?

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  • D DavidSherwood

    I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

    L Offline
    L Offline
    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #4

    They know your name and phone number because they just phoned you and looked up your number in the phone book. Their aim is to convince you you have computer problems and to then sell you a fix. They are scam artists of the worst sort - but amazing fun to string along.

    PooperPig - Coming Soon

    D 1 Reply Last reply
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    • D DavidSherwood

      I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

      M Offline
      M Offline
      Mycroft Holmes
      wrote on last edited by
      #5

      So ask them what your licence no is! Then ask them for the evidence from your event log so you can double check their claim. Then string them along for as long as possible without parting with any personal information or downloading anything. My record is 28 minutes so far, but then I get quite a few of these.

      Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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      • D DavidSherwood

        I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

        L Offline
        L Offline
        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #6

        I've had a few of these. If I'm not busy I tell them I don't really understand computers and ask them if they can tell me what operating system I have (I was told Windows 10 a few years ago by one caller). They usually end up asking me to open the Windows event log (where they'll show me some normal logs but try and explain that they're a sign of a virus/problem), so I get them to explain it step by step... Them: Click on the Start Button Me: What's a "Start Button"? Them: It's at the bottom left of your screen Me: No, I can't see anything there, are you sure it's supposed to be there? ...10-15 minutes later... Them: What make is your computer? Me: Apple Them: -- Gone -- :laugh:

        How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.

        enhzflepE D 2 Replies Last reply
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        • M Mycroft Holmes

          So ask them what your licence no is! Then ask them for the evidence from your event log so you can double check their claim. Then string them along for as long as possible without parting with any personal information or downloading anything. My record is 28 minutes so far, but then I get quite a few of these.

          Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

          L Offline
          L Offline
          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #7

          We had a number of these until my wife decided that as soon as she was sure it was the same people she would start screaming down the phone (she's a singer so can keep a high note for a long time). The first time I got a call complaining about her behaviour :wtf:, I won't repeat my reply. After the third time they stopped completely.

          One day I aspire to having a signature.

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          • L Lost User

            We had a number of these until my wife decided that as soon as she was sure it was the same people she would start screaming down the phone (she's a singer so can keep a high note for a long time). The first time I got a call complaining about her behaviour :wtf:, I won't repeat my reply. After the third time they stopped completely.

            One day I aspire to having a signature.

            M Offline
            M Offline
            Mycroft Holmes
            wrote on last edited by
            #8

            Motor Viper wrote:

            got a call complaining about her behaviour

            Ah I love it, a scammer rings back and complains, got balls I'll give them that.

            Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH

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            • L Lost User

              We had a number of these until my wife decided that as soon as she was sure it was the same people she would start screaming down the phone (she's a singer so can keep a high note for a long time). The first time I got a call complaining about her behaviour :wtf:, I won't repeat my reply. After the third time they stopped completely.

              One day I aspire to having a signature.

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #9

              You should have put them through to the "support department" and passed them back over to your wife for a second dose :)

              How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.

              L 1 Reply Last reply
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              • L Lost User

                You should have put them through to the "support department" and passed them back over to your wife for a second dose :)

                How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.

                L Offline
                L Offline
                Lost User
                wrote on last edited by
                #10

                I wish I'd thought of that at the time :) .

                One day I aspire to having a signature.

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • L Lost User

                  I've had a few of these. If I'm not busy I tell them I don't really understand computers and ask them if they can tell me what operating system I have (I was told Windows 10 a few years ago by one caller). They usually end up asking me to open the Windows event log (where they'll show me some normal logs but try and explain that they're a sign of a virus/problem), so I get them to explain it step by step... Them: Click on the Start Button Me: What's a "Start Button"? Them: It's at the bottom left of your screen Me: No, I can't see anything there, are you sure it's supposed to be there? ...10-15 minutes later... Them: What make is your computer? Me: Apple Them: -- Gone -- :laugh:

                  How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.

                  enhzflepE Offline
                  enhzflepE Offline
                  enhzflep
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #11

                  :-D A mate and I pulled almost the same ruse a couple of months back, pretending to understand very little about computers. Nearing the end of the call, we told them that we just had a picture of a penguin. The best part was just after we hung up on them, his brother walked back in. Not a minute later, the phone starts ringing again. We told him not to pick it up - we knew exactly who it would be, but didn't tell him. Knowing better, he picked it up anyway. Cue: 10 minutes of laughing like hyenas on our part and a very confused Glenn. We've since setup a virgin box for the next ones. It's got nothing on it other than a freshly installed copy of linux, virtual-box with a copy of XP and a copy of team-viewer. The idea is that when we get another call, we'll connect using the team-viewer in the virtual machine, find-out their IP and then smash their network with the other 6 computers sitting in the office, hoping to really elephant-up their day. A quick ip-renew and then we'll duck back underground like the gophers in Caddy-Shack. (yes, we're probably putting too much effort into having a laugh)

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                  • L Lost User

                    I've had a few of these. If I'm not busy I tell them I don't really understand computers and ask them if they can tell me what operating system I have (I was told Windows 10 a few years ago by one caller). They usually end up asking me to open the Windows event log (where they'll show me some normal logs but try and explain that they're a sign of a virus/problem), so I get them to explain it step by step... Them: Click on the Start Button Me: What's a "Start Button"? Them: It's at the bottom left of your screen Me: No, I can't see anything there, are you sure it's supposed to be there? ...10-15 minutes later... Them: What make is your computer? Me: Apple Them: -- Gone -- :laugh:

                    How do you know so much about swallows? Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know.

                    D Offline
                    D Offline
                    den2k88
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #12

                    *taking accurate notes for the future* :thumbsup:

                    Geek code v 3.12 GCS d--- s-/++ a- C++++ U+++ P- L- E-- W++ N++ o+ K- w+++ O? M-- V? PS+ PE- Y+ PGP t++ 5? X R++ tv-- b+ DI+++ D++ G e++>+++ h--- r++>+++ y+++* Weapons extension: ma- k++ F+2 X

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                    • D DavidSherwood

                      I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mark_Wallace
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #13

                      DavidSherwood wrote:

                      they know my Microsoft license number

                      So ask them to read it out to you. The only good reason for them to refuse is because they don't know it. They just go through phone books. Just about everyone has a computer, and just about all computers are Windows (when you look at the numbers, apple and Linux are almost trivial), so most people fit their target profile.

                      I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

                      D 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • D DavidSherwood

                        I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Slacker007
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #14

                        When I get these kind of calls, I pretend that they are a pizza company and they are calling me to repeat my order. I think the call only lasts like a minute or two, but it is worth the laughs. These people are criminals and deserve to get butt fucked by an elephant with herpes.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • D DavidSherwood

                          I got an unsolicited phone call from TechStork claiming that I have security errors on my Windows computer. They claimed that they know this because my computer sends them my event log and they know my name a phone number because they know my Microsoft license number. Has anyone gotten such a phone call? And would Windows be sending my event log without my knowledge or consent?

                          P Offline
                          P Offline
                          PIEBALDconsult
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #15

                          I haven't had one yet, but I can imagine saying: "OK, I've powered up my terminal and I have the login prompt and blinking cursor..."

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                          • M Mark_Wallace

                            DavidSherwood wrote:

                            they know my Microsoft license number

                            So ask them to read it out to you. The only good reason for them to refuse is because they don't know it. They just go through phone books. Just about everyone has a computer, and just about all computers are Windows (when you look at the numbers, apple and Linux are almost trivial), so most people fit their target profile.

                            I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

                            D Offline
                            D Offline
                            DavidSherwood
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #16

                            But they did know it.

                            M 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • L Lost User

                              They know your name and phone number because they just phoned you and looked up your number in the phone book. Their aim is to convince you you have computer problems and to then sell you a fix. They are scam artists of the worst sort - but amazing fun to string along.

                              PooperPig - Coming Soon

                              D Offline
                              D Offline
                              DavidSherwood
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #17

                              No, they repeated my license number

                              L 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • D DavidSherwood

                                No, they repeated my license number

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                Lost User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #18

                                Now that is scary! It is 100% scam - but now the question is "how did they know your license number?" Incidentally - which licence number are we talking about here?

                                PooperPig - Coming Soon

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                                • D DavidSherwood

                                  But they did know it.

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mark_Wallace
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #19

                                  Really? In that case, it's time to burn your hard drive and fit a new one. The only way they could have got that is if they already had access to the device.

                                  I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

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