Warning: Avoid Computer-Related Phone Scams!

There is an increasing threat in the world of computer scams that all should be aware of: Some people have informed me that they have been contacted over the phone by someone claiming to be from Microsoft or a computer security company. If you ever receive this type of call, here is what to look out for:  

• The caller uses urgent wording and claims that your computer is infected.
• The caller asks you to allow them to remote-control your computer, at which point they proceed to access your private data or install fake antivirus software (which is itself a virus).
• The fake software pretends to scan your computer, showing a huge number of false alerts.
• The caller or the software claims to be able to fix your computer, but only if you pay them $$ or give them your credit card number.
• Here is a YouTube video with a few more details:

It is very important to note: 

• NEITHER MICROSOFT NOR ANY COMPUTER SECURITY COMPANY WILL EVER CALL YOU UNSOLICITED WITH THIS TYPE OF MESSAGE 

• Anyone calling you who claims to be with a company that has detected that your computer is infected is a scammer.
• Any programs on your computer, other than your known security software, that claim to have found huge numbers of infections, are scams.

The basic fact of the matter is that no company has any way to monitor what YOUR computer is doing specifically, and anyone claiming otherwise should not be trusted. ANYONE who claims to know what's going on with your computer is not telling the truth.

This is a rising problem in the computer world, but it can be avoided, and any damage caused by these types of scams can be fixed. If you have any questions about this matter, please CONTACT ME and we can see about getting your computer secured.