Missing RAM after a call from a "Microsoft" tech

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

Sadly, that PC will need to be completely wiped and reinstalled from scratch. You've just got absolutely no way of knowing how it's been compromised or how severely.

Certainly do not enter any credit cards or passwords or access anything confidential on it!

I'd also suggest changing all your email, social media, online banking and other passwords from a machine known be safe.

Also check for any unusual or unexpected authorised apps in Twitter, Facebook etc etc
 
@iej

Personally, I think this is the only way to go when dealing with serious infections.

You just don't know what could possibly be lurking, waiting for that one mistaken click to result in a full-blown reinfection.

Unfortunately, there is now a virus on Apple machines that affects the Thunderbolt port. Connect an infected key to it, and your computer's firmware becomes infected and its game over for your Apple product. And, Apple, in its infinite wisdom, is forcing people to upgrade to Yosemite to receive the security update for this, even though they have two supported OS' prior to it, still. Even though its free, some people may not like the new interface or may find compatibility issues with their software, or that their computer is too slow (as mine was on Mavericks).
The best solution is to simply super-glue your thunderbolt port away from the world. That pretty good security, if you ask me :P
 
Sirleanre/Washer111:

Everyone (not just Apple) should be *way* more worried that the Thunderbolt malware is not any news, but just the same crap that happens to any USB that was reimplemented for Thunderbolt.

Any time you plug in an USB peripheral (usually flash drives, but really, it can be almost anything and the vast majority of the times it's actually USB chargers) in your computer, tablet, phone etc, you could be installing the same malware in your device. The reason this happens is because the ports have unfettered access to the electronics in circuits that "anti-virus" software can't help, and the cheap chargers don't have protected nvram, and let the software rewrite it.

Again, being careful is key. Only use your peripherals and chargers. It's way easier and more convenient to carry a charger with you in case you think you'll need it (it's small and fits in a pocket) than to connect your electronics to some public "charging station" and get not only that device, but everything else you plug into it infected with malware.

Good luck.
 
That reminds me of a USB stick "hack" I saw online recently. The perpetrator leaves what looks to be a regular USB thumbdrive out on a table in a public place, or maybe at work in a conference room. You plug it into your laptop to see what's on it or maybe find out who it belongs to.

Boom. Your computer is fried. What's actually inside is a DC/DC converter charging caps up to a little over -100v. You can imagine what a transient like that does on the data lines of the machine...the TVS protection diodes don't stand a chance.
 
My own number on caller ID?

If I'm lucky enough to be home when I see that, the battle armor goes on! I know it's my friends from Microsoft's Indian branch trying to help me. As I said in another thread, I play dumb with them for a bit and when they start sounding annoyed, tell them, "What do you think? I'm stupid enough to fall for your sh*t? I just wanted to waste your time!"

I know some of you don't like Symantec products, but I've been using Norton (one version or another as they're available) for years and haven't had a problem. It scans anything coming in like emails, software updates, etc automatically and notifies me of any potential problems. I have it set to auto-update and install updates, scan the system automatically, etc. It's pretty much self-running. I do go in and check the log now and then and it's amazing how many things it catches!

Chuck
 
Beware of USB sticks of unknown origin

A known new exploit is a USB flash drive containing modified firmware. When you mount a USB flash drive it uploads its driver software directly to the PC, a perfect place for malicious software to be installed. You can't detect this on the USB device with any current scanning tool I am aware of (perhaps detectable once installed on the PC though).

I was given a nice Sony 64Gb USB3 stick for Christmas. It was purchased on eBay and came via an epacket from China (shields up!). Even better is that the factory packaging appeared to be opened... I flat refuse to plug this device into any PC, it is Apple and Roku only both devices are unlikely targets of a firmware hack. When we pushed back on eBay and the seller we ultimately were credited the full purchase price.

The other thing that is seen with eBay sources USB sticks from Asia is that sometimes they aren't the capacity they claim. They put a smaller capacity board into a package claiming to be a 64 or 128Gb model. You have to try to write data into them to discover this. I won't buy flash memory from a non-reputable source now!
 
Hmm, I thought I posted in here already.

I got one of these calls about three years ago. A woman with a strong Indian accent was on the line and she said "I am calling about your computer problem. You are having a computer problem! I believe you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7. Right?" I responded by blowing loudly into the phone. There was silence, and then she blew back. LOL I started laughing and hung up. I tried calling back, but got the call was blocked and there was a message from the FTC stating that the number I was dialing was involved with a fishing scam.

I have had family members more recently telling me they have been getting these calls also. Sometimes the caller ID shows the person's name and number that the scammer is trying to call.

I haven't had any issues with viruses on this new computer I got about two years ago. My computers in the past seemed to get them frequently though. It seemed to have stopped since I changed from dial-up to DSL.
 
@earthling177

I refuse point blank to use public USB chargers. I don't see the point in them anymore. Too risky as you could be making a data connection and also you're relying on some third party transformer to give you the right voltage.

Happily enough, most places here just provide normal outlets. A lot of newer cafes (including more recent Starbucks) as well as most trains and long distance busses have normal Irish 230V socket outlets available. Starbucks now even puts floor sockets with cover flaps next tables in the middle of the floor which is really handy and a lot of independent cafes are making huge efforts to ensure at table power too.

People like to be able to charge laptops and phones and it definitely drives repeat business.

Only slight annoyance here is phone chargers are bulkier due to the plug/outlet design which only allows 3 pin plugs. There's an interlock that requires the ground pin or a combination of all 3 pins to open the shutters on the outlet. A safety requirement since the 1940s!
That's an Irish / British (also Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cyprus, Malta, UAE and a few other places) iPhone charger plugged in.

iej-2015041106051607578_1.jpg
 
I've been seeing the outlets also at Starbucks. And I noticed when the McDonald's remodeled, there are outlets below the windows, I assume for plugging in phones and computers.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top