We all are afraid to get computer viruses and malware and the scammers know it. Now how many times have you received a phone call or a pop-up warning on your computer or device? What should you do if you find yourself in this situation?
Calls and pop-ups are the most common way for scammers to try to get access to your computer, your data, bank accounts and personal information. Some scam callers pretend to be connected with Microsoft, Apple or a familiar security software company as Norton or McAfee and claim to have detected an imminent threat to the mark’s computer.
Phone scams
These scammers will ask for remote access to your computer in order to run a diagnostic test, then pretend to have found malware or a virus that’s set to freeze the computer or eat the data. Remember if you give them access to your computer they can always transmit actual malware that harvests personal and financial information.
Once you have been scared and convinced that your computer is compromised they will pressure you to pay hundreds of dollars for repairs, new software, and other products and services you don’t need. They will ask you for your credit card number so they can charge the transaction, or also they can request payments by gift card or money transfer.
Scam pop-ups
Some times and for different reasons you can land in the wrong website: you can mistype the URL or just follow a link from a spam email, etc., anyway you can get a fake warning from a supposed cybersecurity company with an familiar or unfamiliar name like Spy Wipe or System Defender. Those pop-ups sometimes are accompanied by blaring audio, or a long list of supposedly threatening files on your computer, and it won’t go away when you try to close your browser. Then you are urgently instructed to call a tool-free phone number to speak to a technician or click a link that can give the scammer full control of your computer..
THREE RED FLAGS:
1. You get an unsolicited phone call or email from someone claiming to work for a brand-name tech company (Microsoft or Apple). Remember those legitimate companies don’t contact customers unless the customer initiates communication
2. A pop-up or blue screen appears on your computer, phone or tablet with a warning that a virus or malicious program exists.
3. You get a message asking you to call and pay or buy something to fix this problem.
What to do?
- Hang up the phone if you get suspicious, always remember that the only you would be called by a big technology company is when you start the contact.
- If you get a pop-up, shut down your browser.
- Contact a computer technician expert.
- If you have paid something call your credit card company or bank and report the incident.
- Never give remote access to your computer to someone you don’t know.
- Never call the phone numbers or click links on the pop-ups, also call us right away.
- Don’t give financial information if you are not sure who are you taking with. It’s common that the scammers call back after you purchase something from them and then ask if you are satisfied, if you say “no”, they will ask for a bank account to refund the money but actually they will steal from you.
We hope you find this information interesting and helpful. Remember if you are in Saint Paul, MN visit HACKER ATTACKERS - The Computer Experts -- where every problem has a solution!
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