Oct 30, 2013
The computer illiteracy displayed on these posts is exactly what a number of businesses, legitimate or not, truly rely on to make money.
In this case, receiving an unsolicited call from a company ‘offering’ to help you should raise any number of flags. Businesses do nothing EXCEPT for profit. Please keep this in mind as you read this.
In the case of this company, I had a great deal of fun asking questions. Here is a summary of the basic conversation I had with “John”—a representative of the company under discussion:
John began the call in the typically “outsourced” accent we’ve all become accustomed to. First, he stated he was responding to an error report I filed (true) with Windows within the past month (Sept, 2013). Speaking quickly he stated that if I granted him ‘remote’ access to my computer, he would fix any errors I might have.
WARNING FLAG 1: DO NOT GRANT REMOTE ACCESS: If you grant remote access to an unverified, unauthenticated source, it is possible for that source to contaminate your computer with their own malware, adware, keylogger, etc. This, in turn, turns your computer into a virtual buffet: All of your personal data – including banking, passwords, etc.—can then be forwarded to this companies servers and used for fraud.
I then asked John to tell me the name of his company, his work phone—and. More specifically—how he gained access to a Windows error report (and, my home phone number!). John attempted to explain that his company obtains information from my ISP, Century Link (who denied this) and not from Windows (who basically admits they have limited control over online reports.
WARNING FLAG 2: IT’S NOT A FREE SURVICE: John told me there would be a nominal ‘fee’ if there were a number of errors to fix. But, here’s the thing: Once you’ve granted them remote access to your Eventlog and your computer—they really don’t need anything else. Your privacy and security have been potentially compromised.
WARNING FLAG 3: THE AGENT CAN GIVE NO SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE HIS COMPANY GOT YOUR HOME PHONE—OR THE FACT THAT THEY KNEW YOU FILED AN ERROR REPORT: John, in fact, had difficulty with this question, and attempted to gloss over it.
Look, people: Isn’t it enough that the United States has a rogue spy agency (NSA) that has ALL your data already? Do you really WANT to be victimized further?
WANRING FLAG 4: IF YOU GRANTED THIS COMPANY REMOTE ACCESS TO YOUR COMPUTER, I RECOMMEND YOU SCAN YOUR HARD DRIVE FOR KEYLOGGING SOFTWARE OR OTHER MALWARE. USE A REPUTABLE COMPANY.