Hackery-scammery get you own back?

[PinkPoshRat]

I've been warned about a new scam whereby some non British sounding person calls you on your phone and says that they are from Microsoft (or computercentre) and asks you to run the Windows Event Viewer on you pc.



The idea is to get you to look at the Windows Event Viewer which is a glorified log. The trouble is that Windows puts nice big warning symbols next to even trivial errors in the log so the scammer then tries to convince you that these things need "fixing" and to download and install the bug fixes from their website.

No surprises when they will also then tell you to turn off any virus checking software as you install their malicious code!


So

can I do/run something to 'disrupt' these people???


Mwuhaha

[TheBigYinJames]

can I do/run something to 'disrupt' these people???
Mwuhaha

Tell them you have a Mac.

[PinkPoshRat]

superb! Brilliant!

[DaveB]

Tell them you have a Mac.

superb! Brilliant!

Eventually, sort of.

What you want to do is go along with everything they say, including getting them to try and talk you through opening the event log, make them talk you thorugh starting computer up if you can. Play dumb. Very dumb. Keep them going as long as possible before telling them that "someone else bought the computer for you" and "does it matter if it's one of those posh apple ones?"

If your lucky you'll hear the scream before they put the phone down

[xoggoth]

Any non British sounding person rings me and I slam the phone down.

[Mehmeh]

Have you guys seen http://www.419eater.com ?

HILARIOUS...I spent hours on there reading the emails/letters/pictures.

People reply to the "I'm the king of Nigeria and I want to give you my money" emails...and then make them take pictures of themselves doing stupid stuff.. really good!

[MarillionFan]

Any non British sounding person rings me and I slam the phone down.

If anybody phones me and I dont know them I slam the phone down!

The funniest is when someone phones you from a Utility styley company to offer you something, knowing your name & details and then says 'Before we continue I need you to go through some security questions'

"Yeah right Dumb ass, you phoned me, you tell me and I'll confirm then'
"Sorry cannot do that Data Protection Act"
"Ditto - Bye bye"

Fools.

[NotAllThere]

Any non British sounding person rings me and I slam the phone down.

Which really annoys your Russian wife and all her relatives.

[MightyHulk]

Any non British sounding person rings me and I slam the phone down.

Jeez, you ARE radical!