I have just had an interesting call from a call centre saying there are errors on my computer! I am familar with this scam and have warned people from work about it. I thought it would be interesting to find out exactly what they wanted so I lead them on a bit (well for 17 minutes haha!)

He started off explaining that my computer was giving out errors - these come up with the messages saying send an error report to Micrsoft with the options "Send error report" or "Dont send error report". This chappy said that even if I click "Dont send error report" it will still send it!!

He then lead me on to my computer and asked me to look at the event error - and all of the "error" warnings I was getting. I tried to tell him I was aware of these and that I knew how to resolve them (nothing like winding them up!)

He then got me to go to the command line and run a chkdsk without using a parameter - hence bringing up a "warning" that no F parameter was specified.

I carried on leading him on about this and then when he wanted me to connect to www.ammyy.com I said my net connection wasn't working. I knew it was a scam, I wasn't prepared to try going any further to find out what he wanted to do. I thought people might be interested in this.

You and another 13 million, I had a call from someone doing the same. I told him I had a mac book Pro, he apologised for the call, then rung me back telling my Mac was corrupt.

He had a funny accent but he under stood " Now F**K O" haven't heard from him since..

I usually find that an alternative use for a guards whistle also cures the problem.

+1

You cant beat an Acme Thunderer!!

Ha

Wind em up - Scammers. Got a call saying I had a virus on my line. Spent a good 10 minutes taking the p155.

It is a pity the white hats dont go mess with that web address they gave you; I might post it on a certain tech forum and see if it is one they have come across before.

That link appears to be legitimate (if slightly ropey looking) remote control software. They've put a news bulletin up in red text specifically warning about malicious calls (http://www.ammyy.com/en/admin_mu.html), so it would be harsh if anyone messed with it. Looks like a legit company just trying to make some money, but having their tool abused.

Yes the link to the remote control software is fine. Its what they do to your machine after your connected is the concern! This what Im not willing to try - well until I have test rig ready for next time!!

I look forward to winding them up again next time

An old crappy laptop would be perfect.

Let them connect and have something really random up on your screen. Or just an notepad document open saying "f*** o**" then switch switch the machine off.

Thing is some people will actualy fall for it...

Tell them you need their IP to let them through the firewall.

Then get a few mates to load up Nessus and hit them with a full scan at 'insane'. Or Metasploit if you feel particularly vindictive.

Much as I hate bad manners and being rude, I did get massive satisfaction from advising one of these callers to "Pixx Off". Now I look forward to getting calls! Perverse isn't it?

+1

You cant beat an Acme Thunderer!!

Even better is the sounder off of a lookout horn .Sounds like a loud duck in distress . Though i suspect that the level would be limited out of the local exchange .And even more so if ,as I suspect from what my son tells me ,that he gets the international indication on his CLI .

Yeah I've had that call. They were confused when I said I didn't have a computer. They hung up when I said it must be a scam

Edited 20 December, 201114 yr by P20

I got a few tactics, I just hand the phone to my 3 yr old who rants randomly until she gets bored and lobs the phone.

Or I string them along until they ask which OS, I tell them Win 3.1.

Then I may do the old random nonsense myself just waffling any old tripe, I did this once and they actually hung up on me !!! Cheeky bathplugs, I do the hanging up in these situations not them.( iwasn't happy about this)

just put them on hold, i fine kerrang music channel particularly good for this

I have never had the pleasure of one of these calls which is a shame, I have been working in the as an IT Infrastructure Admin for 8 years now and would love to drop em on a VM honeypot, grab some info then have a chat with a few "friends" about it...

Shame they are abusing perfectly legitimate businesses to gain access to peoples systems.