Ransomware Attack!

[bjcheung77]

Just an FYI for everyone, there's been ransomware attacks all over the globe.
Be careful not to download anything or install anything that you don't need.
Be diligent and don't install anything that's not known. Keep safe! Cheers.

[bluebooger]

download this from microsoft to patch your computer and protect yourself from the virus link to patch

[Thorne]

download this from microsoft to patch your computer and protect yourself from the virus link to patch

claps Great job, friend, great job. I opened the link in a nested VM just because I thought you were trying to screw people up. I was both right and wrong, so well done.

[bricabrac]

I received a phone call, did not recognize number 844-214-7444 and waited for a message. Crooks actually left a message! "microsoft windows license key has been expired in your computer, call 844-711-3211..."

I wasn't sure so I called. Person said they were calling because microsoft had been hacked. My software license was no longer active. Wanted to walk me through the process of validating my software. I replied, really. He said yes we are validating systems. He asked, are you in front of your computer, I will walk you through the process. I asked, which computer? Radio silence. I said, why don't I just call the Microsoft software support hotline and confirm this service call. Again, radio silence. I then asked, Hello? He grumbled, ok.

I laughed and called my friends to warn that we now have crooks cold calling folks to gain access to computers. Guess the emails are no longer working. BTW, the call seemed to be rerouted, I don't think the person was in the US. In all fairness, even under normal circumstances that would not have been unusual.

[CarpeDiem8]

Unfortunately, different versions of the Microsoft scam has been going on for years, especially targeting older folks. I don't know how many times I had to freeze online banking accounts because people picked up the phone and believed that it was Microsoft on the other end telling them they needed access to their computer to fix some kind of virus or something along those lines. The worse part is these crooks get paid, too, sonetimes thousands.

[Johann]

Unfortunately, different versions of the Microsoft scam has been going on for years, especially targeting older folks.

I'm old - 74 - and yes, I get fraud calls frequently - fake tax dept. and fake Microsoft, mostly. The Microsoft ones pretty well all come from India and start out:

Fraudster: "This is Microsoft. We've been watching your computer and you've got a bad virus etc..."
Johann: "You've been watching it, huh?

Fraudster: That's right.
Johann: Well, you know my IP number then - give it to me.

Fraudster: (Dead silence)
Johann: OK - how about the MAC (media access control) address, then.

Fraudster: um -um -- (more silence)
Johann: And I'd like to know how you watched it. My home computer isn't connected to the Internet (True - but I'd lie if it was.)

Usually gets rid of them.

J.

[sanantone]

The ransomware attack mostly hit older versions of Windows because they were no longer supported by Microsoft. The newer versions were already updated with a patch long before the attack. Microsoft has now created a patch for older versions. I know people are in love with Windows XP, but it's time to let it go.

[jsd]

The ransomware attack mostly hit older versions of Windows because they were no longer supported by Microsoft. The newer versions were already updated with a patch long before the attack. Microsoft has now created a patch for older versions. I know people are in love with Windows XP, but it's time to let it go.

Yeah, lots of huge giants in every field are exposed because they don't have a healthy change process and are just using old systems because "it works."

It works until it doesn't.

[dfrecore]

I'm old - 74 - and yes, I get fraud calls frequently - fake tax dept. and fake Microsoft, mostly. The Microsoft ones pretty well all come from India and start out:

Fraudster: "This is Microsoft. We've been watching your computer and you've got a bad virus etc..."
Johann: "You've been watching it, huh?

Fraudster: That's right.
Johann: Well, you know my IP number then - give it to me.

Fraudster: (Dead silence)
Johann: OK - how about the MAC (media access control) address, then.

Fraudster: um -um -- (more silence)
Johann: And I'd like to know how you watched it. My home computer isn't connected to the Internet (True - but I'd lie if it was.)

Usually gets rid of them.

J.

Get a spam blocker like the TrueCaller app that will tell you if it's a spam/robocaller and then you don't even have to pick up the phone.

[Johann]

Get a spam blocker like the TrueCaller app that will tell you if it's a spam/robocaller and then you don't even have to pick up the phone.

Better idea - ZERO cost: Lose my landline, save $50 a month - and pay for a DL PhD on the 75 year plan. I'd only be 149...

J.