We are receiving a high number of calls about virus warnings popping up on customers' computers and automatic installations of new antivirus programs (without asking). Typically, a fake antivirus installs and blocks your PC, claiming multiple threats have been detected, and will not allow you to use your PC until you have paid for a licence (ie handed over your credit card details to scammers). This is a SCAM to obtain payment details from you, hijack accounts (such as Hotmail, Paypal and Facebook) and/or to commit identity theft.
Additionally, our customers report that they are receiving calls from 'Microsoft' asking them to check the computer for errors, download programs, and/or pay over the phone for important updates. While it is unclear where they are obtaining the customer details from, it is clear that this is fraud. Microsoft do not ring customers about viruses, and they certainly don't charge for security updates.
Prevention is better than cure, so please ensure that you have an antivirus program on your PC. However, these scammers regularly test their fake antivirus programs to make sure that they are not detected by real antivirus programs, so it's also important to be vigilant. Don't click on unusual links in your emails and/or social networking sites such as Facebook - even if you know and trust the sender (they may be infected with a virus already). Also check Google results carefully before clicking on them (look to see if the websites have unusual names or are based in foreign countries - .ch, .in and .ru are common).
If you have been affected by these issues already, we recommend that you switch off your computer immediately and contact us for advice. Don't log in to any sites until your PC is clean of any threats.
If you receive a call from 'Microsoft', get ready to report them to the police or trading standards, and certainly don't give them any information!
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