每天，数十名无辜的人被骗子陷进在线技术支持骗局( Online Tech Support Scams)，并被迫为不存在的计算机问题支付数百美元。他们用来与潜在受害者进行通信的工具或媒介通常是计算机或电话。他们声称是与提供微软(Microsoft)或其他公司等公司的正版软件相关的计算机技术人员，并说服您执行一系列复杂的任务，只是为了让您相信您的计算机已被感染。
为了证明他们的观点是正确的，这些臭名昭著的所谓技术人员用一连串的技术术语混淆了你，试图远程访问计算机或运行你根本不需要的软件。具体来说，诈骗者试图通过通常遵循其中一种方法来吓唬您，从而利用您对病毒或性能问题的合理担忧。
例如，他们可能会使用Event Viewer。事件查看器(Event Viewer)是一个从您的计算机收集并记录所有日志文件的工具。传统上，系统管理员使用它来诊断某些错误。显示的大多数事件都是无害的通知，但诈骗者利用这些事件作为您 PC 上可能的病毒。他们可能会使用远程访问软件(Remote Access software)来请求访问您的计算机。永远不要给它！
有时，它们甚至针对合法的计算机文件并声称它们是病毒。然后，采取邪恶的策略来吓唬你，让你相信他们可以提供帮助。您需要做的就是注册毫无价值的计算机维护或保修计划，或者按照建议执行一些步骤。
避免在线技术支持诈骗
首先，切勿将您的计算机控制权交给突然打电话给您的第三方。避免(Avoid)在线搜索帮助。在线搜索结果当然不是寻找技术支持或获取公司联系信息的最佳方式。诈骗者有时会放置在线广告以说服您打电话给他们。
监控(Monitor)您的计算机是否有异常行为。如果您发现计算机的标准行为有所不同，请检查是否存在以下恶意软件，
- 新的和意想不到的工具栏
- 意外崩溃
- 显示重复的错误消息
- 无法关闭或重新启动
技术支持诈骗者(Tech Support Scammers)还可以执行以下操作：
- 播放语音信息
- 显示成熟的错误消息
- 禁用任务管理器
- 连续显示弹出窗口。
如果上述测试为阳性，请删除恶意软件：
- 将您的安全软件、互联网浏览器和操作系统设置为自动下载和安装更新。
- 您应该始终在您的计算机上安装防病毒软件。建议更新安全软件，然后运行它来扫描计算机中的病毒和间谍软件。更新(Update)或下载合法的防病毒或安全软件并扫描您的计算机。删除(Delete)它识别为问题的任何内容。重新启动计算机以使更改生效。
- 更改(Change)您分发的所有密码。如果您将这些密码用于其他帐户，也请更改这些帐户。此外，如果您使用信用卡支付虚假服务，请致电您的信用卡提供商并要求他撤销收费。
- 将您的电话号码放在National Do Not Call Registry上，然后举报非法销售电话。
如果您的计算机在提供免费技术支持的保修期内，请联系制造商。
永远不要回应任何发起第一次联系、提供计算机支持的人。挂断电话。不要回复此类邮件。不要点击任何可能表明您的计算机需要清理的弹出窗口。(Never respond to anyone who initiates the first contact, offering computer support. Hang up the phone. Do not reply to such mail. Do not click on any pop-ups which may say that your computer needs to be cleaned up.)
在此处阅读有关最常见的在线和电子邮件诈骗和欺诈(most common Online and Email scams & frauds)的信息。
报告技术支持诈骗
如果您愿意，您可以通过访问此网站向(this one)Microsoft报告技术支持骗局。
如果您认为有人可能故意访问您的个人或财务信息，请访问 FTC 的身份盗窃网站提出投诉(file a complaint)。您可以将进一步损坏的风险降到最低，并修复任何已经存在的问题。只需(Just)FTC at ftc.gov/complaint或IC3.gov向 FTC 提出投诉。
这些机构根据消费者的投诉，可以发现欺诈和滥用的模式。他们的投诉助理(Complaint Assistant)可以随时提供帮助。要使用投诉助手(Complaint Assistant)，请按照以下步骤操作。选择一个投诉类别。如果找不到合适的匹配项，请选择“其他”。回答一些与您的投诉相关的问题，并用您自己的话讲述剥削事件。
如果您允许远程访问您的计算机怎么办
如果您允许访问您的计算机，则您的系统可能已被完全破坏。可能存在恶意软件甚至是键盘记录程序。我建议您立即备份数据(back up your data)并将其保存在外部驱动器上。我还建议立即使用另一(ANOTHER)台 PC更改(change the passwords)所有在线帐户的密码。完成此操作后，您可以 100% 确定最安全的事情是重新格式化您的硬盘驱动器(Hard Drive)并全新安装 Windows(fresh install Windows)。
请记住，Microsoft 绝不会自行与您联系以修复或清理您的 Windows 计算机。如果他们这样做，您可以确定这是一个骗局。远离此类“微软骗局(Microsoft Scams)”。如果您确实需要，那么此链接将为您提供几种 联系 Microsoft 支持(contact Microsoft Support)的合法方式。(Remember, Microsoft will never contact you on its own to repair or clean up your Windows computer. If they do, you can be sure that it’s a scam. Stay safe from such “Microsoft Scams“. If you do need to, then this link will offer you several legitimate ways to contact Microsoft Support.)
说到诈骗，其中一些链接肯定会让您感兴趣。看看其中的一些：(Speaking of scams, some of these links are sure to interest you. Do have a look at some of them:)
- 避免在线诈骗并知道何时信任网站(Avoid online scams and know when to trust a website)
- 避免网络钓鱼诈骗和攻击(Avoid Phishing Scams And Attacks)
- 避免 Vishing 和 Smishing 诈骗
- 谨防虚假的在线就业和工作诈骗(Beware of Fake Online Employment and Job Scams)
- 避免在线购物欺诈和假日季节诈骗(Avoid Online Shopping Fraud & Holiday Season Scams)
- 避免网络鲶鱼社会工程诈骗。(Avoid Internet Catfishing Social Engineering Scams.)
Avoid Online Tech Support Scams and PC Cleanup Solutions
Evеry single day, scores оf innocent people are trаpped by scam artists into Online Tech Support Scams and forced to shell out hundreds of dollars for non-existent computer problems. The tool or medium they use to initiate communications with a potential victim is usually the computer or a telephone. They claim to be computer techs associated with genuine software providing companies like Microsoft or others and persuade you to perform a series of complex tasks, just to convince you that your computer is infected.
For proving their point right, these notorious so-called technicians confuse you with a barrage of technical terms, attempting to gain remote access to the computer or run the software you do not need at all. To be specific, the scammers try to take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses or performance issues by scaring you, by following one of these methods normally.
For instance, they may make use of the Event Viewer. The Event Viewer is a tool that collects and keeps a record of all of the log files from your computer. It is traditionally used by system administrators to diagnose certain errors. Most events that are displayed are harmless notifications, but the scam artists exploit these events as possible viruses on your PC. They may use a Remote Access software to ask for access to your computer. Never give it!
At times, they even target legitimate computer files and claim that they are viruses. Then, resort to nefarious tactics to scare you into believing they can offer a helping hand. All you need to do is to either enroll in worthless computer maintenance or warranty program or perform some steps as advised.
Avoid Online Tech Support Scams
First, never give control of your computer to a third party who calls you out of the blue. Avoid searching for help online. The online search result is certainly not the best way to find technical support or get a company’s contact information. Scammers sometimes place online ads to convince you to call them.
Monitor your computer for unusual behavior. If you notice there is a departure from the standard behavior of the computer, check it for any malware presence for the following,
- New and unexpected toolbars
- Unexpected crashes
- Displaying of repeated error messages
- Inability to shut down or restart
Tech Support Scammers can also do the following:
- Play audio message
- Display cooked up error messages
- Disable Task manager
- Continuously display pop-up windows.
If the above test is positive, remove the malware:
- Set your security software, internet browser, and operating system to download and install updates automatically.
- You should always have anti-virus software installed on your machine. It is advisable to update the security software, and then run it to scan the computer for viruses and spyware. Update or download legitimate antivirus or security software and scan your computer. Delete anything it identifies as a problem. Restart your computer for allowing the changes to take effect.
- Change any passwords that you’ve handed out. If you use these passwords for other accounts, change those accounts, too. Also, if you paid for bogus services with a credit card, call your credit card provider and request him to reverse the charges.
- Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, and then report illegal sales calls.
If your computer is covered under a warranty period that offers free tech support, contact the manufacturer.
Never respond to anyone who initiates the first contact, offering computer support. Hang up the phone. Do not reply to such mail. Do not click on any pop-ups which may say that your computer needs to be cleaned up.
Read here about the most common Online and Email scams & frauds.
Report a technical support scam
If you wish, you can report a technical support scam to Microsoft by visiting this one.
If you are of the view that someone may have accessed your personal or financial information intentionally, visit the FTC’s identity theft website to file a complaint. You can minimize your risk of further damage and repair any problems already in place. Just file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint or IC3.gov.
The agencies, following the complaints from consumers, can detect patterns of fraud and abuse. Their Complaint Assistant then could readily offer assistance. To use the Complaint Assistant follow these steps. Choose a complaint category. If you do not find a suitable match, select “Other”. Answer a few questions related to your complaint and narrate the exploiting episode in your own words.
What if you allowed remote access to your computer
If you allowed access to your computer, your system could have been completely compromised. There could be malware or even a keylogger planted. I suggest you immediately back up your data and keep it on an external drive. I would also suggest that change the passwords of all your online accounts using ANOTHER PC right away. Having done this, the safest thing for you to be 100% sure, would be to reformat your Hard Drive and fresh install Windows.
Remember, Microsoft will never contact you on its own to repair or clean up your Windows computer. If they do, you can be sure that it’s a scam. Stay safe from such “Microsoft Scams“. If you do need to, then this link will offer you several legitimate ways to contact Microsoft Support.
Speaking of scams, some of these links are sure to interest you. Do have a look at some of them:
- Avoid online scams and know when to trust a website
- Avoid Phishing Scams And Attacks
- Avoid Vishing and Smishing Scams
- Beware of Fake Online Employment and Job Scams
- Avoid Online Shopping Fraud & Holiday Season Scams
- Avoid Internet Catfishing Social Engineering Scams.
