Yesterday a colleague of mine received an interesting phone call. After questioning the caller told her his name and said that he worked the Support Department for a company called Microsoft 35.

Yesterday a colleague of mine received an interesting phone call. After questioning the caller told her his name and said that he worked the Support Department for a company called Microsoft 35. He related that according to their detection software her computer was infected with a virus and that they could help her out by making some changes to her computer.

When she mentioned that she doesn't do anything without the advice of her tech guy, the caller escalated the importance that something be done Now. my colleague ended the call and let me know about the incident.

I told that what she had done was correct. Microsoft does not call up the public unless you first get in touch with them; same with most if not all software/hardware companies. There is also no way they could trace back to you or anyone, let alone have your phone number.

Remember, whenever you install anything, ALWAYS choose the Custom install option - even if you normally allow programs to install in the Windows' default locations. By choosing the Custom install option will (or should) be offered the option to opt-out of any add-ons and other fluff (toolbars, trackers, auto-updaters, etc.) the program developers might try to foist on your system.