Microsoft Rep trying to sell anti-hacker !! (bit of a con?)

AgedIdiot

AgedIdiot

AgedIdiot

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Decided to build a new system - basics of 3900x + 2800 + 16gb of 3600 ram etc (custom loop).

Already had a new copy of windows 10 pro (installed without a hitch) and an existing copy of Microsoft Office(Home and Student 2016)AND it was this that proved problematical!

I took office off the the old computer and then tried to install on the new but got a message to say that there was a problem and I needed to ring them (free uk number).

(I found out a bit later that all that was actually required was to log into my windows/microsoft account and then download it ! which is what I did- but not knowing this at the time I rang the number)

Spoke to Nikoli who advised , after taking over via remote access (now disabled fully I believe !) that the reason that it would not download was due to unspecified corruptions which possibly included Trojans which could enable someone to obtain my bank details etc
I was taken aback by this given that I run Kaspersky Internet security however he said that such was not a recomended program , would not stop Trojans and did not run a firewall (it has one) !!

He then showed me a summary of a test program detailing that my computerr was no more than 80% as efficient as it could be and then proceeded to run Microsoft Malicious software Tool.

Whilst waiting for this he explained that I needed their recomended anti- hacker /anti virus etc program 'Microsoft Security Essentials' - much better he said than either Norton or Kaspersky!!

I had my doubts already as I understood that the program being mentioned to me was not as good as Kaspersky or Norton AND nowhere in his talk to me did he explain how he would deal with the fact that I had not been able to download office BUT NOW he explained that if I paid £190 I could download the recommended program and run it for life with no further fee - I declined - so he began offering alternative offers to download the program!!

I had by now lost all interest and explained that I would not in any circumstances be paying anything today after which he said that if I wanted to take the risk it was up to me and he terminated the call!

As mentioned above did manage to download Office which is now working!

Did run Malicious Software Removal Tool - NOTHING at all came up (also did a Eset online scan - Nothing)

Only thing he showed me was a small program titled something like CRSS which he said was a possible Trojan (and a search on line did say that this is not unusual and caused by Microsoft itself and not to be worried about) BUT later scans using removal tool + eset found nothing!!

After thought did feel that rather than trying to help me (download fice to my pc) he was trying to flog me a product that is not as good as the one I am already running.
If anyone believes that he was trying to help me I would appreciate your advice - if I am however, correct be careful it is a CON!!
BTW I have also posted in the software section - plse would a moderator delete the software section one - my apologies!!
 
Hate to think that this might have been a hack!!

Did I give permission - Yes ( I assumed it was a valid request as it came up as a number after office would not install) the number I rang was I believe 02038077271.(they rang me on , according to my mobile records, on a Private Number)

Bank details - Did not provide any details at all.and no black screens

It has taken me very nearly a week to install windows and all my games so do not relish having to statr from scratch - could I do a repair and would it work.

As said immediately after I altered settings so that no remote access is allowed.

Thanks for the help :)
 
Have decided to re - install windows and everything else .
First job will be to format the 2 drives that do not have windows upon them then pre-installed upon drive c (which will auto be formatted)
Then re-install all programs and games . BUT should I also change my passwords?
Replies appreciated as I will have to spend tomorrow (at least) dealing with this. - Although if anyone believes one or more of the steps listed is not needed please advise.

Do feel such a bit of a prat I!!
 
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Do not have internet internet banking ( And have spoken to bank who have flagged my account and no problems yet)

As far as I know I do not have a mobile phone online account although I probably do. I have a zero spend cap on it though..

Fingers crossed I can get it sorted over next day or so.
 
Began rebuilding earlier.
Seemed all 0k but when it came to sorting the hard drive to install windows found to my surprise that it was now split into 4/5 partitions - I did not do this when windows was installed the first time (brand new drive then and I did not partition at any time!! be it when installing windows or later.)
Ttried to delete/format all the partitions but a small one of about 600mb (TItled something like system info) refused to be either deleted or formatted.Summary question is - is this aproblem or should I simply leave such alone and install windows upon the 475 (approx) remainder of the drive ?
Sorry if a dumb question am tired!!
 
As mentioned I did reinstall windows and found that a small partition could not be deleted - which is worrying me.
Looking at disk management the 'problem' (if it is ??) drive has 3 partitions :-
1)Recovery (|529 mb)
2) 100 mb Healthy Efi system
3) 476.31 gb Healthy (Boot,Page File,Crash Dump,Primary Partition

Cannot make any changes to either 1) or 2)

is this normal?
Is it anything to be worried about given possible hack?

Advice appreciated :)
 
If only I could remember!
I recollect doing a google search about installing microsoft office and thought I was upon a microsoft site.
I was asked to put in my product code , which I did.
A few seconds went bye and then a picture appeared saying there was a problem as , if I remember correctly , my code had already been used ( which did not surprise me as I half expected some hoop jumping given I had used such before ) and a number was given to ring for help.
I cannot recolect now if at the same time I got a message which appeared bottom right of screen asking if I wanted help and I may well have clicked on it and entered into a conversation.
End result was that I rang the number and they rang me back
(I am unable to remember if I had given my number as part of the text messaging or if i gave it as part of the telephone conversation I was having)

my apologies for being so vague!!! - it was only towards the end AND AFTER that it dawned on me that there might be an issue and why did I authorise remote access!! - no idea!!

Fortunately I do not let any program save my passwords e.g I have to put in my password to look at my e-mails or to sign on here etc.
 
I say no black screens as I do not remember any and I was sat in front of the machine all the time .

It is possible that the screen may have gone black for a split second and I did not notice!! - is this important ?

Assuming the worse if I were to invest in a n other ssd , load windows on to that and 'lose' the drive upon which windows was and is currently installed would this solve all problems or is it not worth it?

Thanks for input. :)
 
Decided to bite the bullet and have ordered today via overclockers a Patrriot Viper VPN100 M2 (512gb) hd which will be delivered next week.

Will then have a 'clean' drive etc:)

Cost of £80 for peace of mind - from my perspective a great investment.

Just need to check that the new drive will fit(asus x570-e) as it has an attached alu heat sink resulting in a 10.5 mm depth.

Not all over yet but hopefully getting there.

M.y thanks to all posters !!

P.s. What am I going to to with the Adata 512gb m2 drive which is to be replaced??
 
Have made final decision .

Cancelled the order for new ssd (having researched a little it was clear it was too deep to fit in either of the boards m2 slots.)

the new machine has a 512gb m2 ssd + a 1tb m2 ssd and a 1tb ssd - somewhat overkill for what I use my machine for. E.g the second 1tb drive is not used.

Will therefore remove the , possibly, infected ssd and do a clean install on the 1tb ssd - the 1tb shows as one partition only and has already been formatted.

Will keep the 512gb ssd for now - i will have another go at disinfecting it later and re-use .

Although the 1tb was in my machine if an d when I was hacked it was only a game drive and as far asI can tell was/is good!

If anyone considers I am doing the wrong thing please advise.

N.b. Am proving again what an AgedIdiot i can be :eek::(
 
Thanks for the secure erase advice EXCEPT Asus says to check the ssd compatablity list and can I find any such list - not a sign.:mad:
 
Tried to remove the partitions when looking to load windows through bios (usb stick).

If memory serves me correctly there were 3 smallish partitions and the main section with windows installed.- I was able to clean the main section and one of the smaller ones BUT 2 small ones (ttled EFI -100mb and 600mdb section recovery or service I could not delete or format)

when I installed the drive I made 0 partitions so they were added by windows or by my ssd (adata)or by the person to whom I gave remote access to.

Looked at adata web site - their tools for secure erase can only be used if you have already deleted all partitions and obviously I cannot do this .

So will have one last go tomorrow when I will remove all drives apart from the one that is giving rise to all my concerns and will then use asus secure erase to clean the drive.

It this does not work will revert to removal of offending item and install windows to the secondary adata drive.

Will advise how it goes.

Any comments /advice appreciated.
 
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For clarity ( i can be dumb!!)
1 .boot up using a wndows usb stick installation.
2. Do not choose anything / answer any ?'
3. Press shift and f10
Etc.
I cannot remember what happens when booting from a windows usb instalation drive :(
 
Went with secure erase and asus.

Took seconds :)

All info and partitions - gone!

Have re-installed windows and will shortly add 2nd and 3rd ssd/hd 's

Am hopeful that this will bring to a conclusion this saga.

MY THANKS TO ALL WHO POSTED :):):). - this would not have been anything like as easy wiyhout you ( more than likely I would have ended it by taking out the offending drive and binning it )

One last bit of reassurance requested - barring my letting someone have remote access the machine is now safe?
 
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