COMPUTER experts are warning Windows XP users of an international scam currently doing the rounds in Zululand.
The scam involves a telephone call from an alleged Microsoft employee responding to a number of error messages on the victim’s computer.
During this call the scammer asks the victim to switch on their computer and carry out his instructions, eventually revealing a number of computer ‘errors’.
The scammer uses these error messages as evidence that the computer’s operating system requires upgrading.
By this stage, the victim is willing to provide credit card details authorising a once-off payment for this so-called ‘upgrade’. The cost of the upgrade is quoted in either rands or US dollars and ranges between R3 000 and R4000.
The scam doesn’t end there. Remote access to victims’ computers is gained, infecting them with spyware and viruses.
A Monzi resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, recently fell victim to the scam. Battling computer issues since January, the telephone call was, she thought, the answer to her PC problems.
She happily provided credit card details for the quoted US$398. Once the upgrade was in progress, however, an official Microsoft message appeared on her screen, warning of unsolicited telephone calls from a scammer using trial software.
At this stage the victim realised she had been scammed and disconnected her computer, halting the ‘upgrade’. Both the computer and the dongle’s SIM card had been infected with spyware and viruses which were later transferred to a second computer.
Morgan Govender from computer specialists SKL in Richards Bay, confirmed this international scam and the high number of cases from Richards Bay to Mtubatuba and surrounding areas.
According to Govender, scammers have had ‘much success’ in the region. Govender said on 7 April Microsoft disabled security for the Windows XP operating system, opening all users to hackers. In his opinion, it was for reasons of revenue.
Windows XP was a successful operating system but could be pirated, causing the computer giant to lose millions of dollars annually.
With Windows 8, Microsoft has created an operating system with such tight licensing controls that it is thought to be impossible to pirate.
In conclusion, Govender warned XP users to pay heed to the official Microsoft warning and not give any personal details to a caller purporting to be from Microsoft.
