"Hello, I'm definitely not calling from India. Can I take control of your PC?" - Ars Technica [awgadget.blogspot.com]
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The Federal Trade Commission today announced a broad crackdown on scareware scammers accused of using an ancient technologyâ€"the telephoneâ€"to trick thousands of unsuspecting victims into handing over full access to their Windows PCs. By cold-calling victims and claiming to be from companies like Microsoft, Dell, and McAfee, the scammers directed users to a harmless error log on their computers and told them it was a sign of a serious infection, the FTC said. The alleged scammers went on to charge anywhere between $ 49 and $ 450 to "fix" the consumers' computers.
At a press conference announcing six lawsuits filed in US District Court in New York, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said at least 2,400 peopleâ€"and probably many moreâ€"were tricked in this manner. The FTC believes such scams have cost consumers tens of millions of dollars worldwide.
Like a bad Bollywood movie
The FTC played a phone call between one of the defendants and a female victim, who was actually a "highly skilled FTC investigator" playing the role of a clueless computer user. The defendant has an Indian accent, but calls were generally spoofed to appear to be coming from US phone numbers.
Defendant: OK, so now what you need to do, madam, you need to scroll down the page very slowly, very carefully from your end, and you need to just pull it down and tell me if you can see anything else other than the blue color information over there or not. And if you see anything else over there, let me know.
FTC agent: OK. Hold on, I'm doing that.
Defendant: Very careful, all right.
FTC agent. [Pauses]. Ummm, let's see. Oops! Hold on.
Defendant: Uh huh.
FTC agent: Umm, I see something that says "warning"? And something that says "error"?
Defendant: Jesus! Did you see some warnings?
FTC agent: Yeah it says…
Defendant: Hello?
FTC agent: Yeah it says "warning."
Defendant: Madam, it would be my humble request to you, please do not try to click on any of them, OK?
FTC agent: OK.
Defendant: And it would be my request that you keep your mouse pointed away from them, because they are the malicious online infections I was speaking about. Once you click on any of them your computer might even stop responding at any point in time. So be very careful, OK?
FTC agent: OK. I'm not touching the mouse!
Defendant: If you have already seen them this means your computer is also one of those computers which has been infected with the online infections, OK?
Leibowitz cut off the recording there, and said "At one level that's like a bad Bollywood movie. But at another level, that's a serious ripoff of consumers." Such scams have been going on for years, but the operations announced today were particularly widespread.
There were various methods the scammers used to get the users on the phone in the first place. In addition to cold-calling, one of the six defendants "purchased ads on Google, for search terms like McAfee, PC support, and fix MS Office, with pseudonyms and a toll-free number to call," Leibowitz said. The company, named PCCare274, allegedly paid Google more than $ 1 million for search ads going back to 2010. In one example, searching Google for "Contact McAfee Support" brought up the defendants' phone number and website.
Warning: Everything is working normally
The other five companies allegedly used "telemarketing boiler rooms" to make cold calls, including to people on the Do Not Call list. While mostly based in India, they targeted consumers in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK.
"Pretending to be affiliated with a major computer company, the defendants claimed to have received an automatic notification from the person's computer about a problem," Leibowitz said. "They used Voice over Internet Protocols to seem like they were calling from numbers in the consumer's country, sometimes in the same area code. They told their potential victims to go to their computer, look at a file that shows warning messagesâ€"actually these warning messages are just a standard part of the Windows operating system. The messages do not mean the computers are affected with viruses or any other malware."
The "warning messages" come from the Windows Event Viewer, which shows standard messages about the computer's operation. According to Microsoft, "an error is a significant problem, such as loss of data," while "a warning is an event that is not necessarily significant, but might indicate a possible future problem." Scammers allegedly lied to consumers, saying the messages meant hackers were in their computers, and even that their computers might "blow up."
The defendants are charged with "violating the FTC Act, which bars unfair and deceptive commercial practices, as well as the Telemarketing Sales Rule and with illegally calling numbers on the Do Not Call Registry," the FTC said. The FTC charged 14 corporate defendants and 17 individuals, and won a temporary restraining order to freeze $ 188,000 worth of assets and shut down their operations. This includes disabling Web hosting and phone service.
Microsoft and other computer companies helped the FTC in its investigation, as did authorities in Australia, Canada, and the UK. Canada and Australia also brought legal action against the defendants for violations of their Do Not Call laws.
The names of the corporate defendants charged by the FTC include Pecon Software, Finmaestros LLC, Zeal IT Solutions., Virtual PC Solutions, Lakshmi Infosoul Services, and PCCare247.
In the complaint against Pecon Software in India, the FTC said the scams have been going on since at least 2008. The complaint also describes how the scam unfolds after the users have been tricked into thinking their computers are infected. We quote at length:
Having convinced the consumers that their computers are in imminent danger, the Defendants then direct the consumers to a website and instruct them to enter a code or download a software application to allow the Defendants remote access to the consumers’ computers. Once the Defendants have remote access, they are able to completely control the consumers’ computers and can, for example, move the cursor, enter commands, run applications, and access stored information.
The Defendants then attempt to sell the consumer illusory long-term “security†or “technical support†services and perform unnecessary “repairs,†including installing otherwise free programs, such as trial versions of antivirus programs, and deleting the innocuous files they falsely claimed were viruses. The Defendants charge consumers for these services in an amount ranging from approximately $ 159 to $ 299.
The Defendants next direct the consumer to one of several websites they operate in order to pay for the computer security or technical support service. The Defendants’ websites are highly interactive. They purport to allow consumers to chat directly with representatives, leave their contact information to request a call-back, and also browse and pay for various services online. In numerous instances, the Defendants register their websites through privacy protection services that mask their true identity. As a result, consumers are unable to determine the true owner of the website or the fact that the same company operates multiple websites.
If consumers do not agree to pay for the service the Defendants typically apply pressure to the consumers. The Defendants will warn consumers about the harm that will come to their computers if they do not allow the Defendants remote access to fix the computers. Afterwards, the Defendants assert they have fixed the non-existent problems. In reality, Defendants merely charged consumers for repair products and services they did not need.
Tech-savvy Ars readers are unlikely to fall for such a scam. But if you have relatives and friends who lack the necessary dose of skepticism, and they receive unsolicited phone calls from people wanting to fix their computers, they should hang up and report the scam to the FTC or their PC security vendor.
While the scammers seem to just want money, Microsoft Director of Consumer Affairs Frank Torres said their tricks could easily be used for worse.
"What's worse is these scams not only cost victims money in terms of making consumers pay for something they don't really need, or that doesn't happen," Torres said. "But it could also compromise the security of their computers, leaving them vulnerable to malicious software and other attacks."
Jon Brodkin / Jon is Ars Technica's senior IT reporter, covering the latest in business technology and the intersection of consumer technology and IT. He also writes about technology policy, patent litigation, supercomputing, and wireless technology.
More "Hello, I'm definitely not calling from India. Can I take control of your PC?" - Ars Technica Issues Question by John G: What's the best "bring your own phone" phone service out there? I was thinking about buying an unlocked phone (that works for at&t or tmobile) from a website, they have pretty recent phones that are cheap at decent prices so I thought why not, I most likely will be on the phone a lot, so data has to be "unlimited" even though it never really is, but still, what has best coverage and service, they're so many out there, so a little help/opinion would be appreciated. Like how do unlocked phones work(still learning) and how do sim cards work. Thanks! Best answer for What's the best "bring your own phone" phone service out there?:
Answer by Chase
boost mobile is pretty good it does most smart phones
Answer by grizzly_bear
Straight Talk, $ 45 a month no contract unlimited talk and text plus 2 GB of data when you buy one of their sim cards for $ 15 and activate the service on a compatible GSM phone. You can use any AT&T or T-Mobile locked phone or any unlocked GSM phone except Blackberry phones (locked or unlocked). You don't need to spend the extra money on an unlocked phone because the ST sim cards are designed to spoof carrier locks (AT&T or T-Mobile).
Answer by disturbed_billiejoe
right now i am looking into page plus. you dont have to have a sim card, it just has to work on cdma network. i think. im still new to its information. but definitely look into it :)
Answer by Przemek
The best prepaid carriers accepting unlocked phones: Straight Talk, Net10 and Simple Mobile. For the best service you will need to check coverage map within y our local area. You know, every carrier has different signal strength in different locations.
Jake and Amir: On the Phone |Don't hang up on your dreams. They'll get pissed. See our videos a month earlier at www.collegehumor.com and follow us on http
Question by ColaSelona: I cant find the stupid "send to phone" button on ventones? I click the song, let it play, and then its like im on an expedition to find the flippin link "send to phone." So How do I get it on my phone? Best answer for I cant find the stupid "send to phone" button on ventones?:
Answer by Bryce
VENTONES is the best free site, you can make your own ringtones for free from MP3 files (which you can get from limewire) or if you DONT feel like MAKING THEM follow these steps and you can have any of their PREMADE millions of ringtones sent STEP 1 sign up, and log in to your account STEP 2 at the home page click on the free MOSQUITO RINGTONE LINK That will take you to the preview page where you will see a SEND TO PHONE button. DONT click on the Send To Phone button though! STEP 3 Next open the Ventones site in a new browser window but leave the first one open as well. Search for the ringtone that you want (from their free ringtone page http://www.ventones.com/ringtones.aspx ) and click on it. That will take you to their "free ringtone preview page" which will NOT have a send to phone button STEP 4 now go back to the first Ventones window (the one with the mosquito ringtone) and click on the send to phone button. It will send you the ringtone you opened in the 2nd ventones window. Sounds complex but it works every time for me
Hardly Working: Basketball PhoneThere's no such thing as bad news on a basketball phone. See our videos a month earlier at www.collegehumor.com and follow us on http
Enterprise cloud communications service provider Thinking Phone Networks today announced a $ 16.5 million investment led by Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV) and Bessemer Venture Partners. The investment will enable the company to expand its ... Thinking Phone Networks Secures .5 Million in Funding
The social network tests promoted posts in the U.S. If you're willing to shell out the dough, you can potentially make more people read your update.
(Credit: Facebook )
If you want to get more attention for your engagement announcement or an event like a garage sale or a party, Facebook has got a way for you to do it -- if you're willing to pay.
The social network started testing a new feature in the U.S. today that lets people buy promoted posts. Facebook will push your selected post to the top of news feeds, increasing the likelihood of your friends and subscribers seeing it.
A Facebook representative said the company is not confirming how much promoting a post will cost, because the feature is still in test mode, but when we took the feature for a spin, it showed a $ 7 price tag.
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Folks with fewer than 5,000 friends and subscribers are able to access the feature, but if you don't see it yet it's because Facebook is still rolling it out to members.
The company tested this feature in other countries before releasing it in the U.S. It started testing promoted posts in May in New Zealand and has since rolled the feature out to more than 20 countries.
The new feature also lets users see how many more of their friends saw the post in their feeds by comparing the percentage of friends who would have seen it normally to the amount who saw the promoted post.
A similar feature was launched in May for Facebook Pages.
(Credit: Facebook )
Suggest Facebook: Pay to promote your posts for garage sales, parties - CNET Issues Dragonette "Pick Up The Phone" |New single by Dragonette. Directed by Drew Lightfoot.
Zipparah, Mr Zip, "Where me keys, where me phone" - Britain's Got Talent - International versionRapper Zipparah 'Mr Zip' Tafari stuns with his BGT audition song Where's My Phone. Can Zippy - as Simon Cowell calls him - win over the Britain's Got Talent Judges with his rap? Watch as the rapper wins over the Judges with his ode to losing one's belongings. All together now, "where's me keys, where's me phone" (repeat x 100000). See more from Britain's Got Talent here: itv.com twitter.com twitter.com www.facebook.com
A new Android app will bring lane derivation warnings and driver fatigue alerts to not just Volvos and Mercedes-Benzes, but AMC Pacers and Yugos. CarSafe, developed by computer science researchers at Dartmouth College and led by Professor Andrew ... App Crams Driver Aids Into Android Phone
 The Samsung Galaxy S III. (Samsung) |
Samsung has sent out an invitation in Germany for a media event next Thursday, sparking speculation that it may announce a Galaxy S III mini.
The invitation, which you can see at Unwired View, includes lines that translate from German to English as "large may be small," followed by "and so small can be big" when using Google Translate.
That, along with an S in the background in the style of the Galaxy S line of phones, is causing people around the Web to wonder if Samsung is getting ready to announce a smaller version of its flagship phone.
The Galaxy S III has been a successful rival to Apple's iPhone 5, but its 4.8-inch screen is seen as too big by some consumers.
A 4-inch Galaxy S III would give consumers a smaller Samsung alternative to the iPhone 5.
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Recommend Samsung set to unveil a Galaxy S III mini with 4-inch screen? - Los Angeles Times Topics Question by jg88: What does it mean when your cell phone "powers down?"? I only had one bar left and I was texting someone and then my phone turned off. I let it charge for about 15 minutes and turned it on and it said "powering down" as soon as I turned it on. Now it just did it again. What is happening? Do I need a new phone??! Best answer for What does it mean when your cell phone "powers down?"?:
Answer by phatphil5
battery is low....charge your phone.....when i auto powers of it is trying to conserve energy
Answer by ctyslkr2003
Your phone has 2 batteries. A main battery for usage and a battery for the time date and such that is smaller and out of sight. Yu may have drained that battery and it needs to recharge. Turn the phone off and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. If your phone is over a year old, you need new battery.
Answer by sh4dow
Your battery is probably just dead, batteries start to lose their charge after a while and cant hold a charge, if you just buy another battery you should be fine.
Answer by heli_guy60
it needs a good healthy charge. but if that doesnt work, may be a defective batt.
Answer by Random
powering down means that it'll shutoff, generally electronics will automatically power down to prevent damaging itself. just like how a laptop will shutdown automatically if it runs out of batteries. =)
Answer by dil
your phone need to charge for a while. may be hours or so. these new phones take a high load of podwer to load the mobile bcos of all the fancy stuffs like color display, camera, mp3s and all the those technos. possibly your battery is dead. try charging it for awhile and the switch it on
No PhoneBand: Cake Album: Pressure Chief Song: No Phone Lyrics: No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone no phone Ringing stinging Jerking like a nervous bird Rattling up against his cage Calls to me throughout the day See the feathers fly No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone No phone No phone no phone I just want to be alone today Rhyming chiming got me working all the time Gives me such a worried mind Now I don't want to seem unkind But god (it's such a crime) No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone no phone No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone no phone Shaking quaking Waking me when I'm asleep Never lets me go too deep Summons me with just one beep The price we pay is steep I've been on fire And yet I've still stayed frozen So deep in the night My smooth contemplations will always be broken My deepest concerns will stay buried and unspoken No I don't have any change but he re's a few subway tokens No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone No phone No phone no phone I just want to be alone today No phone no phone No phone No phone I just want to be alone today No phone No phone
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