Call about CA Root certificate

enfield_freddy

however the windows xp serial number is only 26 digits long , not 36

itGuyUK80

Scam alert

gjchester

Rosmerta wrote: »

They quoted a 36 digit number, then asked me to run cmd and at the end, this number was identical to that they quoted - they said that only Microsoft and I would know this computer ID number..!

First Prefetch is a system folder, deleting it will slow your system down, its job is what it says it hold files that Windows thinks it will need soon. It can help if the files are big, by putting pre-loading files in one single area near to the start of the disk, rather than the hard drive having to look all over the drive for file fragments.


Was it CERTMRG they asked you to run?

I suspect they then asked you to look at a set certificate that most people have (say Microsoft) and just quoted Microsoft public key.

Can you remember what they did and write it down here, such as go to any set web site, or load any software. It may help us understand what they asked you to do, however I suspect it was just a high pressure sales call, they didn't do anything other than to try and scare you into buying something you don't need, or something that's in reality free to download such as Microsoft Security Essential, but better safe than sorry

Rosmerta wrote: »

I feel pretty stupid because it way beyond my knowledge base

Don't. These scams have been honed over the years and deliberately aim to catch the non tech savvy and worry them into falling for the scam.

If in doubt say no, its far better you ask advice than have £120 or so stolen from you.

allisoneileen

how many times has it been on here about scammers, AND STILL people take these calls, and allow them access to their computer over the phone,
microsoft Never get in touch like that..........drives me mad when i see posts like this aggggggghhhhhhh

googler

Rosmerta wrote: »

They quoted a 36 digit number, then asked me to run cmd and at the end, this number was identical to that they quoted - they said that only Microsoft and I would know this computer ID number..!
I feel pretty stupid because it way beyond my knowledge base - and how would I clean up my OS (is that operating system?)
I think perhaps part of this scam is that I'm on XP (I think) and therefore don't have access to any updates from Microsoft defender etc

Cmd opens a command prompt. You can repeat this action, without harm. What else was there, can you recall?