I got a really interesting telephone call, today. It was someone with an Indian English accent claiming to be from Microsoft, and warning that my computer was continuously downloading dangerous viruses. I was suspicious. You see, Microsoft doesn't do that. (See http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/msname.aspx for a statement from them saying so.)

There is a group in India with access to computer sales records, directories, and such. They call people and try to trick them into giving them remote access to their computer. While they claim to be fixing their computer, they install back doors to enable them to take full control of it and compromise all of your private data, now and in the future. Then they charge you for that "service." See an article about that at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/18/phone-scam-india-call-centres for details. This scam isn't limited to targets in the U. K. These thieves are also attacking people in Australia, the U. S. A., Canada, and anywhere else where English is spoken and Internet phone calls are cheap.

So, before you let a stranger take control of your computer... and your bank accounts, retirement accounts, good name, credit cards, real estate, email, contact lists, etc., just hang up.

Be innocent as doves, but wise as serpents.