Warning message on screen

[deste]

Hi my DH is not very computer literate. He told me he had a guy on from Microsoft after a message popped up on his screen telling him he had a security issue. He wanted to sell him antivirus software and wanted his card number. I have told him it sounds dodgy not to do anything until I see it. I won't see him till Sunday but the guy is phoning back on Monday. Is this a ploy to get bank details.

[prh47bridge]

It is a scam. Microsoft do not ring users about security issues. It is quite likely the antivirus software the caller is pushing is useless. It may even be malicious.

If he is in any doubt get him to read this page on Microsoft's website. As it says at the end of the page, "You will never receive a legitimate call from Microsoft or our partners to charge you for computer fixes."

[Mogz]

Microsoft will not cold contact and sell you things. This is a scam. If he wants antivirus software then tell him to go to pc world.

[deste]

Thank you, that's what I thought. I told him to go to PC world and get it there.

Can anyone recommend an antivirus package please?

[Pipbin]

It is a scam. DH is a IT bloke and when they ring us we keep them on the phone for hours talking round in circles and then saying that we have Apple Macs and not windows pcs.

[Pipbin]

Download antivirus software. Don't buy Norton!
Download AGV.

[Pipbin]

AVG even: www.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus-download

[cozietoesie]

I'm a bit edgy about something 'popping up on his screen' - which means he'll likely have acquired some malware on his computer. He'll need to scan for/remove that and maybe take some other action (changing passords etc.) depending on what he finds. From what you said, I take it his system has no protective software at the moment?

[Wilford]

Microsoft's own antivirus software is free and works well without loading the system down. No sponsorship ads either
www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=5201

[Cindy34]

There are various online scanners, such as

www.pandasecurity.com/activescan/index/

Run the system through various scanners, once cleaned, then decide which one to use on a permanent basis.