[zygopetalum]

I got a call from ISP a couple of days ago. Its very hard to understand the guys (more American jobs outsourced), something about there was a problem with windows..something got in? He told me to limit my online time to 15 minutes until my friend came over with an extra phone as I have dial up and couldn't multitask and they would call back. I thought a virus got in or they were trying to sell me something.

Got another call from a different guy this AM who said my connection was slow because my warrenty on Windows had expired and I wasnt getting updates and of course said they could fix it if I purchased warrenty.

I looked at my Windows stuff and it said it had updated on 11/12/11 and I think Ive gotten other updates. There were a couple more available "Microsoft Update compatibility Pack" was one. Should I assume I don't have a virus and stay online long enough to update it?

My computer was funny for a couple of days but Norton did some stuff and it is the same as always now.

I got went ahead and used their 'Clean up' program as I had already ordered it when I was told here there is a free one and I don't know if I'm just a sucker they are trying to sell to. There was a bunch of stuff in my Norton today...
"Protecting your connection to newly detected network on People PC Online" (I know..its cheap), "Intrusion Prevention has been enabled", "You created firewall to manage how local Security Authority Process access your network resources", etc. I have no idea if it always does that, if ISP did it, or if I have a virus doing things?
Any comments appreciated,
Zygo

[mrsD]

Sounds like phishing to me!

Beware!

No one from MS calls you up! IMO

[zygopetalum]

Thanks Mrs D, I think the guys were form People PC but I got on their "Dumb Old Lady Who Will Buy Stuff" list and they were trying to sell. Will see what happens. I updated Windows with no problem but it does still say 'Unable to create device manager'. I tried to look at that but it said you have to log in as administrator to see it... I have no clue if they were talking about something like that.

I wish the stupid thing would just run and leave me alone
thanks, Zygo

[Jomar]

I would never agree to buy anything like that over the phone, it could be anyone, most ISP's don't call you....you usually have to call them for help or with questions.

They may send something in the mail , but a phone call- not normal - unless you requested them to call you first...

once you activate a legal copy of windows it never expires.

I bought my XP Home ages ago & still am using it, no problems/no expiration time.

If you give the name of the program that you bought , we can look it up to see if legit & safe or not.
If it seems dicey & Norton keeps finding stuff, I'd would suggest uninstalling it and trying to cancel the money if it was a credit card purchase.

There are many Free & safe programs to be found like these on download.cnet.com -
Maintenance & Optimization -
http://download.cnet.com/windows/mai...%7C&tag=narrow

[mrsD]

Look on your caller ID and get the number they called you from.
Then plug that number into Google. You will then see listings from other people who received the same call.

This could be a scam to get your credit card number.

[Jomar]

If you don't have caller ID maybe the *69 will work.
I don't know if the * codes are only for Verizon phone company, or if it is for all phone companies.

You dial *69 and it will give you the number of the last caller, but best to do it right after a questionable call.
Then as mrsD says Google /search that # to see what you can find out.
If it was from a cell phone it's harder to get any information, but usually can find the city info.