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

Sounds like phishing to me!

Beware!

No one from MS calls you up! IMO

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

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

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.

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.

Thank you for the comments. A couple of months ago I called People PC because I couldn't get the welcome page to open, I don't know if the tech fixed it or just told me several esoteric things to do that took care of it, I wasn't online at the time. He then told me my computer was clogged up with the usual stuff and that their program would take care of it with no hassle. I'm not sure but I think the first guy that called me the other day was the same one, he said his name was Steve (??!!) or something , that sounded familiar but I really don't remember. My phone company calls occasionally trying to get me to upgrade etc. and I thought they were just operating the same way.

The program is called PeoplePC Fine Tune...OH NO..I just googled it. Here is a link that describes it and a couple related to complaints,

http://home.peoplepc.com/membertips/default.asp

www.consumeraffairs.com/internet/people_pc.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/.../p...ia-c88295.html

I looked briefly and didn't find much related to the performance of the program but apparently there are real issues trying to get them to stop billing.

My computer runs really well sometimes and others it doesn't. I have no clue what that means, I was told that can happen with dial up but I don't know what is going on. I'm going to go look to see if I can figure out how to uninstall it.
Thanks again, Zygo

I really didnt want to see this. I looked at Norton after I wrote last post..as I was online this happened


"IP address has disappeared from Adaptor Microsoft 6to4 Adaptor and is no longer being protected..Address etc.
and
IP address has disappeared from PeoplePC.com and is no longer being protected..Address.

Will check back briefly for comments, did something get in and wipe it out?


I looked again and I think thats what it always says after I disconnect, duh. I called Tech Support and got someone who did speak good English. He didn't seem to know anything about any problem they were having and said my Norton should protect me if there was one. You guys are probably right, someone is phishing for something but I don't know if it is provider or someone else.

I'd go to the Control Panel and the Add/Remove - and remove that tune up program.

then reboot and run a norton deep scan and see what happens from there.

I guess I was right the first time, I have lost my Norton. Was looking at it this am OFFLINE, went back to look again and it wouldnt open. Icon on tool bar is gone.

Computer was running funny last nite, fading pages, wouldnt go to next etc.
Norton said something was default blocking windows????

I think they are messing up Windows trying to sell me something? Or trying to get into my computer when they 'fix' it???

Hope Im ok being on briefly,
ZYgo