Several clients have reported receiving phone calls from a company called FixOnClick or ClickToFix stating their PC's are infected with a virus. When one caller asked, "How did you get my details?" the scammer replied that their ISP (Internet Service Provider) had given them the details.
This is not true. The Data Protection Act prohibits companies freely giving out information to third parties unless you specifically opted for your information to be given to third party companies associated with your ISP.
The caller further asked the scammer, "How do you know I even have a PC?" The scammer then told the caller he was standing next to the PC and because it was compromised he could actually see the caller on the phone talking. This was a clever feat in itself as the computer was powered off and didn't even have a webcam!
Operations Director, Ian Chilvers said, "FixOnClick is an old scam which fits into the category of ScareWare and Social Engineering whereby the scammer tries to convince the user that the PC is infected and then they part with a specified amount of money to remotely connect in and fix a computer that had nothing wrong in the first place".
Ian added, "You wouldn't trust just any company that called you to turn up and service your car would you? Typically you go on recommendations and reputation of a company, so you should treat your PC the same. Clearly FixOnClick or ClickToFix are doing the rounds again so please be careful and don't fall it. If you are in any doubt ask them for their name and number so you can check them out first, better still use a local trusted company like ourselves to give your PC a health check."
Prolateral published an article on FixOnClick in March 2010 which can be found here for more information.
Prolateral can help you
If you think you have been affected by this problem and need help then give us a call. Prolateral Consulting is an IT Security company specialising in the protection of your computer systems. Prolateral is solution partners with Symantec and eSet to help provide you the best of breed solution that is tailored to fit your business requirement. Together with proFilter, Prolateral's first rate anti-spam and anti-phishing email filter (as known as spam email filtering) we have the complete solution.
About Prolateral
Prolateral Consulting is in business to put your organisation back in control of your own Information Technology, specialising in information and messaging security, computer forensic services, and disaster recovery planing.
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Prolateral Consulting Ltd
Luton, Bedfordshire, UK
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