Fake customer support scam

[Holden723]

I called a number which I thought was microsoft but was actually a scam number. I was deperate to figure out a problem with my internet and in the moment i didnt realize I had the wrong number. They used logmein123 and got access to my pc, downloaded a fake pc cleaner and they tried to show me a bunch of viruses that were on my computer that were not their. They wanted me to pay 100-200 for them to take the viruses off. Then i looked at my phone and noticed this was a fake number. I ran antimalware and got rid of two viruses/malware. Am I all good now or could they still have access to my pc?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

This is unfortunately quite common.

These companies don't seem to advanced. I'd say you're OK as long as you've run something decent like Malwarebytes over it, and removed everything you know they've installed.

If you want to be 100% safe, blow away windows.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

It's a good idea to regularly create an entire HDD image which you know to be clean, then getting back to clean system after attacks like this (or any other software-related screw ups) is relatively easy, and certainly faster than an OS & applications re-install.

I wouldn't dream of not having recent HDD images for all the PCs in our household, 'cos apart from the above, you have to be prepared for HDD failure too.