Windows Defender scam?

[Stiggy]

Has anyone heard of a scam where people are charged for using Windows Defender?

A friend of mine (an idiot) was having some weird pop-ups appear on his PC, as well as other classic spyware behaviour. So I (another idiot) recommended that he download Windows Defender from Microsoft.

Before we go any further - let's not turn this thread into a 'Windows Defender is crap' discussion! I just needed a quick and simple solution for him.

Anyway, he downloads what he thinks is Defender, and it does a scan and finds 100+ items of malware. He goes to remove it and then gets asked to pay money for the removal! like an idiot, he types his credit card details in

Has anyone heard of something like this? If nothing else perhaps we can warn other people...

Needless to say I'll probably be spending a few happy ours sorting all this out.

Remember: Free advice is seldom cheap!

 

[stockyvillage]

windows defender is free from microsoft what link did you both follow microsoft only charge for windows one care and they give you a 90 day free trial for that

 

[Stiggy]

windows defender is free from microsoft what link did you both follow microsoft only charge for windows one care and they give you a 90 day free trial for that

Thanks for the comment. Yes, I know Defender is free, but my mate didn't! I asked him if he had signed up for OneCare but he didn't think so.

 

[stockyvillage]

stiggy make sure he has cancelled his credit card they will do it as soon as he phones up

 

[Steve.J.Davies]

stiggy make sure he has cancelled his credit card they will do it as soon as he phones up

I agree - do it fast !

 

[Stiggy]

He's been in touch with his credit card company who now know who he paid the 'Defender' fee to. Mind you, he has no clue how he got the the website in question!

 

[Steve.J.Davies]

is it possible the name the company/entity that got the money ?

make sure he does a thorough sweep of his machine . .

 

[bradavon78]

The AntiSpyware part of OneCare is a bit of a con as it's a freed add-in that isnt' even installed by default. You need to download it separately after you've installed OneCare.

MS know very little about security apps, they're oddly so new to the game. I would stay well clear of MS Defender and OneCare.

 

[Stiggy]

Before we go any further - let's not turn this thread into a 'Windows Defender is crap' discussion! I just needed a quick and simple solution for him.

'nuff said!

 

[Singh400]

MS know very little about security apps, they're oddly so new to the game. I would stay well clear of MS Defender and OneCare.

Lets see who made Windows OS? Microsoft. Who should know their software better than any other person/software company? Microsoft. Who should know better as to where little viruses/malware/spyware/adware hides? Microsoft.

So no Windows Defender isn't crap and Microsoft DO know their security appilcations. Just look at Microsoft Forefront. Don't know what that is? Not surprised.

 

[bradavon78]

If that was directed at me I was answering your question.

 

[Member 79251]

Going to close this as it seems as if its now sorted. Lesson learned.!

This is a friend forum, your views are yours and not to be forced on to others.