Microsoft support being used as bait in phone-phishing scam

An old tactic phishing scam is hitting random New York residents via their phone; the scam call claims to be from Microsoft and warns that you may have problems with your computer and that they can help.

The call obviously is a scam, as Microsoft does not contact users via unsolicited phone calls, which this fact should be the first clue that the call is bogus. The actual goal of the call is to install a RAT, or Remote Access Trojan onto the unsuspecting call recipients computer. This, as we all know, allows the criminal full control of the "marks" machine.

According to the Newsday report, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice warned the public during a press conference that the scam is the latest being used by cybercriminals to go "phone phishing" for victims, Rice said in a statement released Friday. The district attorney is warning the public about the scam, advising: "Never give sensitive information over the phone to someone you don't know. When in doubt, just hang up."

This is common sense for most, however, if the criminal gets someone on the line that isn't very tech savvy they may fall victim to scam and give out the sensitive information.