Lync is a Juggernaut!
Download: Microsoft Office 2013 Preview AppV packages - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Samsung Ativ S - The World's First Windows Phone 8 Unveiled
By Anu Passary | Aug 30, 2012 01:12 PM EDT
- Samsung Electronics UK General Manager Damian Cusick presents the new Samsung ATIV S smartphone during the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin, August 29, 2012. (Photo : Reuters)
The Korean tech giant Samsung rolled out its Windows Phone 8 smartphone, given the moniker ATIV S, on Aug. 29 at the Samsung Unpacked event in Berlin, Germany. The announcement gives Samsung the distinction of being the first manufacturer to reveal its Windows Phone 8 mobile device.
Samsung's Ativ S smartphone unveiling at the IFA precedes the Nokia-Microsoft launch, which is slated for Sept. 5 in New York. The ATIV S smartphone launch augurs well for Windows-based phones and gives Microsoft and its partners the opportunity to expand their spectrum of offerings.
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"Samsung is a highly-valued partner and it's great to see this investment in a global brand for its Windows-based tablets and phones," said Nick Parker, corporate VP of original equipment manufacturers for Microsoft.
The 4.8-inch ATIV S sports a HD Super AMOLED display and measures 137.2mm x 70.5mm. The 8.7mm thick smartphone weighs just 135gms, putting it in the same league as the flagship Galaxy S3 model. A 1.5GHz dual-core processor powers the device, which features a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel rear-facing one. The smartphone will be available in 16/32GB on-board memory variants with microSD card support.
Along with the ATIV S smartphone, Samsung also unveiled the 10.i-inch Activ Tab, which is a tablet based on the Windows RT version. The 8.9mm thick tablet weighs 570gms, making it slimmer and lighter than the current iPad. A 1.5GHz dual-core processor will power the Activ Tab, which will sport a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing one. The tablet will be available in 32/64GB on-board memory variants with a microSD card support of up to 64GB.
ATIVA S
Samsung's slew of new Windows-based devices gives a fillip to both its and Microsoft's market presence.
"This gives us an increased opportunity to inspire our customers with excitement and confidence as they enjoy Windows experiences across their beautiful Samsung devices, including entertainment scenarios, mobile productivity and cloud services," said Parker.
Not much is known about Samsung's Activ S release date, but rumors suggest an October launch may be expected.
Samsung Ativ S - The World's First Windows Phone 8 Unveiled : Smartphones : Mobile&Apps
HP Unveils New Ultrabooks with Touch Screens for Windows 8
Sure, you can use a traditional touchpad to navigate through the tiled interface in Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 operating system, but even at this early stage it's well understood that the platform has been designed to be swiped, flipped, and pinched through. This consideration without a doubt informed HP's decision to manufacture two new ultrabooks equipped with capacitative touch screens, both of which were unveiled today.
The first of the two finger-friendly systems is the HP Spectre TouchSmart Ultrabook. About that screen: its edge-to-edge 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 and comes equipped with IPS technology. For added visual flair, the Spectre TouchSmart's all-metal chassis also sports a soft-touch base. Measuring 17.9mm at its thinnest point, its dimensions hew to Intel's parameters for the coveted ultrabook designation, and it weighs 4.7 pounds. The Spectre TouchSmart sports a healthy array of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, dual USB 3.0 ports, and HDMI. Moreover, it's HP's first notebook to feature Intel Thunderbolt technology. While the touch screen is undoubtedly the main attraction here, the base configuration of an Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and an optional solid-state-drive (SSD) is impressive enough to warrant attention on its own merit. The HP Spectre TouchSmart Ultrabook is expected to be available in the United States in December with a starting price of $1,399.
HP Unveils New Ultrabooks with Touch Screens for Windows 8 | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
Bing Now Lets You Search And Browse Your Friends’ Facebook Photos
icrosoft just launched a new search feature for Bing that lets you search your friends’ photos on Facebook. This new tool, says Microsoft, is essentially an expansion of the photo experience Bing introduced as part of Bing’s redesign earlier this year. Today’s launch takes this experience a bit further, though, and you can now browse your friends’ photos, ‘like’ them and add comments to them right on Bing.
Previously, clicking on a link to a photo in Bing’s sidebar would take you to Facebook. The experience actually looks quite a bit like Facebook’s standard photo pages, with your friends’ updates and comments on the right and a large version of the image on the left.
Bing and Facebook always had a very close relationship and Microsoft has worked hard to highlight this alliance in Bing’s social sidebar (Google, after all, doesn’t have access to this data). Indeed, while Bing offers a landing page for the new search feature, there won’t be a link to it from Bing itself. As a Microsoft spokesperson told me, the company expects that most people will engage with this tool through the sidebar.
Facebook’s users currently upload over 300 million photos to the social networking site every day and as Microsoft’s Ian Lin, a senior program manager on the Bing Social team, notes, “photo viewing is one of the most popular things people do on Facebook.”
Bing, of course, will respect your Facebook privacy settings and will only show images that you and your friends have made viewable. Your photos, Microsoft stresses, will never be shared with the public.
Bing Now Lets You Search And Browse Your Friends’ Facebook Photos | TechCrunch
Previously, clicking on a link to a photo in Bing’s sidebar would take you to Facebook. The experience actually looks quite a bit like Facebook’s standard photo pages, with your friends’ updates and comments on the right and a large version of the image on the left.
Bing and Facebook always had a very close relationship and Microsoft has worked hard to highlight this alliance in Bing’s social sidebar (Google, after all, doesn’t have access to this data). Indeed, while Bing offers a landing page for the new search feature, there won’t be a link to it from Bing itself. As a Microsoft spokesperson told me, the company expects that most people will engage with this tool through the sidebar.
Facebook’s users currently upload over 300 million photos to the social networking site every day and as Microsoft’s Ian Lin, a senior program manager on the Bing Social team, notes, “photo viewing is one of the most popular things people do on Facebook.”
Bing, of course, will respect your Facebook privacy settings and will only show images that you and your friends have made viewable. Your photos, Microsoft stresses, will never be shared with the public.
Bing Now Lets You Search And Browse Your Friends’ Facebook Photos | TechCrunch
Microsoft Event Schedule For October Gets Detailed
While we know that Microsoft Windows 8 operating system will be available commercially from the 26th of October, the exact details of the various event that Microsoft will hold in the month of October is not clearly known. Now, a source has told CNET’s Mary Jo Foley, some of the more finer details about the various events such as the individual launch dates and venues where they will be held.
The first of the lineup of events will begin on the 25th of October, a day before Windows 8 will become publicly available. The 25th Oct event is going to be the big one, where Microsoft will officially introduce the Windows 8 operating system and the hotly anticipated Windows Surface RT tablet. The venue selected for this mega event will be The Big Apple (New York city). “Windows 8 and the Surface RT ARM-based devices should be available (at least technically) at midnight, following the launch event.”, says CENT.
Microsoft Event Schedule For October Gets Detailed | StudentNews.ie
The first of the lineup of events will begin on the 25th of October, a day before Windows 8 will become publicly available. The 25th Oct event is going to be the big one, where Microsoft will officially introduce the Windows 8 operating system and the hotly anticipated Windows Surface RT tablet. The venue selected for this mega event will be The Big Apple (New York city). “Windows 8 and the Surface RT ARM-based devices should be available (at least technically) at midnight, following the launch event.”, says CENT.
Microsoft Event Schedule For October Gets Detailed | StudentNews.ie
Xbox 720, PlayStation 4 Projects Under Development: Gearbox
Rumors regarding the impending arrival of two highly- anticipated next-gen gaming consoles - Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 - have created quite a stir on the web. Latest reports suggest that Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has confirmed that their studio has next-gen projects under development, which will be announced in the near future.
Pitchford, in an interview with Gamasutra, confirmed the news.
"We've got a few things going on right now that we haven't talked about but that will appear later," Pitchford said.
Pitchford is just one of the many developers coming out in the open and revealing that the next-gen projects are already underway. He expressed excitement and interest in the arrival of the next-gen consoles.
Windows Phone 8 Launch Adds to Microsoft's Busy October
According to Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet, Microsoft is planning an official Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29, possibly in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Foley's unnamed tipster claims the first Windows Phone 8 devices will likely hit store shelves a week or two later.
Foley also reported that Microsoft will hold a launch event for Windows 8 and the Surface RT tablet on October 25, the day before general availability. A midnight launch for the tablet and operating system may happen after the event.
Windows Phone 8 will be a major update for Microsoft's mobile OS. It has a new start screen with room for more Live Tiles, enhanced browser security, new camera features, turn-by-turn navigation from Nokia and support for digital wallet services, such as loyalty cards and gift certificates. The OS will also support a wider range of hardware, including dual-core processors, 720p displays and removable storage.
Windows Phone 8 Launch Adds to Microsoft's Busy October ( - Mobile - Software )
Foley also reported that Microsoft will hold a launch event for Windows 8 and the Surface RT tablet on October 25, the day before general availability. A midnight launch for the tablet and operating system may happen after the event.
Windows Phone 8 will be a major update for Microsoft's mobile OS. It has a new start screen with room for more Live Tiles, enhanced browser security, new camera features, turn-by-turn navigation from Nokia and support for digital wallet services, such as loyalty cards and gift certificates. The OS will also support a wider range of hardware, including dual-core processors, 720p displays and removable storage.
Windows Phone 8 Launch Adds to Microsoft's Busy October ( - Mobile - Software )
Monday, August 27, 2012
Who is Microsoft Hiring? | News & Opinion
You can learn a lot about a business by reading its job listings, especially when the hiring company is a high-tech corporation trying to attract people by describing interesting projects. Microsoft is a good example.
Those who have read my columns for several years know that I have various themes that I recall every so often. Lately, because of the Microsoft stores, I've been exposing the reason behind Microsoft's new branded products and specifically a Microsoft-branded PC.
Who is Microsoft Hiring? | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
Office 2013: What IT Needs to Know - CIO India News on | CIO.in
With Office 2013, Microsoft sets the bar high. The reworked suite ofapplications runs on a range of devices, including new Windows tablets; it has a new look, which is fast and fluid, yet has familiar commands; it responds to touch and stylus, as well as keyboard and mouse; and everything's cloud-connected.
The customer preview we tested is available in four plans through Microsoft's cloud service, Office 365. We selected Office 365 Enterprise Preview since it meets the needs of midsize and large organizations. This subscription includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Publisher, InfoPath and Lync clients. Additionally, enterprises have access to Exchange Online (including new archiving and legal hold capabilities), SharePoint Online and Lync Online to conduct meetings.
In the Preview, administrators can create 25 user accounts, with each allowed five installations of the applications on different systems. Microsoft hasn't announced pricing or scalability for its new Office offering. The current Office 365, which supports more than 50,000 users, costs from $8 to $22 per user per month. The top-tier enterprise plans include a subscription to Office Professional Plus 2010 for up to five devices per user.
In the Preview, administrators can create 25 user accounts, with each allowed five installations of the applications on different systems. Microsoft hasn't announced pricing or scalability for its new Office offering. The current Office 365, which supports more than 50,000 users, costs from $8 to $22 per user per month. The top-tier enterprise plans include a subscription to Office Professional Plus 2010 for up to five devices per user.
Office 2013: What IT Needs to Know - CIO India News on | CIO.in
Channel partners find success selling virtual desktop services
Channel partners offering virtual desktop solutions found themselves in a tough spot just a few years ago.
The technology, dubbed virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), seemed like a logical follow-on sale to customers heavily engaged with server virtualization. But while the server-side category found wide use, its desktop counterpart encountered adoption challenges. The main problem: a far from compelling return-on-investment story.
While server virtualization let organizations consolidate boxes for a quick return, VDI failed to offer a rapid payback. The basic sales pitch focused on ease of IT administration, greater security and desktop cost savings. But VDI's infrastructure demands, particularly in storage, made ROI a discouraging prospect. Uptake was limited.
VDI, however, has made considerable progress over the last 12 months, according to solutions providers. ROI is faster now and building a business case is easier than it used to be. In addition, technology trends such as bring your own device (BYOD) and enterprise mobility have given resellers a reason to revisit customers who previously balked at the technology.
"When the technology was immature, there was not a whole lot of ROI out there," noted Joe Brown, president of Accelera Solutions Inc., a solution provider specializing in virtualization. "It was a tough sell as a simple desktop replacement solution. It took a little while for the technologies to advance and for additional business drivers like mobility to convince customers that it was a viable solution."
As for what they're selling, resellers tend to focus on Citrix Systems' XenDesktop and VMware's View. They may also package and brand their own virtual desktop services.
Channel partners find success selling virtual desktop services
The technology, dubbed virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), seemed like a logical follow-on sale to customers heavily engaged with server virtualization. But while the server-side category found wide use, its desktop counterpart encountered adoption challenges. The main problem: a far from compelling return-on-investment story.
While server virtualization let organizations consolidate boxes for a quick return, VDI failed to offer a rapid payback. The basic sales pitch focused on ease of IT administration, greater security and desktop cost savings. But VDI's infrastructure demands, particularly in storage, made ROI a discouraging prospect. Uptake was limited.
VDI, however, has made considerable progress over the last 12 months, according to solutions providers. ROI is faster now and building a business case is easier than it used to be. In addition, technology trends such as bring your own device (BYOD) and enterprise mobility have given resellers a reason to revisit customers who previously balked at the technology.
"When the technology was immature, there was not a whole lot of ROI out there," noted Joe Brown, president of Accelera Solutions Inc., a solution provider specializing in virtualization. "It was a tough sell as a simple desktop replacement solution. It took a little while for the technologies to advance and for additional business drivers like mobility to convince customers that it was a viable solution."
As for what they're selling, resellers tend to focus on Citrix Systems' XenDesktop and VMware's View. They may also package and brand their own virtual desktop services.
Channel partners find success selling virtual desktop services
Microsoft Office 2013: Tap and go
“This is the biggest, most ambitious release of Office that we’ve ever done in our history,” Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer said recently when unveiling the release of Office 2013. Embracing the mobile world, it brings touch-based controls and cloud storage, giving you access to your files from any computer, anywhere.
New versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will respond to touch as well as a computer keyboard or mouse and were redesigned to make the most of the Windows 8 operating system. PC World notes that where Office 2013 shines is embracing the mobile world and the cloud with deep integration with Microsoft’s cloud service SkyDrive and collaboration—integrating its recent acquisitions Skype and Yammer.
Microsoft Office 2013: Tap and go — Business Management Daily: Free Reports on Human Resources, Employment Law, Office Management, Office Communication, Office Technology and Small Business Tax Business Management Daily
New versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will respond to touch as well as a computer keyboard or mouse and were redesigned to make the most of the Windows 8 operating system. PC World notes that where Office 2013 shines is embracing the mobile world and the cloud with deep integration with Microsoft’s cloud service SkyDrive and collaboration—integrating its recent acquisitions Skype and Yammer.
Microsoft Office 2013: Tap and go — Business Management Daily: Free Reports on Human Resources, Employment Law, Office Management, Office Communication, Office Technology and Small Business Tax Business Management Daily
WESTFORD, Mass.: Sonus Completes Acquisition of Network Equipment Technologies | Business Wire | Rock Hill Herald Online
Combination Brings End-to-End Portfolio of Enterprise Session Border Controllers to Accelerate Deployment and Adoption of SIP Trunking and Unified CommunicationsKey Takeaways:Completion of Network Equipment Technologies (NET) Acquisition Expands Session B
WESTFORD, Mass.: Sonus Completes Acquisition of Network Equipment Technologies | Business Wire | Rock Hill Herald Online
WESTFORD, Mass.: Sonus Completes Acquisition of Network Equipment Technologies | Business Wire | Rock Hill Herald Online
Sennheiser Unveils Premium Headsets Optimized for Microsoft Lync, Enabling Increased Quality in Unified Communications Deployments
Sennheiser
8/27/2012 10:28 AM EDT
Sennheiser Unveils Premium Headsets Optimized for Microsoft Lync, Enabling Increased Quality in Unified Communications Deployments
8/27/2012 10:28 AM EDT
OLD LYME, Conn., Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Audio specialist Sennheiser announced the launch of two headset lines optimized for Microsoft Lync. The Circle Series wired headsets and the DW Series wireless headsets have been optimized for Microsoft Lync to enhance productivity in busy working environments. The new headsets help enable organizations leverage productivity advantages of a unified communications environment while providing comfort, voice clarity and premium sound quality for users.
The Circle Series includes two Microsoft Lync-compatible models: the dual-sided SC 260 ML and the single-sided SC 230 ML. Each is designed to deliver HD voice clarity sound and comfort to busy contact center, office and Unified Communication professionals. "In increasingly busy workplaces, smart communication tools that allow users to work more efficiently can give a competitive advantage. With Sennheiser's launch of its new wired Circle Series headsets optimized for Microsoft Lync, we can help provide our mutual customers with an even wider choice of Unified Communications tools to improve their business productivity," says Giovanni Mezgec, General Manager Lync Marketing at Microsoft Corp.
The DW Series DECT wireless headsets includes three Microsoft Lync-compatible models: the 2-in-1 DW Office ML with headband and ear hook, the DW Pro1 ML single-sided headset and the DW Pro2 ML double-sided headset. "The DW Series of headsets optimized for Microsoft Lync leverages Sennheiser's expertise in sound quality, noise cancelation and wireless audio transmission," said Tori Seliokas, channel manager for telecommunications at Sennheiser's U.S. headquarters. "The DW Series features an intelligent design, intuitive pairing options and a range of approximately 180 feet within a typical office building. These features, especially when combined with Microsoft Lync optimization, can be a very powerful unified communications tool in just about any workplace."
The Circle Series includes two Microsoft Lync-compatible models: the dual-sided SC 260 ML and the single-sided SC 230 ML. Each is designed to deliver HD voice clarity sound and comfort to busy contact center, office and Unified Communication professionals. "In increasingly busy workplaces, smart communication tools that allow users to work more efficiently can give a competitive advantage. With Sennheiser's launch of its new wired Circle Series headsets optimized for Microsoft Lync, we can help provide our mutual customers with an even wider choice of Unified Communications tools to improve their business productivity," says Giovanni Mezgec, General Manager Lync Marketing at Microsoft Corp.
The DW Series DECT wireless headsets includes three Microsoft Lync-compatible models: the 2-in-1 DW Office ML with headband and ear hook, the DW Pro1 ML single-sided headset and the DW Pro2 ML double-sided headset. "The DW Series of headsets optimized for Microsoft Lync leverages Sennheiser's expertise in sound quality, noise cancelation and wireless audio transmission," said Tori Seliokas, channel manager for telecommunications at Sennheiser's U.S. headquarters. "The DW Series features an intelligent design, intuitive pairing options and a range of approximately 180 feet within a typical office building. These features, especially when combined with Microsoft Lync optimization, can be a very powerful unified communications tool in just about any workplace."
Sennheiser Unveils Premium Headsets Optimized for Microsoft Lync, Enabling Increased Quality in Unified Communications Deployments
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Windows 8: A Quick Round Up Of Reviews - Mobile & Apps
Microsoft is getting both praise and criticism over choices it made with Windows 8, but nothing can be changed now that the final version of the OS is in the hands of reviewers. We have been taking a keen look at all the reviews of Windows 8 out there on the Internet, and so far, the general consumption is that Windows 8 is good.
Windows 8 is a true upgrade from Windows 7. However, the missing start menu and flipping between Windows 8 New UI and the regular desktop seems to be the main problems reviewers are finding with the operating system.
Windows 8 Reviews at a Glance:
> It looks like Windows 8 is certainly going to take some getting used to. But underneath that daunting new interface are a wealth of smart decisions that go a long way towards dragging the behemoth that is Windows into the future. Perhaps most promising is the stuff we haven't looked at yet: the apps, and the way multiple Windows 8 PCs and tablets sync together. - PC Advisor Staff (PC Advisor)
Microsoft Logo Evolution Over 37 Year Period (PHOTOS)
By Vamien McKalin | August 26, 2012 12:35 PM EDT
Microsoft has been around for 37 years, and during this time, the company managed to change its logo 5 times. The company wasn't shy about changing its logo in the early days, but when it changed to a different logo in 1987, it would take another 25 years before a new logo was brought into the fray.
The newest Microsoft logo launched ahead of some of the company's major product launches such as Windows Phone 8, Office 2013, and Windows 8 later in the year.
What you are looking at is the first ever Microsoft logo from when the company was founded back in 1975. It probably looked awesome to the founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen back then, but looking at it now, not so hot.
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It didn't take Microsoft long to change from the first corporate logo to something with more of edge. In 1980, a new logo was introduced; this was after the company moved to Washington.
Two years later, the logo changed again. Seriously, what was going through the head of the people atop of the Microsoft food chain back then? They didn't seem easily pleased. A year after this logo was introduced, IBM debuted its PC running MS-DOS 1.0.
In the next 5 years, and a year after Microsoft went public with its stocks, the company changed the logo again. This time, the new logo would define Microsoft for the next 25 years. Microsoft's success with Windows began 3 years after the new logo came along, and from then on, the company flourished.
Here we are in the present, and here comes a new Microsoft logo. August 23 marks the date the company splashed the new logo into everyone's faces. It is also the first Microsoft logo with color. First Microsoft logo with color you ask? Yeah, and that's a big deal coming from 37 years of black and white. This logo will define Microsoft for the foreseeable futur. Now only if we could figure out when the next logo will show up.
Apple Matches Microsoft Step-For-Step; Plans iPad Mini Release In October
Microsoft unveiled its Surface tablet in June this year that is widely touted as Apple's iPad competitor. Though unveiled in June, Microsoft plans to launch the tablet on October 26.
The Cupertino technology giant that maintained a dignified silence for long seems to have unleashed new missiles against competitors, as news of its iPad release has just been confirmed for October, slightly ahead of competition.
Initially, it was rumored that "iPad Mini" will be unveiled along with the next-generation iPhone at the September 12 event. However, experts including Daring Fireball's John Gruber averred that "iPad Mini," may not share spotlight with the new iPhone.
The Cupertino technology giant that maintained a dignified silence for long seems to have unleashed new missiles against competitors, as news of its iPad release has just been confirmed for October, slightly ahead of competition.
Initially, it was rumored that "iPad Mini" will be unveiled along with the next-generation iPhone at the September 12 event. However, experts including Daring Fireball's John Gruber averred that "iPad Mini," may not share spotlight with the new iPhone.
Apple Matches Microsoft Step-For-Step; Plans iPad Mini Release In October - International Business TimesPublish Post
How to sniff out the Microsoft phone call scam
This phone-based scam has been around since 2008 and the scammers are using more sophisticated social engineering tactics to make them appear to be legitimate.
Based on the number of people asking us about these phone calls on our free help Facebook page , it's obvious that the scammers have cranked up their efforts.
Remote service is completely safe and a great way to get your computer taken care of, but only when YOU initiate the call to a service provider. Microsoft does not have a random task force that monitors infected Windows computers around the world and calls when they see a problem.
Here are some of the ways that they are currently trying to trick people:
The caller ID generally says 'Home Security' and includes what appears to be a valid number. In general, you will likely hear a strange accent.
In the past, if you were to ask them for a phone number and name so you can call them back, they would hang up. Today, they will gladly give you their direct extension and name in an effort to get you to let your guard down.
Whatever number they give you will generally ring busy if you were to try calling it (part of the scam).
If they can convince you to stay on the line, they quickly try to convince you that your computer has been compromised by having you run some 'diagnostics' yourself as proof.
A recent tactic is to get the victim to open the Windows Event Viewer, which has a log of any errors that Windows has detected. Unless you just recently installed Windows, your Event Log is bound to show some errors (very normal), which can be made to seem scary to non-technical users.
Another trick that they use is to get you to drop to a command prompt (black background with white text) to check your system ID and to have you run a verify command, which will return the message that 'verify is off'.
They will then tell you that your computer ID can't be verified which means your computer hasn't been able to get Windows updates (which is completely false; the verify command is to verify that data has been written to a drive correctly).
They may even guide you to pull up something that they claim is a system certificate that has a 2011 date, which they will try to convince you means your computer hasn't been updated since last year.
How to sniff out the Microsoft phone call scam
Based on the number of people asking us about these phone calls on our free help Facebook page , it's obvious that the scammers have cranked up their efforts.
Remote service is completely safe and a great way to get your computer taken care of, but only when YOU initiate the call to a service provider. Microsoft does not have a random task force that monitors infected Windows computers around the world and calls when they see a problem.
Here are some of the ways that they are currently trying to trick people:
The caller ID generally says 'Home Security' and includes what appears to be a valid number. In general, you will likely hear a strange accent.
In the past, if you were to ask them for a phone number and name so you can call them back, they would hang up. Today, they will gladly give you their direct extension and name in an effort to get you to let your guard down.
Whatever number they give you will generally ring busy if you were to try calling it (part of the scam).
If they can convince you to stay on the line, they quickly try to convince you that your computer has been compromised by having you run some 'diagnostics' yourself as proof.
A recent tactic is to get the victim to open the Windows Event Viewer, which has a log of any errors that Windows has detected. Unless you just recently installed Windows, your Event Log is bound to show some errors (very normal), which can be made to seem scary to non-technical users.
Another trick that they use is to get you to drop to a command prompt (black background with white text) to check your system ID and to have you run a verify command, which will return the message that 'verify is off'.
They will then tell you that your computer ID can't be verified which means your computer hasn't been able to get Windows updates (which is completely false; the verify command is to verify that data has been written to a drive correctly).
They may even guide you to pull up something that they claim is a system certificate that has a 2011 date, which they will try to convince you means your computer hasn't been updated since last year.
How to sniff out the Microsoft phone call scam
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