• FidoGazette Vol 12 no 44 Page: 4

    From Janis Kracht@1:261/38 to All on Thu Nov 1 01:03:28 2018
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    That Time of Year for Tricks (and Treats)
    by Janis Kracht, 1:261/38, janis@filegate.net

    Ok I admit it.. I spent much of today eyeing various colored
    candy wrappers as I passed by the countertop bowl of candy we
    had prepared for this evening. Scents of chocolate and sweet
    confections wafted through the air as I walked past it to my
    system in the computer room (several times :( :( )

    Finally, I found myself hitting on the huge bowl of Halloween
    treats we bought for the neighborhood kids when my phone rang
    this afternoon, the 'holiday of candy' in the U.S., Halloween :)

    I figured this must be sign from god that I should leave the
    Butterfingers, Reese's Peanut butter cups & Mars' 3-Musketeers
    bars in the bowl (darn it!!)

    The call was from a soul I hadn't heard from in AGES (well,
    maybe a few years :) ).

    I was sure this idiot had given up on me so it was good in a
    weird sense to hear the familiar phrase coming from telephone
    hearing piece, like some type of bizarro music to my ears:

    'Hello, this is Microsoft Security ...'

    If you've never gotten this call and you finally do, let me
    encourage you to push this jerk's buttons a little <grin>.

    I rudely interrupt: 'OH! You are calling me from MICROSOFT
    Security ??? Really??'

    'Yes, we are calling you to report that your Microsoft Windows
    system has been infected, and is causing problems on the
    Internet.'

    I rudely interupt again: 'Oh, no! This is terrible!!! I can't
    believe this!!! Not MY computer!!' I exclaim (eh.. probably a
    bit to loudly in the mouth piece <vbg>)

    He assures me that yes, it is _my_ system causing such a large
    problem on the internet: 'Yes m'am, it is your system ', he
    says.

    'Running Windows???' I ask desperately and just as desperately
    try to keep from breaking up with laughter... This is one of
    the OLDEST scams on earth I think :)

    'Yes, M'am. I would like to explain how to fix your computer...'

    I was going to do the whole thing, let him try to show me how to
    fix my "broken windows system", but I couldn't.. I laughed and
    realized the gig was up.. He knew I knew he was full of it Lol..
    So, disgusted with my lost chance to really get back at these
    idiots, I decided to end the conversation toute suite:

    'Well, F' off, I don't run Windows here.' <plunk>

    So.. beware folks, 'Lions, tigers and bears' be about this
    Halloween!




    FIDOGAZETTE Vol 12 No 44 Page 4 October 31st, 2018


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