Folks, remember this -- Microsoft will NEVER call you. [View all]

It's a common enough scam. They call pretending to be from Microsoft. They tell you your computer has a serious problem. They have you type something into the command line. A scary screen full of errors appears. (These errors, and their automatic corrections are a normal part the operations of Windows and the hardware.)

No matter how many times I tell her to call me first at the smallest hint of a problem, my Mom likes to be independent. Tries to solve her own problems. She did what they told her to do. Now the computer is completely hosed up, asking her for a password that she herself, did not create.

So, now she calls me. As soon as she told me Microsoft called her, I told her unplug the machine and forget about it until I get there. Who knows what they put on there? Trojans? Keyloggers? Can't take the chance. Must format hard drive with clean install of Windows.

She tells me they tried to sell her Windows Defender for $150, and that she needs it because she's infected. (Windows Defender is included with Windows 8 and 10.)

Microsoft will never call you. There is no exception.

Tell everyone you know, but don't expect them to remember. Just be prepared to help them when they eventually call for help, because they did not remember your advice at a fateful moment when the phone rang.

<sigh> It's a scammy world.