Guy tricks Windows tech support scammers into installing ransomware

[BoL]

http://www.geek.com/microsoft/guy-tricks-windows-tech-support-scammers-into-installing-ransomware-1665967/

Ivan Kwiatkowski knows plenty about how these shenanigans go down, and unfortunately for the would-be scammer on the other end of the remote connection he also knows a fair bit about social malware. Kwiatkowski played along, allowing a scammer named Dileep to connect to his virtual machine — which he'd intentionally left vulnerable —  and played dumb while various DOS commands were run to make him think his machine was riddled with malware.

[simplytheresa]

Enjoyed seeing this. I got one robo call from "Microsoft" today and two from the "IRS" threatening me with lawsuits.

The story in the comments about how the guy connected these calls to his ISP, called them on it, and suddenly stopped receiving spam calls was also very interesting.

[ergophobe]

That makes me feel like a kindergartner.

As a public service, when bored, I just try to eat their time.

Him: This is windows technical support and we are seeing issues with your computer.
Me: Oh no! Is it bad?
Him: You have many viruses that are hurting performance. I am here to help you fix it. Are you at your computer?
Me: No.
Him: Okay, please go to your computer.
Me: Okay, I'm at my computer.
Him: Do you see the Windows icon in the lower left of your screen.
Me: No.
Him: Is you computer on?
Me: No. Should I turn it on?
Him: Yes, please turn on your computer.
Me: OK. [put the phone down and go about my day]
Him: Hello? Is your computer on?
Me: Yes.
Him: OK, do you see the Windows icon in the lower left?
Me: No, it just shows a screen that says Windows is starting up. My computer is very slow.
Him: That's because of all your viruses. I will help you fix this [at this point I put the phone down]

And so on. Typically I'm having this conversation while picking up the house or something.