Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Usually I don't answer unknown numbers, but for some reason I answered this one and a guy with an Indian accent sounding like he was one of many in a very large phone room tells me that he's with Microsoft and my computer has been infected and is sending massive amounts of information through their servers. I told him thank you I'll take care of it and hung up.

So beware if you get a call like this it is a known scam.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 330
Indeed a scam, if you allow it to go any further the Indian sounding guy makes you install team viewer or similar software so he can access the innards of your computer, then installing various virus or malware.

Microsoft themselves will tell you there is no actual way that any outside observer can tell if your computer is sending messages, has a virus, is part of a botnet, etc.
Also they insist that they will never ring up any Windows user unless that is by a prearranged transaction with them.

Off-Topic
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,378
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,378
Just repeat everything they say back to them word for word in the form of a question.....


Or....


Say to the person.... "Can you hold on a minute"..... then yell like you're taking to someone else in a different room.... "Stop trying to pull that knife out.... it'll only hurt worse and you'll get blood all over the place"... then return to the caller... who will probably have hung up by this point.


Or.....

Ask them if you can share your favorite bible verse with them.....

or.....

hang up


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791
J
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
J
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,791
the giveaway was that Micro$oft would care enough to call you! laugh

Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
This scam has been around for a long time.

I got them to stop calling me by telling them that I was the head of the IT department of my company. My phone heard a click.....they hung up! They must have been rookies!


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
E
eddie1261
Unregistered
eddie1261
Unregistered
E
Did the caller actually SAY "Microsoft"? When that scam first started they were calling saying they were from "Windows Support" and they saw you had a lot of virus infected files and for $79.95 the would remote in and clean them. Fortunately I spent my whole working life in IT and knew it was bogus from the get go. I had 2 of my clients fall for it because they jumped before they talked to me.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
A year or so, while on a gig, I overheard someone telling another that she got a call from Microsoft telling her that she had a virus in her computer and she had to pay to get it removed. I interrupted and told her it was a scam, but she didn't believe me. So I can assume she gave her credit card number and access to her computer to some thief. It's sad that there are people who prey on others like that. All we can do is stay aware, keep on our guard, and suspect anything unsolicited as possibly being someone out to get you.

I don't even do surveys on the phone. If I didn't ask them to call, I politely tell them I have a strict unsolicited call policy, ask them to take me off their list, and hang up.

Even if someone saying they are from my bank calling, I treat it like phishing spam, hang up, and dial my bank directly.

Be careful.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,926
One creative individual asked such a caller to please call him on his other line, then gave him the national number for the FBI.


"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Nice!


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,245
L
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
L
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,245

As Notes suggested, I too used to ask for a call back number if they said it was my bank. Recently, it actuall WAS my bank.

The caller first identified himself and my bank name, then said that my Online Banking had been compromised. I of course assumed it was a scam. When I asked for a number to call him back, he said to call the toll free number on the back of my credit card.

So I did.
After much "passing the buck" on their end, I finally got to the department he had called from, and sure enough it was legitimate, and we got it straightened out.

Along the way, I learned something I'd like to pass on.

When I talked to the "security department" of the bank, the first think they asked me was, if I had given the caller any information. I replied "no".

The second thing he asked was, do you have your Online Banking sign-in page set up as one of your favorites? I replied "yes". He told me to take it off of favorites immediately, and always use the (bankname).com to get to their site, then navigate to the sign-in screen.

Could just be my bank, but I'm warning people that they may want to take the same step and delete it from their favoites list.

LLOYD S

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Only have urls in your favorites that are not a part of your communication coordinates.

Bank information is the same as your address or your telephone number. It is personal and it can be expensive if someone messes with it. I don't have anything where money is involved in my favorites. I never use given links when money could be involved, except those sent to me to complete a registration. Sometimes my antivirus software should watch over me. :-)

In all important cases I always enter the url myself, most times even a url that needs me to click myself through the site. Like for banking I don't go to the online.bank.com or banking.institute.com. I use www.bank.com or www.institute.com and check the fed back url for correct spelling.


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
A security expert recently stated "If you have a a cell phone; credit card; bank account; social media account; gas card; military ID; etc, your privacy is already compromised!

Two experts appeared on TED. I'll find the link and post it here.

Scary!

Off-Topic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,492
The problem ist that privacy is compromised, but that other people try to access my assets without my permisson...

I know you have a facebook account, Don. But let's suppose you haven't. Facebook would have a lot of information about you, because other people mention you. They know your likes and dislikes, they assume some by who you know, sometimes wrong but mostly awfully close to right. Privacy, as I knew it many moons ago, is long gone. (I sometimes taint their statistics by liking odd and not predictable stuff.)

But I still fight that other people have access to my accounts, whereever they are.

I hope your day is a sunny as mine.
Guido


Desktop; i7-2600k, 8 GB mem., Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Laptop: i5-2410M, 4 GB mem, Win 10 Pro, BIAB 2017; RB 2017 - latest build
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,385
Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and dozens of others collect your data and put it up for sale. If it's free, you aren't the customer, you are the product.

Take those quizzes on Facebook or other on-line sites? You know the kind, what kind of dog breed are you, what city should you live in, what's your blues name, and so on. Your answers go into your dossier.

What sites do you click on? The trackers know and that info goes into your file.

Filled in your Facebook or other profile? They know your birth date, where you were born, where you went to school, your likes, your dislikes and so on.

Anybody can buy that information.

I use Etymotic Music Pro active ear filters. They use a hearing aid battery to power them.

I did a google search for hearing aid batteries to find out where I could get them for less money (found cases on Amazon that go for about .22 per battery).

For months I got online ads and SPAM for hearing aids, loud alarm clocks, deaf/hard of hearing charities, flashing lights hooked to the doorbell, TV ears, and other products for hearing impaired people. It was a flood. I don't use google anymore but instead Duck Duck Go, Start Page or IXQuick. I also installed anti-tracking and other privacy add-ons.

So after I got sick of the deaf products, I decided that I must search for other things to dilute the flood. What should I pick? Bikinis? (I like looking at pretty women but wouldn't want my wife getting hunks in her in-box so I nixed that one - do unto others - especially the love of my life). I decided on Guitars, Saxophones, Microphones, music books, and the guitars and recording gear went well, but the saxophones didn't.

Everything you do on-line is for sale. So the Phisher can call you on the phone, he/she knows your name, knows your address, knows your mother's maiden name, knows where you went to high school, knows what kind of computer you are using, and can convince you that you have a virus on your computer that gave him/her that information and if you just give him your credit card number, for a reasonable fee he/she can get that virus off of your computer. Or he/she can say he/she is from the IRS and you need to wire transfer your back taxes or the FBI will be at your door tomorrow.

If it's unsolicited, it's possibly a scam. We live in that kind of age -- sadly.

Insights and incites by Notes

Last edited by Notes Norton; 06/12/15 05:03 AM.

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,276
Notes, I chuckled at your bikini statement. I have the most secure computer in our house. Note other computers in the house have the same anti-stuff on them but I know mine is always up to date, thus all purchasing goes though my computer.

That would not be so bad if I only ordered things for me but I also order things for my wife, my wife's shut-in friend, and my daughter. You should see the number of spam emails for female panties, swimsuits, bras, anti-wrinkle cream, etc that I get! I'm sure a number of places think that I am one hell of a cross dresser!


I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor.
It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!


64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Off-Topic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
In trying to find that Internet Security link that I mentioned yesterday, I became mesmerized by experts on TED on YouTube.

In short: There is no such thing as privacy today.

If you want to brought up to speed, search "internet security" on YT. Be prepared for a shocking scare.

I wrote, about a year ago, about cyber thieves that can scan your credit cards at a distance without ever touching you, your cards, or your wallet.

Off-Topic
E
eddie1261
Unregistered
eddie1261
Unregistered
E
Yeah Notes, your probably want to stay away from the Viagra ads as well....

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,392
Posts778,625
Members39,644
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
daveg68, snares33, The Jam Shop, Hyke, bestbushcraft
39,644 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 135
WaoBand 116
DC Ron 111
rsdean 83
dcuny 82
Today's Birthdays
rockin
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5