Scammers are getting smarter all the time in this digital world. They use a wide range of tricks to get people to give them private information or download harmful software. Using the Windows Event Viewer is a less well-known but very effective way to do it. This program can help you fix a number of system problems, but hackers are also using it to trick people. Learning how they do what they do can help you stay safe and avoid falling for these scams.
What is the Event Viewer?
You can see logs about problems with software, hardware, and the system itself with the Event Viewer, which is part of Microsoft Windows. Users with a lot of power need this tool to find issues and keep the system in good shape. But for people who aren't used to it, it can look scary because it saves almost everything, even system messages and small mistakes.
How Scammers Exploit Event Viewer
Scammers take advantage of this by telling their victims that harmless entries in the Event Viewer are actually warnings of a major security breach or a system failure that is about to happen. This is how the scam usually works:
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Initial Contact: A person calling you out of the blue might say they are tech help from a well-known company like Microsoft or an internet service provider. Scammers often sound very useful and use technical terms in these calls, which makes them very believable.
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Creating Panic: The fake tech support person will tell you to open the Event Viewer and make a list of all the mistakes and warnings it shows. They use the fact that your computer is giving you warnings as "proof" that it has been hacked or isn't working right.
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Pushing for a Solution: They will try to sell you expensive software, support services you don't need, or direct access to your device to "fix" the problems once they've made you believe there is a major problem.
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Gaining Access and Information: As part of a ransomware attack, hackers can install software, steal personal information, or lock you out of your own system if they are able to get remote access.
Tips to Protect Yourself
Here are some important tips that will help you spot these scams and stay away from them:
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Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls: Companies that aren't scams, especially big tech companies like Microsoft, won't call you out of the blue to offer to help you fix your computer.
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Know What’s Normal: You should learn what the Event Viewer is and the types of messages it usually shows.
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Never Give Remote Access: Do not give anyone direct access to your computer unless you are sure they can be trusted and have already talked to them.
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Verify Caller’s Identity: If you get a call that seems fishy, hang up and call the company directly at a number you can find on their website.
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Use Reliable Security Software: Use antivirus and anti-malware software from a trusted company to keep your machine safe.
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Educate Others: Tell your family and friends about this. Being aware is one of the best ways to avoid falling for scams.
Smart con artists are always thinking of new ways to take advantage of technology and people's weak points. It is much less likely that someone will try to hack you if you know their tricks, like how they use the Event Viewer wrong, and follow the best practices for digital security. Always be wary of getting help from experts that you didn't ask for, and always check information on your own. Always remember that learning a few hacking tricks can help you protect yourself and your online life.