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Forum Discussion
mlefmann
Jul 19, 2019Follower
softtree scam
I just spent 45 minutes with a "tech" person trying to set up my extender as I have a new U-verse network. This person was IN my computer. I followed a netgear.com link. He goes through all these com...
Alse12
Mar 26, 2020Aspirant
Did you find out if there was s pyware or malware installed?
I am in the same boat :-(
Inter-Barb
Mar 26, 2020Guide
I did not have the local computer technician check for spyware because I had already spent so much money, so I went for the quickest and most inexpensive fix. However, I read posts by others that they or their computer repair techs did find back doors on their computers that would allow unauthorized access after SoftTree had been given remote access to their computers. I was also uncomfortable about the amount of time the technician spent with access to my computer. It was a simple problem that should have been fixed in a few minutes, but it took over an hour. I can only imagine what the technician was able to access in that amount of time. I was also very uncomfortable with the fact that the SoftTree technician advised against updating the router's firmware (which would provide the security patch to correct for vulnerabilities). To correct the situation, a reputable, trusted local computer technician saved my files, returned my computer to factory settings, then reloaded my files. He also reset my router and updated the firmware. Everything has been working great since then.
- Alse12Mar 27, 2020AspirantThank you for your detailed reply.
I bought Norton after this and it hasn’t picked up anything. Do you think that should be enough? Feel foolish for going on the online chat for the website and then giving them my mobile number to call on and go through all the remote access thing. Feel absolutely gutted and stupid! How is that website address in the set up manual?
But I did notice that my firewall was off and it had granted access to the any desk user.
When I went on the chat back for the company( the chat has never been,”online” since this happened,may be they blocked something on my computer) their,”supervisor” called me and said they have no one in Ohio which is where I supposedly received the call from( it was a no number).
They said they are based in California( sounded more like India) and have 1-323 numbers
Most computer techs are closed now due to lockdowns.
Really worrying a lot.
Thanks for your help once again- Alse12Mar 27, 2020AspirantAlso wanted to ask that the website mentioned does ask for your internet password to set up the extension; so I guess that’s a huge risk too?