Rule 4: Microsoft will never call you (or anyone else)

I get this scam question often. It goes like this, Thom, "Micosoft ( or insert random company) called me and told me my computer was infected.......". You can imagine the rest. Rest assure, there is not an IT professional or company on the planet that cold calls you offering to help you for "free or a small fee". There is no more aggravating thing an IT person has to do than try and fix a computer over the phone. If you get a call, hang up. The encounter will always end up in a request for your credit/debit card.....always.