Validate windows?

[Effem]

I have a message when I boot up the PC which says due to changed configurations of my computer, windows needs to be validated within 3 days. Click on the "validate now" button asks to download a file ending in ".hta" which according to the message panel is from an unidentified source.

The website is making all the right superficial noises in layout but a Microsoft download should be identified as having a valid certificate?

Are my instincts right on this one?

[Audioman]

Read this. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/help/genuine/what-is-validation?os=win7

Have you reinstalled windows recently on new hardware ?

[Effem]

Read this. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/help/genuine/what-is-validation?os=win7

Have you reinstalled windows recently on new hardware ?

Nope, no hardware changes at all, or changes to windows xp either.

I suspect it's microsoft's way of getting you to buy an updated o/s from them now April is looming

[Audioman]

I've never had this happen but since you are using XP it's probably linked to the fact support is about to end (8/4/14).

Paul.

[nat8808]

I've never had this happen but since you are using XP it's probably linked to the fact support is about to end (8/4/14).

Paul.

Which is exactly the logic that a scammer would be taking advantage of.. Would seem a very good time to target lots of old XP users (who may well be people who are not to so tech savvy as to have an up-to-date O/S...

I still use XP by the way.. but XP users could well be a demographic with many more IT illiterate users than more modern operating systems in that they are people who haven't updated their computer in a long while and so a good target group in combination with the looming lack of support.

Why would Microsoft want to validate windows if they're dropping XP in a month anyway?

I'd run Malwarebytes and see what it says (install it first for free if you don't already have it). https://www.malwarebytes.org/ Then do a bit of googling around the issue.

[Audioman]

This is the genuine XP validation link

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/help/genuine/what-is-validation?os=winxp

If the link Frank was given does not tally then it is a scam. Does sound like some sort of Malware though which should have been picked up by any up to date Antivirus program.

Paul.

[YNWaN]

I run XP and have not had this - sounds like a bit of malware to me.

A .hta file is an html application and will probably seek to change you Internet browser home page and create a bunch of new favourites - this is quite common.

[Effem]

I have run the Malwarebytes scanner and nothing untoward shows up.

It's more than a coincidence that after 8 years of owning the same PC with the same hardware that Microsoft only NOW deems to check if my copy of XP is genuine or not. XP has been so reliable I don't where the original disc and COA is, so I might have to put up with yet another daily annoying interruption from these clowns :steam:

[Effem]

I did a web search and found pages and pages of how to get rid of this annoying interruption.

You can either faff about using the CMD and REGEDIT tools or you can download a killer programme to do it for you.

[YNWaN]

Perhaps if you changed the mains cable...

[Effem]

You can either faff about using the CMD and REGEDIT tools or you can download a killer programme to do it for you.

Which doesn't get rid of it :steam:

[nat8808]

I have run the Malwarebytes scanner and nothing untoward shows up.

It's more than a coincidence that after 8 years of owning the same PC with the same hardware that Microsoft only NOW deems to check if my copy of XP is genuine or not. XP has been so reliable I don't where the original disc and COA is, so I might have to put up with yet another daily annoying interruption from these clowns :steam:

XP is pretty good in reliability stakes.

You could do what I did, seeing as I hold the license I feel (especially as they are discontinuing support and you can't buy XP any more) I'm justified in downloading someone's tweeked version with some unnessary bits cut out etc. Works well, nothing untoward and I've never been asked for validation (well, I ALWAYS opt for off-line validation anyway so that I'm never hassled electronically).

[Reffc]

Try Superantispyware. It has a stubborn file removal tool and will remove hard to rid malware usch as SavingsBull and Level Quality Watcher. You still may have to search for file extensions relating to the malware using Regedit but the Superwhatsit will aggressively delete these files. It's free by the way. Don't automatically assume that your current (or any for that matter) anti-malware programmes can all detect everything or remove them. I use several and do sweeps every other day. This one should be set up not to take over real time monitoring but used as an on-demand spyware detection tool.

This is a very useful guide: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/level-quality-watcher-removal/