Microsoft terminates scammer partnership

Microsoft has terminated its relationship with one of the members of its partner network after allegations that the party in question was using Microsoft’s name to scare users to hand over credit card details and gain access to their computers.

Graham Cluley wrote on Sophos’ Naked Security blog that India-based Comantra cold-called users in the UK, Australia and Canada under the guise of being a Microsoft representative, claiming that a customer’s computer was infected by viruses. The company did have Gold status as a member of the Microsoft Partner Network, but the status does not convey any ability to act on Microsoft’s behalf — via redwolf.newsvine.com