Complete company profile · 50 years · Wikipedia · detailed contacts & scam prevention
Microsoft.comMicrosoft Corporation (Wikipedia) – Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company moved to Bellevue, Washington, in 1979, and then to Redmond in 1986. Microsoft's first major product was Altair BASIC. In 1985, Windows 1.0 launched, followed by Office suite in 1990. Today, Microsoft is a leader in operating systems (Windows), cloud computing (Azure), productivity software (Microsoft 365), gaming (Xbox, Activision Blizzard), and professional networking (LinkedIn). CEO Satya Nadella has been at the helm since 2014. FY2024 revenue reached $245 billion, with operating income $109 billion. The company acquired GitHub in 2018, and completed the Activision Blizzard acquisition in 2023 for $68.7 billion. As of 2025, Microsoft is one of the most valuable publicly traded companies. (Sources: Wikipedia, annual reports, March 2025).
Wikipedia (Microsoft) Microsoft NewsImpersonation of Microsoft is the most common tech support scam worldwide. According to the FTC 2024 report, consumers lost over $650 million to scams misusing Microsoft, Windows, or Xbox brands. Below: detailed breakdown of each scam type and Microsoft’s official step-by-step protection.
How it works: Scammers spoof Microsoft’s phone number. They claim your computer has sent error reports or is infected with viruses. They instruct you to install remote desktop software (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or QuickAssist). Once connected, they show fake diagnostic tools and demand $300–$1200 via gift cards (iTunes, Amazon) or wire transfer. They may also install malware.
✅ Microsoft never makes unsolicited calls
Techniques: Emails with urgent subject: "Unusual sign-in", "Your subscription expired", "Invoice attached". Sender addresses may look like `support@microsoft-co.net` or `billing@outlook.com`. Links lead to fake Microsoft login pages (harvest credentials) or malware downloads. Some use AiTM (adversary-in-the-middle) to bypass MFA. Microsoft will never ask for your password via email.
Browser-based: While surfing, a full-screen alert appears: "Windows Security – critical threat. Call toll-free 1-888-XXX-XXXX". The page freezes and uses scare tactics. Real Microsoft errors never include a phone number. These pop-ups often use the official Windows logo but are fraudulent.
You receive an email claiming you won the "Microsoft Lottery" (you didn't enter) or that you're owed a refund for overpaid software. They ask you to pay a "processing fee" or share bank details. Microsoft does not operate lotteries and never sends unsolicited refunds.
Scammers buy Google/Bing ads for "Microsoft support number". When you search, you see a promoted link with a toll-free number. That number connects to a fraudulent call center. Always use official support links: support.microsoft.com.
Scam awareness tip: Real Windows error messages never show a phone number. If you see a number in a BSOD or pop-up, it is 100% fake. Restart and run Windows Security.
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, WA · since 1975