Microsoft Install scam: "office.com/setup"

This problem has been discussed widely but there's a new twist.


I just purchased a new M1 Airbook. Because I was upgrading from an old MacBook Pro, I needed to purchase Office Home&Student. "1PC/Mac"


Everything was purchased from Apple itself. Migration went easy - Migration Assistant to move all the files.


"Office" comes in a box containing only a plastic card with installation stuff written on it.


This card explicitly says to go to:


office.com/setup


Doing this puts you on the scam website. Let me restate my fundamental problem: Doing EXACTLY what the plastic installation card says to do puts you on a scam website.


I believe Microsoft and Apple need to highlight somewhere that users will get scammed. Change the plastic card - stick a label on the Microsoft box - put out a big warning. Something!


The scam website has misspellings and grammar problems. But, hey, I was just lucky to spot them.


"tkortens" has my thanks for earlier this year talking about the scam website. He didn't explicitly say (I don't think) that the plastic installation card has the faulty instructions. Use the more safe: https:://www.office.com/setup



Might also be helpful to state that you have to first UN-install any older versions of Microsoft Office.

--jim


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Oct 29, 2022 1:48 PM

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10 replies

Oct 29, 2022 7:38 PM in response to John Galt

Just tried it again and there's no scam. Trust me - there was before.


My wife also tried setting the URL on her computer and got a different problem site. I suppose it's possible the problem went away as the scammers changed things.


It's entirely possible there's a problem on my computer. Although it's brand new out of the box from Apple, all the old files from my old computer were loaded.


Thanks,

--jim


Oct 30, 2022 12:29 PM in response to jim_hahn

First one is what you initially get coming up. Looks reasonable, right?


Compare it to the image I posted and draw your own conclusion.


Consider the possibility your wireless router has had its firmware maliciously altered. Otherwise, your ISP may be a victim of DNS Server poisoning, or you or your wife inadvertently installed malware at some point.


The last possibility is the most common cause of the browser redirect you appear to be experiencing. At your option consider running EtreCheck. How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report - Apple Community contains a download link and instructions for its use.

Oct 30, 2022 11:51 AM in response to Owl-53

I guess this is going to turn into a dead issue pretty soon.


1) I used the "https" and perhaps it should have been "http" instead. One way or the other I was directed to the correct Microsoft site.


2) Just tried it again (only "office.com/setup") and all is well from both Safari and Chrome.


3) Went to my wife's 2 year old Mac Air. Entered "office.com/setup" and got a bogus, scam site. Not same as the one I originally got a day or so ago. Two screen shots below.


First one is what you initially get coming up. Looks reasonable, right?




Note 2 typos in second screen:






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Microsoft Install scam: "office.com/setup"

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