Online Scam - warning!

[veggiechicken]

My computer was "taken over" this afternoon by a scam message.
The screen froze but there was a dropdown box saying that Microsoft had detected that my computer was infected by a virus that could access passwords and creditcard details. There was also a voice message that said that if I didn't ring the MS Toll free number my computer would be shut down to stop it affecting MS software (or summat like that).

It was quite scary as I couldn't leave the page so had to force the computer to shut down. When it restarted, the same message was there.

I opened Task manager and stopped Chrome working, then did a System Restore which has solved it.

Apparently this is a similar scam to the ones where they ring you and say you have a problem which they will talk you through (but take over your computer and charge you for the privilege).

Now that I know its a scam I won't be so alarmed if it happens again. I'm changing my passwords though, just in case!

For the record, I was going into FB when it happened. Don't know whether its connected.

[mothhawk]

Thanks for the heads up, VC. First sign of trouble I always yank out the modem lead, so nothing gets out (or in), then I can panic at leisure

[veggiechicken]

Good thinking, MH. Wish I was that smart

[Nicos]

Thanks for the warning!

[Thelma Sanders]

Thanks for the heads up, VC. First sign of trouble I always yank out the modem lead, so nothing gets out (or in), then I can panic at leisure

difficult when you're wifi

[veggiechicken]

I'm wi-fi too but I could have turned the modem off - its only a room away

[Thelma Sanders]

How quick can you run, then?

By the time I got to mine it could have downloaded anything

[veggiechicken]

I'm fast, really fast, but negotiating 4 sleeping dogs might have slowed me down a tad

[Cadalot]

I had the same yesterday, I turned off the computer as you tried again and it was there again. I tried Chrome as an alternative browser and found out it was a scam, then used CCleaner to clear all the dross and cookies, followed my a reboot and a virus scan which some 11 hours later confirmed an all clear.

So if you don't have it I recommend the free version of CCleaner - I use it on a regular basis to clear dross in the browser so maintain a reasonable speed anyway

[Bigmallly]

difficult when you're wifi

Just click on the wifi icon on your taskbar & disconnect it from your pc, laptop tablet etc.

[piskieinboots]

Just click on the wifi icon on your taskbar & disconnect it from your pc, laptop tablet etc.

^^this^^

Thanks for the heads-up VC

[DannyK]

This free program gets good reviews for removing malware, which the anti-virus program misses

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

Never had anything on screen yet but have lost count of alleged Microsoft and Talktalk phone calls.

[Losos]

For the record, I was going into FB when it happened. Don't know whether its connected.

Yes, definately connected. I don't know why people still use this antiquated and virus infected piece of software. Keep away is the best policy