Quote:
Originally Posted by mtdjed
Was searching for an Appliance user instruction online when computer locked up and announced that it was infected with a virus and warned that I should call such and such a number. Warning stated that I should not turn off the computer and all indications were that I lost all access to control of the computer screen ie could not access settings power off.
I used the computer external shutoff which worked. Restarted and no further issues that I know of. Current security systems show no infections.
What is happening? Is this simply a way to get you to call and give someone control or extort money?
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That's called ransomware. You caught it in time. I recommend you get ccleaner (the free version), malwarebytes (the free version), and make sure your computer security suite (windows defender or whatever software you've chosen such as Norton, for example), especially virus definitions, is up to date. If you have Windows Defender make sure it is operating every moment that your computer is turned on, and updates itself automatically.
Run ccleaner, then run malwarebytes. You do -not- need to keep either of them running all the time, but if you choose not to, definitely run them once a month.