I have done everything suggested on this thread.

Thanks.

They used a Will Rogers quote about bull to get in I believe as that is what I was clicking on when that very loud irritating message came on. I did turn it off to stop the noise but must have not waited long enough as it was there when I turned it back on.

A big reason why I made the switch to Apple years ago. Yes, they cost much more than a $300 window machine. However, Apple does not pack it full of all that crapware that you get on a Windows machine, then the proprietary laptop manufacturer's crapware on top of Microsofts, plus 95% of the world's bugs, viruses, pop-ups, and hack attempts. Don't get me started on the long delays booting up or that blue screen of death or the freeze-out message "Don't touch your computer while Microsoft is updating Update 2 of 20."

Once you get used to navigating around on an Apple, you will never go back. So much less hassle, so much more pleasure using it. Smooth seamless updates, restores, backups, cloud storage, etc.

Nope, don't miss those windows based craptops and desktops one bit. Yes, they cost quite a bit more. Yes, they last me between 3 and 8 years (usually the battery is my issue) each which is much longer than a disposable windows machine. Yes, they are much more pleasant to use with far less hassle.

NO
 

unplug and take to Jacob's Computers of Wildwood do NOTHING with it - you cannot trust anything there

PS this is why you backup your pc now and then get syncbackfree

Sound advice!
 

[QUOTE=Dusty_Star;2295753]

I would suggest that you bring your computer to Geek Squad or MMD in Lady Lake.

I have changed important passwords and run a lot of safety measures. It should be OK but I will watch stuff very carefully.

I did not give them anything. My computer was frozen if I am remember correctly and I was very suspicious about the person who answered when I called the number.

They said they would notify the bank and police but I never told them which bank nor which police station.

The guy claimed someone had hacked my computer and was using my name to do criminal things.

They hung up eventually.

It still really makes me mad.

To be safe
 

You should pull your credit report for peace of mind.:bowdown:

“ I did not give them anything. My computer was frozen if I am remember correctly and I was very suspicious about the person who answered when I called the number.

They said they would notify the bank and police but I never told them which bank nor which police station.”

Sorry to say this, but they probably have all of this info now because they told you to run a program that ran for 15 minutes.
I have always been an Apple computer user since the 70’s, used Linux at work since 2000. I used to hire people that did Windows and they spent 1 weekend a month applying security patches to their windows servers and windows still get 99% of all the hacks.
Get LifeLock so it will alert you when any strange activity occurs in your bank accounts or brokerage accounts.

[QUOTE=Taltarzac725;2295497]I will check the number I called to see if it was legit.[/QUOTE
I can tell you it wasn’t legit. They probably tried to hack into your computer and might have managed it. Why would you call a phone number not knowing what it is???]

One step to help thwart any hack is to NEVER save a financial account nor a password in the browser for autofill, no credit card numbers, etc. That is for what the hackers are trying to extract from your computer. Have a file not in a windows office file name, with account and passwords, and copy and paste both from there every time.

I have all mine saved in a text file with a programming language file extension of a very rarely used software. most would not recognize the file extension and its a text file.

Also use in private or other incognito browser sessions to eliminate the use of cookies and other saved information feature for financial web site use. .

good luck. .

That was absolutely a scam. NEVER call the number they give you. Just shut off the computer. It won't hurt anything. I repeat -NEVER CALL THE # THEY GIVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

control Alt delete together will delete those annoying messages. I had that also , along with a loud message that I could not turn off, shutting off the computer DID NOT work. scared the cr-p out of me! Control Alt Delete...remember that!, my computer guy told me this simple trick

HOLY WOW! most you guys are cyber security nightmares!!! nothing like making it super easy for the hackers, keep up the awesome work.

VIRUS! Take it to a computer store to have it fixed!

Known scammers tactic trying to get you to Click or call and give them control access to your computer. Best to clear history shut computer off disconnect internet connection wait while for hard drive to spin down. And reboot. Windows full of back ground scammer site’s with catchy phrases get you to click on them.

Do Alt-Ctrl-Del then sign out then restart

If I should change to Firefox, will it carry over all my bookmarks and stored passwords? Of course I don't store finacial, etc passwords on my computer.

not sure, but don't save the account numbers either, not just passwords. . account numbers login screen names should NEVER appear automatically.

That's what I did. My previous computer was old and useless just like I am becoming.

We had a Telikin which I still use on occasion when it works. It worked really well for my Dad except for the camera which could only get the top of his head unless he was standing up and way back.

Hard to have a COVID Dr. visit -- over the Internet only-- when the physician could only see my Dad's forehead and above.

Telikin : Simple, Easy to Use Touchscreen Computers for Seniors

To the Op, if you clicked any links, or anything on your screen or followed any instructions by the person on the phone, I would lock your credit. You can do this through Experian or some other credit agencies. If they gained access to your computer they could have your payment info and personal info. They may try to open credit accounts with that info. It's not enough to get your computer checked out. Watch your accounts carefully.

I will. Thanks.

I did not follow any instructions by the man who answered the number. He did not give any. He did have me on hold for 5 minutes which he said he was going to do. Then came on and said I had been hacked by someone in Beijing and that this person was doing illegal stuff using my name. He said they would contact the police and the bank but I never gave him any information except that the bank was close and so were the police. Then he must have hung up. I gave them my name and spelled it.

I then ran a scrub using Windows. And then also used a 15 minute more extensive cleansing. And then put some other stuff on computer.

I did want to document this though. That is why I put it on Talk of the Villages as well as to keep it happening to others on Talk of the Villages.

Did you allow access to your computer? If you did take hammer to it. :crap2: windows security about as go as sifter holding water.

There is not much on my computer in my name. I am on Talk of the Villages obviously and on some places like Facebook.

We will see. I will keep on close watch on things. I often have to change passwords.

"That guy that you spoke with is most likely a scammer in an office in India. Do not contact or click on any link.

I will not again.

I am new to Windows. At least since 2011 or so. We did have Windows before that.