Warning - Computer Scare

[Nell]

I was on my tablet last night when an alarm sounded and my screen switched to a pop-up message that it was infected with the Zeus Virus. An ominous sounding voice told me that my computer had been hacked, that Facebook and credit card information had been compromised and gave me an 800 number to call. The voice said that if I shut down without contacting them, Microsoft would freeze my system. The message was in a continuous loop and repeated over and over and over and over with the fire alarm sound in the background. I called the 800 number on the screen and was told that this was Microsoft Global support. She said that the problem could only be fixed if they had access to my laptop or desktop computer. When I asked "How do I know if you are really Microsoft?" Her response was to repeat that I had reached Microsoft's global support line and they could fix the problem. I told her that I would call her back. Ominous warning voice, loud alarm and scary screen message kept repeating on my tablet during this call.

I hung up, went on my desktop computer to the Microsoft official site and called the help/support number on the screen. It was a different number. The scary computer message, the ominous voice warning me that I'd been hacked - IT WAS ALL A SCAM!!! If I had let them 'help' me, they would have accessed all the information stored on my computer. The real Microsoft Global support told me how to shut off the alarm, blocked the potential hackers and cleared the malware off my tablet. And she suggested that I warn my friends.

If it happens to you, try not to panic and don't let the hackers 'help' you. Microsoft NEVER contacts you directly. When you have a problem, you contact them not the other way around. (In case you're wondering, I DO have anti-virus software.)

Lucky for me, I had attended a cyber security seminar two weeks ago where FBI agents talked to us about some of the tactics that hackers use. They didn't mention this one but it made me hyper-alert and wary. Unlucky for the hackers because I have the email address and cell phone number of two FBI agents.

All I really planned to do last night was finish reading my mystery. :-/

[jaxnsmom]

Over the past few years my computer's been taken hostage by the FBI, ICE, and Homeland Security for downloading unlicensed music, pornography and I can't remember what else. All with the message that I could get my computer back if I paid $200. I ended up having to have the computer wiped clean and had to start over each time.

I'm pretty careful and don't know how I got attacked, but all it takes is one wrong click of a key...

[☯Emily]

Nell, instead of reading a mystery, you solved one! Great work.

[Nell]

☯Emily has Yuge protest on Saturday wrote: "Nell, instead of reading a mystery, you solved one! Great work."

LOL!! I didn't think of it that way. :-D

Another reason to be a mystery reader! You just helped me justify the five new mysteries I bought in the last couple of days.

[Mary]

Nell wrote: "I was on my tablet last night when an alarm sounded and my screen switched to a pop-up message that it was infected with the Zeus Virus. An ominous sounding voice told me that my computer had been ..."

I was not so lucky! i dialed the number and they got huffy with me and I finally hung up on them! But they did have access to my computer for a little while. I have not had any problems yet. I am watching very carefully though.

Mary

[Marisa]

Never, never, click a link, dial a phone, nothing! If it's a company/official service you know, look for an official phone. And links? No way.

[Barb, Co-Moderator Challenge Expert]

I got a robocall a couple of weeks ago telling me that my Microsoft key registry was about to expire, that if I wanted to keep using my MS products, I needed to call them immediately and they'd "help" extend the registration. Ummm... yeah, sure, right! To my knowledge, those product key things never expire. Needless to say, I did NOT call for their "help," immediately or otherwise :)

[MadameZelda]

Lately I have been getting calls on my cellphone with an "unknown" umber. Before I could block the phone numbers. Now they don't have a listed number!

[Nell]

Mary wrote: "Nell wrote: "I was on my tablet last night when an alarm sounded and my screen switched to a pop-up message that it was infected with the Zeus Virus. An ominous sounding voice told me that my compu..."

Mary - The hackers may try to open accounts in your name so watch out for that too. Also if you use any credit cards online, ask your bank to reissue them.
eta - You can ask for a copy of your credit report to see if anything you didn't authorize is going on like new credit accounts using your name. That way you can find out before a huge bill shows up.

Marisa - Looking up the official number and calling it is what worked for me. I delete links unless I know for sure who they came from and I check the real email address on messages, not just the name that appears.

At the cybersecurity seminar, the FBI agents said that as soon as they shut down one scam another has already started. No need to rob a bank, thieves can steal from anywhere.

[Mary]

Now you have me worried! I am going to change all my passwords on everything. I did the other day after the phone call, but I think I will change them again.

I will be busy the rest of the day. No reading for me today! Thanks everyone!

Mary

[Rebecca]

Nell wrote: "I was on my tablet last night when an alarm sounded and my screen switched to a pop-up message that it was infected with the Zeus Virus. An ominous sounding voice told me that my computer had been ..."

Nell wrote: "I was on my tablet last night when an alarm sounded and my screen switched to a pop-up message that it was infected with the Zeus Virus. An ominous sounding voice told me that my computer had been ..."
THis happened to me a few weeks ago also. Around 10:00 p.m. I got a phone call supposedly from MIcrosoft saying there was a problem with my computer and they could fix it if I granted them access. I shut my computer down and called my computer expert the next day. He said never would Microsoft call you and tell you that your computer has a problem, that it was a scam.

[Mary]

☯Emily has Yuge protest on Saturday wrote: "Nell, instead of reading a mystery, you solved one! Great work."
I had to go back to Dell and spend all day Saturday fixing my Computer back to the original programs. I finally got finished with it last night at about 8PM when the tech finally told me the PC was back and able to run properly. I did not think it was possible! But I am using it now and it is great.

Mary

[Nell]

Mary wrote: "I had to go back to Dell and spend all day Saturday fixing my Computer back to the original programs"

That's good news. Now you can relax and read!