smudge ★ Posted November 30, 2020 Share #1 Posted November 30, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted November 30, 2020 Share #2 Posted November 30, 2020 Kinda https://www.pcrisk.com/removal-guides/11794-critical-alert-from-microsoft-scam#:~:text=What is CRITICAL ALERT FROM,usually infiltrate systems without consent. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted November 30, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted November 30, 2020 So I have to uninstall it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted November 30, 2020 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2020 Looks like it. Restart her computer in safe mode. Uninstall suspicious applications and delete temporary files. They want your Mom to call so they can “fix” the problem with her credit card number etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted November 30, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted November 30, 2020 Ok, so F8? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted December 1, 2020 Thanks guys. I figured that's what it was. She said she'll have my sister fix it. Uh, ok. Thanks again. I appreciate your help. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted December 1, 2020 Share #7 Posted December 1, 2020 Usually rebooting clears that up enough to clear the rest with a malware scan. Windows 10 is secure enough you have to give them permission to do the major hacking. Still annoying but not as bad as it could be. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted December 1, 2020 Share #8 Posted December 1, 2020 I love how the people here can be helpful when really needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted December 1, 2020 7 minutes ago, Kirby said: I love how the people here can be helpful when really needed. Exactly why I came here first. ❤️ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #10 Posted December 1, 2020 If the reboot doesn't fix it, use System Restore to go back to a restore point before all this happened. Go to System Properties, System Protection tab, System Restore button. It might take a few minutes to run. Press on Next button. Hopefully there is a restore point created before the problem started. You may have to click on the "Show More Restore Points" checkbox. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted December 1, 2020 I guess my sister just restarted it, and it's fine. ?? My mom probably clicked on something she wasn't supposed to. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #12 Posted December 1, 2020 7 minutes ago, smudge said: I guess my sister just restarted it, and it's fine. ?? My mom probably clicked on something she wasn't supposed to. Great. However I recommend that she does a backup of at least all her filed in the Documents, Pictures, and Video folders to an external drive, thumb drive, or even CD/DVDs. Always a good idea. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted December 1, 2020 Especially when you're 78 and just click on anything and everything. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikeguy Posted December 1, 2020 Share #14 Posted December 1, 2020 55 minutes ago, smudge said: I guess my sister just restarted it, and it's fine. It could be (or not) be OK. 2 hours ago, groupw said: Usually rebooting clears that up enough to clear the rest with a malware scan. I'd still do a scan for malware. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted December 1, 2020 Share #15 Posted December 1, 2020 13 minutes ago, Bikeguy said: It could be (or not) be OK. I'd still do a scan for malware. I always do the scan. The reboot will often disable the pop up so your scan works better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikeguy Posted December 1, 2020 Share #16 Posted December 1, 2020 @smudge This is good advice... 4 minutes ago, groupw said: I always do the scan. Maybe the computer is OK.. but there is the chance some malware is still alive and well. Worse case... it could be encrypting the files for ransomware. Probably not... just probably they just want a credit card number. The link that @Square Wheels provided recommended using Malwarebytes for the scan and that should find any issues. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheep_herder ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #17 Posted December 1, 2020 1 hour ago, smudge said: Especially when you're 78 and just click on anything and everything. Now!Now! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #18 Posted December 1, 2020 Malwarebyts and Bleeping Computer are awesome. Scammers suck. Good advice given her. I would run a scan for sure and make sure the the machine is set up to do regular restore points. https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-restore-windows-10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdc2000 Posted December 1, 2020 Share #19 Posted December 1, 2020 It is also possible that the message was from a third-party advertising server used by a legitimate web site. Most web sites use them, and ALL of them host malware (malvertising) periodically. When I get those, I reboot, scan for malware, and then use the legitimate web site's Contact Us link (if they have one) to report the malvertising. The site probably won't do anything about it, but you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted December 1, 2020 6 hours ago, sheep_herder said: Now!Now! Sorry, but this ain't the first time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #21 Posted December 1, 2020 I mentioned Malwarebytes to my mom. Told her I have it. I doubt they'll use it. Sometimes only so much we can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #22 Posted December 1, 2020 5 minutes ago, smudge said: I mentioned Malwarebytes to my mom. Told her I have it. I doubt they'll use it. Sometimes only so much we can do. I got taared of malwarebytes always wanting to update so it i’ snot on my latest computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share #23 Posted December 1, 2020 Hmm, I don't have that issue. Irs AVG that drives me nuts. Is it redundant to have both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted December 1, 2020 Share #24 Posted December 1, 2020 36 minutes ago, smudge said: I mentioned Malwarebytes to my mom. Told her I have it. I doubt they'll use it. Sometimes only so much we can do. I use the Windows Security suite. I also use Windows Defender Browser protection. It's free and it all runs within Windows. Maybe you could sneak into their home and enable security features. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 1, 2020 Share #25 Posted December 1, 2020 27 minutes ago, smudge said: Hmm, I don't have that issue. Irs AVG that drives me nuts. Is it redundant to have both? No, I don't think so - AVG is for regular viruses and malwarebytes is for spyware, adware, etc. Yeah, I never liked AVG or Avast! I lost two XP SP2 computers when those were supposedly on the job. Of course XP SP2 was infamously vulnerable to attack. I like plain old MS Security Essentials, or I guess now it is called Windows Defender. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikeguy Posted December 1, 2020 Share #26 Posted December 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Philander Seabury said: I got taared of malwarebytes always wanting to update so it i’ snot on my latest computer. 2 hours ago, Philander Seabury said: Hmm, I don't have that issue. Irs AVG that drives me nuts. Is it redundant to have both? I use Norton 360 (and Lifelock). And if needed I download Malwarebytes. I used to keep Malwarebytes installed and ready to go, but not any more. I also have a Windows 10 recovery boot disk (or USB can't remember) for each computer. I thought is was redundant to have both N360 and Malwarebytes installed. But that's me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted December 1, 2020 Share #27 Posted December 1, 2020 There was a time when AVG was the one to have, but I haven't been a fan for a few years. Norton got good again, but I like their basic antivirus. The 360 can be a pain in a small network. Since Windows 10, I have just been using Defender and run scans with ADWCleaner and Malwarebytes as needed. I usually uninstall Malwarebytes when done because there will be a new version to install before I scan again. ADWCleaner used to be under a different name until Malwarebytes bought it and made a more user friendly interface. It's smaller and much quicker at scanning than Malwarebytes, but it is effective. I will usually scan with it first. If it has more than a couple hits, I will then scan with Malwarebytes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now