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Computer Restricted

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Knotical

Shepherd of the Knotical kid-farm
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Need some computer guru assistance here.

My wife just got a message on our home pc (Windows 10) that advised her to call 844-393-0481 to resolve some sort of error caused by spyware. This smells of a scam, but need to make sure. There is language in the error that states: "Please do not ignore this safely alert. If you close this page before calling us, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network."

Any suggestions?
 
It is a scam, maybe something in the browser. My in-laws even something similar on her ipad mini. Since macs rarely get viruses, we researched it and found it was something in the browsers cookies and cache that automatically popped up each time she used the browser. A simple browser clearing of all data solved the problem. Now for the important part: Such displayed numbers are from PHISHERS trying to get you to fall for something by calling that number to get personal info, passwords or access to your computer.

But from your perspective I would do two things:

1) I'd clear your browser's cache and even temp files. Clean out the computer as such stuff can make this happen.
2) Since you have Microsoft, I'd go one step further and do what people with Macs, Linux, Android, etc don't have to do: scan for malware. Others can get trojans only if they deliberately download something, but with Microsoft it can be either way, ie. malware with or without user intervention. From the tone of your post "whatever" that is seems to be something that surprised your wife which implies to me that if it is malware, it downloaded itself.

Bottom line, it may or may not have a malware component. It is definitely PHISHERS. Be careful.
 
I plan on doing that when I get home. My wife ended up calling the number and was texting me at the same time. She said they wanted to remote in and install some sort of security software to run a scan on the computer. I told her no. She then had them call me. Talked to some "Supervisor" who assured me they would be able to "fix" the problem and that he just needed to remote in. I told him I would just run a scan later and he said I couldn't since my computer was frozen.

That last part was kind of odd, and sort of blew him off. How would he be able to install something on my computer if it is frozen, much less me be able to allow him to remote in?

Got some further insight from some friends on facebook who also identified it as a scam. The tech "supervisor" is supposed to call me tonight. Probably just wont answer and do as you say.

I have a feeling my wife left the computer alone with that popup left on the screen. I will just close the popup and run the scans I need to.

I figured if all else fails I can simply wipe the hard drive and reinstall he OS, though that seems to be an unnecessary solution.
 
Need some computer guru assistance here.

My wife just got a message on our home pc (Windows 10) that advised her to call 844-393-0481 to resolve some sort of error caused by spyware. This smells of a scam, but need to make sure. There is language in the error that states: "Please do not ignore this safely alert. If you close this page before calling us, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network."

Any suggestions?
I use a program called malwarebytes that I pay for; they have a free version which I used for a few years and it worked well just not as automated.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/
 
I have malwarebytes and bitdefender. Between those two I should be able to find most things that might popup. I have also just purchased the bitdefender Box (external firewall, hardware). Once I run the scans I am going to install that on my home network.

Also, apparently I need to educate my family on what not to believe when they see things popup when browsing the interwebs.
 
this is where the phone number goes
pro_l.png
Komatsu Corporation





  • Phone number: 048-844-1121
  • FAX: 048-844-1106
  • homepage

  • btn-print-01_o.png


Processing classification information
icon-special-01.png

Optical component manufacturing (parts manufacturing / mechanical parts)

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Dental supplies (product manufacturing / manufacturing of medical equipment)

icon-special-03.png

NC lathe machining (mass production / machining)

icon-special-04.png

Measurement (assembly / inspection / inspection)

icon-special-05.png

Aluminum alloy (mass production / machining)

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Production of prototypes (prototype development, small-volume production / prototype processing)

icon-special-07.png

Jig tool manufacture (prototype development · small volume production / jig manufacture)

icon-special-08.png

Jig tool manufacture (prototype development · small volume production / jig manufacture)
 
this is where the phone number goes
pro_l.png
Komatsu Corporation





  • Phone number: 048-844-1121
  • FAX: 048-844-1106
  • homepage

  • btn-print-01_o.png

Processing classification information
icon-special-01.png

Optical component manufacturing (parts manufacturing / mechanical parts)

icon-special-02.png

Dental supplies (product manufacturing / manufacturing of medical equipment)

icon-special-03.png

NC lathe machining (mass production / machining)

icon-special-04.png

Measurement (assembly / inspection / inspection)

icon-special-05.png

Aluminum alloy (mass production / machining)

icon-special-06.png

Production of prototypes (prototype development, small-volume production / prototype processing)

icon-special-07.png

Jig tool manufacture (prototype development · small volume production / jig manufacture)

icon-special-08.png

Jig tool manufacture (prototype development · small volume production / jig manufacture)
Something tells me the person who will answer the phone does not do any of those things.......:shock:shock:shock:shock:shock
 
Now, I have to respectfully ask, does your wife need a Microsoft computer? I know that you had experience with other operating systems. If she wants something commercially supported and functional, maybe save up and get her a Mac for your anniversary or something (I realize that Linux being a free OS oftentimes does not have the support or compatible software that everyone else uses despite its excellent track record). Whenever there's computer talk on this forum, it's mostly about Microsoft and yet another issue they are having, whereas other operating systems I see the praises and good things. Windows 10 was supposed to get rid of all that...yeah right. Once a loser always a loser. Take a hint. I hate to see people suffer like this and there's no need to. Make it into a wall ornament and get her something good.
 
https://community.norton.com/en/forums/blockedsystem66

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...think-is/80b4e478-3cbc-4609-a2e3-752968c2218e

It's always a scam. Now the popup is a malware probably. But I'm not expert.

Here's rule number one: Suspect everything on the net. Never call back, never give info to peeps you don't personally know or have complete info on. Never guess.
Rule 2: See rule number one.

Phone rules: Never answer the phone if you don't know who is calling. Never answer an unlisted number or one that blocks the call screening. You owe nothing to anyone. I never answer the phone to be courteous. If they leave a message, I usually ignore that too.

Did you know that the FBI has been looking for me for owning back taxes and I could be arrested? Yep, been looking for me for years. My arrest is imminent according to the message they leave. It's a computer generated voice. A lady. Bad grammar too.
 
Now, I have to respectfully ask, does your wife need a Microsoft computer? I know that you had experience with other operating systems. If she wants something commercially supported and functional, maybe save up and get her a Mac for your anniversary or something (I realize that Linux being a free OS oftentimes does not have the support or compatible software that everyone else uses despite its excellent track record). Whenever there's computer talk on this forum, it's mostly about Microsoft and yet another issue they are having, whereas other operating systems I see the praises and good things. Windows 10 was supposed to get rid of all that...yeah right. Once a loser always a loser. Take a hint. I hate to see people suffer like this and there's no need to. Make it into a wall ornament and get her something good.
I will never buy a mac. Can't stand that company. I have thought about at least doing a dual boot with linux, ubuntu, or one of their flavors, just have never pulled the trigger. Biggest thing holding me back there is my OS hard drive is not very big (128 Gig SSD) and is mostly taken up by Windows and the programs I have installed. I have started installing programs on a separate drive, so the only things really on the main drive are registry files and some local save files.

Let me ask you this, though. We homeschool and quite a bit of the learning my kids to is online with math, reading, and language. Is there a way within linux or ubuntu to restrict sites they are able to get to, or is that something simply handled through a firewall?
 
You can restrict sites with Linux, and I had no problem loading a dual boot (I actually have windows 7 I rarely boot up just to file taxes -- I always boot in Linux mint). It may be a challenge to get the sort of software you want unless you get commercially supported operating systems. Linux has many parallel types that do the same thing, but if you are in a situation where a certain application program is required, you risk whether or not Linux can run it on a windows emulator. I have no experience with WINE and the like because I was never in a situation where I absolutely needed something that MIcrosoft only has.

I guess personalities are different but I love (and miss) Steve Jobs. Yes, they overcharge but their stuff is good. Not sure why you can't stand them as they base their stuff on UNIX. I don't hate Microsoft because of their get-rich schemes and pushing 3rd party software (when you buy one its like an advertisement), although that's bad enough. I hate them simply because of the virus issue --- a computer that gets them means you don't have any control over it,although you think you have while someone else is controlling it. And along that line are the incompatibilities (3rd party especially) and the generally poor platform they use which does not seem efficient with file managing causing slow-ups, the need for "tune-ups" and the like.

One last thing.... don't overlook Google Operating systems they are working on that's coming along soon. Right now its mostly Android and google chrome such as what I am typing on now. It's commercialized Linux with perhaps less privacy than Linux but very secure and supported. They are cheap and a lot of schools I hear are going Chromebooks.
 
I use a program called malwarebytes that I pay for; they have a free version which I used for a few years and it worked well just not as automated.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/


I've used malwarebytes for years as well, the free version. I use it only to scan occasionally, not running in the background. My wife sometimes complains about the computer running slow, because she isn't as careful not to click on unsolicited emails and such. I've found Windows Defender does a good job of protection running in the background.
 
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