" Just buy a dot green card at these stores in cash..." Virus Warning!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

I got a virus first thing this morning.

It locked up my computer saying it was homeland security and it gave a list of all kinds of things I was supposed to have done. Then told me that if I did not pay $300 in cash via those dot green cards, and only that way, in 48 hours. That I was going to jail if I did not. And that I was not allowed to try and unlock my computer or it would destroy everything on the hard drive.

Well, it is one that the FBI has listed on there sites, and I have a neighbor (and Morning Coffee Mooch) that is an IT tech.

We are still looking for all of it to make sure it is all out, but looks like it is out.

These guys are getting nasty. I am just lucky that stuff they were saying made me question it and that I have a computer wise neighbor! I will tell you, this thing, if it pops up and locks up your computer, it can spook you at first. But just read it and you will see what it really is.

[GReedDiamond]

1. Where/how did you get it, do you know?...nt

[Lady Freedom Returns]

2. Since all I have been on is DU, Google, YouTube and job sites..

Secure sites at that. So I am not sure.

But is a piece of work. It shows you by using your camera and shows you your IP number. And then it gives you a scare tactic that must have got many to run out and buy that prepaid card, with cash as instructed, in a second!

But as I said as you go through and read the "charges" you know it is a load of...

But I will tell you that if it comes up, get away from wifi signals. That will help you get it to unlock. Then set your computer back a day. That will help you get in and start the process.

According to Coffee Mooch there are several out there like this. He has had to go in manually to remove traces.

I am just glad he is a neighbor! I would be up a creek right now!

[GReedDiamond]

3. Wow...hope you have it fixed now, Best Wishes!...nt

[Lady Freedom Returns]

4. Still a little slow at start up.

But thank you. We are nursing him (my laptop) and getting him all better.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

5. This is a YouTube video about the one I had. Just added it to my OP.

[RILib]

6. one of the reasons

I'd put masking tape over a webcam if there were one on my laptop.

[In_The_Wind]

9. Oh my

[cliffordu]

7. Open BSD is a nice alternative to windows

I'd have said Mac or LINUX but the flame war would ruin the thread.

[Agschmid]

8. But a Mac... n/t