I was on a trusted website this afternoon, it's the newspaper in Green Valley AZ (where I plan to winter). I've been subscribed for quite some time. It's "gv news dot com", Green Valley newspaper.

I was reading a story about some insurance/financial person who is going to prison for doing bad stuff to clients. I read the first page, and then there was a link to click to read the rest of the story. I clicked it.

All heck broke loose. Screen started flashing, voice said things like I needed to call the number on the screen to free it up, etc, all kinds of things flashing and yapping at me.

I quickly powered down the computer, turned it back on, and it was back. I hit control-alt-delete, trying to kill close everything open. That seemed to happen. Turned it off, back on again, I did control-alt-delete again.

I then did not open a brower window, I clicked the icon for Malware Bytes, ran it, and it reported back that all was fine, no troubles found. Then I activated the Windows Security, (windows defender??) ran that, and it reported back all ok, no problems.

I clicked to open up a brower window, and it's back!

I powered down, back up, clicked on the icon for Malware bytes, and paid them for their deluxe live option.

Ran that, and the problem seemed to be gone. Ran Windows Defender again, problem seems to be gone. When I've run Malware Bytes before, if it found something, it would tell me in the results. Didn't see ANYTHING like that, it showed all clear.

Powered up and down a few times, went to brower window, no problems showing, changed a few passwords.

It all seems ok now.

But, can I trust that it is? I mean, when it was active on a brower windows, both MW & WD reported no issue.

I'm no computer expert, but it truly was ransom ware, wouldn't I be locked out completely?

Maybe I got it done, but again, I'm no computer expert.

Anyway, I called the GV News office in GV AZ, talked to them , reported it, they said they'd get ahold of their computer guy, and I'd get a call back tomorrow. I WILL follow up on this.

Do you guys think I'm safe now?

And, btw, I swear I do not go to porn, weird sites on the internet, click on strange links, all those things we're told not to. This computer is kept clean as best as I can.

Thanks.
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What browser did you use while this was happening?

Oh crap, I forgot the name. IT's the one that comes with Windows 10, whatever Microsoft puts with it. Definitely not firefox or one of those. Microsoft Edge? Windows Internet Explorer?

And, I forgot, I also downloaded CCleaner and let that run too. Hope that was ok.
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Do you have a known-good backup?

^^^^^ I assume I do.

I purchased a usb-plug in automatic backup thing about 9 months ago.

All I know is that I plug it in every few days, it powers up, fan runs, light comes on, and so I hope that it is working as it's supposed.

I have no idea how to verify that, it came with very little documentation. It's an Easy Store by Western Digital.

I'm sorry, I am just not a computer whiz. Not my thing.
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I’d make sure you don’t load anything new in your start up folder, also that there’s nothing loading with your browser and if you know your way around, try typing msconfig at the comand line and check your startup programs for unfamiliar stuff.

Wouldn’t harm you to restore the browser to its factory settings if you are sure you haven’t personalized it and don’t know to do it again.

Have you checked that thebrowser doesn’t open new tabs while starting?

i love second opinions but i choose Superantispyware instead of MB.

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I need someone who knows this stuff, I might take it to a shop down the street and talk to them. If, assuming, I can trust them.

FWIW, it is running quicker and smoother now, I assume all that stuff I did took care of that, at least.

I hate, with a passion, scammers spammers and email spoofers and phone numbers spoofers, liars cheats and thieves.
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Might have been just a scare.

Also try ccleaner. Ccleaner and Superantispyware have very effective free versions.

Trust Ccleaner and have it remove your temp files. It has an automatic cleanup/speedup that works like a charm. No worries.

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Those are common but more annoying than harmful.
You clicked on a site that had the malware either on it or and attached ad.
Usually Java based.
The harm is when and if you call the scammers.
Best to reboot.
Then clear your browser and dns cache - and avoid the site.
I have seen it many times and it scares the hell out of my clients but is fixible.
Run Malwarebytes as well.

Thanks ^^^^^^^. I now feel more comfortable that it’s gone.

I’ve updated to the full $ paid version of Malware Bytes, running in real time, that makes me feel better about all this.

I will follow up today with the newspaper office on this.
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I remember when my wife's computer got hacked by the company's program we used to protect our computer. Avast, come to find out later that the company was split in two but nothing that stated it was official or that anyone would know. Seems half the company were rogue and depending on who you spoke with, from their official website, they would take over your computer for ransom. After they hacked her computer with their software, we paid for the better protection-$150 at the time, they wanted $500 to clear her computer of the problem they installed. I got the website verbatim from the local sheriff's office and a deputy who is my neighbor, ironically, as that is the same company they use for the department and confirmed by the dept. head I also know.

quote:

Originally posted by patw:
I remember when my wife's computer got hacked by the company's program we used to protect our computer. Avast, come to find out later that the company was split in two but nothing that stated it was official or that anyone would know. Seems half the company were rogue and depending on who you spoke with, from their official website, they would take over your computer for ransom. After they hacked her computer with their software, we paid for the better protection-$150 at the time, they wanted $500 to clear her computer of the problem they installed. I got the website verbatim from the local sheriff's office and a deputy who is my neighbor, ironically, as that is the same company they use for the department and confirmed by the dept. head I also know.

That sounds more like a protection racket.

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quote:

Avast, come to find out later that the company was split in two

This isn't giving me a warm fuzzy.

Avast merges with Norton Lifelock
Avast history

I just installed Win 10 in the last few days to 2 machines. I said goodbye to Avast as well as Win 7. I had downloaded but not installed Ccleaner. It is now deleted.

So what do ya'll use if not that?

Windows Defender is real time AV built into Windows 10 and 11. It's free, updates automatically, and is all most users will need. Windows defender will automatically take over once you remove whatever AV you have installed in most cases. I haven't used Ccleaner for quite some time. There really aren't many uses for it today unless you are still on a traditional spinner drive with limited space.

Cool- I will chill with Defender and enjoy life.

My computer guy advises using Windows Defender. I supplement this with the paid version of Malwarebytes. Each is good; together they have been great.

The nice thing about Malwarebytes paid is that you get something like 3 to 5 licenses with it. Thus, I also have the paid version running on my Android phone which is very convenient.