computer ransom-ware

[jugs]

Last friday lunchtime I got hit by ransom-ware.
Working on google (looking for nonferous metal suppliers, so nothing iffy).

AVG pops up saying a virus had ben stopped & put in the virus chest, ok I caried on, then another 3 in quick succession - hard disc & fan go into overdrive & screen goes blue, a windows logo & disc-scan box opened & reports 14 discfaults, & a note saying I would need to purchase an upgrade to recover. I ignored & pulled the plug.

Tried to open in safe mode but same message.

20 mins later a very sweet well spoken Indian lady phones me by name from "microsoft" saying she'd receved a problem notification, I should switch the machine on & while it was booting up, fetch a valid credit card, then she would talk me through the fix...... my second word was OFF

Operating system (windows XP) completely compromised so had to reformat disc & reload evrything.......... it's taken hrs

Zone alarm & forcefield have been recomended but online comments say they are rubbish.

Any ideas of improved protection ?????

I'm an internet/computer virgin so be gentle with me

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Thats very worrying, the fact that they were able to obtain as much information as far as your telephone number

 

[pedrobedro]

I get by with Microsoft security essentials, malwarebytes, spybot s&d and Ccleaner. I had one of those last week just a phone call though. He asked for me by name and then proceeded to ask me to switch on my computer. I played him on for 10 minutes pretending to do as he asked then got bored and made a few beep noises and put the phone down. He never rang back.

 

[TechnicAl]

I had something similar but no phone call

I called my mate and somehow he fooled it into thinking it had been paid. There are instructions you can google, obviously from a different computer.

To be honest it wasnt the same afterwards and I reloaded it. Im using my laptop now.

tbh I had forgotten to load F Secure even though Id paid for it. I done my laptop but forgot the PC

I think my laptop was attacked similarly the other day but the F Secure fought it off or whatever it does.......just saw a quick flash and puter slowed down

 

[ilovemygt35r]

if it wont boot up in safe mode i think youve only got 2 options re-install xp or maby pull the hard drive out and hook it up with a pc with good security, then scan it

 

[ford34/2]

computers

I too have had the " Microsoft calls", I generally say I have 5 computers --which one is it??

ramble on about I upgrade them and fix them, thats why theres a problem, but if you can help-- which one flagged the message up. ****** them off when I tell them I only have 2 moniters and they will have to be very patient whilst I change and boot up machines-- then say some arnt mine so did the owner flag a message and you rang me-- confuses them beyond belief.

Stan

 

[Sean]

Another option is to install a version of Ubuntu, linux mint or similar( those are the more intuative ones if you like windows) on to a cd, or usb pen drive

you can then boot the pooter from that without touching the infected HD and run clam AV or some of the other on line fixes

the system will show your HD as a separate drive but you can still open it up and fiddle with it. It wont permanently install linux on the system unless you want it
S

 

[rtbcomp]

I have Zone Alarm, shows me a list of blocked attempts so it must be doing something. Windows 7 and Mozilla Firefox own security measures have caught a few though.

 

[Sean]

I too have had the " Microsoft calls", I generally say I have 5 computers --which one is it??

ramble on about I upgrade them and fix them, thats why theres a problem, but if you can help-- which one flagged the message up. ****** them off when I tell them I only have 2 moniters and they will have to be very patient whilst I change and boot up machines-- then say some arnt mine so did the owner flag a message and you rang me-- confuses them beyond belief.

Stan

haha had one on the end of the line for 25 mins once stringing them along with all sorts( quiet night in) before i told them i used linux and what should i do now? they swore at me and hung up-seem to be off that "sucker list" now

 

[breezer]

I tell them I don't have a computer.

Or a phone.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Have used Malwarebytes for well over a year now and never had a problem, also used it to clean mates pc which had the windows popping up stating he had a virus etc etc

 

[Wedg1e]

I use Comodo Firewall and AVG antivirus running permanently, Malwarebytes and another spyware detector that's supposed to be subscription-unlocked, but it does go as far as telling you where on the PC the problem is, so I write that down and use Windows Explorer to remove the naughty bits.
It's been a long time since I had a major attack, even though I use two peer-to-peer packages for MP3s, films etc. - obviously only those to which I own the copyright :cough:

 

[razie1985]

Another option is to install a version of Ubuntu, linux mint or similar( those are the more intuative ones if you like windows) on to a cd, or usb pen drive

you can then boot the pooter from that without touching the infected HD and run clam AV or some of the other on line fixes

the system will show your HD as a separate drive but you can still open it up and fiddle with it. It wont permanently install linux on the system unless you want it
S

I use hirens boot disc has everything you'll ever need
and when im out to do a IT job i will never leave home without it
saved my butt a few times

 

[bigbadbugga]

I too had the 'Microsoft security systems' call.

I asked him why Microsoft where concerning themselves with the security of my apple mac.

He hung up.

 

[roofman]

I too had the 'Microsoft security systems' call.

I asked him why Microsoft where concerning themselves with the security of my apple mac.

He hung up.

 

[Robotstar5]

I use hirens boot disc has everything you'll ever need

Had a look at the site, but can't figure out how to buy it

 

[razie1985]

Had a look at the site, but can't figure out how to buy it

you don't need to buy it. it should be free.
I could never figure the site out myself. i just downloded it using bittorrent.

 

[jimi_boom]

I use Avast, its a great free anti virus and all you need is a valid email address.

you get a licence for 1 year, however when it runs out just register the same email address and then you get it for another year, ive been using it for around 4 years on all my computers and have never had a problem yet.

i would recommend it.

 

[jugs]

Just had another call from "microsoft support", this time from a very indian Eric after a while told him I had a mac.... he slammed the phone down before I could tell him about my welly boots & so'wester

 

[the snooper]

20 mins later a very sweet well spoken Indian lady phones me by name from "microsoft" saying she'd receved a problem notification:

you had obviously been hacked prior to the infection and phone call and must have had your name address and phone number stored on your pc somewhere, maybe a letter or something like

if thats the case then people should only store such info on removable media