HACKED !?

[smerchly]

This morning while I was checking a weather video a few alerts popped up and froze my PC . Nothing would work except a little  box saying I must call Microsoft to get instructions how to fix the problem . I couldn't get back on line so I shut down & pulled the plug from the wall . I waited 10 min ., and still could not go on line . I was going to call the Geeks but decided to wait until Monday or later . Four hours later I booted up to look over some photos from my desktop which were still available ,  then tried to get on line .....and here I am !! 

I don't know what to make of it , never had this before,  so maybe by chance, anyone here have a "glitch" happen to their PC today ?

[Port_D_Guy]

NEVER call the number that claims it will help you. 99.9% likely its the cause of the problem.

If in doubt, look up the number online (another computer or cell phone).  See what comes up.

[Chrisb]

It was nothing to do with microsoft. It was a hijack attempt. You did the correct thing.

Now I would recommend a complete scan of your pc with your antivirus and possibly malware bytes. Boot into safe mode and run the scans.

[Port_D_Guy]

On another similar note, never open emails you are not familiar with. Look at the receipients....most likely a variation of your email.

If something comes in that may seem legit (they're sneaky like this), NEVER click their links.

In the past year I've received a dozen on so similar emails claim they've hacked my computer and have all my audio and video recordings of myself on pr0n sites.

They want  a typical 1200 in Bitcoin. Jokes on them as I don't have a camera or microphone on my computer.

 

Just report anything suspicious as PHISHING. I doubt anything is done except blocking that one email. 

 

Have two emails. One for junk stuff (like forums, subscribing to newsletters, buy//sell sites, etc) and one for legit/admin stuff that's important enough to attach your real name to.

My legit one never has had junk emails and such.

 

[Chrisb]

2 hours ago, Port_D_Guy said:

Have two emails. One for junk stuff (like forums, subscribing to newsletters, buy//sell sites, etc) and one for legit/admin stuff that's important enough to attach your real name to

Only two. I have 7 or 8.

[smerchly]

Thanks for the info guys , I have a suspicion who sent  the hack . As I have posted previously I'm involved in a class action law suit about my rental furnace . OEG called me a few days ago asking for my email address as my gas provider will no longer be adding the rental charges to my gas bills. They want to set up a direct billing of their own to bill me for the rental . I have been paying them for 10 years and they want another 5 years more . I asked him for a price to pay off the furnace & he said a "ball park" figure of $3000.

I gave him my email so he could send me a written price and I would send them a certified check  , but he was still trying to keep me paying for the 5 remaining years . I didn't get the email from them ......after 5 days I got hacked ....coincidence ?  

I'm sure I'll hear from them again since I made no plans to set up an account on line .

 

and I only have 2 email accounts but rarely get mail from the old cogeco account .....