Another internet scam - and how to cope with it!

This afternoon, I had a panicked phone call from my neighbour across the street who had just paid her tax bill to HMRC, and then got the 'your browser is blocked - please phone this number at Microsoft for assistance' routine.

Her daughter did ring the number, although did not get to speak to anyone and hung up, but still their browser was blocked. The next phone call made (thankfully) was to me, so I headed across the road to sort things out. By the time I got over there (I was just getting into the bath when she rang, so took a few mins to get dressed etc), she was on the phone to Barclays - sensible, but not necessary really.

Within half an hour, I had easily resolved the problem for them at absolutely no cost. However, thinking about it, this could very easily trap someone who is not computer savvy, and lead them into a world of pain, so I thought I would post some info here and hopefully ensure that none of our GC friends get affected.

There are some very simple steps to take if you get a message telling you your browser/computer is blocked, some of which you can do in advance to prevent it happening.

Firstly DO NOT call the telephone number - all they want is your credit/debit card details to 'fix' the problem, and by the time you realise that it is a scam, you have lost a shed load of cash.

If you are really not comfortable with doing much more than this, get help from someone who is reasonably happy with how computers work - and no, they don't need to be a computer engineer!

- Download and install a program called Malwarebytes; the free version is perfectly adequate. Allow it to update, and then run a scan, following which allow it to 'quarantine' any threats. 9 times out of 10, this step will resolve the immediate problem.

- Run a full virus scan

- Restart your PC

- Run CCleaner - if you don't have it, install it - it is free and works remarkably well.

- Consider whether your browser (Internet Explorer, Edge, Chrome, Firefox etc) is potentially the source of the problem. I am not a fan of Internet Explorer or Edge personally, and in my opinion Chrome and Firefox are more secure.

- If using Firefox, consider installing UBlockOrigin - this blocks the vast majority of adverts which is often the way that these unwanted bugs get in. You can then add 'exceptions' to disable ad blocking on sites that you know and love to continue to support those sites (Gardeners Corner of course being top of the list!)

Before getting to a problem situation, download both Malwarebytes and CCleaner, and run them regularly to keep your PC in tip top health. In fact, doing all of the above is a good preventative.

Please ASK if you need help - I am open to replies to this thread seeking help, or even PM's if that is easier for you. YOU DO NOT have to spend any money, and I do not offer assistance on a chargeable basis; If you are really stuck, I can even arrange with you to remotely access your PC to help you fix your problem. If I have helped you, and you want to 'repay' me in some way, then please make a donation to GC using the donate button, give the money to charity, pay the favour forward by doing a good deed for someone else, or raise a glass in my honour!

There are many other members on GC who I am sure will also offer advice and help, so please please please DO NOT be duped into handing over your credit/debit card details to anyone, and DO NOT feel that you have to pay someone to help solve your problems.

 

Its the classic browser hijack that prevents any use of the browser at all, to scare you into calling the number they helpfully provide, at which point they presumably will tan your card to its limit and then uninstall their rubbish from your PC (or not as the case may be). Interestingly, this is the first one I have seen that is accompanied by an audio announcement 'Your PC has been blocked;' etc....

A quick run of Malwarebytes, followed by getting shot of the registry entry solves it - dead easy really, suggesting that it is quite an amateurish attempt.

Needless to say, I have told my neighbours that if anything of this nature happens in future, the first thing they do is call me or knock my door. I will be uninstalling their McAfee in the next couple of weeks (they are asking £95 renewal for one PC the robbing bar-stewards!), and will install something more suitable for them (AVG, Avast or ESET most likely).

Whilst I was at it, I updated Java, Flash and the .NET framework just to make sure that all the potential doors were as closed as they could be.

 

Thanks for the info

Maybe this should be a 'Sticky' with an alteration to the title adding something like 'How to cope with it'.

 

Can do @shiney - things like this really get on my nerves, and I hate the thought that people will have to spend money needlessly.

 

I have a very good computer man and he sometimes sorts people's trouble such as you describe for nothing, if they're good customers, or for very little.

Whilst we were away he serviced (cleaned out) my computer, readjusted all the back-up systems, cleared all the rubbish and changed my USB ports to USB 3. He picked the computer up and delivered it back and charged a total of £50. He's never going to get rich that way!

He's also a hot chilli man

 

No, you do not need to pay them anything @pete - the free version is perfectly adequate.

The files it has identified are PUP's (Potentially Unwanted Programs) - the vast majority of these are harmless, and often linked to adverts etc, but it is the one that isn't harmless that causes the problem.

Quarantining them will do no harm, and on that basis it is a case of being overly safe rather than sorry.

 

I ran Malwarebytes today (no problems and nothing needed seeing to) and then CCleaner (originally entitled CrapCleaner) and it cleaned up 800MB (mainly photos from the Recycle Bin as I had just got rid of a lot of photos I took whilst on holiday ). We took over 1,300 photos last week .

 

Happy days - it appears you have a content and safe machine @shiney

 

I talk to it nicely.