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Old 09-12-2018, 09:55 AM
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Jeffhs Jeffhs is offline
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Microsoft security warning - fake?

I saw a warning message, presumably from Microsoft (it showed the official Microsoft Windows logo), on my computer screen about ten minutes ago (I am writing this at approximately 10:55 AM EDST). It warned me that my computer has been infected by a virus; further, it stated that certain information (logins, credit card info, etc.) was being stolen, again presumably as the warning message was being sent. If I closed the page and did not call a certain toll-free telephone number within the next five minutes, my Internet access would be disabled "to prevent further damage to our network". Was this a fake warning sent by a cybercriminal, or is there actually a problem with a rogue virus on the Web which might compromise or even destroy computers if the user did not contact Microsoft immediately?
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Old 09-12-2018, 11:35 AM
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dishdude dishdude is offline
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100% fake. Was it a popup in your web browser?
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Old 09-12-2018, 12:52 PM
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Jeffhs Jeffhs is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dishdude View Post
100% fake. Was it a popup in your web browser?
Yes, it was.

I wonder if this fake warning was sent by someone who is harboring a grudge against Microsoft. I just read that Microsoft is actually trying to keep people running Windows 10 from installing Google Chrome or Firefox; I wonder as well if this "warning" is somehow tied in with that article. I personally think it is, with the "warning" having been sent by someone with a very low opinion of Microsoft. The message must be fake, as my Internet connection works perfectly well now, over three hours after I saw it (the message) in my browser.

Sheeesh! What some folks won't do to get attention or stir up a hornets' nest. I can only guess how many people were scared into calling that 800 number I mentioned; I bet Microsoft's phones were (and may still be) ringing off the hook with calls from frightened Internet users, all because of that official-looking pop-up warning.
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Old 09-12-2018, 01:14 PM
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Yep its a scam. I think that's the one they fooled my grandma with. I also had a co-worker (who lacks any kind of computer etiquette) click on something similar and it took over his work laptop, I had to lock down the whole LAN at work for a while, we took that laptop to get worked on at a local computer store, and now I have everyone using firefox with ad blockers and such. I also have been making clones of everyone's hard drives here at work just incase.

TL;DR use a good ad blocker in your web browser so you don't see this kind of crap. Or better yet use Linux/BSD
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Old 09-12-2018, 02:48 PM
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Definitely a scam. Not anyone with a grudge against Microsoft, just the lowest low-lifes trying to get control of your computer, get your personal info, or convince you to send money.
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Old 09-12-2018, 11:47 PM
Titan1a Titan1a is offline
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Take it from me; it's a phishing scam. You need to do a thorough system cleanup!
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