Aggravation! I don't know where it came from. Suddenly I got a pop up that came from where I thought only safe icons resided at the bottom of my computer. It had a shield on it that looks like my legitimate icon. I even called Art over to look at it.
A pop-up window (Live Security Platinum) came up and started scanning my computer telling me of all these Trojans that were infecting my computer. Suddenly, I lost Internet connection. It just stopped working.
Cold sweat!
It wasn't a good day today. The morning started out with various unhappy things and then I was involved in a whole bunch of business type stuff for a friend. It was OK, but just took up time. Then my poor nephew came and had trouble getting his car to start. And in all the hullabaloo, THIS happens!
The pop-up window showed me how infected my computer was and asked if I wanted to remove it. It looked like my legitimate Malware programs. So I clicked on Remove.
That took me to another window asking if I wanted to buy their $54.99 (or something like that) program that would fix my computer. What this virus did was to prevent my computer from using any file with exe on it. In other words, it froze everything.
Luckily, I didn't try to buy their program because obviously they just wanted my credit card number.
I called my son-in-law, Ed who usually fixes my computer long distance, but he couldn't get into my computer because the virus prevented my allowing him access.
Arrrghhh.
Therefore Ed sent me a website and told me to follow the directions.
What? Myself? No...............
Well, not exactly alone. Art and I tried following the directions (sort of) which caused a bunch of other questionable things to happen. However, I put it through Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essentials and the computer is running again. However, something is still not quite clean.
I think.
My brother, Dennis says I shouldn't do anything sensitive on the computer until he comes and checks it out.
So at the end of the day, my computer is hobbling along but probably still not 100% cured of its malady.
As the day ended and night began, there was a bright part. My nephew's car was able to start again and he drove off after a consoling dinner.
Like I said before, life is full of ups and downs. If you wait long enough... things will hopefully even out.
POSTSCRIPT:
Yahoo! It's fixed!!! My son-in-law, Ed fixed my computer yet again remotely from Illinois. It always amazes me how he can do that. However, I'm cruising along now with a happy and healthy computer.... again.
I'm going to have to put up another sign next to my computer that says not to click on any pop-up that scans my computer and says Remove Virus from Computer.
Thank you, Cloudia of Comfort Spiral for your good advice! If my son-in-law or brother are unavailable, I'm going to ask you to come on over and fix my computer on your scooter.
A pop-up window (Live Security Platinum) came up and started scanning my computer telling me of all these Trojans that were infecting my computer. Suddenly, I lost Internet connection. It just stopped working.
Cold sweat!
It wasn't a good day today. The morning started out with various unhappy things and then I was involved in a whole bunch of business type stuff for a friend. It was OK, but just took up time. Then my poor nephew came and had trouble getting his car to start. And in all the hullabaloo, THIS happens!
The pop-up window showed me how infected my computer was and asked if I wanted to remove it. It looked like my legitimate Malware programs. So I clicked on Remove.
That took me to another window asking if I wanted to buy their $54.99 (or something like that) program that would fix my computer. What this virus did was to prevent my computer from using any file with exe on it. In other words, it froze everything.
Luckily, I didn't try to buy their program because obviously they just wanted my credit card number.
I called my son-in-law, Ed who usually fixes my computer long distance, but he couldn't get into my computer because the virus prevented my allowing him access.
Arrrghhh.
Therefore Ed sent me a website and told me to follow the directions.
What? Myself? No...............
Well, not exactly alone. Art and I tried following the directions (sort of) which caused a bunch of other questionable things to happen. However, I put it through Anti-Malware and Microsoft Security Essentials and the computer is running again. However, something is still not quite clean.
I think.
My brother, Dennis says I shouldn't do anything sensitive on the computer until he comes and checks it out.
So at the end of the day, my computer is hobbling along but probably still not 100% cured of its malady.
As the day ended and night began, there was a bright part. My nephew's car was able to start again and he drove off after a consoling dinner.
Like I said before, life is full of ups and downs. If you wait long enough... things will hopefully even out.
POSTSCRIPT:
Yahoo! It's fixed!!! My son-in-law, Ed fixed my computer yet again remotely from Illinois. It always amazes me how he can do that. However, I'm cruising along now with a happy and healthy computer.... again.
I'm going to have to put up another sign next to my computer that says not to click on any pop-up that scans my computer and says Remove Virus from Computer.
Thank you, Cloudia of Comfort Spiral for your good advice! If my son-in-law or brother are unavailable, I'm going to ask you to come on over and fix my computer on your scooter.
Oi!
ReplyDeleteoh those viruses are so sneaky! that's the best thing about having a mac... virus free (even so i have anti-virus software as a backup)
ReplyDeleteoh no! Not again, thats a day to forget! Hope you get it all cleared out!
ReplyDeleteI learned long ago not to click on anything like that. I also decided to leave the PC world when I retired and move to Macs because they are not as much of a virus target, since they use a different operating system. I'm so sorry this happened to you! Hopefully it will be okay soon. At least you're back on!
ReplyDeleteDJan, I'm strongly thinking along the same lines: going from a PC to an Apple now that I've retired. I am currently reading the biography of Steve Jobs and he was a real unpleasant character. It's a wonder someone didn't murder him, actually, he was so insulting. However, there's also enough in the book to suggest that maybe Apple or Mac (or whatever they are called) is the way to go because Jobs was such a perfectionist. Henry Hank Chapin.
Deletescary...so far my mac has been safe but life is like that full of challenges-glad you are overcome the problems and being patient...lol!
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating. I agree with the others that so far macs seem to be more robust. We're tearing our hair out though because our connection is so slow at the moment, and has been for the last month or so. Apparently there's a problem with the exchange, which they can't seem to sort out. So I'm reading some blogs but not often commenting and rarely opening things up because everything is taking so long. Screeeaaammm!!!
ReplyDeleteoh, i'm so sorry you've had so much trouble with your computer. it's always frustrating when we can't use our computers or stop worrying about a virus taking over. glad you were able to fix it temporarily until your brother comes over... here's to better days ahead. hope things stay well for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you guys figured out how to fix it....I'm afraid I would have been calling someone to do it for me. My desktop is getting old and I wonder every time something goes wrong if it is a virus or if it just near the end for it.
ReplyDeleteYou should have bought a Mac.
ReplyDeleteHope you are back up and operating at 100 percent real soon.
I am so sorry for all the virus issues you have had Kay! It is annoying isn't it! I just wish the people that send these and hack into computers would find something alot more constructive to do with their time-like maybe help cure cancer or something like that!!
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I got a pop up that said something about a malware/trojan. I installed an anti-malware since the last time my emails were hacked. It asked if I want to quarantine the infection and I clicked yes. Hopefully that was not a hack. I'm going to run the full scan on my McAfee today before doing any banking.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that bad things usually come in a run (maybe threes?) Yesterday, we couldn't load our Walmart gift cards (which we use at Sam's Club) with the VISA credit card we always use for this. We are no where near our credit limit, so why? We tried two Walmart stores and both denied. We used the credit card (no problem) to purchase goods from Walmart in the transaction before trying to load the gift card. I tried to load a small amount from another VISA card and it took fine. I need to call up our credit card company.
I really dislike problems like these because they may not appear like much, but could bring down the whole house of cards one day lol
L. from W.
Art had problems with one of his cards because the numbers were too worn out. I'm hoping Tuesday is better. Although it was raining on the way to the Open Market, it became a drizzle by the time we got there. Then I got an e-mail from my son telling me where in his travels he was. So all that is positive. Let's hope the day holds out more sunnily. I'm hoping we'll have lots of good luck today to make up for yesterday.
DeleteAlas, it was a fraud alert on our card that was the problem. Actually it is nice to know our credit card company is keeping close tabs. Yesterday morning before heading out, I purchased dental insurance via AARP and believe it or not that triggered the fraud alert. Funny we could still use our credit card to make small purchases, just not $100 load on a gift card. Anyway, the fraud alert was lifted and now we can do business as usual.
DeleteHope your day was "sunnily" lol:)
L. from W.
No kidding? Thank goodness that was resolved.
DeleteOur day definitely ended happily when my son-in-law got into my computer by remote, took over and killed the remaining Malware on my computer. I guess I should be updating and checking for Malware more regularly from now on.
Everything is cruising along happily now.
HENRY HANK CHAPIN Some of these pop-ups practically function like viruses. There's this thing blocking you, all of a sudden, you didn't even ask for and everything stops. Then sometimes they want to sell you something. I think I even have two anti-malware programs. One of them (McAfee?) usually gives me a mixed message saying I have a problem and then, after running, says everything is all right. I think I also have AVG, whatever that is. I don't know why I have two. I'm like someone who can drive a car but can't fix it. And I don't care or apologize, either. That's the way civilization is supposed to work anyway. We all help each other. I'm strongly thinking of getting an Apple computer the next time I change, which should be in the next year. The main reason I use PC is that the UH system decreed the colleges would use PCs and the public schools, Apples. But that sounds like a business deal was cut. Probably some day I will walk away from computers, just the way I walked away from HBO. It just became too much to bear and I lost interest.
ReplyDeleteSigh... I can't get a Mac because my two techies in Illinois and Hawaii are PC experts. If I go to the Mac, they won't be able to help me.
DeleteSigh....
You got an Apple store nearby? You don't need much help with Macs. PCs? Sheesh, they need all the help they can get. Being a teacher, I would think you would love Apple products. Don't you have an iPhone?
DeleteOh dear, what a day you've had. Sorry Kay! This happened to me once. I was suspicious and tried 'x'ing out but even that caused the virus to run rampant. Gregg told me to not touch anything next time and just do a hard shut down. I am not sure if this is the correct thing to do - shhhh, don't tell Gregg ;) - but fortunately it hasn't happened again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI was told to do the same thing. I'll have to put another sign up on my monitor. I already have one that says, "STOP! Don't open that link!" I'll have to put another one up that says, "Don't click on REMOVE."
DeleteAnd yet, that whole virus taking over the computer from nowhere happened before I did anything. I've been told by somebody else that when that happens, CLOSE down the computer immediately before it can do anymore damage." Therefore. LOL. Gregg is right!
I never click on any stuff, which doesn't mean I won't get caught some day. They are so clever, these mischief makers.
ReplyDeleteHope things get fixed soon. It's so aggravating!
oh how annoying...hope you get that virus sorted out very soon! I'm lost without my internet connection.
ReplyDeleteWow, you really are a target. How awful. I haven't had anything like that--knocking on wood--but that doesn't mean one isn't around the corner. Hope you get it all straight and that they leave you alone in the future.
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry for this to happen to you , Kay!
ReplyDeleteHope it will be all okay for you very soon! OH KAY! will become OKAY!
I love this! Great comment, Kay!
DeleteThe whole computer/ virus/ technology thing baffles me and I would be up the creek without a paddle!! Glad you straightened it all out.
ReplyDeleteCold sweat time, I know! Just had my own 'false positive' (I'm pretty sure) that led to my doing a lot of research. then I un-installed 'spybot search & destroy" which seemed to be malfunctioning. then I too ran Malwarebites, and MSE.
ReplyDeleteMicrosoft has a scan that is excellent: you download the latest (monthly) version, run it and it finds the current bad stuff. Here:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
Then I did one more thing you can run when you have the time:
Go to Start > Computer
Right click on the drive you want to check (usually this is Local Drive C:)
Select ‘Properties’ from the menu list
Select the ‘Tools’ tab
Click the ‘Check Now’ button in the Error-Checking section
You have two options. Select ‘Automatically fix file system errors’ and additionally you may select the other option as well ‘Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors’
It's just part of life! Hang in there, Kay.
Thanks so much, Cloudia. I'll try this after my son-in-law works on it. Now that I have access, he says he'll look at what's going on.
DeleteThen again... it's 9:00 PM their time and he hasn't called yet so maybe I'll just do that security scan on yours while I'm waiting. :-) THANK YOU very, very much!!!
I had an email today from someone I didn't know saying I was in a video. It is so temping to click to see, but I deleted it. Just a bit ago I had a message the Spybot had stopped working, and should the computer search for a fix. I clicked that, and I guess it's fixed. I know so little baout on line security that I'm dangerous. Tad, our computer guy, keeps warning me not to click on anything if I don't know what it is. He fixes ours remotely too.
ReplyDeleteI seriously have to make another sign to stick on my monitor about NOT clicking on ANYTHING. This is so aggravating. It always amazes me how my son-in-law can just get in and clean it up though.
DeleteThis is terrible. Isn't this the second time in months? Freaky!
ReplyDeleteKay -- We need vaccines for computers. My son used to say "try stuff," then I was annoyed with a "fix-it thing" I didn't want nor to pay for, which deleted my e-mail icon. The son also signed me up to fix it remotely. I like remote fixes from people who know what to do. Good Luck, DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteit happens to everybody sooner or later. And again.
ReplyDelete