Getting a sudden popup shouting that your computer is compromised can be a frightening experience, but don’t panic! In most cases these popups can be dismissed and a quick check with your antivirus program will put your mind at ease.
If you receive a popup you cannot seem to dismiss, your first step is to document what is happening. Write it down. Then turn your computer off entirely, then try restarting your computer. If the issue persists please bring the machine to us for a checkup.
Some of these scams can be very convincing, appearing to come from Microsoft itself, but don’t be fooled by these forgeries. Microsoft will never send you a warning like this. Do not ever give your personal information such as an account number, social security number, or even your date of birth, to anyone you do not know.
Remember the old adage: believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. Always double check anything that seems suspicious – your instincts are likely to be correct.
If you would like to read more local news about this you can read the Wahkiakum County Eagle article here: Rosburg Man Learns How to Handle a Computer Scam.