My computer was highjacked---has this happened to you? (xp, explorer, browser)

[InfectedMushroom]

You got taken for a lot of cash. Try and spend some time learning about PC's and you won't get screwed. It's so simple to learn some basics and be alright. Most of the time they laugh all the way to the bank as they tell you a list of things wrong and you have no choice but to believe them.

It's like harm reduction, except for computers. A bit of knowledge can go quite a long way.

[janelle144]

My hubby gets antsy working on computers when something goes wrong. He works on one each day at the office and doesn't want to be on them when he comes home at night. So it's worth it to me to take it in to be worked on by a tech.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by janelle144

My hubby gets antsy working on computers when something goes wrong. He works on one each day at the office and doesn't want to be on them when he comes home at night. So it's worth it to me to take it in to be worked on by a tech.

Which is completely understandable, that's why I have a job

[noland123]

Originally Posted by janelle144

Had an anti-spyware come on my computer saying I had a Trogen and was infected with a virus. Said to scan my computer but if I went into their software they wanted me to buy it for around 40 dollars. I have anti-spyware already and it said my computer was ok. I tried to ignore it but it was the trogen and it put an icon on my computer and took over. Kept popping up to say my puter was infected. Yes, with it.

Finally had to take it to RIBBIT and they had to scrub the computer and reinstall everything plus a new anti-spyware to protect it. GRRRRR charged 200 dollars. They said this can load on your computer without your knowledge, it is doing it in the background.

Just like the mafia taking over saying you will buy our protection from now on. There out to be a law.

I had the exact same problem 3 hours ago,it was horrible,I had red signs popping up all over my screen saying that I had an infected computer and that I had to buy this anti-spyware program for 49.95. After 6 hours of messing with the situation,my AVG Resident Shield pops up and states that I have a virus problem(no kidding) that was infecting my computer and so I sent it to the vault,thereby alleviating the virus problem altogether. You talk about a happy camper,I mean it was putting viruses or blocking a lot of my files such as solitaire,disk cleanup,disk defragmenter,system restore etc. and to the point where I couldn't log off probably,however I could get on the internet with ease.

The main thing is to stay patient and ask for advice ,either come here to this forum or ask somebody close at hand that has knowledge of computers.Stay away from porn sites and don't run a website that doesn't have a known publisher.I have average knowledge about computers,but I would say get the best anti-virus program that guards against everything,I am afraid your husband spent $200 he didn't need to spend.

[janelle144]

If you knew my husband you would understand he does not like to work on computers when something is going wrong. He can load software, etc. when things go ok but as soon as a problem occurs and it takes a long time to figure out, he hates it.

Of course, calling for help will put you on hold for a very long time. He took it back to RIBBIT when he couldn't get microsoft to load the email again so we could get it back up. RIBBIT did that for free anyway.

It's strange since he will scan his bank account if one penny is missing and won't pay anyone a dime to do something he can do himself around the house but when it comes to computers he can't stand fixing a problem with them. LOL Go figure.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by janelle144

Had an anti-spyware come on my computer saying I had a Trogen and was infected with a virus. Said to scan my computer but if I went into their software they wanted me to buy it for around 40 dollars. I have anti-spyware already and it said my computer was ok. I tried to ignore it but it was the trogen and it put an icon on my computer and took over. Kept popping up to say my puter was infected. Yes, with it.

Finally had to take it to RIBBIT and they had to scrub the computer and reinstall everything plus a new anti-spyware to protect it. GRRRRR charged 200 dollars. They said this can load on your computer without your knowledge, it is doing it in the background.

Just like the mafia taking over saying you will buy our protection from now on. There out to be a law.

I have done this service for free many times, Im pretty good with computers, but no wizard by any means. I think its criminal for places to charge 200 bucks for system clean and reinstall. That is the easiest, least time consuming, and last resort action possible.

Its seems most of these places simply do that as the first solution. 30 minutes to an hour, bang youre good to go, $200.

Any how, there are laws, sort of. The problem is, many of them are hard to enforce, and others actually could end up getting you in trouble. Go figure.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by noland123

I had the exact same problem 3 hours ago,it was horrible,I had red signs popping up all over my screen saying that I had an infected computer and that I had to buy this anti-spyware program for 49.95. After 6 hours of messing with the situation,my AVG Resident Shield pops up and states that I have a virus problem(no kidding) that was infecting my computer and so I sent it to the vault,thereby alleviating the virus problem altogether. You talk about a happy camper,I mean it was putting viruses or blocking a lot of my files such as solitaire,disk cleanup,disk defragmenter,system restore etc. and to the point where I couldn't log off probably,however I could get on the internet with ease.

My g/fs aunt had something like this. It actually hijacked her operating system. It slowed everything down, blocked almost all files, including the virus protection and system restore, and actually copied the Windows appearance and set up, but ran completely from a different file on the computer. I could tell this because it continued to use an old background picture that was no longer even on the computer.

I couldnt fully track where it originated, but Im pretty sure it came from this bogus "virus software" that the uncle was given by a work buddy to get other viruses off the comp.

Sadly enough, that was an unrecoverable mess as far as my expertise is concerned, and it needed a drive reformat and a fresh Windows install.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by Randomdude

I have done this service for free many times, Im pretty good with computers, but no wizard by any means. I think its criminal for places to charge 200 bucks for system clean and reinstall. That is the easiest, least time consuming, and last resort action possible.

Its seems most of these places simply do that as the first solution. 30 minutes to an hour, bang youre good to go, $200.

Any how, there are laws, sort of. The problem is, many of them are hard to enforce, and others actually could end up getting you in trouble. Go figure.

The person needing the service has the ability to shop around, if they don't, oh well. But I agree, $200 is a bit steep for a format and reload, which I'll also agree, is the last option in many infection situations, but I leave it up to the customer, I tell them up front, we will clean what we find, there's no guarantee we'll find everything, the only way we guarantee their machine will be 100% nasty free is a format and reload, and based on what I find on their system, I recommend either a cleaning or a wipe and reload, I like to feel comfortable that their system is safe when it leaves.

[janelle144]

Well RIBBIT took the whole week to do it. I had to call them several times to see when they would be finished. Maybe they had a ton of other people getting the same virus----it takes awhile to scrub several hundred computers even though each takes a half hour.

I guess I will need to become the one to "fix" the computer. My hubby hates to do it and my SS knows how to build a computer and all about them but will he help us when we are having trouble-----NO WAY. So I am screwed.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by janelle144

Well RIBBIT took the whole week to do it. I had to call them several times to see when they would be finished. Maybe they had a ton of other people getting the same virus----it takes awhile to scrub several hundred computers even though each takes a half hour.

I guess I will need to become the one to "fix" the computer. My hubby hates to do it and my SS knows how to build a computer and all about them but will he help us when we are having trouble-----NO WAY. So I am screwed.

It does take more than a half hour. When you consider data backup, OS installation, service pack installation, windows updates, driver installation if needed, scanning of data backups to make sure your not reinfecting the computer, etc.