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Monday, September 3, 2012

Sick With A Nasty Virus

My computer, not me. 

It's one of those things that drive you crazy, computer viruses.  Despite having a very good Internet security program and a solid firewall, there are still nasty people that have nothing better to do than create new ways to wiggle around firewalls and screw up computers, while trying to extort money.  It's another level up from the Nigerian money schemes that we're all familiar with.

I had to laugh when suddenly I got a message from the FBI, the official seal and everything, complete with poor English grammar, saying that I, or someone that used my computer was guilty of one of a list of Internet crimes.  My computer locked on that page and the message further stated that I had to go to one of a list of stores, Walmart, Target, Walgreen's, etc and purchase a 200$ (that's right, not $200) money card (in cash!) and type in the card number in the spaces provided on the letter to pay a fine to the "State".

If I did so, my computer would be unlocked sometime in the next 48 hours.  If I did not, I would face incarceration of anywhere between four and twelve years for being guilty of one of a list if Internet crimes.  The "FBI" demands a money card, not a credit card, because the money card, unlike a credit card is untraceable.

One final interesting touch, the virus turned on my Skype camera and put my ugly face in a little box on the side of the screen.

I couldn't delete the virus page, I did all the normal things, nothing worked.  Looking at my anti-virus security, I found the firewall had been turned off and despite scans and other computer cleaning operations,  I still was looking at incarceration of four to twelve years for one or more of the listed crimes.

Marti (the brains of the R Sanity outfit) took over and had no success either.  A call to tech support gave us a couple of programs to use to remove the virus, again, none of which worked.  After the unsuccessful tries, the tech support has kicked our problem up the chain to the advanced security experts.  We should hear from them in the next 72 hours.  Hopefully we do, because we don't want to have black helicopters and FBI SWAT teams knocking at the Journey's door, to take me off to incarceration for four to twelve years for one or more of the listed crimes.  What would the neighbors in this nice quiet campground think?  The clock is ticking...

So, this post is coming to you from my backup Netbook computer.  It is a handy thing to have around.  It's going to be interesting to see what the advanced security experts come up with.  You have to ask, what is wrong with people who have nothing better to do than devise new ways to mess with people's computers and try and extort money from them.  The sad thing is that it must work with some people who don't know any better that it is a scam.

Just more fun living life on the road!  :c)

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

24 comments:

  1. Sure hope they can kill it for you. So frustrating and just so stupid, IMO.

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  2. Let me know where they send you. I'll send you a file in a cake! :)

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  3. What a pain!!! However, you do have a backup computer...hmmmm...something we need to consider!!! We would be lost on many levels with internet access. So you have taught us a valuable lesson. Just a pain the way you had to run the class;o))

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  4. Once again Judy has stolen my line:) Anneke had a virus that locked up her computer (not from the FBI) and it took my computer geek son in law many hours to correct, and it is still not 100%:(

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  5. Paul and Marti, I think it might be time to pack a bag for each of you with enough clothes for four to twelve years for one of the listed crimes. I am glad to know the FBI is now accepting cash cards to expedite payment of fines and the option of 200$ seems to be a reasonable plea bargain. I'm with you a gentle hug around the neck would be in order if you could lay your hands on these idiots. Hope things get resolved.

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  6. OK - Judy already used my line; so I guess I'll just say that we're glad you posted the plans for the steering wheel table before they cart you off ;-)

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  7. Darn...I hope they let you out soon! We have a back up netbook, smartphones, and a Kindle Fire. Forbid we'd be without internet!

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  8. Well who'd a thunk it....doesn't that just frustrate the crap outta you...I get calls almost daily from someone named joe Who can't even speak English and he's calling from the windows department .....I have costly errors...I let them think they have me on the hook...after I make them repeat many times why they are calling...I sound scared and concerned and I can just see the wheels churning thinking they have a fish on the hook...when we get to the part of get in front of your computer I state I am there (meantime I'm cleaning something) I saw well golly gee my windows are fine they just need a good cleaning...once they think they have me back on track I say but I don't have windows program I have a Mac...then they just hang up on me.....great fun...good luck with your virus...it amazes me how someone can be so intelligent to devise such a plan and not put it to 'good' beneficial use....

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  9. Was this in an email you got? I immediately block any message I get that even looks like it isn't from someone I know. Did you try Combofix? I had a mess a year or so ago and spent a week trying to fix it and finally found Combofix which fixed me right up. No prison time required.

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  10. I sure hope they have wi-fi in that federal lock-up you are heading for cause I would sure miss your blog.

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  11. do you want a cake with a file sent to you just in case??

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  12. I've received several emails from the FBI and even one from the CIA. I've also received more than my share of them from banks, desperate and dying widows and others needing help to launder money. I rarely read them anymore and just "delete" "delete". Most have been with poor grammar and lots of misspelled words. However, yours is a new one. I do know a lady that did fall for the one offering her money. All she had to do was pay the tax ... she kept paying and paying until she finally wised up. Then, she had to file bankruptcy or lose her home. Wish they could stop those characters.

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  13. Well, if they do come and lock you up, I sure hope they give you free wifi :)

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  14. How annoying! It's a shame those brainiacs have nothing better to do than think up ways to screw up other people's lives.

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  15. That is really weird. I've never even heard of anybody getting something like that. You must be really lucky. Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket (before they haul you off to jail.)

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  16. We have absolutely no internet security programs installed on both laptops. Nothing.

    We've been like this for over four years and have had no problems. Nothing.

    You just have to be careful about the websites that you visit. It's not that difficult.

    I know, we're a little different than most.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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    Replies
    1. A reply to Kevin and Ruth... Just be careful about what websites you visit? How do you decide what site is ok and what site isn't? Please share your secret!

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    2. Here's something I wrote almost three years ago. You'll have to copy and paste the link into your browser's address bar.

      http://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com/2009/12/internet-and-wi-fi-securityor-lack.html

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  17. Can you get to safe mode? If so you might try doing a system restore back before the culprit hit, but may or may not work depending on the bug. Usually if it is hijacked your browser page and still working otherwise that will at least get you in so that you can run a scan. Combofix (bleepingcomputers.com) works great if you can get to the site - which you probably can't right now. Good Luck - as an Network Admin for a hospital I deal with bugs daily - I really hate them....

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  18. What a pain. Glad you have your netbook for back up.

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  19. Whew.. what trouble! Can't these people think of better (and more profitable?) ways to spend their talents and their time?

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  20. So sorry... But really, Judy has the second best lines, behind you of course!

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  21. I received the "FBI" virus. BUT I fixed it on my laptop as follows:

    1. cold boot in SAFE MODE (I used F8)
    2. then in SAFE MODE did RESTORE to a couple of weeks earlier
    3. reboot
    4. Then did virus scans, firewall checks, etc.

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