Laptop is locked with scam

Keith Molden · Jan 8, 2015

OK guys, I've read it on here before but didn't pay any attention to what you did to resolve the issue. I got this message on my other laptop that says I was on some darned porn site, and wants a ransom to returm it to where I can use it. I darned sure am not gonna pay anyone in some other country to use my computer especially since I was not on any porn site. HELP. Keith

rrlund · Jan 8, 2015

Is it the FBI virus or the other one that I've heard about? (The name of that one escapes me)
Mine had the FBI virus a few years ago. I had to take it in and have it cleaned out. Cost me $75.
From what I've heard,there's one that you can't get rid of unless you pay the $500 ransom or whatever it is.

Alan K · Jan 8, 2015

I had a virus on my computer a while back that I couldn't use any programs, it would just show the desktop and nothing worked. I noticed during start up that when I used the control-alt-delete to bring up the task manager, the program blocking it was listed but then it closed the task manager after about 2 seconds. I kept starting it and opening the task manager until I was fast enough to click the "end task" on there to stop the program so I could hunt for a fix. Danged things.

Brendon Warren · Jan 8, 2015

The same thing happened with mine. A buddy of mine straightened it out but I'm not sure how.

Keith Molden · Jan 8, 2015

Yep, it's the FBI virus with external_links picture on it.

PJH · Jan 8, 2015

Keith, my son gave me a laptop that had a virus, and I did a search with another computer using a description of the virus. The search turned up a fix for it - I tried it, and it worked. It was lots of detail - involved going into DOS and making lots of intricate changes. Surely a different virus than what you have, but maybe you can find a fix for it. Good luck, and let us know the results.

Dick L · Jan 8, 2015

I have Norton's power eraser 2014. It is a free down load. I have Norton pro also. It all seems to keep up with all the new stuff. I had the regular Norton for years but it started to miss things. My step Son told Dixie it was well worth the money. Being a tight wad I thought it was just a way to get more money. Now I see it is worth the extra for us. We have five computers on it. We also have Systems Mechanic which seems to keep add-ons in check.

rrlund · Jan 8, 2015

I was in an absolute panic when it happened to me. I started to hyperventilate and my vision was going fast when I read what they were accusing me of. When I finally started to get my wits about me and read the part that said "Through the cooperation of your internet provider",I called my provider,the guy just calmly said,"Yea,it's the FBI virus,if you want to bring it in,we'll clean it all out,get rid of all the other spyware and malware for $75.".
So I unplugged everything and took it in. It was worth it to get rid of all the other crap that had piled up over the years and slowed everything down. It got rid of a ton of annoying popups too.

Mike(NEOhio) · Jan 8, 2015

I've had that one two or three times. Got rid of it myself but it's been a while and I don't remember what I did. I think I just killed it with task manager.

retired farmer · Jan 8, 2015

Have you tried just shutting the computer off for a minute and then turning it back on? I have gotten that stupid FBI thing a couple of times and I just shut the computer off and turn it back on.

UncleTom · Jan 8, 2015

Just go in to restore and restore it to another date. I have fixed a friends computer that had that on it. It is easy to do and it gets rid of it.I think you go to startall programsaccessoriesrestore. It will give you a calendar of dates to choose from. Go to a date that is hi-lighted and that is a day or two before you have had the virus. If it wont let you restore then you might have to do it in safe mode.

sd pete · Jan 8, 2015

I use the pay version of Malware Bytes and it stops all of that stuff.

WGM · Jan 8, 2015

Didn't realize anyone used DOS anymore.

Janicholson · Jan 8, 2015

Windows has been an overlay on DOS from the start. it is still in your computer. Jim

37chief · Jan 8, 2015

If you had the problem I had a while back. Kiss everything on your computer good by, or pay 500.00 I wasn't going to pay those scumbags one cent. I took my computer and it started all over again, without my pictures or pass words, and anything else I had. I was able to keep my favorites. I have a back up now. I wish they could catch those guys some how.Stan

NCWayne · Jan 8, 2015

The first time it appeared on mine I wound up having to take my computer in and have it wiped, and Windows reloaded to get rid of it. Thankfully they were able to recover all of my files so I didn't lose anything. I'm not sure exactly, but I think it got in that time in what appeared to be a JAVA update that I ok'ed, giving it control over my computer.

Recently I had it pop up again, only it was in another window, not the one I was looking at. When it happened, and I have no clue how or why it did, I never even opened the window. This time, for whatever reason it didn't get control of anything, I guess because I didn't click on anything, or even try to close the window. What I did was simply hit the manual OFF switch. Once shut down, I restarted holding down the F9 key, When it started, it said press F8, and then gave options. I chose to restart with a "known good configuration". This time everything came back, and no FBI screen asking for a ransom.

rrlund · Jan 8, 2015

With that virus,you can't go to anything. It completely locks your computer.

Mark - IN. · Jan 8, 2015

About the only way that you can get to DOS, is to boot from a Windows CD for like Windows 97. Not sure can do it with ME, XP, or newer CDs. Once Windows fires up, going to the Command Prompt won't do any good, because virus' are active once Windows fires up, same as going to the Command Prompt. So to get to true DOS, you have to do it BEFORE Windows starts. Its been a while, but use a Win 97 CD, when it boots, tell it to Repair, and work your way into DOS by changing the Directory (CD/Windows or CD Windows). Once you identify the virus by name, you can get into proper Windows subfolders and files through DOS like Sys32, find it and "delete*.*", and so on. Be careful though not to delete the wrong executable. In the past I've had virus', and instead of formatting and reimaging, I went through true DOS and erased them. Is cumbersome, but works with XP and older.

Mark

Mark - IN. · Jan 8, 2015

M-MAN · Jan 8, 2015

Tap the F key(different computers use different F keys) as it powers on & choose safe mode. Once it boots up go to the control panel and reset to an earlier date. It will be back to normal then. Then use whatever virus software you have as well as deleting cookies, history and internet files. Restart and all will be good.

old bc · Jan 8, 2015

If you can get a Norton Antivirus DVD from someone and boot to it,you can clean it off.
You will have to be hooked to the internet.
I know this will work because I have used it on 3 computers.
Your other option is to do a system recovery.

PJH · Jan 8, 2015

No - I don't "use" DOS anymore, ha. I followed the directions that I found on the internet, step by step, and that's where it took me. Not my cup of tea, but it worked.

Laptop was running Windows XP, and a message would get in your face at about 10 second intervals. If you clicked the wrong button, it would go blue screen and you'd have to do a hard shutoff, then re-start for more of the same. Finally realized I could slide the popup down below the horizon and eliminate the blue screen problem, but the DOS fix got rid of it for good. It's the only time I've ever felt vindicated on a computer issue, ha.

Keith Molden · Jan 9, 2015

That's what I was doing too.

UncleTom · Jan 9, 2015

just restart it in safe mode and restore it.

Laptop is locked with scam

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