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How do I get rid of a pop-up add that keeps showing up after I've taken my computer in for service

  • May 20, 2015
  • 1 reply
  • 210 views

I don't know what to do. I've had this problem in the past and have then called on the Geek Squad to clean my computer.  This pop-up will not let me continue working. I need to shut down the computer and then reboot.  Time consuming and not at all efficient.
 
I did call the number on the pop-up and was told that my computer was seriously infected and that it could crash at any time. The Geek Squad assure me that this will not happen, that this is a spam ad.
 
What should I do to rid my computer of this annoyance.  Thanks so much.
 
(snip> email for security reasons)

1 reply

Ssherjj
Moderator
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  • Moderator
  • May 20, 2015
Hello @,
 
Welcome to the Webroot Community,
 
I would take my pc back to Best Buy unless you have expired the warranty of the repair. But please read the following.
 
 
THIS IS A SCAM!!  Neither Microsoft nor any other company sends emails, pop ups, or phone calls of any kind advising that you may have a problem.
 
If you clicked anything links, allowed them to remote into your computer, or went to any web sites please submit a Trouble Ticket ASAP.  (Now would be a good idea....)
 
If you would like more information, read on (After submitting that Trouble Ticket.....)
 
NEWS ARTICLE: Tech Support Scams are on the rise.
 
 
Microsoft never issues this type of warning or email or anything of a sort!  Please see the following link for Microsofts official word on this:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
 
"Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
 
Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you. They might even guess what operating system you're using.
 
Once they've gained your trust, they might ask for your user name and password or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable."
 
Also see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx 
 
 
For more information here iwhat the United States Federal Trade Commission has to say on the subject::
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams
 
"In a recent twist, scam artists are using the phone to try to break into your computer. They call, claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft. They say that they’ve detected viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don’t need.
 
These scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats. They know that computer users have heard time and again that it’s important to install security software. But the purpose behind their elaborate scheme isn’t to protect your computer; it’s to make money."
 
This scam is common and has been around for quite a while.  Here is a good Webroot Blog article from April 2013 by Threat Researcher Roy Tobin.
http://www.webroot.com/blog/2013/04/30/fake-microsoft-security-scam/
 
Also to help with these issues it's best to install an Ablocker like Adblock Plus for most Browsers: https://adblockplus.org/
 
Thanks,