Hello,
I went on a site that didn't open the way it usually does and clicked.
A fake? I believe "Red" Webroot warning came up with a pop up box in the middle of the screen with no insignia whatsoever; all white.
I ran the scan and it didn't show any threat whatsoever caught by Webroot, so that's why I think it's fake. The URL address has webroot in it but says webrootanywhere on it but not webrootsecureanywhere; it's also not green. It has a warning hand.
The pop up said not to use the internet, but to call a microsoft technician and gave a 866 #.
I have a video running in the background that I was listening to that is still running.
I think the thing to do is turn it off and restart; but there is a warning against that also. What to do? I usually shut if off and don't click on anything.
Wondering what to do? Fake Webroot warning suspected
Hi Miracle
Welcome to the Community Forums.
THIS IS A SCAM!! No reputable company sends emails, pop ups, or phone calls of any kind advising that you may have a problem. You have done the right thing by not clicking on any link or phoning the number provided.
As for the video I would just reboot your system (I am assuming that due to the time since you posted and a reply that you may have already done that) as I would doubt that the warning not to is anything but a bluff to scare you...WSA has scanned your system and foujnd nothing so you should be OK.
If you do have any concerns then please Open a Support Ticket to get the Support Team to investigate this for you and hopefully confirm that all is well. The service is free to WSA users with a current/active subscription.
If the popup persists then pelase post back and we can have a further look at options as to why this may be happening and what you can do about it.
Finally, if you would like more information, read on:
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/
Hope that the above is of assistance?
Regards, Baldrick
Welcome to the Community Forums.
THIS IS A SCAM!! No reputable company sends emails, pop ups, or phone calls of any kind advising that you may have a problem. You have done the right thing by not clicking on any link or phoning the number provided.
As for the video I would just reboot your system (I am assuming that due to the time since you posted and a reply that you may have already done that) as I would doubt that the warning not to is anything but a bluff to scare you...WSA has scanned your system and foujnd nothing so you should be OK.
If you do have any concerns then please Open a Support Ticket to get the Support Team to investigate this for you and hopefully confirm that all is well. The service is free to WSA users with a current/active subscription.
If the popup persists then pelase post back and we can have a further look at options as to why this may be happening and what you can do about it.
Finally, if you would like more information, read on:
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/
Hope that the above is of assistance?
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
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