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I clearly have a virus, but Webroot doesn't find anything. When I'm using my browser, a message comes up and says I have a "Serious Security Vulnerabilities" and my browser will lock up. Sometimes a beeping sounds starts or a voice comes on telling me a have a virus and that I need to call the phone number. Why isn't Webroot finding this?
Hello ? and Welcome to the Community,

 

While I am certainly no expert, I have heard others complain of similar PUA's. They are technically NOT viruses, but unwanted applications that  may have gotten into your computer during a program upload (where they can piggy back in). They have other methods of infiltration also. This is a very educational guide which will help you remove it.

 

https://community.webroot.com/t5/Techie-KB/How-to-Remove-Potentially-Unwanted-Applications/ta-p/40744

 

If you are successful or unsuccessful, please write back to let us know the outcome.

 

Regards,

Theresa
?'s right. It's a trap. 
This is a scam and what you should NOT do is phone that number at all.

This is most likely not a virus but if you are in any way concerned you can ask Support to take a look.

 

Here is a bit more information on these scams:

 

 



 

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 on any links, allowed them to remote into your computer, or went to any websites 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 add a good free Ad Blocker like the ones suggested below:

 

For Internet Explorer Ad Block Plus: https://adblockplus.org/

 

For Firefox uBlock: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/?src=ss or Privacy Badger: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/privacy-badger-firefox/



 

Google Chrome uBlock: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en or Privacy Badger: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-badger/pkehgijcmpdhfbdbbnkijodmdjhbjlgp

 

Thanks,

 
? it happened even to me a few weeks ago and i guess my healthy dose of paranoia  ( and the good advise from the other experts here off course ) made me do the only right thing. Hang up the phone from that so called microsoft expert with his dodgy english. Hell even my wife's broken english with a heavy chinese accent sounded better then the microsoft english... So whenever you get such a call hang up. If you get such a popup close your browser & restart it again without clicking on the popup!!! It's when you do that that you could get unwanted stuff.

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