Computer/internet scam --

[madamesilverspurs]

This last week I've spent a fair amount of time online shopping for a replacement cable for my digital camera. Thus, I deviated from my normal net behavior and it came home to roost. Shame on me.

This morning I was checking my usual news sites and an ad for camera cords appeared, obliterating the story I was trying to read; when I clicked on the "X" to make it go away the whole screen disappeared, replaced by a black screen with the grim advisory that I'd picked up a computer virus while visiting an adult site (who knew that camera cords were strictly for the over-21 crowd?!). I was not allowed to close or minimize the screen, but they did very kindly provide a phone number to call to get the mess cleared up, 1-866-794-9246.

No, I haven't called the number, nor will I. As it happens, I had a couple other windows open and am thus able to continue my normal routine. The "WARNING" header is still visible in the tray, and I'm hoping that a system restore will make it go away. Anyway, just wanted to get the word out there in case anyone else gets whacked. I truly hate these guys.

[Tetris_Iguana]

1. Thanks for the heads up!

For future reference, I recommend not clicking any suspicious boxes. Just restart the computer manually.

Or move to an iPad (note to nontroversy people- there's used ones for really cheap).

[rickford66]

3. Try a "system restore"

That should get your computer back to a day prior to your infection.

[Skittles]

4. alt/ctl/delete and kill the task

[sailfla]

5. I just did a couple of restores

After saving all my really needed files, I restored the comp. Shortly thereafter I had another major problem and restored again. So I figured if I didn't put a bunch of crap back on the computer. I would just restore it once every couple of months and have a brand new computer again.

Just make it a habit of storing your stuff on flash drive or whatever.

Also as a bonus...Norton gives me another free 60 days of their try out period

[PowerToThePeople]

6. Most of these things can be avoided

with properly set up and regularly updated DNS blacklists and/or hosts files.

http://lifehacker.com/5817447/how-to-block-unwanted-ads-in-all-applications-and-speed-up-web-browsing-with-the-hosts-file

There are many compilation lists available to use out there.