Beware of the Microsoft/Windows Scam

There is a scam going around that some of my friends have fallen for or almost fallen for. Please share this post! A pop up window on your screen that claims to be Microsoft stating your computer has been compromised is a scam. DO NOT call the 800 number (or whatever phone number) that is listed. You will get someone with a foreign accent claiming they are with Windows and for a fee (usually between $50-100) can clean the virus from your computer. If you can, close out of this window, update your antivirus software, then do a complete scan. If you do not have antivirus, your computer has probably been compromised by these scammers and you need to take it to a local computer repair shop or Best Buy Geek Squad to get it fixed ASAP. If you can't close out of the window, then to the repair shop your computer needs to go. They may also call you from a toll-free number claiming they are with Windows or Microsoft and tell you your computer has been compromised. HANG UP ON THEM, block them and do not answer the phone if they call again. I had a friend who paid the $50 and then suddenly they needed more money and the computer was screwed up beyond belief. This is why it is so important to have antivirus on your computer, whether it is a PC or a MAC (Apple). MAC's *do* get viruses these days. Don't be fooled. I used Symantec's Norton Antivirus, which comes with a firewall. I have had this for years and love it. But there is also McAfee, Kaspersky and others. Most have a 30-day free trial - check them all out. There is a free one, AVG, but remember, you get what you don't pay for - you really should shell out money for a good antivirus program. Just saying. Stay safe online. This has been a public service announcement.

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