Computer Went Belly-UpS

[JohnP]

Someone hacked into my computer and everything is gone.  Was surfing when I got a message from the FBI that they have found child porno on my computer and unless I sent $300 to something called "MoneyPak" they would lock down my computer.  I'm going in to the local FBI office shortly and report what happened.  Then on to the computer store to find out if they can restore what I had, mostly interested in my photos and address book.  If they can't fix it guess I'll get a new computer..........I'm on a good friends computer now.

[possumal]

That's a bummer, John P.  I keep a complete backup on an external hard drive, but even that may not save me. Hope it all turns out good for ya.

[KySongDog]

Someone hacked into my computer and everything is gone.  Was surfing when I got a message from the FBI that they have found child porno on my computer and unless I sent $300 to something called "MoneyPak" they would lock down my computer.  I'm going in to the local FBI office shortly and report what happened.  Then on to the computer store to find out if they can restore what I had, mostly interested in my photos and address book.  If they can't fix it guess I'll get a new computer..........I'm on a good friends computer now.

Hey John

You are being scammed.   The FBI is not involved.  You got a virus called "MoneyPak".  It is a form of ransomware.

Check out this explanation.

http://botcrawl.com/how-to-remove-the-fbi-moneypak-ransomware-virus-fake-fbi-malware-removal/


Use Malwarebytes software to remove it.    You can get the free version here: 


http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1

[Hawks Feather]

But Semp, it said it was from the FBI.  No one would ever lie on the internet.   

Sounds like it is time to either do the Malwarebytes or take it to a shop to have it cleaned.

Jerry

[KySongDog]

I'm pretty sure everything is not "gone" from John's computer.  Just inaccessible right now.  The Malwarebytes tool should get things restored OK. 

Here is how they are dealing with the latest version of that virus.


http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=132482&hl=%2Bmoneypak#entry724575

[Hawks Feather]

I'm pretty sure everything is not "gone" from John's computer.  Just inaccessible right now.  The Malwarebytes tool should get things restored OK. 
Here is how they are dealing with the latest version of that virus.
http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=132482&hl=%2Bmoneypak#entry724575

Semp, you know that Jim is the Original Geek so would you like to be called Geek II or Geek Jr.?  Original Geek is going to be so unhappy that he is at work and missing a Geek opportunity.   

Jerry

[Dave]

Semp, you know that Jim is the Original Geek so would you like to be called Geek II or Geek Jr.?  Original Geek is going to be so unhappy that he is at work and missing a Geek opportunity.   

Jerry

You done it now, Semp! 

[JohnP]

Figured it was a scam when I got to the part that said send $300 and we'll unlock your computer.  My problem right now is that my computer just shows a blank screen and will not let me do anything. It's locked tighter than a duck's ass.  Open to suggestions, but not about the duck's ass Jerry...

[KySongDog]

I'm pretty sure everything is not "gone" from John's computer.  Just inaccessible right now.  The Malwarebytes tool should get things restored OK. 
Here is how they are dealing with the latest version of that virus.
http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=132482&hl=%2Bmoneypak#entry724575

Semp, you know that Jim is the Original Geek so would you like to be called Geek II or Geek Jr.?  Original Geek is going to be so unhappy that he is at work and missing a Geek opportunity.   

Jerry

BWAAA!!!       I'm pretty far from Geekdom!   I know about Malwarebytes because I had to use it once on my sister's locked up computer.     And I ain't, I say I AIN'T, trying to take over Jim's job.   He is the numero uno GEEKster.   

[FinsnFur]

If you had antivirus on it the machine it should have caught it before it got it in. You can also use it to remove the virus.
So assuming you dont use any antivirus you can try to remove the infection with a system restore.
Start by rebooting your computer into Safe Mode with Command Prompt. To do this, turn your computer off and then back on and immediately when you see anything on the screen, start tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.

If you are using Windows 8, the trick is to hold the Shift button and gently tap the F8 key repeatedly, this will sometimes boot you into the new advanced “recovery mode”, where you can choose to see advanced repair options. On the next screen, you will need to click on the Troubleshoot option, then select Advanced Options and select Windows Startup Settings. Click on the Restart button, and you should now be able to see the Advanced Boot Options screen.

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt and press Enter on your keyboard.


At the command prompt, type rstrui.exe, and then press ENTER.

Or, if you are using Windows Vista, 7 and 8, you can type: C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe , and press Enter. And if you are a Windows XP user, type C:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, then press Enter.

System Restore should start, and you will display also a list of restore points. Try using a restore point created just before the date and time the Department of Justice lock screen virus has infected your computer.


When System Restore has completed its task, start your computer in Windows regular mode, and perform a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
And THEN go get some dang antivirus software and keep it up to date

[bigben]

Second malwarebytes but jim got ya heading into the right direction

[nastygunz]

Or, cant you have someone download the free malware on a cd or thumb drive insert n run on computer?

[JohnP]

Thanks for all the advice guys.  I had McAfee anti-virus, spyware and all the other bells and whistles.  When I took it into the repair shop the gals there told me that most of the problems they see are from machines that have McAfee.  They recommended Trend Micro Titanium and that is what I am running now.  They did get my pictures restored and that was a relief.  I now have them on a thumb drive and disc. 

[Hawks Feather]

Glad to see you back and posting.

Jerry

[possumal]

Good to see you operating again, John P.  Personally, I wouldn't put McAfee or Norton on any computer. I have heard lots of good things about the program you are using now.

[FinsnFur]

Welcome back John 
Yeah McAfee is pretty much junk. It's gets installed on a lot of new machines with spamware already included. Heck you can even download some of these Yahoo Toobars etc, and they sneak in a McAfee installation with it if your not careful.
McAfee has become nothing but malware itself and should be completely avoided.

[CCP]

Been using the Microsoft Security Essentials and malwarebytes and have had ZERO problems.I bought the malwarebytes key 4 or 5 years ago so it runs in real time in the background. We run this setup on all 3 computers.

As you found out McAfee is pure junk as is Norton.

[HaMeR]

Just got mine back too. AND I am using Trend Micro Titanium. This is the 1st problem I've had with Trend. Norton was a good option at one time. I'll stick with Trend.

Welcome back Mr. John!! 

[5 SHOTS]

I have been told that virus came from using an old outdated version of Adobe.  Am I wrong?

[FinsnFur]

I doubt anyone actually got a virus from Adobe but it's highly possible that an outdated version of Adobe got exploited and if it didnt get updated it leaves a hole for the viruses and malware yes. Especially since Adobe Acrobat is used for PDf files.
But thats actually true for any and every software. As long as developers keep creating new software and better ways to do things on the web, hackers will keep trying to break the scripts and exploit them. Thats why it is of the utmost importance to keep things up to date.
People who buy antivirus and think they are set for life, are setting ducks. It has to be kept up to date, and those hackers target those that dont know.