I Need Help! Computer Scam/Hack!

[Mark Vader]

Hi everyone,

I believe that I have set myself up to a hacking scam.

I was contacted by someone who claimed that they had reports that my computer had been hacked.

My computer's security system was outdated and I believed them.

They said they could install a "Network Firewall Security" system to protect my computer.

I paid for this system and it appears to have worked.

 

However, a couple of times my computer has gone to a blue screen with a message stating that "Security Measures are being applied to your computer".

I then see my mouse cursor moving on it's own. Then I find out that someone has tried to purchase Amazon merchandise from my debit card.

Thankfully the bank prevented the purchases and I was able to cancel my debit card.

Has anything like this ever happened to anyone here?

If so, please give me some advice on what to do.

Thank you.

[T&C]

This is why I only use a chromebook now... hope it works out for the best.

 

Also, I never buy anything online. Used to do eBay way back but that was it... over 20 years ago.

[T&C]

You should be able to go to any walmart and get this one... flies like the wind and no problems with security... under $200. It's like a small tv when I watch sling or Bills/Sabres games too. Very fast..

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-315-15-6-Celeron-4GB-32GB-Chromebook-HD-Display-Intel-N4000-4GB-LPDDR4-32GB-eMMC-Protective-Sleeve-Pure-Silver-Chrome-OS-CB315-3H-C2C3/565923637?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=14673&&adid=22222222227565923637_141074770957_18285736992&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=620836129621&wl4=aud-430887228898:pla-1742974958378&wl5=9012090&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=118770819&wl11=online&wl12=565923637&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8e-gBhD0ARIsAJiDsaXzEcWDn78BGWoJNjo9MR6VdmKfeSo-4XFQUuJ19XtrGNPp2a3bYxQaArf1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[DrDawkinstein]

22 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

Hi everyone,

I believe that I have set myself up to a hacking scam.

I was contacted by someone who claimed that they had reports that my computer had been hacked.

My computer's security system was outdated and I believed them.

They said they could install a "Network Firewall Security" system to protect my computer.

I paid for this system and it appears to have worked.

 

However, a couple of times my computer has gone to a blue screen with a message stating that "Security Measures are being applied to your computer".

I then see my mouse cursor moving on it's own. Then I find out that someone has tried to purchase Amazon merchandise from my debit card.

Thankfully the bank prevented the purchases and I was able to cancel my debit card.

Has anything like this ever happened to anyone here?

If so, please give me some advice on what to do.

Thank you.

 

First, yes, you definitely got scammed and hacked. Just establishing that as fact so there is no doubt later on and you can proceed accordingly.

 

It's been a while since I used a Windows computer, but I would start here: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

 

Download and run that. Preferably, run it while disconnected from the internet. If you have another machine you can use, I'd disconnect this one from the internet indefinitely. If not, just unplug ethernet and/or turn off wifi as much as you can until you get it scanned and fixed.

 

You'll want to backup any important docs or data.

 

You'll likely need to wipe the entire machine and start from scratch because who knows what else they installed. Key loggers that track every single thing you type, for example. Passwords included. So time to change your passwords (not from this machine).

 

That's all I have for now. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Wacka]

Mark, you live in Silicon Va;;ey and should have known better and switched to a Mac years ago😀.  Go to the spaceship (Mac HQ for those who don't live there) and buy one. I have used a Mac since 1985 and have had only one virus in almost 40 years.  That one was via an acoustic modem ( where you dialed up and put the phone handset in the modem cradle  after the screeching started).All it did was change the file type on one file to a .doc.

[Warcodered]

59 minutes ago, Wacka said:

Mark, you live in Silicon Va;;ey and should have known better and switched to a Mac years ago😀.  Go to the spaceship (Mac HQ for those who don't live there) and buy one. I have used a Mac since 1985 and have had only one virus in almost 40 years.  That one was via an acoustic modem ( where you dialed up and put the phone handset in the modem cradle  after the screeching started).All it did was change the file type on one file to a .doc.

A Mac isn't really going to protect you from letting someone onto your computer to install whatever they want.

[Mark Vader]

4 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

First, yes, you definitely got scammed and hacked. Just establishing that as fact so there is no doubt later on and you can proceed accordingly.

 

It's been a while since I used a Windows computer, but I would start here: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

 

Download and run that. Preferably, run it while disconnected from the internet. If you have another machine you can use, I'd disconnect this one from the internet indefinitely. If not, just unplug ethernet and/or turn off wifi as much as you can until you get it scanned and fixed.

 

You'll want to backup any important docs or data.

 

You'll likely need to wipe the entire machine and start from scratch because who knows what else they installed. Key loggers that track every single thing you type, for example. Passwords included. So time to change your passwords (not from this machine).

 

That's all I have for now. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

[SinceThe70s]

26 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

 

Good luck.

 

As a PSA I'll share a story I heard today as this was a new one to me.

 

A co-worker had his personal email address hacked. They set up a rule to auto-forward all his emails to their own account. Then they went to online sites that had his credit card stored, changed the email address and started making purchases.  His first tip-off to the issue was when he realized he hadn't gotten emails to the account for a day or so.  A lingering problem he was still dealing with was convincing companies he was the one that was hacked since he could no longer confirm through email. Insidious.

[Wacka]

1 hour ago, Warcodered said:

A Mac isn't really going to protect you from letting someone onto your computer to install whatever they want.

I have NEVER used any antivirus software. You have to personally OK installation of programs in the root level on a Mac. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

How did they contact you if you don't mind me asking?

[qwksilver]

If they are controlling your computer, my guess is they have a portal or some type of VPN installed to access your computer in addition to any malware. You will need a professional to scrub and set your computer back to itss default. There are technical terms for this process but it's above my pay grade.

 

Good luck.

[Behindenemylines]

You need a pro 💯 to fix it.  Even then if you can get photos etc you want I’d shut it down and buy a new one. 

[davefan66]

My concern is they installed a program that may not be picked up by standard virus or malware programs.  I would update your virus protection and run a full scan.  I’d then grab a free one and do the same to check twice (I’ve had different results with different anti virus programs), run malewarebytes (great program).  You could look through installed programs and see if there is anything you don’t recognize, but I’d guess they hide it pretty well.  There is probably some key loggers and such, but it seems like they have installed a back door into your computer that may not be seen by antivirus/maleware programs.  Hope I’m wrong.

 

You most likely will need to wipe the computer, stop all cards - especially those used on this computer, change all passwords - especially banks.  I would also change the prompts that verify you , ie: “what was your first car” with those banks.  Change anything and everything you used since this happened.  Invest in LifeLock.

 

Hopefully you have a recent backup of the computer.  If not, you should get an external hard drive and manually transfer important files to it. Do this while the computer is not connected to the internet or any network.  I would hope this would limit the ability for any malicious software to infect the external drive.  If it is able to infect the external drive, it should be able to be seen by antivirus, etc. 

 

I know I don’t do a good job myself, but this is why constant backups are important. Importantly, there is no service that tracks if your computer has malicious software on it, no company that will cold call you to help fix your “problem”.  Many, many people have unfortunately fallen victim to these scams.  Having up to date antivirus and anti-malware on your computer, even if it is a Mac.  I have been exclusively Mac since early 2000’s and have had a few viruses, they are not immune but far less susceptible.
 

 

[Nextmanup]

Immediately!  Throw your Microsoft-based machine in the trash.

And then run out and buy an Apple computer.

 

Your problems will be solved forever.

 

 

[LeGOATski]

And now you need help from all the Apple snobs!

 

You started with one problem...and then you created a whole new separate problem!

 

[Beck Water]

16 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

First, yes, you definitely got scammed and hacked. Just establishing that as fact so there is no doubt later on and you can proceed accordingly.

 

It's been a while since I used a Windows computer, but I would start here: https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download

 

Download and run that. Preferably, run it while disconnected from the internet. If you have another machine you can use, I'd disconnect this one from the internet indefinitely. If not, just unplug ethernet and/or turn off wifi as much as you can until you get it scanned and fixed.

 

You'll want to backup any important docs or data.

 

You'll likely need to wipe the entire machine and start from scratch because who knows what else they installed. Key loggers that track every single thing you type, for example. Passwords included. So time to change your passwords (not from this machine).

 

That's all I have for now. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

What Dawkinstein said and @davefan66 as well, and no, running out to buy an Apple won't solve some of your problems.

 

You need to isolate your computer from the internet and disinfect it.  Depending upon how good the hackers were, and how good you are, this may be a job for professionals.  My SIL had good luck with Geek Squad.  If the computer is old enough that you might consider replacement anyway, replace it.

 

You also need to change ALL your passwords, especially passwords to banks, ASAP.  Also change your security questions.  Don't give the same answers to the new ones.  Make up *****.  "Where did you meet your wife?" "Tattooine" "What was your first car?" "Austin Martin" that kind of thing.  Invest in a good secure password program and keep track of the questions and answers there (and keep it OFF your infected computer).  Don't forget to change router and modem passwords and update their firmware if not current.

 

Lock your credit with all 3 credit bureaus.  This will prevent thieves from opening new credit cards in your name.

 

Be aware that malware may be embedded in any backups you make of docs or data, so those have to be scanned with good software before you let them back on an uninfected machine.

 

Be aware that the very best (or worst depending upon perspective) malware will disable anti-malware software and produce a specious "no malware found" report. 

 

Good luck.  Because of my streaming habits we got trojan infections on the computer I used until we set up a separate computer to run Linux for the purpose.  Most of the malware barfs on Linux.

Edited March 24, 2023 by Beck Water

[Ted Striker]

Surely, there must be something that you can do.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

do a system restore to an earlier date. that fails, reformat.. 

 

*always have a back up drive for important things. I keep a 2 tb seagate exterior drive for back up. 

 

 

I use no antivirus. OS is Windows 10 Home. 

Edited March 24, 2023 by DaBillsFanSince1973

[DrDawkinstein]

The only catch with restoring backups is you have to be sure to restore from a point well before the hackers ever got in, or you'll just be restoring their same malware they put on your machine.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

8 minutes ago, Ted Striker said:

Surely, there must be something that you can do.

I'm sorry, Ted, I'm afraid I can't do that.