MADISON, WI (WHBL) – Wisconsin residents are falling victim to an emerging form of computer scam that involves pop-ups that harm their computers.
Officials say these pop-ups will lock down a computer system, and then tell the user to call a ‘tech support’ number to get that computer fixed or unlocked. That’s a combination of two older forms of scams known as ransomware and tech support scams. State consumer protection administrator Frank Frazetta says no legitimate virus scan is going to alert users to an infection through an Internet popup. “Exit out of that popup, certainly don’t call any of those numbers. Because if your computer is infected, you’re going to know because hopefully you’ve been running you virus scans on a religious basis and making sure that all of your software is updated.”
Wisconsin residents have been scammed out of several hundred dollars a piece because of this scam, and Frazetta says calling those numbers can also open up consumers to damage to their computers. Turning over control of your system gives a stranger access to all of your files and sensitive information and opens up your system to whatever malicious software they wish to install. Frazetta says these sorts of ransomware are especially harmful to businesses and the public sector. “A business or a government agency still needs to conduct business, and that locking down of the system creates major headaches and major problems.”
If you do think your computer is infected, turn it off and take it to a local, trusted repair shop. You can find more info online at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer
