computer security.
 

On two occasions this morning while searching for spares, clicked on site screen went red telling me I have a security problem, and to dial 0800 046 5719 to solve problem. I could not clear red screen what ever I tried, had to turn off supply. Turned computer back on searched google for the said telephone number, to be informed it was a social fun number. Checked my computer for security, no problems found.
Continued with my search on a different, it happened once again but the last four numbers were different. had to shut down to clear. Is there any way I can clear it if it happens again, and how can I avoid such sites. This is the first time it has happened in many years. Any help would be appreciated . Fred

Have you tried System Rdstore.

Sorry, that should read System Restore.

It Sounds like Malware.Download the Free Malwarebytes and run the scan. Link below and do the scan every 2 weeks to a month. Its one of the best and its free to use on a home comouter.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

I think this may be a result of malware or even ransomware on your system. Don't ring the number at all. Go to filehippo.com and download MalwareBytes, then run it and see what it comes up with. Ditto CCleaner, if you don't have it. EDIT I see Gren_24 has provided the direct link for the first one.

You haven't said what sort of system you are running, what browser you're using etc but hopefully you have Windows Defender.

The way a lot of malware, trojans etc access your machine is by "spoofing", i.e. sending out what appear to be legitimate emails in the hope that the recipient will click on a link that then installs the dodgy program. For example, I occasionally get emails with the title "Receipt for your purchase from the iTunes Store" (even though I have never bought anything from the iTunes store!) or "There is a problem with your Paypal account", with a subsequent instruction to "Click here to contact us". Or perhaps something purporting to be from your bank, especially if you actually do use online banking.

Never click on any links, attachments etc in such emails. Usually, if you hover your mouse pointer over the sender's email address (WITHOUT clicking on it), the actual email address will appear and you will probably be able to see whether it looks kosher or not. Either way, if you think there may be a genuine issue to be resolved then you should contact the company directly, not via the email they appear to have sent you.

If you haven't backed up your system already and/or made copies of important files & documents that are stored on a separate drive, I strongly suggest you do so as soon as you can.

I have to agree on what andmc says apart from windows defender, it is of little use go for one of the free antivirus such as Avast link below

https://www.avast.com/en-gb/download...E&locale=en-gb

I've had this a few times in the past when searching the web. I found the easiest way to sort it was to open Windows Task Manager and use it to force close the browser.

In my case, a search for malware, viruses etc found all was clean, so I suspect it was the websites that were the problem rather than my PC.

Cliff

Thanks very much for your speedy replies, I will check out my system and see what I am running. What bothers me most is it has the ability to freeze my computer and the only to get back on is to shut off supply.

Just checked, I have windows 10, with Windows defender, on scanning no problems shown and all is protected !!!!!

Rule of thumb; if you receive an email that you were not expecting and that asks you to do something - open an attachment, click on a link, - just delete it!

Sent from my Nexus 10 and a Black XF-S 😎