wicked computer virus - wants money to unlock my laptop

k57

Member
Aug 19, 2001
605
1
18
In a living hell
Not pretending to be a computer expert; but why not do a system restore (to an earlier date). Usually this works; as I understand it doesn't eliminate the virus but makes it inactive; then you can download what you need to clean it out of your system. This has worked for me in the past.
 

papasmerf

New member
Oct 22, 2002
26,531
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42.55.65N 78.43.73W
I upgraded my free AVG to AVG Internet Security 2013 (30 day trial version, else you can revert to Basics). Is that a good AV/malware program?
I have been using Trend Micros since it was a beta. That must be since 97 or so.

Nothing is bullet proof but works better than most.
 
S

**Sophie**

I upgraded my free AVG to AVG Internet Security 2013 (30 day trial version, else you can revert to Basics). Is that a good AV/malware program?
It's not bad I have the same one. If it's free, it's for me lol.
 

SkyRider

Banned
Mar 31, 2009
17,572
2
0
I have been using the AVAST free AV but it got messed up when I upgraded the RAM on my computer.
 

WoodPeckr

Protuberant Member
May 29, 2002
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thewoodpecker.net
I seem to recall our friend Woodpekr saying that Norton is a resource hog and will greatly slow down your computer.
Earlier Norton 360 versions with all the bells & whistles, that IMHO are not needed was a resource hog.
That latest and greatest basic Norton AV gets excellent marks for security for a paid version.
That said I've been using the free Avast version for years in place of Norton with no problems but am still careful when surfing when using Windows.

However Linux is now my primary OS because of its superior bullet proof security.
On Linux you can surf any and all sites, even 'suspect sites' with impunity and this is the main reason I switched to Linux.
Oh and as a bonus, Linux and all its excellent software are completely FREE!.....:thumb:

It's nice being M$ & Apple FREE!....:cool:
 

GPIDEAL

Prolific User
Jun 27, 2010
23,359
11
38
Earlier Norton 360 versions with all the bells & whistles, that IMHO are not needed was a resource hog.
That latest and greatest basic Norton AV gets excellent marks for security for a paid version.
That said I've been using the free Avast version for years in place of Norton with no problems but am still careful when surfing when using Windows.

However Linux is now my primary OS because of its superior bullet proof security.
On Linux you can surf any and all sites, even 'suspect sites' with impunity and this is the main reason I switched to Linux.
Oh and as a bonus, Linux and all its excellent software are completely FREE!.....:thumb:

It's nice being M$ & Apple FREE!....:cool:
Interesting. Nobody, Staples or otherwise that I know of, sells computers with Linux. Does it have a specific business application? Why isn't it used more at the consumer level?
 

spraggamuffin

Well-known member
Oct 6, 2006
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WoodPeckr

Protuberant Member
May 29, 2002
47,044
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thewoodpecker.net
Interesting. Nobody, Staples or otherwise that I know of, sells computers with Linux. Does it have a specific business application? Why isn't it used more at the consumer level?
You don't have to buy a PC with Linux already installed per se.....

You can go to Distro Watch for info, where 100 of the most popular Linux flavors are rated. There are more than 100 versions of Linux and most are free.
Ubuntu is the flavor I chose because they have massive Support Forums that are very helpful answering any newbie and highly technical advanced questions you may have. Mint is very popular now and is similar to Ubuntu. The Ubuntu site will give you all the info needed to download Ubuntu and create a 'Live CD' that will enable you to run Ubuntu off that CD to give it a 'test spin' on your PC without changing a thing on your PC. Then if you like what you see you can install it and it will run even better once installed on your HDD.

I went with a dual boot setup at first so I could learn Linux at my own pace and still have Windows to fall back on when needed. With a dual boot you have 2 completely independent OSs on your PC. Ubuntu site gives you all instructions needed to setup a dual boot which I prefer. Or you can just install Linux on an old PC you may have. Linux runs equally well on any PC old or new. Now after using Linux ~6 years, all self taught, I don't need M$ anymore for anything!

Ubuntu comes by default with many programs, all you need really, including a complete Office Suite of Libre Office which replaced Open Office a couple years ago. Plus there are several thousands of other software programs/apps available in several Linux repositories all FREE.

Linux for the most part is a FREE non-profit organization made up of altruistic folks who believe the Internets should be FREE to all!...:thumb:
However there are a few commercial Linux distros that are trying to make a buck and will charge you to use them. I just pass on these pay versions.
 
S

**Sophie**

You don't have to buy a PC with Linux already installed per se.....

You can go to Distro Watch for info, where 100 of the most popular Linux flavors are rated. There are more than 100 versions of Linux and most are free.
Ubuntu is the flavor I chose because they have massive Support Forums that are very helpful answering any newbie and highly technical advanced questions you may have. Mint is very popular now and is similar to Ubuntu. The Ubuntu site will give you all the info needed to download Ubuntu and create a 'Live CD' that will enable you to run Ubuntu off that CD to give it a 'test spin' on your PC without changing a thing on your PC. Then if you like what you see you can install it and it will run even better once installed on your HDD.

I went with a dual boot setup at first so I could learn Linux at my own pace and still have Windows to fall back on when needed. With a dual boot you have 2 completely independent OSs on your PC. Ubuntu site gives you all instructions needed to setup a dual boot which I prefer. Or you can just install Linux on an old PC you may have. Linux runs equally well on any PC old or new. Now after using Linux ~6 years, all self taught, I don't need M$ anymore for anything!

Ubuntu comes by default with many programs, all you need really, including a complete Office Suite of Libre Office which replaced Open Office a couple years ago. Plus there are several thousands of other software programs/apps available in several Linux repositories all FREE.

Linux for the most part is a FREE non-profit organization made up of altruistic folks who believe the Internets should be FREE to all!
However there are a few commercial Linux distros that are trying to make a buck and will charge you to use them. I just pass on these pay versions.
Wow very informative and useful info thanks.
 

asterwald

Active member
Dec 11, 2010
2,585
0
36
You don't have to buy a PC with Linux already installed per se.....

You can go to Distro Watch for info, where 100 of the most popular Linux flavors are rated. There are more than 100 versions of Linux and most are free.
Ubuntu is the flavor I chose because they have massive Support Forums that are very helpful answering any newbie and highly technical advanced questions you may have. Mint is very popular now and is similar to Ubuntu. The Ubuntu site will give you all the info needed to download Ubuntu and create a 'Live CD' that will enable you to run Ubuntu off that CD to give it a 'test spin' on your PC without changing a thing on your PC. Then if you like what you see you can install it and it will run even better once installed on your HDD.

I went with a dual boot setup at first so I could learn Linux at my own pace and still have Windows to fall back on when needed. With a dual boot you have 2 completely independent OSs on your PC. Ubuntu site gives you all instructions needed to setup a dual boot which I prefer. Or you can just install Linux on an old PC you may have. Linux runs equally well on any PC old or new. Now after using Linux ~6 years, all self taught, I don't need M$ anymore for anything!

Ubuntu comes by default with many programs, all you need really, including a complete Office Suite of Libre Office which replaced Open Office a couple years ago. Plus there are several thousands of other software programs/apps available in several Linux repositories all FREE.

Linux for the most part is a FREE non-profit organization made up of altruistic folks who believe the Internets should be FREE to all!...:thumb:
However there are a few commercial Linux distros that are trying to make a buck and will charge you to use them. I just pass on these pay versions.
Do you feel limited in software or compatibility? Every software is usually made for Windows or Mac.
 

Rockslinger

Banned
Apr 24, 2005
32,776
0
0
Do you feel limited in software or compatibility? Every software is usually made for Windows or Mac.
I have experimented with Linux and found that there are some software such as Media Player Classic and StudioTax that will not run on Linux but will on Windows. BTW: I think the creator of Linux is Robert Young (Hamilton boy) who founded Red Hat. His aunt, inter-ali, was one of the original investors before they did the IPO.
 

james t kirk

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2001
24,039
3,893
113
I got nailed once following a link someone posted on terb.

I am shocked that someone got hit from xhamster.
I had just clicked on xhamster, put in "fleshlight" under the search and as usual, there was a "pop-under" which I clicked on in order to close. Could have come from either site I suppose, but I wasn't 60 seconds into xhamster and boon, the screen locks up and a very official (at first glance) sheet popped up and I could not get out of it.

There was a police coat of arms (which upon closer inspection read, "Canadian Pacific Police Force" and the CPR logo. There was a Canadian flag, my IP address where I was, and another notation to "Central Europe"

Then on the other side of the page was a couple of tables to fill in with code numbers for this money order and logos of where I could buy them from.

Haven't tried to fix the machine yet.
 

Celticman

Into Ties and Tail
Aug 13, 2009
8,916
86
48
Durham & Toronto
I had just clicked on xhamster, put in "fleshlight" under the search and as usual, there was a "pop-under" which I clicked on in order to close. Could have come from either site I suppose, but I wasn't 60 seconds into xhamster and boon, the screen locks up and a very official (at first glance) sheet popped up and I could not get out of it.

There was a police coat of arms (which upon closer inspection read, "Canadian Pacific Police Force" and the CPR logo. There was a Canadian flag, my IP address where I was, and another notation to "Central Europe"

Then on the other side of the page was a couple of tables to fill in with code numbers for this money order and logos of where I could buy them from.

Haven't tried to fix the machine yet.
James, strongly suggest professional help.
 

HEYHEY

Well-known member
Nov 25, 2005
2,537
641
113
Restore your computer to an earlier date, problem solved. If that option is disabled by the virues restart windows and run it in safe mode
 
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