DAMN! My wife's computer just had a message come up that I can't get rid of: it says 18448316841 dot call now 247 dot pro is trying to access my computer! The message goes on to say call the Windows help desk at 1-844-831-6841. It also says 0 X 80070424 is behind this, and my activation key is damaged. HELP!
okay, but I can't get rid of the message or access the internet. The message stays on the screen you control/alt/delete and the task bar comes up and you close the task but a few seconds later it pops back up. Any thoughts?
I looked up the phone number windows support on my other (this) computer. It's a recording, and all they give me is a list of PAID support options! If I want free help, the recording said to go online and find a support group for free help. Excuse me? So how can I contact a human at windows just so I can ask a simple question?
You can't. If you want to talk to Microsoft, you're going to have to cough up some money. What you need to do is download something like Malware Bytes or Spybot (both free, BTW). Copy them over to a thumbdrive or burn them to a disc, and install them on the infected PC. That should fix the problem. For now.
I googled up this problem, and they mentioned Malware Bytes but they had about ten pages of instructions - is this right? I don't have a printer. I guess I will be writing a bunch and then going into the other room with my wife's computer to try it out.
help! Okay I downloaded the program onto a USB drive. I took the drive to my other computer. But I don't know how to tranfsre files on Windows 10! On my (this) version of windows the "start" button has "computer" and it pops up showing your drives, and it's a snap. I don't know how to get the files from my USB onto the computer. I can't even find the drives to view files! Windows 10 is completely different - my wife uses it for the internet and that's all. Help please!
In the search box, type Files Explorer, and you'll get the program that shows you the drives . Or, if you have that little folder icon, like I do, click that.
okay, I figured out how to get the program from my USB to the wife's computer. I installed the program, and ran it. After a few minutes it said scan complete, no threats. Yes it failed - the pop up message is still there. So now I have a free 14 day trial that doesn't seem to work anyway. The mayware bytes did not detect or get rid of anything. Now what?
AHA! I made a "system back up" USB or "recovery disc" or whatever it's called a while back. Would this come into play now?
Yup. You'll lose anything that was created on the computer since the back up was made, but it might get rid of the malware. (Depends upon how long it's been on your system.) The other option would be to try Spybot and see if it can find the problem.
my son's friend helped me download Roguekiller - another malware scanner. He said it's very thorough and works great. So I'nm running a scan now - I have my fingers crossed. Option B I pay the guy to get rid of the virus. It will be cheaper and I have known him for 15 years or so.
okay I downloaded and ran Rouguekiller - it found 21 different problems! Then I chose "get rid of the problems" and it restarted the computer and still the message remains. The malware is still there. So, talk me through the process of using my "recovery disc" please! What info do I need to gather before I start the process, so I don't screw myself over.
okay it seems to be working now - maybe I accidentally fixed it! I think I was trying to choose the "system restore point" but never got to the point where I actually put in my recovery USB. I got confused and chickened out at that point and restarted the computer mid-stroke. When it came up, it let me get on the internet (I tried a few different sites) and the virus message was gone. It was probably coincidental with rebooting after my second attempt at Rougekiller (downloaded via the leepingcomputer site I got Roguekiller from. Regardless, I hope it holds steady and it's gone, and without me having to do anything drastic. I don't like a fix I can't replicate, but I'll take my victories where I can find them! My last two "fix it yourself" projects (my clothes dryer & my dish washer) ended up in failure.
