"FBI" virus locked up my computer...

[Jondar]

Clicked on a link, my Norton Virus program opened and got stuck, then the screen came up telling me I have to pay $300 to get an unlock code from the FBI because I was surfing porn.

 

It is an older computer and I'm trying to decide if I want to take it somewhere to try to get it fixed... Best Buy - Geek Squad might be more expensive than what the computer is worth. I don't have much on there that I need to recover.

 

Anyone know of a place in the DC area where they might fix it for less than $100 or so?

[EZEtoGRU]

I picked up the FBI virus several months ago even though I subscribe to the McCafee Anti-virus protection service. I was able to remove it myself with a free malware removal kit available online. Hopefully you have access to another computer and can google "FBI virus removal". Numerous options will come up. I went with Malwarebytes I believe.....and it explained in step by step detail how to remove it. Took me a while to get rid of it but I did. I agree with you that it isn't worth paying for it to be removed if it is an older computer.

Clicked on a link, my Norton Virus program opened and got stuck, then the screen came up telling me I have to pay $300 to get an unlock code from the FBI because I was surfing porn.

 

It is an older computer and I'm trying to decide if I want to take it somewhere to try to get it fixed... Best Buy - Geek Squad might be more expensive than what the computer is worth. I don't have much on there that I need to recover.

 

Anyone know of a place in the DC area where they might fix it for less than $100 or so?

[+ honcho]

The geek squad might be more expensive that buying a buying a used computer with similar capabilities, but the hours that you will spend

trying to recreate the information you have on, even if you only value your time at say $15/hour, would cost you far more than the fee for

help if you give up on it!

 

Not in DC ... wish I could help.

[Jondar]

Thanks to both of you. I'm so non techy, I'm not sure I can clean it myself... I'll do some research.

[Jondar]

Thanks to both of you. I'm so non techy, I'm not sure I can clean it myself... I'll do some research.

 

Opened a chat with Norton Anti-virus who I use and they were great in assistance of fixing the problem. With in 40 minutes they fixed it remotely. WOW, pays to use the big guys.