Laptop Frozen on Internet Explorer: Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I suddenly received a screen filling message in red-orange with a message saying Protect Error and asking...

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I suddenly received a screen filling message in red-orange with a message saying Protect Error and asking me to call 855-369-8129, from Microsoft. I have not & will not do that however, I can not get the message off my IE screen. The web address is harmament.com.xyz/en/ etc. Google Chrome is not affected.

I wonder should I bring my laptop to a computer store and maybe have to hard drive scrubbed or to a Computer service such as Geeks.

I have only followed links provided in e-mails where I know the source. If I get this straightened out, I will no longer even follow those links.

What should I do? Any suggestions?

I am also suspicious that this may be some kind of revenge from one or several members of OPP with whom I have had testy exchanges.

Liberty Tree

crazylibertarian wrote:

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I sudde... (show quote)

I have heard of this happening before. I suspect someone has invaded your computer, put that message there, and if you call the number they will tell you for a few hundred bucks they can get it off. You pay and they quickly remove it and go on to the next victim. I suspect there is a way for a computer geek to get rid of it quickly for a small fee. I may be all wrong, but this is my inclination.

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

Liberty Tree wrote:

I have heard of this happening before. I suspect someone has invaded your computer, put that message there, and if you call the number they will tell you for a few hundred bucks they can get it off. You pay and they quickly remove it and go on to the next victim. I suspect there is a way for a computer geek to get rid of it quickly for a small fee. I may be all wrong, but this is my inclination.

It's mine also.

teabag09

crazylibertarian wrote:

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I sudde... (show quote)

I get that occasionally. Talked to my geeks. Do Not make the call. Simply power down. Wait a couple minutes and power back up. They want you to give them access to your unit and charge you $$$ to free up your unit. Simply power down. Mike

EmilyD

teabag09 wrote:

I get that occasionally. Talked to my geeks. Do Not make the call. Simply power down. Wait a couple minutes and power back up. They want you to give them access to your unit and charge you $$$ to free up your unit. Simply power down. Mike

Exactly what happened to me. I powered off my computer and when I turned it back on ran a Malwarebyte scan. The scan found it (in my case it was apelorissedwen.download) and got rid of it. If that doesn't work, then you might need to take it to a geek. Make sure you have backup of what you want to save because if the geek wants to reload Windows, you will lose a lot of stuff. I back up to a USB.

Rose42

If you can download and install Malwarebytes (its free) and do a scan. Make sure you have an antiv***s program and that its up to date.

Edited to add - I missed that Emily already mentioned Malwarebytes.

EmilyD

Rose42 wrote:

If you can download and install Malwarebytes (its free) and do a scan. Make sure you have an antiv***s program and that its up to date.

Edited to add - I missed that Emily already mentioned Malwarebytes.

Ironically, I mentioned Malwarebytes because of you, Rose! Thanks to you when I asked this question on General Chit Chat about a similar problem I had, you informed me to use Malwarebytes - and it worked for me! Appreciated that!

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

crazylibertarian wrote:

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I sudde... (show quote)

Turn off your computer by starting your shutdown sequence. Then make sure the computer completely powers down. If you can't do this, turn off your computer with the power button, and leave it off for more than 10 seconds. When you re-restart your computer by clicking the "Windows" icon, next click on "Control Panel" and open the dialogue window. You will see two categories amony the many that you should check. First is the

Rose42

EmilyD wrote:

Ironically, I mentioned Malwarebytes because of you, Rose! Thanks to you when I asked this question on General Chit Chat about a similar problem I had, you informed me to use Malwarebytes - and it worked for me! Appreciated that!

Glad it worked for you.

Seth

crazylibertarian wrote:

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I sudde... (show quote)

I once opened a link in an email from a friend -- it turned out to be insulting and suddenly everyone in my address book was getting insulting emails from me. I had a friend who is an IT security pro fix the problem and emailed everyone, including the friend whose email started the whole thing, about the problem.

If it weren't for the Internet, the a**holes who do this s**t would still be vandalizing properties with spray paint and etching acid, breaking windows at 3 A.M., etc.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

dtucker300 wrote:

Turn off your computer by starting your shutdown sequence. Then make sure the computer completely powers down. If you can't do this, turn off your computer with the power button, and leave it off for more than 10 seconds. When you re-restart your computer by clicking the "Windows" icon, next click on "Control Panel" and open the dialogue window. You will see two categories amony the many that you should check. First is the

Okay, My message got truncated. But it looks as though you got the problem resolved. I would suggest adding the free anti-v***s program from AVG if you don't already have one.

solarkin

crazylibertarian wrote:

Today, when I used Internet Explorer (IE), I sudde... (show quote)

just a v***s ..

crazylibertarian Loc: Florida by way of New York & Rhode Island

As it has turned out, the screen was gone this AM. I may get it scrubbed anyway. Thanks to all.