866-217-8835

Didn't get a call but this number is part of a internet hack that says it's Microsoft number to call to remove a virus.
Don't call this number

I got the same popup on my screen and it would let me click on anything so I just shut the computer down and restarted it - no problem. I wouldn't call that number if my life depended on it.   Boy these hackers will try anything won't they?

Knowing very little about computers I fell for the scam! I did not give them any money but they certainly did have access to my computer.

They claim to be working for Microsoft or give you the impression of only to try to scam you for $299 malware

My computer beeped and this number came up. My screen was frozen, so I unfortunately did call the number. I got suspicious as soon as the guy came online and so I hung up. Running a virus scan now and hoping all is well since they got no information from me!

big orange screen came up said not to shut down to call this number i called it they took control of my computer and told me i have been identity thefted and i needed to speak to one of their technicians and it would cost alot of money for them to fix it i hung up and then researched them now what do i do they have been in my computer and they know my ip address

Locked my computer and claim to be Microsoft. Wants me to call to repair.

I did too :(. . . did anything happen after that?  Did they continue hacking your computer? Did they gain access to any of your passwords etc.?  Did you reformat your HD?

Some scammers merely use javascript to make it look like your computer is locked.  Usually a reboot will fix that problem.

Other scammers ask the marks to type certain things into the computer, so they can gain access.

IF the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can spam/email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised your ID on Facebook or other social site(s), and perhaps on shopping sites.
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused

What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1.  Pull the cables on the computer, or otherwise disable it, so it cannot access the internet.
2.  Change ALL  passwords stored on the computer.
3.  Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4.  Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything.
5.  Inform your bank and credit card companies.
6.  Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7.  Backup non-executable personal, data files to an external storage device.  (Executable files might be infected).
8.  You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
9.  Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you.
10.  Connect to the internet only AFTER all the above have been done.
11.  Change the passwords on all online accounts.  Even better - access a "safe", uninfected  computer, and change your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.

NOTE:
If your computer set a "Restore Point" while it was infected, any "System Restore" you make will re-infect your computer.  Suggest you delete any potentially infected restore points and avoid setting such restore points until after your computer has been thoroughly cleaned!

You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!

Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people, or cause popups from websites to tell them their computers need fixing!

Some scammers even have websites, and falsely advertise they are associated with popular software packages or computer companies; so do NOT believe a "we will fix your computer remotely" site, and allow them access to your computer!

Read the info at these links.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx

Lesson:
If your computer needs fixing, bring it to a local repair shop

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.

I did the same thing, did anything happen to yoy?

A prompt came up saying I got a virus and I needed to call this number 866.217.8835.  The man tried to explain what was going on with my computer and convinced me to hit okay so he could access my mouse and screen. He then gave me the Wikipedia definition for Trojan worm and said this was a very serious situation and hackers can steal my identity - not just from my computer but from my network... meaning any computers that use the network, phones, tablets, etc.  He then told me he was going to connect me to a certified Network engineer because nobody local (Computer guys, Best Buy, Geek Squad)  would be able to fix it.  He told me the engineer would fix it and then I would have to pay a fee.  While I was talking to him I googled the number that I called and saw that this is a scam.  I called him out and he was very offended and upset when I kicked him off of having access to my computer.  I should have gone with my initial gut feeling!

The same thing happened to me yesterday.
I didn't give money but I am worry about the info
they got out from my computer. This number called me again today.

me too - but no money either - how do we get everything back to normal or must we just carry on...is it safe to continue using as is?  I have no idea

I did - now what?

Claimed to be Microsoft Help to remove a virus.

Same thing happened to me.  Fortunately, I also hung up and did not allow access.

Computer got hijacked by this virus while searching for a food recipe.  Knew it was a scam & didn't call the number.  Restarted computer & performed a "system restore" to an earlier restore date.  Perform full system virus scan, no viruses found.  Dodged another scammer trap.

Have been receiving a voice message on m y computer telling me that I have been hacked and to call this number.  I believe this is just a way to get you to give them info.  I went into my task manager and stopped it.

This came on My laptop when I was searching for a recipe.  I did not call the number.  Came to my big computer to verify the number.

Same happened to me.  I panicked and called number.  As he was going thru these things to yell me what to do on my screen,  I had an uneasy feeling. I picked up my cell phone and googled the toll free number.  Found out it was s scam and disconnected everything and hung up my other phone.  Running virus scan now