866-245-3208

Got a popup on the computer email saying they were Microsoft and I needed to increase my security. They said to click or call this number to call. Did not call as it was a popup.

I got a pop-up alert on my computer telling me I might have a virus. Instructed me not to continue or turn off the computer, and I should call Microsoft at this number.

same thing- 866-245-3208 is a scam so they can break into your computer

popped up said do not turn computer off and call number. looked fishy so I turned computer off and unplugged internet for a while.

had a lock on my computer and was given this phone number to call.  They were wanting to protect my computer for a period of 1 year, 5 years or lifetime.  Now the cost went from $19.99 to $199.99 for 5 years.  They kept pressureing me until I told them I was not going to pay them one dime.  This went on for almost an hour, and I told them to remove everything they had accquired  off my computer.  After some time they did so and I told them I was going to report them when I got off the phone.  Don't even talk to these thieves.  They are looking for money.

You have bigger problems since you allowed them to access the computer.

 
Thanks to Slim, another registered poster here and computer whiz:

Since 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

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

This locked up my computer and would not allow me to even close the screen. Left it up while I googled it. Did they get info in the time it took me to do this?

They can only get information if you allow them to access the computer.  Other than that, this in nothing more than a drive by using an ad on a web page you visited.  This is why you need to block ads and only allow pop ups with your permission.

Out of the blue my computer started talking. I had to close all the windows to find out where it was coming from, finally saw a big red window on my computer telling me I might have a virus. Told me not to continue or turn off the computer, and I should call Microsoft at this number 866-245-3208. I shut down the pop-up window and ran Norton anti-virus software. All Norton Security found was 30 tracking cookies. I googled number and found this post.

this is known as a "tech support scam". don't call the number.

The following is the information that i gathered, do not goto that link.
https://rfzwelojfnwekjnwe.info/4/?c5aca647000 ... 866)%20245-3208
176.31.140.103

https://myip.ms/view/ip_addresses/2954857572/176.31.140.100_176.31.140.255 <--- the whois information gathered

This phone number is obviously a scam.  If you get this "pop up", close your browser safely by pressing Ctrl, Shift, and Esc simultaneously to bring up windows task manager.  Right click on your browser under "Apps" and click end task.  This will safely close your browser.  Then I would advise running your anti virus of choice.  If you ever get a pop up like this, ignore it and safely close your browser like I showed you.  Never click on anything within the pop up screen!

This happened to me as well, with the fake Microsoft alert and them asking me to call 866-245-3208. I used to panic, but now all I do is use 'task manager' to close the browser, and then when I open the browser again, I make sure I immediately "X" the tab with the fake warning before it fully loads, and that takes care of it. You just have to know exactly or close to where that tab is.