Microsoft: Beware this fake Windows BSOD from tech support scammers' malware

[RV_]

Excerpt:

 

"Microsoft is warning Windows users over a fake Microsoft security product that locks an infected computer and tries to trick victims into calling a support hotline.

 

Microsoft has sounded the alarm over a fake installer for its Security Essentials, which attempts to trick victims into contacting bogus help centers.

 

Tech-support scammers have stepped up their technical game, prompting a "severe" warning from Microsoft over new Windows malware that mimics Microsoft's free Security Essentials antivirus, and then displays a fake blue screen of death, or BSoD, with an error message and a suggestion to call a 1800 number that is not a Microsoft support center.

 

The malware, which Microsoft calls Hicurdismos, disables Task Manager to prevent the user from terminating the fake BSoD and hides the mouse cursor to make the user think Windows is not responding."

 

The websites has screen shots of what it looks like and lots more info here: http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-beware-this-fake-windows-bsod-from-tech-support-scammers-malware/

[DJW]

RV

 

I got hit with that last week. I just powered down and then ran all my malware software. Anti-spyware, CCleaner, Malwarebyte, Windows Defender and it cleaned right off and went away. Have had no problems since.

 

Dennis

[RV_]

Same here but it was bit different same social engineering. I also got many fake phone calls from India trying to tell me my computer reported to Dell that it had problems and then I was supposed to let them take control of my computer and mess it up while asking for exorbitant tech fees.

 

I keep Task Manager pinned to my task bar so I can call it up fast in most cases and just end IE task but that time it was slow so I did the same, powered down with a restart and ran Defender and Malwarebytes Premium.

[DJW]

RV

 

I got hit with this again today. No issues but had to clean the laptop again.

 

Dennis

[RV_]

Dennis,

Did you do the last updates on 11 October? And the Flash update a few days ago? Remember Windows defender is also updated, but daily. If you got infected you are going to some bad pages. I also have Malwarebytes premium real time backing up Defender. But other than seeing some attempts, none got in requiring a cleaning. Also try running Norton Power eraser gotten fresh when needed only from Norton here: https://security.symantec.com/nbrt/npe.aspx

 

It must be downloaded each time and the computer must be online when you run it. IT immediately asks to reboot to look for rootkits before Windows loads then does a really fast scan once rebooted.

 

I don't know what you are doing differently than I am. THe Windows vulnerability zero day will be fixed next week if that is whayt you are getting hit with. http://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-to-patch-windows-security-flaw-under-attack-next-week/?ftag=TRE49e8aa0&bhid=19724681974700635514865380622813

[DJW]

RV

 

I am completely up on all my updates for all programs on my laptop. I check for them every morning and run Defender at least every other day. I was on a page that I get on every day nothing new? I use Edge as my browser, with that being said I do have internet Explorer 11 on my laptop as well but I never use it any more?

 

Dennis

[Pieere]

My Gateway computer yesterday all of a sudden went to blue screen with an error message then said it would reboot. It did but took it over an hour to come back like nothing happened! Ran the full Windows Defender and Malwarebytes, no vruses, trojans or rootkits, etc.

Haven't tried it yet today! Using the tablet!

[RV_]

Guys,

Also check to see if any updates were installed about the same time. That is what I would guess on yours Pieere.

[Pieere]

That is what happened! New Updates were installed, just not happy with the way it did i, not much of a warning other than the error message. I am trying out an older 08-09 MacBook Air right now! an acquaintance is asking $150.00 for it! It's only 2GB of Ram and an 80 GB HD.

[RV_]

Pieere,

Apple makes fine products and many folks prefer them. Many tines folks who have not owned a Windows computer in ten years are a bit behind the times. Most folks prefer to stay with what they know. I took six months to get used to a mouse when they came out in Windows for workgroups 3.1. I also stayed with Wordstar, a keyboard only word processor, despite having Word on my AF computers, for six months too. It is just a learning curve and you should do fine. Write up your experiences as you go, I'd be interested to see how it goes.