How To Recover When Browser Is Locked

A Water Gardens resident just got hit by one of the most common scams, to lock your browser. At first, it doesn't look like that. It "looks like" you have a virus. Below is a typical screen you might see. Notice that it falsely claims your computer has viruses, and gives you a tech support phone number to call. When you call it, a very nice (not), knowledgeable (true), compassionate sounding (totally false, these are the scum of the Earth) person will talk to you. They will ask to connect to your computer, and from there on, you're in trouble. 

HERE is what you should do when you see a screen like this. Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE keys. This will bring up a menu. Select "Task Manager". Locate your browser (Firefox, Chrome, etc). Right-click on the browser and select "Kill Task". 

This will stop the locked up browser and return your computer to normal. Another way to get back to normal is simply reboot your computer. If you don't have any other way, you can just hold the power button down for 5 seconds. That will force a reboot. If you have any questions, call Roger Matthews at 206-650-9341.

Note: EVERY WORD on the screen below, typical of a "lockup-screen", is a blatant lie. They CANNOT detect a virus on your PC over the internet. Notice the phone number that is always there for you to call. This will immediately connect you with scammers, who will try to convince you they are real technicians. They are not. Every word they say is a lie, and they will just try to bilk you out of as much money as they can. And they will want to be paid by GIFT CARDS, as the money once they have it, is gone. If you pay by credit card, you can report fraud to your bank, and they will get the money back from the scammers. And they know that. Hence their insistence on gift cards.