Bubbas hacked !!!!!!

[SofaKing]

I have had a similar experience and after googling on another computer for the answer I was able to reset the computer to a version of itself that pre-dated the hack by a couple days. I lost several days of memory but that was all. I recall having to push a button (f8?) during the initial boot-up and that took me to a screen with prompts that allowed me to restore the earlier version. Maybe give that a try, otherwise I suggest a raffle for entertaining ways for your computer to die, the winning suggestion is videotaped and posted so we can live vicariously.

[edhd58]

i've had that screen to but i never had to scrap my computer, Not saying it cant happen but I did get mine back under my control with the help of a computer wiz close to me. My message told me to go to Walgreen's get a prepaid debit card to make payment.

[Bubsyouruncle]

Best advice I ever got was to NEVER open a link in an email. Even from a family member. You don't know if they have been hacked.

If you are feeling brave, or have a machine you don't care about, read the link carefully. Bad ones usually read funny.

[tubman]

I would suggest getting familiar with "System Restore" that comes with Windows. I have not had a chance to use to with Windows 10, but have used it to get back from problems like this several times on Windows 8 with success every time. You have to "catch" the system early in the "boot" procedure (usually by hitting the "F2" key early on in the boot process) and get control of the system. My computer would default to some strange screen settings, but they were always usable enough to get "System Restore" running. Once it gets going, you can select a "restore point" before the problems started. (Windows sets these "Restore Points" automatically after every major system change.) It only restores the operating system and programs, so all your data should be preserved.

I am no longer a "computer guru" like I was 40 years ago, so all I can do is point you down the path that worked for me. It took a lot of screwing around and trial and error, but I finally figured out how to use it. About two years ago, Microsoft finally got their "Security Essentials" package up to snuff, and I haven't had a problem since. If I ever see anything the least bit odd, I start a "Quick Scan" with "Security Essentials" just to be sure.

EDIT : I think "System Restore" is what "SofaKing" was referring to in his post 15.

[SofaKing]

Originally Posted by tubman

I would suggest getting familiar with "System Restore" that comes with Windows. I have not had a chance to use to with Windows 10, but have used it to get back from problems like this several times on Windows 8 with success every time. You have to "catch" the system early in the "boot" procedure (usually by hitting the "F2" key early on in the boot process) and get control of the system. My computer would default to some strange screen settings, but they were always usable enough to get "System Restore" running. Once it gets going, you can select a "restore point" before the problems started. (Windows sets these "Restore Points" automatically after every major system change.) It only restores the operating system and programs, so all your data should be preserved.

I am no longer a "computer guru" like I was 40 years ago, so all I can do is point you down the path that worked for me. It took a lot of screwing around and trial and error, but I finally figured out how to use it. About two years ago, Microsoft finally got their "Security Essentials" package up to snuff, and I haven't had a problem since. If I every see anything the least bit odd, I start a "Quick Scan" with "Security Essentials" just to be sure.

EDIT : I think "System Restore" is what "SofaKing" was referring to in his post 15.

Yes, exactly! Thanks for explaining it clearly, I'm at the other end of the spectrum from "computer guru".

[Dave/Green Bay]

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Anyone using WordPress for webpage development is vulnerable. I would suggest changing password on any website developed with WordPress. Dave/Green Bay

[Tim Ayers]

Jim:

Sorry to hear that. What a PITA!

My work bought me a Mac Book Pro. I'm hoping the Apple platform will help me avoid some of the virus and other stuff a lot of the PC's seems to be susceptible to. Still do a lot of preventive stuff, but from I understand MAC's a little less vulnerable to stuff.

[Lenny51]

I had that happen to me but my son who is a computer wiz was able to fix it in
a couple hours

[tubman]

"Windows Defender" is what they call "Security Essentials" when it's installed on Windows 10. Ross is correct; it's free (comes with Windows) and it's as good or better than the "paid for" stuff.

[donald1950]

i have a ClickFree brand automatic back up plus i use an external hard drive where i back up all my documents and pictures every evening not much on my computer but the operating system and a few small files i work with.. its a pain to do all the back ups, but i hope not to loose anything. i believe i would have called the court before i opened any attachments..... these thieves are a pain in the a**

[mhsprecher]

Here is an explanation. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/what-t...somware-attack

[FlatheadTed]

I would suggest getting familiar with "System Restore" that comes with Windows.
On your computer click on the globe down left corner ,go to control panel then systems restore ,follow this through ,you can restore to a previous date , Cleans things up nicely .Ted

[funrunr]

I have a friend who informed me of a couple different scams yet very similar ransoms. First of all he states, the government is NOT going to contact you via email or phone. If you do still fall victim unplug your pc immediately from it's power source. Do not try to turn it off, a pc continues to update even after it is "turned off". UNPLUG it! The sooner this is done the less damage will be done. It sounds as if Bubba tried to solve the problem while the pc was still powered allowing his whole hard drive to be infected (corrupted/hacked). Hopefully we can all learn something from these horrible jerks and try to stay one step in front of them.

[JSeery]

Sorry guys, but there are computer infections that can not be removed. Don't confuse a simple computer virus with what is going on here, they are not the same thing. If you continue to believe you can remove anything that ends up on your computer you may be in for a surprise. Reformatting the hard drive or replacing it may work, but all of the data is still lost. Would depend on the age and value of the computer if it is worth trying to repair or if it is just cheaper to replace it. Only real solution is to have everything backed up to a completely separate device and not allow it to get contaminated.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Sorry guys, but there are computer infections that can not be removed. Don't confuse a simple computer virus with what is going on here, they are not the same thing. If you continue to believe you can remove anything that ends up on your computer you may be in for a surprise. Reformatting the hard drive or replacing it may work, but all of the data is still lost. Would depend on the age and value of the computer if it is worth trying to repair or if it is just cheaper to replace it. Only real solution is to have everything backed up to a completely separate device and not allow it to get contaminated.

Yep i am on the other network this morning and the infected computer is unplugged in the front of the shop. Will have a burial this week sometime. It wasnt that i had to junk it, but all concerned it was the best thing to do. It was a new work terminal with some docs and files , pics etc. Also was hooked to my shipping printer for ups shipping. Thats really the only thing that i miss so far.
Thanks for the concerns and suggestions.

[funrunr]

Very true JSeery, I edited my above post from "infected" to include "corrupted/hacked" The sooner you unplug and seek professional pc help the higher your chances of saving/retrieving any files.

[47COE]

An organization that I volunteer for got hit by ransomware a few weeks ago.

After looking into it, I installed a good security package (Webroot) that removed the ransomware software. But that doesn't do anything to help get the encrypted files back.

I scanned the computer and found that about 70,000 files out of 300,000 were encrypted and lost. I deleted the encrypted files and then restored them from backup. Everything is back to normal now.

Without the right kind of backup those files would be lost. A backup that just copies the files to another folder wouldn't have helped since the ransomware software would have found those copies and encrypted them too.

Backups that store to a different format are better. In this case the backups were sent to a different format on another computer and aren't visible at all to the infected computer. A cloud backup would have the same results although I'm not fond of cloud backups due to the long times it takes to copy files over the internet for anyone that has a lot to backup.

[chap52]

Sorry to hear that Jim.
Recently replaced mine, Power supply went nuts, fried Mother Board and HD failure???
Had most info backed-up on external drive, but getting the new one up and running was a three day adventure.

[tubman]

Seems to still be a lot of misinformation out there. This is a car board, not a computer board. Take all information posted here (including mine) with a huge grain of salt.

The only thing everyone seems to agree on is the requirement to back up your data. I see Dell has a multi-Terabyte external unit that connects via a USB port for $59.95 (on Amazon) that comes with the required software.

[Ross F-1]

Originally Posted by tubman

Seems to still be a lot of misinformation out there. This is a car board, not a computer board. Take all information posted here (including mine) with a huge grain of salt.

The only thing everyone seems to agree on is the requirement to back up your data. I see Dell has a multi-Terabyte external unit that connects via a USB port for $59.95 (on Amazon) that comes with the required software.

I use(d) a Western Digital 2.5 TB external drive to backup more or less daily, and I burn DVDs of the stuff I really care about every month or so. The external drive died a week after I last burned DVDs, it was only 3 years old. I'll be shopping for a new one. Don't go cheap on them!