How do scammers lock laptops?

confused,moi?

So there I was, minding my own business on my laptop when my screen just froze. Literally froze. All I could see was a scary message informing me that Microsoft had blocked my computer and that I should call 0800 046 5240 to remedy the situation. My usual go-to in these situations is to press 'Control + w' but nothing happened this time.

Not being a complete muppet, I knew this was a scam and I control-alt-deleted my way out of it but it was not a pleasant experience. I'm intrigued as to how this is done - how is it possible to lock a laptop screen like that?

I called that fake 0800 no and played the game with the Indian call centre operative until he requested my bank details. Disturbingly, though, I could hear several of these crooks talking in English to other "customers" in the background....

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

confused,moi? wrote: »

So there I was, minding my own business on my laptop when my screen just froze. Literally froze. All I could see was a scary message informing me that Microsoft had blocked my computer and that I should call 0800 046 5240 to remedy the situation. My usual go-to in these situations is to press 'Control + w' but nothing happened this time.

Not being a complete muppet, I knew this was a scam and I control-alt-deleted my way out of it but it was not a pleasant experience. I'm intrigued as to how this is done - how is it possible to lock a laptop screen like that?

I called that fake 0800 no and played the game with the Indian call centre operative until he requested my bank details. Disturbingly, though, I could hear several of these crooks talking in English to other "customers" in the background....

Would you click on this link?

Yes. Install decent antivirus software. Most isps provide this!

AndyPix

It is just a specially crafted web page to appear in "kiosk mode"
Although shocking, it is completely benign.
No virus killer will pick this up as it is technically just an "advert"


You could have pressed alt+f4 to kill it.


These "malvertising" pages usually appear on less than reputable websites , most commonly ones where people are looking for pirated stuff.


Just to be sure you are clear, download and run Malwarebytes (free version) from here :


https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/

forgotmyname

If it was a genuine 0800 number keep phoning them, costs them money.

maninthestreet

Scammers using an 0800 number? That's a bit of a novelty, surely?

AndyPix

^^ I have seen this before, and im guessing its the same "boiler room" outfit in India still doing it.


I went through a phase of calling them and keeping them on the phone for ages, but got bored..


If you do call them for a laugh, ask for "Raj" - I got the best results out of him.


Oh, and introduce yourself as "Mr Bogus" #Chuckles to self

killergibbo

haha had some good fun with these guys...they were telling me what to do etc for about 20mins and i kept saying it aint working it just aint working....he was starting to get really mad with me at that point i started talking complete crap just to confuse him one classic was i asked him what would be better a pushbike with one wheel or a skateboard with one wheel.....i dont even know what the hell i was talking about haha but still funny....