Hang up immediately!

This week's tip comes from Sharon Cutrell:

If you get a phone call from "Windows" or "Microsoft" or "The Help Desk" telling you that you have problems with your computer, HANG UP ON THEM IMMEDIATELY.

If you have a pop-up message that isn't from YOUR antivirus telling you that you need to call a number or go to a website, DON'T DO IT.  Shut down the computer and then start it up again, and don't go back to the website you were visiting (since that is where the pop-up came from).

These are the methods used by people who are trying to hack into (and lock) your computer so that you can't  EVER get into Windows or into your files again.

http://triplescomputers.com/blog/casestudies/solution-this-is-microsoft-support-telephone-scam-computer-ransom-lockout/ will give you more information about this issue.