"The Russians have taken over my computer. I can't get them to stop." Well, that is what I was told by someone this morning in all seriousness (not one of you reading this email).
The person did not click on the pop-up displaying the message about the Russians, BUT she did call the number on the pop-up. No, No, No, Never, Never, Never. When they began asking her for her contact information and telling her they could "fix" this problem for $200, she hung up.....thankfully.
So, what SHOULD you do if this happens to you?
1) Don't click.
2) Don't call.
3) Shut down your computer. If it won't let you shut it down, press on the Power key/button for 2-3 seconds and that should shut it down.
4) After a couple of minutes, restart your computer. If the pop-up appears again, shut the computer down again. This time, I'd let it stay shut down for a couple of hours before restarting.
5) If the issue persists and you know how to run a scan of your computer, do so. If not, then I'd recommend calling a tech or taking in your laptop to have it looked out.
Pop-ups are not usually a serious problem; they are a nuisance. Just remember to never, never, never click on them or call any number on them.
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