Thanks to Slim, another registered poster here and computer whiz:
Since the scammers accessed the computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added nasty malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can spam/email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised your ID on Facebook or other social site(s), and perhaps on shopping sites.
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused
What can you do immediately after such an attack?
1. Pull the cables on the computer, or otherwise disable it, so it cannot access the internet.
2. Change ALL passwords stored on the computer.
3. Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4. Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything.
5. Inform your bank and credit card companies.
6. Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7. Backup non-executable personal, data files to an external storage device. (Executable files might be infected).
8. You may have to bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
9. Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you.
10. Connect to the internet only AFTER all the above have been done.
11. Change the passwords on all online accounts. Even better - access a "safe", uninfected computer, and change your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.
NOTE:
If your computer set a "Restore Point" while it was infected, any "System Restore" you make will re-infect your computer. Suggest you delete any potentially infected restore points and avoid setting such restore points until after your computer has been thoroughly cleaned!
You fell for one scam, and might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts.html
Read that info to educate and help protect yourself!
Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people, or cause popups from websites to tell them their computers need fixing!
Some scammers even have websites, and falsely advertise they are associated with popular software packages or computer companies; so do NOT believe a "we will fix your computer remotely" site, and allow them access to your computer!
Read the info at these links.
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams
Called several times during the week... Caller ID stated "Washington DC"...I finally answered. Stated they were "Windows Technical Department". Being an MS tech, I know of this scam. I laughed and told him to have a nice day. He said "Go "F" yourself and hung up.
Caller with the same message that I had Windows error message and he wanted to fix the problem. After trying to get him to give me his name and a number to call back he called me a M*****F*****! I asked him why was he cursing at me and then he hung up! I wish someone would take these people out who are scamming people.