There's a message on my computer from FBI what should i do?

posted in General
Thursday, August 29 2013, 06:54 AM
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Yesterday a message from FBI appeared on my screen asking to pay a fine for downloading files from Internet. I have read in your website and some other sites that it's a scam, however it looks legitimate - how can I be sure that it's a scam?

Accepted Answer

Thursday, August 29 2013, 07:00 AM - #permalink
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Hi Malmort, you can be sure that it's a scam. Here's an official statement from FBI - fbi.gov/news/podcasts/thisweek/reveton-ransomware/view "The FBI will never insist that you need to pay a fine to the FBI to unlock it. That’s not a law enforcement tactic. So don’t provide any money, don’t provide any personal information if your computer is locked up by this type of malware."

Paying the fine when when asked by such computer's screen blocking message would equal to sending one's money to Cyber Criminals. Notice that none of real authorities or organizations around the world are using such messages to collect fines for any law violations. The right way of treating this message is it's removal from your computer. You can follow this removal guide.

You can also view this video which shows how to remove ransomware using "safe mode with command prompt" and "system restore":
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  • Accepted Answer

    Vilhelm
    Vilhelm
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    Thursday, August 29 2013, 06:03 PM - #permalink
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    this virus is now hitting Mac as well, here is info and the removal guide -
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