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Target 11 warning: FBI Virus photo
Target 11 warning: FBI Virus
How to remove 'FBI Virus'
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PITTSBURGH —
Target 11 has a warning for anyone with a computer. A new virus is locking computers and the crooks behind it are also extorting money. It's called the FBI MoneyPak Virus. Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor found out how this virus works.
It's called ransomware. The bad guys hold your computer hostage, demanding that you pay them, but even if you do, the virus won’t go away.
Google "FBI Virus". There are several programs to get it out of your computer.
Watch out for one with the Dept. of Justice logo on the top too that blocks your computer. It says that you have watching child porn, violated a copyright, etc. etc. and you have to buy a 'Money Pack' for $300 'from Walgreens, Rite Aid, Wall Mart' and type in the number to re-activate your computer.
My computer and my Mrs. computer have both been infected with it (at separate times). The guys at Office Depot said they get 2 or 3 of these a month. It's out of Nigeria. They installed software in our computers that blocks this virus, since normal 'anti-virus' software (like AVG and others) won't.
This happened to our computer about four weeks ago, and it cost me $200 for the Geek squad to remove it.
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Not new. A variant of the moneypak virus. Sometime called the "FBI" virus or the "DOJ" virus.
Suggest you google "moneypak virus"
Norton has a removal tool (I am NOT suggesting you install Norton antivirus) but it should be downloaded and the instructions read BEFORE you get the virus.
Go here:
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v71075396_EndUserProf ile_en_us
for tool and instructions. You may not be able to download it after you get moneypak.
BTW $200 for removal is absurd. Suggest you find a private computer guy (preferably older) and get a quote. Make sure the understanding is "no fix, no fee". If all that is involved is removal I usually charge $70.
I had mine fixed for 50 bucks!!!
You did well!
I called the FBI and the agent told me how to fix it and it cost nothing! There is a way during start up to make it revert back to prior programing.
So what are you doing? Opening an e-mail from some one you don't know? How did you get it?
It can come from an email, but most commonly you get it from visiting a website.
They are called "drive by viruses" and you can get them from the most innocent of websites.
The virus writer hacks into a website server and places his virus on it. The website administrator might find it within the hour or maybe not for weeks. If you happen to visit that site before the administrator gets it off - your screwed.
One customer was able to prove she got it from the Disney website!
BTW reverting to an earlier restore point may work with some variants, but will not work with others. This is NOT just one virus, it has many different variants.
I like the kaspersky tools. They have specific programs for undoing this virus.
http://www.kaspersky.com/virus-removal-tools
My son in law was on our computer about a month ago and got the virus. It ran about $50 to get it off and he paid for the repairs. I can fix most anything that takes a wrench or screwdriver,(and lots with skin, muscle, and bones), but electronics intimidate me.
Noel