Category: Geeks r Us
A few days ago, I was visiting one of my favorite sites and closed my browser to go do something else. About thirty seconds later, this webpage pops up saying that crtical system actvity had been detected on my computer. This went away after I held down the power button and rebooted the system. The dialog didn't come at all the next day. However, I was on another site yesterday morning, and the same dialog comes up. There were only two button in this dialog, ok and cancel. What is this dialog and is it something I should be worried about?
Not sure, maybe it's a virus?
Not yet, but if you click it is will be. Are you running virous protection, and is it updated?
Clear the IE history for now as well.
Some type of malware has made its way onto your system. Download Malware Bytes, update and scan. I also recommend Hitman Pro for a paid, updated cloud service to eliminate Trojans, etc.
I do have up-to-date virus protection. I installed malware bites, ran a full scan, and nothing was found. I have also cleard the history for internet explorer. Having done this, can I use IE again, or should I stick with firefox?
It only happens with IE?
Go ahead and try IE, just ignore the dialogue if it comes back.
Can you post exactly what it says when you see it next? I'm interested.
Here is what the dialog says. Microsoft antivirus has detected critical activity on your pc. You must clean your computer to prevent the system breakage. Another thing i forgot to mention is that this dialog came up while using skype. The first time it happened, I had just closed down the website I was on and a friend sent me a chat. A few seconds later, this dialog came up. The next time it happened I was in a skype call with another friend and had clicked on an email i was expecting, and up comes the same dialog. This is only happening in IE. When I use firefox and skype at the same time, this dialog does not come up. Another friend of mine also got the same thing while in a skype call and on a website at the same time.
I don't think this dialog is ligit, but, if you haven't done so, run a full scan using microsoft antivirus.
Bob
Ah, Skype. That is the key.
What you are receiving is a spam message. You receive it, because Skype is attached to IE now.
You're system is not infected, someone is trying to get you to infect it by getting you to "fix it."
To get rid of it, block the messenger in your history in Skype, or set your Skype settings to only receive messages from your contacts.
If you don't understand what I mean, say, and I'll tell you how.
I'd leave mine open, just block the spam.
A rule to follow. Anytime you receive any messages that tell you your computer is infected, and these messages are not generated by your virous protection, they are false. Learn what your virous program does in these events, and check it to make sure the message came from it, before taking any actions.
Good virous programs just give you a quarantine list, and allow you to take action if you don't have them set to do it for you. This makes it easy to tell when in fact the program has blocked something and it is a problem maybe.
So you are okay as long as you don't fix it. Smile.
So if I used gw connect, would I still get the same message?
Another thing I forgot to ask in my previous post, why is this dialog coming up as a website when i've justy closed down a site or i'm visiting one?
you will get it if you use GW connect, if it is sent from a spammer in skype
It looks like a website to convince you that it is something Microsoft wants you to do.
If it only happens when you are using Skype you can block it. If not I'll sugest a free program you run that cleans up.
It is not a problem as long as you don't agree and do what it is trying to get you to do.
but MS wouldn't just send you random dialog boxes like that.
Not only that, but you can tell it's fake by the wording. No legit antivirus program is going to tell you anything about "system breakage." That doesn't sound professional. This particular message doesn't have this trait, but another thing to be on the lookout for in the future is grammatically incorrect messages.
All you need to do when this dialog appears is hit cancel. And blocking the spammer is a good idea, if you haven't done that already.
oh yeah. and its a real good thing you didn't tel it to clean your pc!
When i hit cancel on that dialog, it brought me to a website, at least that;s what I think it was. Pressing alt f4 brought up the dialog asking me if i wanted to leave that page. That's when i hit the power button both times this dialog came up.
you should have just said you wanted to leave that page. you didnt need to hit the power button
Yep, or if it really refuses to go away, you can go into your task manager and end any processes of iexplore.exe that are open.
She could just block the messenger? Seems like an idea? Lol
yeah, that is the best idea yet wayne...block that malware sender!
Yes, but I've seen dialogs like this even while not running Skype. It's good to know all your options in case the dialog just comes up while browsing a website, because hitting the power button on one's computer and forcing it to shut down should really be a last resort.
True. Must simpler ways.
But if she's afraid, I guess that is a good way to go.
I've said block it way back. It can't go away if it has access.
I'm not sure who's sending the message though.
Well, it seems like this is happening even when she's not using Skype. so i'm not sure that's the vector of attack.
Seriously though. You need to scan your system with a good spyware and anti virus program. then, clear your internet cash and cookies. If you've done all that, and this isn't going away. then maybe its someone from Skype, though that seems like such a strange way to go about this.
If you're running any cracked software, or have pirated any music, movies, tv shows, audio books, games, etc... One or more of those files/apps could be infected.
I've seen it on Skype many times.
If you have the scripts installed, you look in your history, and block anyone you don't know from sending you messages.
I also suggested running a total cleaner, but I'd try the block first, and as suggested before clearing your IE history as well.
In the main Skype window if you run scripts, press control and the number 2. Now you are in your recent history list.
Scroll through it and see if you have any strange messengers, and first block them by pressing the applications key and arrowing up to block.
After you block them delete them.
Try that. If it doesn't work, I'll and others can suggest a cleaner.