If your browser is hi-jacked / screen frozen by this window...

**palo5** · October 6th, 2018, 04:37 AM

... it appears not to damage the system, and can be cleared in a few seconds:

1. Press CTRL/ALT/DEL and close your browser
2. Re-start your browser, and when it asks which tasks to re-open, de-select the offending tab/window

**palo5** · October 6th, 2018, 04:54 AM

I've had my FireFox frozen by this window many times. It worried me at first, because I thought it was a genuine alert, and it seemed there was no way to escape it, except by re-booting the PC

But it isn't genuine, and does not appear to do any system damage, so far as I can tell. It's just a nuisance

It comes in two forms -- a tab in your active window/browser session, or a new window in a parallel browser session

If it's in a new window, you can safely ignore it until your downloads/other business in your active window are complete. If it freezes your active window, it may make sense to re-start your browser immediately

Use the above procedure, and you should be ok

**pharoahegypt** · October 6th, 2018, 09:07 AM

'WanaCry' is one of the oldest threats; but like you say if you act calmly its of little real trouble. Sadly, there are so many people out there who panic and would call them up to get scammed. The world is a bad place, full of bad people.

JSimard · October 6th, 2018, 08:33 PM

That worried me a little the first time I got one (from one website I won't name since you almost get it everytime you click their host link)... Just need to close your browser, start an offline session and remove the page from your history. Everything will be fine after.

The noise and the alerting lecture are done to make casual users panic so they call the scamming number.

**cicciobuki** · October 6th, 2018, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palo5

... it appears not to damage the system, and can be cleared in a few seconds:

1. Press CTRL/ALT/DEL and close your browser
2. Re-start your browser, and when it asks which tasks to re-open, de-select the offending tab/window

I had something like this happen to me 2 times a while ago, in my case it was accompanied by a voice that started talking (can't remember if it was French or Englisr). Both times it happened after i clicked a pic (on some filehost) and clicked on it again.
I did like you said and force-closed the browser right away (in a slight panic, i admit), no further virus or anything.

Edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSimard

That worried me a little the first time I got one (from one website I won't name since you almost get it everytime you click their host link)... Just need to close your browser, start an offline session and remove the page from your history. Everything will be fine after.

The noise and the alerting lecture are done to make casual users panic so they call the scamming number.

Yeah, that was the one.

**buttsie** · October 6th, 2018, 09:05 PM

These scareware / scamware pop-ups usually occur when a new flaw has been found in Windows or a new ransomware variety is reported.

While they are easily cleaned up with a task manager close tab and running cc cleaner once what you should really be doing is closing all the gaps which invite them in.

If you dont use ad-blockers or script blockers browser plugins come into play

Using an encrypted external hard drive and keeping the computers hard drive for your system means any real ransomware wont cost you anything

Don't Fall for These Lame WannaCry Scams

How to Protect Yourself from WannaCry Ransomware

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/wannacr...ews-25161.html

Tech Support Scammers Are Exploiting Mass Hysteria Surrounding WannaCry

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/new...ding-wannacry/

How to rescue your PC from ransomware
Don't negotiate with e-terrorists. Be a hero and rescue your hostage PC.

Scareware
Lock-screen viruses
The really nasty stuff

Removing ransomware
Recovering hidden and encrypted files
Preventing ransomware and malware infections

https://www.pcworld.com/article/2084...ansomware.html

**vo1v0d** · November 10th, 2018, 11:31 PM

I am too lazy. I pull the plug, restart and when the restore option starts up untick the offending window. This keeps the other six or twelve windows I had open still in play

**palo5** · November 11th, 2018, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vo1v0d

I am too lazy. I pull the plug, restart and when the restore option starts up untick the offending window. This keeps the other six or twelve windows I had open still in play

That's basically the same operation as above, but it takes longer by re-booting

You don't have to re-boot. Just press CTRL-ALT-DEL, shut-down your browser and then re-start it like you said

**vo1v0d** · November 11th, 2018, 12:17 AM

I forgot to mention that pulling the plug is the only way to get off VEF after being on it too frornicating long when I should be doing something else and Becky Sharping "tomorrow is another day"

Smoke20 · November 15th, 2018, 01:37 AM

I get a similar scareware on Firefox on my Mac.It's made to look like Apple Care has detected a problem.I have to force quit using option/command/esc and force quit the browser.When rebooting I click on start new session or else it puts up the lock screen again.

October 6th, 2018, 04:37 AM	#1
palo5 Former Staff Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16,579 Thanks: 452,836 Thanked 222,656 Times in 16,567 Posts	If your browser is hi-jacked / screen frozen by this window... ... it appears not to damage the system, and can be cleared in a few seconds: 1. Press CTRL/ALT/DEL and close your browser 2. Re-start your browser, and when it asks which tasks to re-open, de-select the offending tab/window

October 6th, 2018, 09:07 AM	#3
pharoahegypt Vintage Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Middle England Posts: 4,491 Thanks: 10,176 Thanked 43,616 Times in 4,154 Posts	'WanaCry' is one of the oldest threats; but like you say if you act calmly its of little real trouble. Sadly, there are so many people out there who panic and would call them up to get scammed. The world is a bad place, full of bad people. __________________ Arguing with a intelligent person is hard; but arguing with a stupid person is impossible!

October 6th, 2018, 09:05 PM	#6
buttsie Porn Archeologist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: earth Posts: 12,714 Thanks: 92,252 Thanked 241,288 Times in 12,746 Posts	These scareware / scamware pop-ups usually occur when a new flaw has been found in Windows or a new ransomware variety is reported. While they are easily cleaned up with a task manager close tab and running cc cleaner once what you should really be doing is closing all the gaps which invite them in. If you dont use ad-blockers or script blockers browser plugins come into play Using an encrypted external hard drive and keeping the computers hard drive for your system means any real ransomware wont cost you anything Don't Fall for These Lame WannaCry Scams How to Protect Yourself from WannaCry Ransomware https://www.tomsguide.com/us/wannacr...ews-25161.html Tech Support Scammers Are Exploiting Mass Hysteria Surrounding WannaCry https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/new...ding-wannacry/ How to rescue your PC from ransomware Don't negotiate with e-terrorists. Be a hero and rescue your hostage PC. Scareware Lock-screen viruses The really nasty stuff Removing ransomware Recovering hidden and encrypted files Preventing ransomware and malware infections https://www.pcworld.com/article/2084...ansomware.html Last edited by buttsie; October 6th, 2018 at 09:12 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

October 6th, 2018, 04:54 AM	#2
palo5 Former Staff Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 16,579 Thanks: 452,836 Thanked 222,656 Times in 16,567 Posts	I've had my FireFox frozen by this window many times. It worried me at first, because I thought it was a genuine alert, and it seemed there was no way to escape it, except by re-booting the PC But it isn't genuine, and does not appear to do any system damage, so far as I can tell. It's just a nuisance It comes in two forms -- a tab in your active window/browser session, or a new window in a parallel browser session If it's in a new window, you can safely ignore it until your downloads/other business in your active window are complete. If it freezes your active window, it may make sense to re-start your browser immediately Use the above procedure, and you should be ok

October 6th, 2018, 08:33 PM	#4
JSimard Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 266 Thanks: 4,026 Thanked 3,846 Times in 255 Posts	That worried me a little the first time I got one (from one website I won't name since you almost get it everytime you click their host link)... Just need to close your browser, start an offline session and remove the page from your history. Everything will be fine after. The noise and the alerting lecture are done to make casual users panic so they call the scamming number.

November 10th, 2018, 11:31 PM	#7
vo1v0d Hideous By Nature Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: sarf eeeest lunden Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 42,029 Thanked 60,207 Times in 7,397 Posts	I am too lazy. I pull the plug, restart and when the restore option starts up untick the offending window. This keeps the other six or twelve windows I had open still in play

November 11th, 2018, 12:17 AM	#9
vo1v0d Hideous By Nature Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: sarf eeeest lunden Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 42,029 Thanked 60,207 Times in 7,397 Posts	I forgot to mention that pulling the plug is the only way to get off VEF after being on it too frornicating long when I should be doing something else and Becky Sharping "tomorrow is another day"

November 15th, 2018, 01:37 AM	#10
Smoke20 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 389 Thanks: 364 Thanked 2,649 Times in 372 Posts	I get a similar scareware on Firefox on my Mac.It's made to look like Apple Care has detected a problem.I have to force quit using option/command/esc and force quit the browser.When rebooting I click on start new session or else it puts up the lock screen again.