Important Security Message Computer Lock: Understanding Scams and Protecting Yourself

Computer locks can be a great way to add an extra layer of security to your device, but be aware of scams that try to trick you into giving up your login credentials.

Scammers often use fake computer lock screens to demand payment in exchange for supposedly "unlocking" your device.

These fake screens can be incredibly convincing, but don't fall for it - legitimate computer locks will never ask for payment to unlock your device.

Legitimate computer locks will also never ask for your login credentials or other sensitive information.

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Protecting yourself online is crucial in today's digital age. Our devices contain a wealth of personal information, including banking and financial records, and medical information, that we want to protect.

Choose strong passwords that are hard to guess, with at least eight characters, a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using words that can easily be found in a dictionary or any reference to personal information.

Using stronger authentication methods can also help keep your accounts secure. This can include using a fingerprint, one-time codes sent to a mobile device, or other features that ensure a user is supposed to have access to the account.

Choose strong passwords that are hard to guess and protect your devices and accounts from intruders.

Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. This will make it difficult for hackers to crack your password.

Don't use a word that can easily be found in a dictionary or any reference to personal information, such as a birthday.

Try using a phrase to help you remember your password, using the first letter of each word in the phrase. For example, HmWc@w2—How much wood could a woodchuck chuck.

Choose unique passwords for each online account you use: financial institution, social media, or email. If you have too many passwords to remember, consider using password manager software.

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Using strong passwords is a great starting point for protecting your devices and online accounts. Use passwords with at least eight characters, a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using words that can easily be found in a dictionary or any reference to personal information, such as a birthday.

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Spammers could use your computer as a "zombie drone" to send spam that looks like it came from you if your devices are not protected. This is why it's essential to use safety measures to protect your devices.

Choosing unique passwords for each online account is crucial. If you have too many passwords to remember, consider using password manager software, which can help you create strong individual passwords and keep them secure.

Regularly scanning and cleaning your computer can help detect and remove malware. However, the free versions of some antivirus software, like Zemana AntiMalware & HitmanPro, do not offer real-time protection.

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Scammers are getting more and more creative with their tactics, but the "Your computer was locked" scam is a classic example of a browser-based tech support scam. These scams try to trick you into thinking your computer is infected and that you need to call a listed phone number to get help.

Browser-based tech support scams are often displayed through advertisements that redirect you to sites that display the scam. These ads can be displayed by installed adware programs or through less than reputable sites that are displaying them to generate advertising revenue.

If you see a browser-based tech support scam, you can simply close the browser and start it again. But if you're continuously seeing these scams, it's a good idea to scan your computer for adware and remove anything that's found.

The "Your computer was locked" scam will often contain text similar to "YOUR COMPUTER WAS LOCKED" and claim that your computer has been infected with a virus and that your data is at risk. They'll then tell you to call a listed phone number to get help.

However, this is just a scam, and the site has no idea what's running on your computer. So, you should not call any listed number.

If the website prevents you from closing it, you can use the Task Manager to end the whole browser process. Another way to close it is to restart your computer. Just be sure not to restore the previously closed session, as this will open the same website that displayed the fake error message.

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Phishing attacks, like the "Your computer was locked" scam, are becoming more sophisticated. They'll often send seemingly genuine messages to trick you into handing over personal information. So, think twice before clicking on links in messages like this.

In fact, most genuine messages from financial institutions won't ask for personal information directly, but will instead instruct you to call or visit a website directly. You can also verify the email address that sent the message to ensure it came from the expected sender.

These scams are often promoted via other shady pages and deceptive ads, and they'll also deliver intrusive ads and collect various browsing-related data. So, be careful what you click on and make sure you're not installing any unwanted applications that might lead you to these scams.

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If you're dealing with a locked computer due to a tech support scam, the first step is to be presented with the start screen, which is a crucial moment to take action.

You will need to take immediate action to prevent further damage, as the scammer will try to convince you to continue and potentially steal your sensitive information.

To remove the threat, you'll need to identify the scam and take steps to undo the damage. This might involve uninstalling any suspicious programs or resetting your browser.

The start screen, as shown in the example, is a critical point where you can choose to stop the scam and regain control of your computer.

Parents, take control of their children's online activities by installing parental control software on devices to limit the websites kids can visit.

This software can be a game-changer in protecting younger children from online threats.

Don't rely solely on software, remember that no software can substitute for parental supervision.

Consider setting up a credit freeze for your child to protect their future credit.

Make sure your children know how to use the internet safely, and take an active role in their online activities.

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To remove the "your computer has been locked red screen" from your computer, you can install and run some additional antimalware software since the built-in antivirus program sometimes cannot check for certain malware packages. Malwarebytes is one of the most popular antivirus programs that can help detect some types of malware that other programs tend to miss.

Malwarebytes offers a free edition that allows you to use it within 14 days. You can launch Malwarebytes and click Scan to start a scan at once. If Malwarebytes may not open on Windows, you can read a post that provides some useful solutions to fix this issue.

You can also use HitmanPro, which uses a unique cloud-based way for malware scanning. If some suspicious things are found by this software, HitmanPro can send it to clouds so that it can be scanned by two antivirus engines – Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

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Using a fingerprint or one-time codes sent to a mobile device can ensure a user is supposed to have access to an account. This is because these methods provide stronger authentication.

Many social media, email, and financial accounts offer stronger authentication methods. For example, you can use a fingerprint to log in.

The Lock Down Your Login Campaign is a great resource for learning more about strong authentication methods. This campaign provides information on how to use these methods to protect your online accounts.

Antivirus software is a must-have for any device, as it scans for viruses that can destroy your data, slow down or crash your device, or allow spammers to send email through your account.

You can install and run additional antimalware software, like Malwarebytes, to detect malware that other programs might miss. Malwarebytes offers a free edition that allows you to use it within 14 days.

Malwarebytes can be run as a standalone program, and you can click Scan to start a scan at once. If Malwarebytes won't open, you can try some solutions to fix the issue.

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Another option is to use HitmanPro, which uses a unique cloud-based way for malware scanning. It sends suspicious files to the cloud for scanning by two antivirus engines – Bitdefender and Kaspersky.

HitmanPro has a trial edition that allows you to use it within 30 days, and you can download and install it on your PC to remove malware. You can also run Zemana AntiMalware Free to ensure your computer is 100% clean.

It's essential to keep your antivirus software updated to cope with the latest "bugs" circulating the internet. Most antivirus software includes a feature to download updates automatically when you're online.

You should also set your antivirus software to check for viruses every day and give your system a thorough scan at least twice a month.

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Firewalls are a must-have for protecting your computer from hackers. They block hackers from entering and using your computer by preventing it from responding to random internet calls.

Some operating systems come with built-in firewalls that may be turned off by default. Make sure to turn yours on.

A firewall blocks communications to and from sources you don't permit, which is especially important if you have a high-speed internet connection like DSL or cable.