Protecting Yourself from Computer Locking Scams: A Personal Experience

Recently, my wife encountered a frustrating situation involving a common cybersecurity threat known as the “your computer has been locked up” virus. This insidious scam prompted her to call a number, 833-324-0303, under the guise of providing support from Microsoft. Naturally, I advised her to restart her computer instead.

When she inquired about where to find their official website, the scammer dismissed her question, saying, “This is the way we do it—having a site doesn’t help.” This is typical behavior for scammers, who often use disinformation to manipulate victims into compliance.

Fortunately, my wife’s quick action of restarting her Apple computer effectively removed the alert. Personally, I have experienced similar pop-ups on my Windows machines every couple of years, and a simple reboot has always resolved the issue.

If you ever find yourself facing a similar situation, my advice is to stay calm and avoid engaging with any unsolicited callers. Shutting down your device can often eliminate the threat.

Have you ever encountered a similar scam? I would love to hear your experiences and any additional tips you might have for avoiding such nuisances in the future.

Thank you for reading! Your feedback is always welcome.