Navigating the “Your Computer Has Been Locked” Virus: What to Know

Recently, my wife encountered a frustrating situation involving a persistent computer virus that displayed the alarming message, “Your computer has been locked.” The prompt instructed her to call the number 833-324-0303, claiming to be from Microsoft.

Upon her inquiry, the individual on the other end offered an unconvincing explanation and insisted that having an online presence wouldn’t make a difference in dealing with the issue. Meanwhile, I advised her to restart her Apple computer—a simple yet effective solution.

Fortunately, after restarting, the intrusive warning vanished. Reflecting on this, I recalled similar experiences with my Windows machines, which tend to encounter such malware every year or two. In those instances, a straightforward power down has always resolved the issue.

If anyone has insights or suggestions on dealing with these types of threats, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. It’s crucial to stay informed and equipped to tackle these nuisances effectively.

Thank you!