Trojan Attack

@akalinus (42268)
United States
July 14, 2024 3:01pm CST
The other day, a nasty Slcoker Ransom Trojan locked my laptop. It demanded that I call a number and give the Microsoft technicians remote control of my laptop so they could fix it for me, I'm sure at an exorbitant price. I restarted several times. That failed to get rid of it. My roommate said she would wipe it clean at factory reset when she got home. I did not like that idea. An internet search told me that this was not real. I put the laptop to sleep and left it for several hours. When I opened the laptop message icon came up which I was sure came from them. I blocked it. The Trojan was gone. That was not nice of Microsoft especially when they keep asking me to subscribe. What do you think? Do you get those things? What did you do?
14 people like this
11 responses
• Bucharest, Romania
14 Jul
Does the laptop work now? Looks like a typical internet scam done by some people who do this for a living.
3 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
14 Jul
Yes, it works. I am sure the icon is there in my computer. I hope it stays blocked. This happens often enough that I am sure someone falls for it and gives them money and access to their device.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7600)
• Canada
14 Jul
Sometimes these things are in your browser temp files and if you purge them they're gone.
2 people like this
• Canada
14 Jul
@akalinus I'm probably not enough of an expert. For me, I've had no trouble clearing my cache. Doesn't touch my photos or documents. Only thing is it logs me out of any sites I'm logged into.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
14 Jul
@koopharper I can handle that. I will do it. I have not done it in ages and I bet I get freed up space. Thanks for answering.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
14 Jul
Is it safe to purge your temp files and caches? Does cache include photos and documents? I have deleted all the other stuff but not those.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37339)
• Toccoa, Georgia
14 Jul
Something like that happened to my Mom. She had to call a computer specialist to help correct it.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
14 Jul
I'm glad she got it removed. I feel sorry for anyone who does.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (77609)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jul
I have not had this happen to me here in Florida but at time back in Latvia I would get these messages that said the PC was locked however, I also soon found out this was like a hoax and easily got through it,
2 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
16 Jul
I removed the old ones by restarting two or three times. This one was more stubborn. I wonder how much money those thieves wanted to release my laptop.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (170715)
• United States
15 Jul
Did you open a questionable email or visit a new site? I've never had that happen. Knock on wood. I'm glad you got rid of it. Have a good week.
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (54677)
14 Jul
Don't recall having that problem. Good that you are back in business.
2 people like this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
14 Jul
Thanks, I really can't buy a new laptop at the moment. I was so lucky to remove it.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (37904)
• United States
15 Jul
We did a long time away. We never did anything I don't think, my husband handled it.
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Jul
@akalinus Yeah, but it was a good thing you knew how to do it. I'd be lost
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
16 Jul
Like I said up the page, I used to get those annoying things pretty regularly. I did not have trouble removing them but this new one was a pain to deal with.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (65348)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jul
I used to get them sometimes. I knew it was spam and that calling the number would NOT fix the problem. I either did a factory restore (which you can do and still keep your data) or ran windows defender. Since I've started using Mac, I've never had an issue.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (334404)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jul
It's very worrying trying to deal with such things. I'd probably do much as you did. Switch it on and off, try to block it, etc.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (7248)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
16 Jul
not nice of them all. i haven't got this. i am sorry they shocked you like this and ruined your day.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
16 Jul
I used to get them a lot years ago. Then they stopped but now are starting again,
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (7248)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
18 Jul
@akalinus they decided to play. not on your watch!
1 person likes this
• India
15 Jul
I never had such a situation .I do receive mails saying they have access to my laptop and need bitcoins as ransom and all. My suggestion si have an updated good antivirus in laptop. That should most of the problems. Never vist or lcick or suspicious websites or links. Glad you were able to get through this ordeal. In most cases, a complete factory rest might be required to get the machine back into working. Thanks for sharing!
@akalinus (42268)
• United States
16 Jul
I have Malwarebytes Pro, which has done well for me. I also have the antivirus that came with the laptop, Bit Defender??? I was planning to do a system restore that brings the laptop back to a day before the Trojan struck. I don't know if that is in the start menu or what. I could not do much but left fullscreen and could use the start menu.
1 person likes this