Edge is locked by suspicious looking "Microsoft technician" with phone number. What now?

Hi Booby,
 
Welcome to the Webroot Community.
 
 
 
 

 
THIS IS A SCAM!!  Neither Microsoft nor any other company sends emails, pop ups, or phone calls of any kind advising that you may have a problem.
 
If you clicked on any links, allowed them to remote into your computer, or went to any websites please Submit a Support Ticket ASAP.  (Now would be a good idea....)
 
If you would like more information, read on (After submitting that Trouble Ticket.....)
 
NEWS ARTICLE: Tech Support Scams are on the rise.
 
 
Microsoft never issues this type of warning or email or anything of a sort!  Please see the following link for Microsoft's official word on this:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx
 
"Neither Microsoft nor our partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
 
Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you. They might even guess what operating system you're using.
 
Once they've gained your trust, they might ask for your user name and password or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable."
 
Also see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx 
 
 
For more information here's what the United States Federal Trade Commission has to say on the subject::
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams
 
"In a recent twist, scam artists are using the phone to try to break into your computer. They call, claiming to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft. They say that they've detected viruses or other malware on your computer to trick you into giving them remote access or paying for software you don't need.
 
These scammers take advantage of your reasonable concerns about viruses and other threats. They know that computer users have heard time and again that it's important to install security software. But the purpose behind their elaborate scheme isn't to protect your computer; it's to make money."
 
This scam is common and has been around for quite a while.  Here is a good Webroot Blog article from April 2013 by Threat Researcher Roy Tobin.
http://www.webroot.com/blog/2013/04/30/fake-microsoft-security-scam/
 
Also add a good free Ad Blocker like the ones suggested below:
 
For Internet Explorer Ad Block Plus: https://adblockplus.org/
 
For Firefox uBlock Origin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/?src=ss or Privacy Badger: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/privacy-badger-firefox/

 
Google Chrome uBlock Origin: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en or Privacy Badger: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-badger/pkehgijcmpdhfbdbbnkijodmdjhbjlgp
 
Hope this info helps,
 
BD
 

@ wrote:
 
Not sure if there is a Ad blocker for Edge at this time.
 
Daniel ;)
 

I believe there is, Daniel. A few members have reported adding AdBlock to Edge with no problems.
 
Cheers,
BD

WOW!!!  Great response time - - thank you.  I am aware of this type of scam and even sent out a major write up to my friends two days ago about it.  Two hours later my wife (on Facebook - - boooo) gets one herself.  I have definitely not contacted that number or let anyone on her computer.  I have searched both here and MS for ideas and am blank.  I will definitely follow up on your suggested freeware Add blocker once I have cleaned this thing up.  Thank you.
 
Are you telling me to fill out this Support Ticket to get information on how to clean up her computer or will ideas be posted here
on the forum?  I need to help her get back online to do bookwork.  Thanks for your help.  Hopefully Webroot will figure this out quickly and get an update out to us. 
 
Bob

Awesome to hear glad we could help! For more info you can look at this KB Article on how to clear most Browsers and it needs to be updated at some point to add Edge but we will wait till Webroot Officially supports Windows Edge: https://community.webroot.com/t5/Techie-KB/How-to-Remove-Potentially-Unwanted-Applications/ta-p/40744
 
You can look here from the Microsoft Community on how to reset the Edge Browser: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_internet-insider_spartan/how-to-reset-edgeie-browser-in-windows-10/2a4528c5-6035-4042-b8bf-c2a3c8e66520?auth=1 and here from How to Geek: http://www.howtogeek.com/237527/how-to-reset-microsoft-edge-in-windows-10/
 
Cheers,
 
Daniel 😉