Computer Hacked... Scammer Wanted Money... How To Clean Up?

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by Sillycat41, Jul 26, 2022.

  1. Sillycat41

    Sillycat41 Private E-2

    I'm trying to help a friend safely get back online. He has Windows 10 but I'm nut sure what anti-virus programs. He was hacked and called the phone number... got the usual routine, they asked for $250 to fix the computer. After he told them that he didn't have credit card and was only 14 yrs. old, they hung up. He is 88 yrs. old but clever. :-D

    Anyway, I have to pick up his computer and bring it home to work on it. Other than running anti-virus and spyware scans, what else should I look for? He doesn't have a backup to revert to. What about doing System Restore? Do the hackers plant software on the computers that shut them down? What would I be looking for exactly? I remember using a program called HiJackThis years ago. What is the new method? I welcome any tips. Thanks!
     
    Sillycat41, Jul 26, 2022
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    First you need to find out what type of encryption was used (assuming it is ransomware). Then you can check with sites such as Trend Micro for cracked ransomware fixes.
     
    TimW, Jul 26, 2022
    #2
  3. Sillycat41

    Sillycat41 Private E-2

    Thanks... it'll do some research on ransomware. I had forgotten that name.
     
    Sillycat41, Jul 26, 2022
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Just look for the file extension... it will be the identifier you need.
     
    TimW, Jul 26, 2022
    #4
  5. Sillycat41

    Sillycat41 Private E-2

    Do you mean to do a search for: *.exe extensions???
     
    Sillycat41, Jul 27, 2022
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, but they won't be .exe extensions. Different name. That would be the type of ransomware that is on the computer and locked the files.
     
    TimW, Jul 27, 2022
    #6

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