Her story is that she clicked a Neil Young video and that's when the fake Microsoft alerts popped up. Evil bastards! She called the number and they got her to give up bank info over the phone. Luckily, she called me shortly after and we closed her accounts.

Sounds like she may have given them access to her computer first.

Any tips on how to secure the computer are appreciated, and or how to find these fookers.

That sucks! Hope you get everything straightened out. I had a similar incident with my mom last year. She fell for some email scam and gave out her info. It was an effing nightmare, but the bank helped us get her info secured.

-------------------------
Specializing in sarcasm and condescending rhetoric since 1971.

We rebuilt my father's computer from ground up, gave him no permissions, and put a note on the computer and by the phone with instructions on what not to do.  

I am more and more convinced that it is better for the older gen, the innocent, and the computer illiterate to just have iPads. If they need a bigger screen, just spring (or have them spring) for the iPad Pro. Then all you have to do is convince them that the 'click OK' button is a sham and just close the tab. Far fewer headaches and no need to secure the computer. I can say that about a Mac too, and it's true, but the iPad is the most secure trouble-free computer out there.

I don't mean to sound like an apple salesman or apple fanatic. But I know of what I speak. I work with developmentally disabled folks. They do very well with iPads. They just work and are impossible to foul up.

None of this solves the giving-up bank info, of course, but it would wrap the computer problem and they last for years (way longer than you want them to because you want a new one but have no reason to get one because the one you have is still fine).

-------------------------
Brother, when you get a minute, could I get a list of the words that trigger these fits?


Hey. Where are we going? (And what are we doing in a hand-basket?)