Computer Locked !!!

[Drxyster]

My wife's computer has been locked by a virus or programme. Word and voice message tells me to call Microsoft support 0203 772 3313. Is this legitimate or a scam in progress, any advice or suggestions most gratefully received.

I have run Norton Powe Erazer and Talk Talk F Secure, both said no threats found.

[EDguy89]

Probably a scam.

If there's genuinely an issue you should search for the # independently of the one provided.

[yourmomma]

100% a scam. Your best bet is likley to boot the PC into recovery mode and then use system restore to restore back to a known working backup.

[Drxyster]

Thanks for advice, managed to switch off and re-start, now seems OK. Have not run System restore as yet, but will do if problem arises again.

[ianr]

Although Word may have been open at the time, I think it's likely that the message arrived as a browser popup triggered by going to a hacked web page, as mentioned in https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/important-security-message/9b209278-a5e4-4b1c-8a86-d0dd49eb1e15, which also advises on using Task Manager to close down the browser. Searching on Microsoft support 0203 shows a variety of such numbers being used. The one you quote is already unobtainable.