Computer ransom demands
Computer ransom demands
When looking at Facebook, my mother keeps clicking on links that often lead to "your computer is broke and you need to call this phone number" webpages, that also tie up her computer, so she calls me and I talk her through shutting off the computer and restarting. I have Malwarebytes on the machine, so I am not worried about these sites leaving anything on her computer, but is there some extension I can add to her Firefox to stop her from getting to these pages??
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Re: Computer ransom demands
My guess is that UBlock Origin would block that kind of stuff. But since I don't use Facebook, I can't know for sure. But UBO is a universal blocker of "bad stuff" so it certainly wouldn't hurt to have it installed.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... ck-origin/
An alternate path is to find out what kind of content your mother likes, find some regular websites or forums (not Facebook) that cover those topics. Then use some simple HTML to set up a "start page" which has all her favorite sites listed as clickable links. I've done that for years and even have links to certain Twitter authors so I can read their posts without signing up for Twitter.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... ck-origin/
An alternate path is to find out what kind of content your mother likes, find some regular websites or forums (not Facebook) that cover those topics. Then use some simple HTML to set up a "start page" which has all her favorite sites listed as clickable links. I've done that for years and even have links to certain Twitter authors so I can read their posts without signing up for Twitter.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
+1 to Ublock Origin. It makes for more pleasant browsing most of the time.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
I believe Brave browser blocks most of this as well
Re: Computer ransom demands
If she's clicking like there's no tomorrow, she's bound to get compromised. Consider an iPad with keyboard.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
Not on Facebook either, so I don't know about this but I wonder if Facebook has some sort of "parental control". For your parent...
Re: Computer ransom demands
With Edge I just go Ctrl/Alt/Delete , pick TaskManager and then Highlight Edge and click close - Might work for FireFox as well , try it - not a preventative solution but it works with the tools I already have - only once have I had to hit the on/off button .
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Re: Computer ransom demands
I recommend same when family/friends report a browser hijack. Ctl-Alt-Del to Task Manager, right the browser Chrome/Firefox/Edge the End Task. Then reboot.ubermax wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:05 pm With Edge I just go Ctrl/Alt/Delete , pick TaskManager and then Highlight Edge and click close - Might work for FireFox as well , try it - not a preventative solution but it works with the tools I already have - only once have I had to hit the on/off button .
After restart, I have them run MalwareBytes to clean up any PUP remnants still in their browser
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Re: Computer ransom demands
They do. Go to her and have her get into Facebook. Delete her account and tell her she's all set. I did that with my own account a decade ago.RealSunset wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:57 pm Not on Facebook either, so I don't know about this but I wonder if Facebook has some sort of "parental control". For your parent...
Bogle: Smart Beta is stupid
Re: Computer ransom demands
If she is constantly falling for stuff like that, seems like she is going to get hooked by a non-computer based scam sooner or later, too. Not fun. Probably a good time to looking into being notified about large bank transactions she may make.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
Have you considered buying a Chromebook for her. I feel it is lot more secure for Seniors who might not proficient in computers.clemrick wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:28 pm When looking at Facebook, my mother keeps clicking on links that often lead to "your computer is broke and you need to call this phone number" webpages, that also tie up her computer, so she calls me and I talk her through shutting off the computer and restarting. I have Malwarebytes on the machine, so I am not worried about these sites leaving anything on her computer, but is there some extension I can add to her Firefox to stop her from getting to these pages??
Thanks,
Re: Computer ransom demands
Brave has pretty good blocking and I have been able to block Facebook and Twitter entirely.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Computer ransom demands
For some elderly folks, Facebook is a way to keep up on friends and family. Deleting her account could be hurtful for her.Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:37 pmThey do. Go to her and have her get into Facebook. Delete her account and tell her she's all set. I did that with my own account a decade ago.RealSunset wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:57 pm Not on Facebook either, so I don't know about this but I wonder if Facebook has some sort of "parental control". For your parent...
Perhaps she needs a device she only uses for social media, with unique passwords (not used for banking, etc.) And 2FA for all social media. And a gmail account only used for social media logins.
Re: Computer ransom demands
maybe a burner tablet for FB only with a burner email address.LilyFleur wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 3:05 pmFor some elderly folks, Facebook is a way to keep up on friends and family. Deleting her account could be hurtful for her.Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:37 pmThey do. Go to her and have her get into Facebook. Delete her account and tell her she's all set. I did that with my own account a decade ago.RealSunset wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:57 pm Not on Facebook either, so I don't know about this but I wonder if Facebook has some sort of "parental control". For your parent...
Perhaps she needs a device she only uses for social media, with unique passwords (not used for banking, etc.) And 2FA for all social media. And a gmail account only used for social media logins.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
Re: Computer ransom demands
Or alternatively use the virus scan option for your browser , Edge has it and would assume the same with other browsers - I like Edge and have found that Malwarebytes can conflict with it and so I got rid of Malwarebytes .LookinAround wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:33 pm
After restart, I have them run MalwareBytes to clean up any PUP remnants still in their browser
Re: Computer ransom demands
Since she's already using Firefox, try changing the "Enhanced Tracking Protection" from "Standard" to "Strict". I find that this blocks most garbage, and has little to no impact on the functionality of web sites. If that isn't good enough, then the recommendation to install the "uBlock Origin" extension would be my next step.
If you have Malware Bytes, is it the premium version or free? The premium version provides real-time blocking that the free version doesn't. I recommend this to all family members who have a tendency to do things they shouldn't.
If you have Malware Bytes, is it the premium version or free? The premium version provides real-time blocking that the free version doesn't. I recommend this to all family members who have a tendency to do things they shouldn't.
Re: Computer ransom demands
+1LilyFleur wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 3:05 pmFor some elderly folks, Facebook is a way to keep up on friends and family. Deleting her account could be hurtful for her.Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:37 pmThey do. Go to her and have her get into Facebook. Delete her account and tell her she's all set. I did that with my own account a decade ago.RealSunset wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:57 pm Not on Facebook either, so I don't know about this but I wonder if Facebook has some sort of "parental control". For your parent...
Perhaps she needs a device she only uses for social media, with unique passwords (not used for banking, etc.) And 2FA for all social media. And a gmail account only used for social media logins.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
OP, based on what you describe, I hope your mother does not do any online banking, investments, taxes, etc., or if so, that you can take over those things on her behalf. If she can't give up FB, she should dedicate access to those other things to you or some other trustworthy party. I don't think it'll be enough to dedicate a device to social media. If she gets a phishing attempt, the fraudster may direct her to getting information off whatever other PC or device she has for financial stuff. She may just provide a credit card or bank account number over the phone. At the very least, get transaction limits set on her accounts and have alerts sent to you for online or over the phone transactions.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
With AI voice duplication, this will get MUCH worse. I've told my mom 80+ years young, don't give any info to ANYONE, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN over the phone. Get a phone number, and WE KIDS will call it back.
Re: Computer ransom demands
Thanks, I will add UBlock Origin.roamingzebra wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:51 pm My guess is that UBlock Origin would block that kind of stuff. But since I don't use Facebook, I can't know for sure. But UBO is a universal blocker of "bad stuff" so it certainly wouldn't hurt to have it installed.
I will up her tracking protection and I have installed the paid version of Malware Bytes. I will have to check how it is configured because I thought it would stop this kind of thing.Dragline wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:33 pm Since she's already using Firefox, try changing the "Enhanced Tracking Protection" from "Standard" to "Strict". I find that this blocks most garbage, and has little to no impact on the functionality of web sites. If that isn't good enough, then the recommendation to install the "uBlock Origin" extension would be my next step.
If you have Malware Bytes, is it the premium version or free? The premium version provides real-time blocking that the free version doesn't. I recommend this to all family members who have a tendency to do things they shouldn't.
I am so glad to have Chrome Remote Access. Being able to get into her computer and see what she is talking about is way, way better than the beginning of the century when she had to describe over the phone what was going on.
Mom is pretty good, so far, for not falling for scams. She gets confused and calls me before she gets into trouble.
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Re: Computer ransom demands
AI voice duplication, I haven't heard of that. Can you expand on that?oldlongbeard wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:21 am With AI voice duplication, this will get MUCH worse. I've told my mom 80+ years young, don't give any info to ANYONE, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN over the phone. Get a phone number, and WE KIDS will call it back.
Re: Computer ransom demands
Imagine your voice is recorded over a period of time. AI can be trained on your voice to say anything the user wants, in your voice. Gone are the days of stitching together actual sounds to form new words. An older person could hear their son calling saying they’re trapped in Mexican prison or something and need 5Kmark_in_denver wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 10:48 amAI voice duplication, I haven't heard of that. Can you expand on that?oldlongbeard wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:21 am With AI voice duplication, this will get MUCH worse. I've told my mom 80+ years young, don't give any info to ANYONE, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN over the phone. Get a phone number, and WE KIDS will call it back.
Re: Computer ransom demands
Block malware and other bad content by changing your DNS provider at the router.
https://1.1.1.1/family/
https://1.1.1.1/family/
Re: Computer ransom demands
I too would have expected Malwarebytes (paid) to prevent this. I'd appreciate anything learned about why it didn't work as hoped for.clemrick wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:03 amThanks, I will add UBlock Origin.roamingzebra wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:51 pm My guess is that UBlock Origin would block that kind of stuff. But since I don't use Facebook, I can't know for sure. But UBO is a universal blocker of "bad stuff" so it certainly wouldn't hurt to have it installed.
I will up her tracking protection and I have installed the paid version of Malware Bytes. I will have to check how it is configured because I thought it would stop this kind of thing.Dragline wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:33 pm Since she's already using Firefox, try changing the "Enhanced Tracking Protection" from "Standard" to "Strict". I find that this blocks most garbage, and has little to no impact on the functionality of web sites. If that isn't good enough, then the recommendation to install the "uBlock Origin" extension would be my next step.
If you have Malware Bytes, is it the premium version or free? The premium version provides real-time blocking that the free version doesn't. I recommend this to all family members who have a tendency to do things they shouldn't.
I am so glad to have Chrome Remote Access. Being able to get into her computer and see what she is talking about is way, way better than the beginning of the century when she had to describe over the phone what was going on.
Mom is pretty good, so far, for not falling for scams. She gets confused and calls me before she gets into trouble.