Virus, Ransomware.

My windows 7 laptop is infected with something. It will not locate any wireless networks and when I connect it to a wired connection it stays connected for maybe a minute before kicking me off and reconnecting (continuous cycle). I'm not sure what happened, but my phone connects to my wireless network fine. I got a popup in internet explorer saying my computer is blocked and to call this number to get it fixed. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Edited by hamluis, 16 August 2017 - 02:09 PM.
Moved from AII to Ransomware - Hamluis.

It is a common scam.

Tech Support Scamming through unsolicited phone calls, browser pop-ups and emails from "so-called Support Techs" advising "your computer is infected with malware", all your files are encrypted" and other fake messages has become an increasing common scam tactic over the past several years. The scams may involve web pages with screenshots of fake Microsoft (Windows) Support messages, fake reports of suspicious activity, fake warnings of malware found on your computer, fake ransomware and fake BSODs all of which include a tech support phone number to call in order to fix the problem. If you call the phone number (or they called you), scammers will talk their victims into allowing them remote control access of the computer so they can install a Remote Access Trojan in order to steal passwords and other sensitive personal information which could then be used to access bank accounts or steal a person's identity.

These are a few examples.

• Call Windows Help Desk Immediately Tech Support Scam
• Fake Your computer is locked screenlocker...contact a Microsoft technician
• Microsoft Help Desk Tech Support Scam
• Microsoft Office Activation Wizard Tech Support Scam
• YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED Tech Support Scam
• Windows has been blocked due to suspicious activity Tech Support Scam
• Your Windows has been Banned Scam
• 1-844-879-7840 Suspicious Activity Tech Support Scam

The scammer may claim to be affiliated with Microsoft or Windows Support. However, there have been reports of scammers claiming to be affiliated with major computer manufacturers such as Hewlett Packard, Lenovo and Dell, familiar security vendors like Symantec, Panda, McAfee, etc. and even popular ISPs. Microsoft does not contact users via web page messages, phone or email and instruct them to call tech support to fix your computer.

For more information about how these scams work and resources to protect yourself, please read Beware of Phony Emails & Tech Support Scams...there are suggestions near the bottom for dealing with scams and a list of security scanning tools to use in case the usual methods do not resolve the problem or you allowed remote access into your computer.

If you need individual assistance with a malware infection, you should start a new topic in the Am I infected? What do I do? forum.

OR follow the instructions in the Malware Removal and Log Section Preparation Guide. When you have done that, start a new topic and post your logs in the Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Logs forum, NOT here, for assistance by the Malware Response Team.

Thanks for the insight quiteman7! I will second that opinion. No legitimate anti-virus or anti-malware company will show browser pop-ups stating that your PC was infected. Neither will Microsoft nor will any other company, to be honest. I would strongly suggest avoiding such pop-ups. A good alternative is to have some form of adblock installed for issues like that. It will prevent malicious pop-ups, and you will feel a lot safer.