Manualslib.com Microsoft Support Scam!

[TLS Guy]

I often use the above site to get manuals, usually when helping members here.

I have used this site for years without incident. They have been a good source for manuals and you don't pay for them. Three days ago I went to the site to help a member with an older Pioneer receiver. I went on to that site, found the manual and looked at the index, when I clicked on the relevant page, a large red notice went up with white type, and a voice continuously repeated that my computer was insecure and had been locked for security reasons and not to turn off the computer as all data would be lost. The message contained a number to contact Microsoft to rectify the problem. I immediately recognized this as a scam and turned of my computer, which I had to do with the off button and not the mouse, as my computer was locked. Fortunately my computer did shut down and restarted again. Periodically it said that Windows Defender was disabled, which it was not.

Anyhow, I had my eldest son do a forensic analysis of my computer. He is chief software engineer and in charge of security for Lumi. He is experienced in forensics of computer systems.

He was able to trace the course of events including the page I was on, when the incident occurred. Anyhow as soon as the incident occurred I was sent to a site in Russia, and then to some radio station in California and then to a vast number of sites all over the place.

Anyhow it seems nothing has been left on this computer and I am in the clear.

On searching this according to Reddit, this site Manualslib.com has been known for this for at least 2 years, but obviously I was unaware.

My son did go to the site and to the page where this incident occurred with extreme care and protection and could not reproduce the hack yesterday.

I am posting this here, as I know other members have used this site as well. Unfortunately my advice has to be to stay away from this site.

 

[Verdinut]

On my portable PC, I occasionally get a message saying that my Windows Defender software is off. It also states that the additional Malwarebytes Premuim software is off as well.

When this happens, I never click on that message but I open the Malwarebytes software which is never off as the message says, and run a thorough scan. The scan always shows no threat found. I never have had a problem but I always do a scan as a precaution.

From now on, I'm going to verify the site I'm connected to when this happens again.

 

[lovinthehd]

Generally find that site too annoying to use to begin with.

 

[jinjuku]

I like Ubuntu...

 

[jinjuku]

Process Explorer by sys internals is a great tool (owned now my M$ bust still free). Also make sure that a browser plug in didn't get installed, launch in private browsing mode without any plug in's to tshoot, and also there is Ctrl+Shift+I for the WebDev tools to check out what is going on behind the scenes.

 

[Cos]

I often use the above site to get manuals, usually when helping members here.

I have used this site for years without incident. They have been a good source for manuals and you don't pay for them. Three days ago I went to the site to help a member with an older Pioneer receiver. I went on to that site, found the manual and looked at the index, when I clicked on the relevant page, a large red notice went up with white type, and a voice continuously repeated that my computer was insecure and had been locked for security reasons and not to turn off the computer as all data would be lost. The message contained a number to contact Microsoft to rectify the problem. I immediately recognized this as a scam and turned of my computer, which I had to do with the off button and not the mouse, as my computer was locked. Fortunately my computer did shut down and restarted again. Periodically it said that Windows Defender was disabled, which it was not.

Anyhow, I had my eldest son do a forensic analysis of my computer. He is chief software engineer and in charge of security for Lumi. He is experienced in forensics of computer systems.

He was able to trace the course of events including the page I was on, when the incident occurred. Anyhow as soon as the incident occurred I was sent to a site in Russia, and then to some radio station in California and then to a vast number of sites all over the place.

Anyhow it seems nothing has been left on this computer and I am in the clear.

On searching this according to Reddit, this site Manualslib.com has been known for this for at least 2 years, but obviously I was unaware.

My son did go to the site and to the page where this incident occurred with extreme care and protection and could not reproduce the hack yesterday.

I am posting this here, as I know other members have used this site as well. Unfortunately my advice has to be to stay away from this site.

That is a typical attempt to have you call their support number to try and steal your money. Typically they do not install viruses. It may continue to pop up if you do not delete your internet cache. I also agree I would never visit that site again because why risk it and NEVER CLICK ON ANYTHING when you see that lol.

 

[TLS Guy]

That is a typical attempt to have you call their support number to try and steal your money. Typically they do not install viruses. It may continue to pop up if you do not delete your internet cache. I also agree I would never visit that site again because why risk it and NEVER CLICK ON ANYTHING when you see that lol.

My son spent an hour at least on this and checked everything out. It seems there was no harm done fortunately.
The site was not the most handy, but there are hardly any manuals you can not find there. This is especially useful when members want help on rarer older items. However, I'm totally done with that site.

 

[TLS Guy]

On my portable PC, I occasionally get a message saying that my Windows Defender software is off. It also states that the additional Malwarebytes Premuim software is off as well.

When this happens, I never click on that message but I open the Malwarebytes software which is never off as the message says, and run a thorough scan. The scan always shows no threat found. I never have had a problem but I always do a scan as a precaution.

From now on, I'm going to verify the site I'm connected to when this happens again.

My son found and corrected that problem. He says defender was never off even though it said it was. I have had zero issues since my son worked this problem through. He says those nasty Russians were primarily behind this, and the radio station were likely spreading their garbage and likely unaware. It gave the attack a US IP address, but my son is certain it originated in Russia.

 

[Tankini]

Trying dealing with Identity theft. Much less hacker's, pirates of your home internet, Invasion of your privacy in your own home by scrupulous neighbors. Haven't been hit with Ransomware and/or a full lock down of this laptop yet. I have lost PC's in the past.

Several to the blue screen of death. My whole ID is on the Darkside of the WWW. Here's the thing, knowing full well from since 2000-2001 to-date who has been behind all of My identity theft has left me No recourse because of lack of resources. Bad you say Doc? I say count your blessings nothing more other than a Red flag was all you had to deal with.

When I say, many more, Like maybe, thousands even millions have suffered worse. Completely ruined, To the point of bankruptcy, fraud or even just to stay ahead of hackers and the ones siphoning off money. No Amount of honesty can replace integrity not to mention a virtue. One word of advice I can offer, stay clear of birds of a feather that flocks together.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...However, I'm totally done with that site.

Anyways to notify that site's manager about this? Or have them post a sign on their page?

 

[mtrycrafts]

My son found and corrected that problem. ...

Is he for hire? if and when needed?

 

[Tankini]

My son found and corrected that problem. He says defender was never off even though it said it was. I have had zero issues since my son worked this problem through. He says those nasty Russians were primarily behind this, and the radio station were likely spreading their garbage and likely unaware. It gave the attack a US IP address, but my son is certain it originated in Russia.

@TLS Guy if my memory is correct, Gene's website has been (copied) alone with other websites. Gene has been dealing with identity theft for years. He has resources, now think of the others who don't. Remember Bernie Madoff? Made off with Tens of billions of other people's funds. Many are still left in ruin. Federal bankruptcy, doesn't really help when others don't play by Federal rules they'll still come after those to make their life even more miserable they still want their money be damn federal rules/laws.

 

[highfigh]

Trying dealing with Identity theft. Much less hacker's, pirates of your home internet, Invasion of your privacy in your own home by scrupulous neighbors. Haven't been hit with Ransomware and/or a full lock down of this laptop yet. I have lost PC's in the past.

Several to the blue screen of death. My whole ID is on the Darkside of the WWW. Here's the thing, knowing full well from since 2000-2001 to-date who has been behind all of My identity theft has left me No recourse because of lack of resources. Bad you say Doc? I say count your blessings nothing more other than a Red flag was all you had to deal with.

When I say, many more, Like maybe, thousands even millions have suffered worse. Completely ruined, To the point of bankruptcy, fraud or even To the point of committing small frauds just to stay ahead of hackers and the ones siphoning off money. No Amount of honesty can replace integrity not to mention a virtue. One word of advice I can offer, stay clear of birds of a feather that flocks together.

Where are you, that neighbors would hack you?

 

[Verdinut]

Trying dealing with Identity theft. Much less hacker's, pirates of your home internet, Invasion of your privacy in your own home by scrupulous neighbors. Haven't been hit with Ransomware and/or a full lock down of this laptop yet. I have lost PC's in the past.

Several to the blue screen of death. My whole ID is on the Darkside of the WWW. Here's the thing, knowing full well from since 2000-2001 to-date who has been behind all of My identity theft has left me No recourse because of lack of resources. Bad you say Doc? I say count your blessings nothing more other than a Red flag was all you had to deal with.

When I say, many more, Like maybe, thousands even millions have suffered worse. Completely ruined, To the point of bankruptcy, fraud or even To the point of committing small frauds just to stay ahead of hackers and the ones siphoning off money. No Amount of honesty can replace integrity not to mention a virtue. One word of advice I can offer, stay clear of birds of a feather that flocks together.

Have you been using Bluetooth on your computers? Have a look at the following link:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772918424000079

 

[highfigh]

Have you been using Bluetooth on your computers? Have a look at the following link:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772918424000079

And none of this would be a problem if many people would stop being turds.

 

[Tankini]

Have you been using Bluetooth on your computers? Have a look at the following link:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772918424000079

Thank you for posting up that link. I bookmark it. I gleaned some of the article. I'll go back and read the whole thing. Bluetooth is very vulnerable. A Neighbor is like 8 feet from me on one side and about fifteen feet on the other so yeah every time I turn on Bluetooth they know I'm online. Being this close it's easy for a hacker to hack my system I understand now why my system got hacked. Not to mention scrupulous person of Interest has all my information.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thank you for posting up that link. I bookmark it. I A gleaned some of the article. I'll go back and read the whole thing. Bluetooth is very vulnerable. A Neighbor is like 8 feet from me on one side and about fifteen feet on the other so yeah every time I turn on Bluetooth they know I'm online. Being this close it's easy for a hacker to hack my system I understand now why my system got hacked. Not to mention scrupulous person of Interest has all my information.

I do not use Bluetooth. I was using my laptop via Wi-Fi to our router. None of the other four computers were contaminated. The DAW was off, the two HTPCs and the office computers on standby.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Reason #100000000001 for benefits of using Ad Blockers (Ublock Origin and Pihole) and in the case of Apple mobile devices - NextDNS (with some tweaking) and Brave Browser.

 

[TLS Guy]

Reason #100000000001 for benefits of using Ad Blockers (Ublock Origin and Pihole) and in the case of Apple mobile devices - NextDNS (with some tweaking) and Brave Browser.

I use Ublock Origin all time.

 

[lovinthehd]

Then again the various scams exist all over the place, the key is not being stupid enough to fall for it...