FBI Moneypak

My computer got hit by this virus thing yesterday. Except when I looked it up online, I was told that no, it wasn't some virus but instead was malware.

What's the difference?

Well, actually, viruses will delete your information. Malware doesn't. But that's beside the point.

The point is that it basically locked the computer - and you couldn't do anything. The start menu disappeared. The desktop disappeared. It was just a full screen view of a notice.

And what exactly did this full screen say?

Well, it basically said that it was the FBI and they had detected you illegally downloading music, movies, videos, etc. on your computer. (Sometimes, they claim that you've been watching illegal porn.) And then they say that if, within fourty-eight hours, you haven't paid this outrageous fine of $200 by buying this instant credit card called Moneypak, then you will be jailed.

Yeah, right.

My mom actually believed it, though, and got mad at me for illegally downloading stuff. And then wanted to get to the nearest Walmart to buy the credit card thingy.

But I found it suspicious. And by doing a quick google search, I found my suspicions confirmed - this indeed was a scam. A VERY WELL placed scam that made sure my computer was unusable.

And it only took me ten hours to fix it. (NOT EXAGGERATING THERE)

So yep.

My very exciting life.

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