Locked Laptop, Help

[saintpeter48]

Hello. My laptop is locked, or blocked and I cant get into it. I was using it the other day when a full screen message told me that my PC is blocked because of 'illegal downloads' etc, it is asking me to pay a £100 fine which they say, is from the UK police. Im not very technically minded and have switched it on/off a few times, tried starting it in safe mode, but ca unblock it. Any advice/help is much appreciated, thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

It is a Virus, similar to the FBI one...

Mentioned here

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130423042700AA0IOn5

before following any advice on that link, wait till someone more technically minded sees your plea.

[Zacs-Master]

Try googling 'remove ransomeware'.

[VHG]

It is always worth setting up a spare Windows logon.

Then if one gets locked, as in this case, you can often log on to the other one and run your virus or malware remover.

I know that is too late in this case, but once you clear it up then set up a spare Windows logon in case it happens again.

[SlackAlice]

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/cheshire-police-authority-virus/

Follow the tips above and work your way through them. Option 3 needs another pc to create a Kaspersky rescue disk and is probably the best option.

[hawksley]

Where are they asking you to send the 100 pounds to?.

[saintpeter48]

Have managed to fix the problem thanks to advice on here, thankyou all so much! :) Now the next problem, my virus checker has just run out, is there a good free virus checker that I can use, if not, what is the best one to buy?

[Gizmonster]

Anti-virus programmes:

MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials),
Avast,
AVG.

listed in order of popularity .... in my opinion anyway :)

[VHG]

>>>Where are they asking you to send the 100 pounds to?.

You don't send the £100 anywhere.

You have to pay £100 by credit card (details are on the lockup screen), and are given a "code" and you enter the code on the lock up screen and are allowed back in your computer.

[dzug2]

..and you enter the code on the lock up screen and are allowed back in your computer..

Or not, if all they want is your £100

[VHG]

>>>Or not, if all they want is your £100

True....and your credit card details !!!