WFMY News 2 took a call Saturday from a Greensboro woman who says that her computer has been infected with a virus.
Robyn Parsons isn't the only one and she and others are finding that the fix is costly, but the alternative could be worse. She shared with us the images now frozen on her screen.
If your computer is infected you will see a screen that shows and FBI anti-piracy warning. The site advises people to then pay $200 dollars to get a fix.
The FBI says it is not asking anyone for money. But a spokesman who spoke with News 2, Saturday said: "We are aware of the issue" They're telling people to simply ignore the virus and take your computer to a reputable repair company.
But that is going to cost you. We called around and found companies will charge between $40 and $200 dollars to clean your computer. And experts say it is money well spent. They advise that if you get nfected , that you shut your computer down immediately and leave it off until you can get the virus cleaned. They say leaving it on will allow the same trojan to download other trojans and that could eventually lock your computer.
They do not recommend people try and do this themselves because of the risks of losing wanted information.