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My ISP called and threatened to stop my service because of a virus. Help!!

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Mikey Jr.

Mikey Jr.

Member
So yeah, they just left me a phone message saying that there is a virus on my network, and that I have 48 hours to get rid of it or they'll disable my Internet.

It's not a scam. It's real, it's from Rogers in Canada.

I have 3 computers. Computer 1 right now is in safe mode and it just got done with malwarebytes and right now it's doing avg. Malwarebytes found nothing, and avg looks OK so far.

But yeah, I have no experience in this shit, and apparently they will legitimately cut you from the internet if you don't fix it.

Should I just say fuck it and reformat everything?

Or are there any other programs I should try first?

Funny thing, I wouldn't be surprised if my computer is being used as some bot to take down XBL and PSN for Christmas. Ohh the irony.

Thanks guys. Any help would be great. I'm running Windows 8. Just 8.

-----------------------------------------

Update: Ok, so I called. He said that the note Rogers was saying was a "plug and play root device" like a USB key and that was trying to access their network.

I don't even remember using a usb for a long time. I do plug my phone in from time to time to transfer pictures. Could that have been it? I did an AVG scan on my phone with the app and that also found nothing.

He went on to also say that the error continued on and mentioned my roku on there.

So yeah, I have no idea what the shit is going on. Anyways, I think they just wanted reassurance that I did virus checks on all my computers, and he put a note in there that the roku might be causing the problems.

Anyone hear anything about this?
 
M

Mashin Haters

Member
wow that is something. First I would unplug your computers from your network. Actually I would just reformat everything :(. This is why it's important to keep an external drive for important files.
 
G

GruntOfAction

Member
I would consider changing ISPs if they cannot handle a simple virus.

It might not even be your ISP. I would contact them back at the number or email on their website and not the one they gave you to check on your account status. If the legit people say something is wrong then I donno.
 
C

CmdrShepard

Member
It really does sound like a scam but at the same time it doesn't sound like they would gain anything from it?

Prank maybe? I have never heard of this happening to anyone before and am genuinely curious if this is an actual thing.
 
E

Ebris

Member
xxracerxx said:
Still sounds like a scam.
Click to expand...
This.

With how many people get malware/viruses/etc. on their computers, they'd have to do this for so many people it'd become unfeasible. I won't go into the details of what kind of protection they have on their end due to lack of info, but any ISP is going to have some serious firewalls in place with active monitoring to catch anything that comes their way.
 
U

UnemployedVillain

Member
A virus on your network? What does that even mean? Sounds like bullshit and a scam. What is said virus doing? How would an ISP detect it, unless it was doing wonky things to your network/connection (maybe disconnecting/reconnecting it, spamming requests, eating up bandwidth, etc, I don't even know)
 
C

CheesecakeRecipe

Stormy Grey
xxracerxx said:
Still sounds like a scam.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my first thought. The only way they could really tell is if the OP's computer was part of a heavily active botnet, but even then, it seems so scam-like to call the customer and tell them to fix it themselves or they'll be cut off.

Are you sure the number was actually your ISP and wasn't spoofed in some way? I'd call the number found on their website, not the one they contacted you with, and ask for more information if you feel like the threat is genuine.
 
H

Havel

Member
UnemployedVillain said:
A virus on your network? What does that even mean? Sounds like bullshit and a scam. What is said virus doing? How would an ISP detect it, unless it was doing wonky things to your network/connection (maybe disconnecting/reconnecting it, spamming requests, eating up bandwidth, etc, I don't even know)
Click to expand...

This most definitely.
 
M

Malreyn

Member
Sounds like a scam to me...someone is either trying to fuck with you or scare you into calling them at a designated number and have you download some shit so they can get you to install REAL malware cuz you listened to them.

If it really is Comcast you could file a complaint and try to get them to restore service for turning it off for no "legit" reason.

Edit: my mistake..."Rogers"
 
Y

yami4ct

Member
First of all, call your ISP through a verifiable number and make sure it's legit. Plenty of scammers/pranksters will of course claim to be official.

If it's real, then I'd suggest you backup just your important files, wipe and start over. It's a hassle, but it's the only 100% sure way to be rid of stuff.

Is anyone on your network torrenting stuff? I've heard of a few instances where 'you have a virus' is basically ISP code for we know you're a pirate, please stop.
 
G

GruntOfAction

Member
I googled it because I was bored. Apparently they do this to people when they detect they aren't using their brand of router or some shit. And they'll cut off your internet unless you buy a router/hardware from them.
 
S

Sheppard

Member
I have come across this with centurylink in the states. They will put you in a "Walled Garden" until it is fixed. There should be something that you can click on, on the home page of your ISP that states you are ok if it is anything like the one Centurylink uses.
 
B

BreezyLimbo

Banned
Sounds like theyre hoping youll call the number for some "help". Most definitely a scam. Most viruses wouldnt be detected by an ISP unless its a bot of sorts, and only if it was coming from you.
GruntOfAction said:
I googled it because I was bored. Apparently they do this to people when they detect they aren't using their brand of router or some shit. And they'll cut off your internet unless you buy a router/hardware from them.
Click to expand...

Thats horrible!
 
P

Pestilence11

Member
Rogers(Robbers) are terrible so I wouldn't be surprised. Switch ISPs OP, they don't deserve your overpaying. If that isn't an option, or in the meantime, call them at 1-888-Rogers1 or whatever their number is (I've been in SK for 5 years can't remember) and make sure it was them.
 
S

Stallion Dan

Member
They'll call back and offer to fix it for you no doubt, just gotta confirm your bank card details first or give control of your PC over to them so they can test it on their totally safe and legit site.
 
M

Muskieratboi

Member
Dude. It's a scam. Call the ISP directly, using the number on the website, NOT any you were given over the phone, and talk to them.
 
Z

Zetta

Member
Call Rogers to confirm just what the hell is going on but tbh it sounds like a scam. Did the person sound middle eastern? I get those call all the time about my pc being infected and I just love them.
 
Mohonky

Mohonky

Member
Stallion Dan said:
They'll call back and offer to fix it for you no doubt, just gotta confirm your bank card details first or give control of your PC over to them so they can test it on their totally safe and legit site.
Click to expand...


This. You may also need to send them a blank cheque, don't worry, they'll assign the value that is required.
 
S

Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew

Banned
Do note that this USED to be a problem maybe 10-15 years ago. I remember these phone calls from Bell in the olden days and I usually confirmed and I fixed the issue. I haven't had these issues anytime lately or heard about it.

Do confirm with the ISP.
 
A

AxeMan

Member
Ask them how they know.
Ask them what virus it is.
Ask them where the traffic is going to.

I bet they don't give satisfying answers to any of that

Edit - looks like they are trying to 'up sell' you.
Also using OpenDNS is not a virus
 
P

Particle Physicist

between a quark and a baryon
Mikey Jr. said:
Trust me guys, I was skeptical too. "Virus on my network? The fuck?" I could pick up the phone and press 1 to talk to a technician, or go to this website

http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ROP_LANDING&asc_refid=protect

And here is a thread describing the issue.

http://communityforums.rogers.com/t...ge/board-id/Getting_connected/thread-id/14175
Click to expand...

With stuff like this you need to always confirm by calling a legit number from your ISP. Also do not download any software you receive in email unless you confirm it is legitimate software from Rogers.
 
vivftp

vivftp

Member
Mikey Jr. said:
Trust me guys, I was skeptical too. "Virus on my network? The fuck?" I could pick up the phone and press 1 to talk to a technician, or go to this website

http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ROP_LANDING&asc_refid=protect

And here is a thread describing the issue.

http://communityforums.rogers.com/t...ge/board-id/Getting_connected/thread-id/14175
Click to expand...

Just call them already. I know Rogers sucks (I'm with them) and it might take a while to get through, but it's the best course of action. Then grill the ever living fuck outta them on what this supposed virus is and how they know about it.
 
S

Stallion Dan

Member
Mikey Jr. said:
Trust me guys, I was skeptical too. "Virus on my network? The fuck?" I could pick up the phone and press 1 to talk to a technician, or go to this website

http://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ROP_LANDING&asc_refid=protect

And here is a thread describing the issue.

http://communityforums.rogers.com/t...ge/board-id/Getting_connected/thread-id/14175
Click to expand...

Well there is an answer on that page.

"Turn out it was my cisco router did a firmware update and did not do a proper reboot. After i did the test and done a full reset on my router. Everything was ok."

Try resetting your router, though this still sounds like a scam.
 
C

Chinese Cartoons

Banned
If it's not a scam then you might be part of a botnet and your computers are all zombies, good job what the hell are you downloading porn in exe format?
 
R

railGUN

Banned
Telus emailed me once to tell me I had been used in a DDOS but didn't threaten to stop service, just requested I deal with it.
 
LiquidMetal14

LiquidMetal14

hide your water-based mammals
I haven't read the whole thread but the first thing you do is call them. Not ask GAF. Go right to the source and verify it's real.
 
C

criesofthepast

Member
shagg_187 said:
Do note that this USED to be a problem maybe 10-15 years ago. I remember these phone calls from Bell in the olden days and I usually confirmed and I fixed the issue. I haven't had these issues anytime lately or heard about it.

Do confirm with the ISP.
Click to expand...
I remember this happening to me as well with Rogers at least 10 years ago. I honestly do not remember what the solution ended up being. Fairly sure I did nothing, there was no virus that I found, and things continued as normal, but not 100% sure.
 
Mikey Jr.

Mikey Jr.

Member
rjinaz said:
Reading through that roger's forum you can find some advice for moving forward.
One suggestion is going here to see if you have an open DNS resolver which I guess can cause this problem?

http://www.thinkbroadband.com/tools/dnscheck.html
Click to expand...

Nope, I'm fine.

And I just checked, the number did come from them. So yeah, Its real. I never heard of this before.

So ok, I'll call them tomorrow morning. But for now, what can I do software wise? AVG and malwarebytes both said this computer is fine.
 
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