Criminals are hacking into local home computers, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
The computers go black or blank before a message appears telling the user that the FBI has blocked their computer and to call a telephone number to pay for it to be unblocked, a Sheriff's Office news release reported.
Sometimes the hacker calls the resident and tells them what keys to punch. Eventually, the computer is “taken over,” the Sheriff's Office reported.
Residents should run their antivirus, be cautious about clicking links, never click on advertising pop-ups and run MalwareBytes, available at malwarebytes.com.
If a computer has been hacked, shut it down and call an expert.