Seattle comes in as number 20 in the list of the top US cities with the highest per capita malware infection rates in 2016. Why do you think this is? Seattle is high tech, and the average computer user is more wary of suspicious e-mail attachments and questionable web site links. Nevertheless, IT Headquarters receives several calls each week from customers that have malware infections.
Many of these are victimized by fake pop-ups that warn of impending disaster, and give a phone number to call for support. These dastardly "support" people often claim to be "Microsoft Support". Once the victim lets them connect to their computer, the criminals often install malware, and make changes to prevent the victim from repairing the problem without paying them hundreds of dollars. The cost is usually just under the cost of a new computer.
Others actually received a phone call from someone claiming to be "Microsoft Support". Microsoft does not make such calls.
If you come across any conspicuous pop-ups or warnings, take these steps:
Restart your computer.
Run all the anti-virus and anti-malware software that you have installed, and fix anything they find.
Call IT Headquarters if you need additional help.
According to Enigma Software, the top US cities with the highest per capita malware infection rates in 2016 are:
Tampa 540% higher than the national average
Orlando 525% higher than the national average
St. Louis 520% higher
Denver 407% higher
Atlanta 370% higher
Newark 322% higher
Madison, Wisconsin 272% higher
Washington, DC 242% higher
Cleveland 213% higher
Cincinnati 194% higher
Minneapolis 129% higher
Raleigh 125% higher
Irvine, CA 121% higher
Miami 109% higher
Buffalo 99% higher
Las Vegas 90% higher
Pittsburgh 83% higher
Boise 81.26% higher
Greensboro 67% higher
Seattle 61% higher
Boston 58% higher
Dallas 47% higher
Columbus 46% higher
Milwaukee 38% higher
Norfolk, VA 36% higher
Phoenix 32% higher
Portland 28% higher
Austin, TX 19% higher
Honolulu 19% higher
Baltimore 18% higher
Birmingham, AL 13% higher
Baton Rouge 11% higher
Sacramento 10% higher
Colorado Springs 7% higher
San Jose, CA 4% higher
IT Headquarters. Providing Proactive Prevention of Problems.