Hold it!

I am used to believing what my computer screen says.  I get most of my news from the computer so when a message appears that says something like "This computer has contracted a damaging virus and will shut down.  Get some help.  Call this number."  But I myself type something that appears on my screen everyday.   Messages from the computer are not sent from heaven.  Unfortunately, I cannot always trust them.

Some scammers are adept at phrasing a message that fits in with my alarm mode.  They have code that presents an alarming color behind a message in big letters that says "This computer has contracted a dangerous virus! Get help!  Call this number."  I have had experience that tells me the alarm reaction I feel is a sign, not to take action, but to give myself an immediate short break.  "Turn the machine off and read or watch tv for 15 minutes.  Use a timer."

I have read that "Restart" is a more complete operation that shutting down and later turning things on.  I was able to get control of myself and went away from my computer.  I was able to get engrossed in other things and was surprised to realize I had waited half an hour.  Everything seems back to normal now.  That half hour was yesterday so I do have a day's experience with the machine behaving properly.