Any truth to this?

Why not thank them then politely ask to get a brand new one?

I can attest to the fact that big brother is indeed watching as I once got a "visit" after a comment I had posted on FB.

So much for Freedom of Speech, huh?

Something we must all fight to maintain and recover.

I check my own computers and in case I find something I just replace the hard drive, all the important stuff I keep on an external drive, and I have ubuntu as my OS.

did the fbi contact you

I'm not giving them the opportunity...

ok, so how is it you say that the fbi is willing to help u fix ur computer?

Go to the link I provided and read it, the invitation is there.

ok, so you got this in a email?

Nope, saw it online. My wife freaked and demanded that I have our computer checked with the FBI so that she could continue to check in with People mag. about Tom Cruise's divorce.
I took one look at the article, the FBI connection and thought "Yeah right, like that's going to happen!" I don't even believe anything is going to happen on the 9th.
And even if it did I'd just go and buy a new harddrive, reload everything and be back in business in less than three hours.

Ever heard the stories about cops stings where they lure criminals with promise of lotto winnings or 13 year old girls? This has all the earmarks of scaring a lot of stupid people into going to the FBI for a fix that doesn't need to be repaired. But the FBI now has your number and possibly a virus of their own on your computer.
No thanks!

interesting....thanks

And now as it stands, nothing happened...hmmmm.

While they're 'fixing' your computer it would take about 2 1/2 seconds for them to download your entire hard drive contents and scan it for key-words or content they deem worthy of investigation. It would not be something immediately actionable and even if they didn't key on anything initially it would provide an immense data base to mine for information on anyone that took them up on their "offer". Can you imagine every key stroke you've ever made on your computer, every word ever written in an e-mail or post, every website you've ever visited, every financial transaction, every picture you've ever looked at or downloaded open for investigation by the FBI or any other government / law enforcement / intelligence agency?

Yep, I kinda figured it for that which is why I'm not going anywhere near that site...why help them?

Me neither. I'm sure my file is big enough.

It is kinda funny, isn't it? Something isn't right.

I had wondered the same thing as far as the FBI willing to help me fix my computer.

Anything the government suggests becomes suspect automatically to me.

I have been advised to unplug all equipment on the 9th.

Oh, I'll be doing that on the 8th....

I went to the website and checked all. No problems. Hope I did not make a mistake by going there. Like you I have the anti programs.

Well if nothing else the FBI now has your computer's number...

Not worried, got nothing to hide. My friend, why are you unpluging everything on the 8th...meaning you will not be on internet/computer at all?

Sometime tonight just before bed I'll 'unplug'. Monday morning I'll be back online. If anything is going to happen it will be in the wee hours. As I'm pretty certain nothing will it won't make any difference. But if you don't see me after Monday then you'll know, lol!

Thanks for the tip. I will also unplug...not just turn off my computer. Same here, if you don't see me on here...it's been great while it lasted. :-) lol

Forgot to mention. I keep most of my stuff on a external hard drive. Have for years.

Actually from what I understand nothing will be wrong with your computer but a virus (if it exists) will prevent you from getting on the net.

I don't believe I will have any. Hope not. I'm not good, at all, with the tech stuff. :-)

Download this, I use it all the time and it's free!
http://malwarebytes-anti-malw...
I also have this running all the time. It's an annual renewal but still free.
http://www.avast.com/en-us/in...
I also use spybot.

Another thing is to run all your anti-virus programs before shutting down...

no idea

you mean it ISN'T obvious to you?

Oh it's pretty obvious alright, I just don't want to be paranoid about it, lol!

now ,now remember the saying" we are from the govt and here to help" and paranoia vanishes!LOL

Sorry, I lost my ruby slippers some time ago...

LOL LOL a shame more haven't.