[Jeffhs]

I saw a warning message, presumably from Microsoft (it showed the official Microsoft Windows logo), on my computer screen about ten minutes ago (I am writing this at approximately 10:55 AM EDST). It warned me that my computer has been infected by a virus; further, it stated that certain information (logins, credit card info, etc.) was being stolen, again presumably as the warning message was being sent. If I closed the page and did not call a certain toll-free telephone number within the next five minutes, my Internet access would be disabled "to prevent further damage to our network". Was this a fake warning sent by a cybercriminal, or is there actually a problem with a rogue virus on the Web which might compromise or even destroy computers if the user did not contact Microsoft immediately?