Your Windows Has Been Banned Scam

What is "Your Windows has been banned"?

"Your Windows has been banned" or "This PC has been Blocked"  is a fake error message claiming that the user has violated Microsoft's terms of use. Be aware, however, that this is simply a scam that locks the computer screen and encourages victims to contact "Microsoft's Technicians" who will supposedly help to solve the problem.

The "Your Windows has been banned" error states that Microsoft has detected unusual activity on the system and that the reason for this might be various computer infections. Therefore, to protect other Windows users, Microsoft has locked the computer.

To return their system to the previous state, victims must supposedly contact Microsoft technicians and purchase a code to unlock the screen. Be aware, however, that these claims are false. Cyber criminals merely attempt to scare victims and trick them into paying. This error message is not genuine.

Therefore, never attempt to contact these fake technicians or pay for any code. Fortunately, Michael Gillespie has analyzed this malware and discovered a code ("6666666666666666" or "XP8BF-F8HPF-PY6BX-K24PJ-RAA00") that unlocks the computer free of charge.

Therefore, there is no need to pay the ransom. If you pay, you will merely support cyber criminals' malicious businesses. Note that after unlocking the screen, this virus creates a text file ("README.txt") and places it on the desktop. The file contains a message encouraging victims to contact cyber criminals via Twitter. You should ignore this message.

"Your Windows has been banned" shares many similarities with other fake error messages such as ERROR_LOCAL_USER, You Have A ZEUS Virus, Hacking Alert, etc. All state that the system is corrupted, infected, or damaged in some way. In fact, these claims are merely attempts to trick victims into paying.

Viruses such as these are often distributed with adware/browser-hijacking apps, however, most are distributed using peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and other third party software download sources (for example, free file hosting sites, freeware download websites, and so on), malicious files attached to spam emails, fake software updaters, and trojans.

Therefore, never download software from unofficial sources or open files received from unrecognized/suspicious email addresses. In addition, keep your installed software up-to-date and use a legitimate anti-virus/anti-spyware suite. The key to computer safety is caution.

An updated variant of this scam uses "This PC has been Blocked" headline to scare PC users into believing that their operating system was blocked due to privacy violations.

"Your Windows has been banned" error message:

This PC has been banned for terms of use violations. To protect the Windows service and its members. Microsoft does not provide details about specific PC bans. This PC has been banned because we detected an unusual activity on your computer. To protect the Windows service and its members. You PC maybe has been infected with viruses that do an unusual activity. To grant access to your PC please pay some fee to trusted Microsoft Technician and the Microsoft Technician will give you a code to unlock your PC. To contact nearest Microsoft Technician please click button below.

Screenshot of "README.txt" file:

Text presented within this file:

Your PC has been infected with Black virus,
this virus will destroy all your files in 72 hours,
to prevent this you just have to send a tweet with this template:
@BlackVirus
You get me,
and my ID is: ruehpyvh.i44
so now libert me.

Yet another variant of this scam discovered by security researcher Jiri Kropac (unlock code - "nvidiagpuareshit"):

Text presented in this scam:

Your Windows Has Been Banned
This PC has been banned for terms of use violations. To Protect the Windows service and its members. Microsoft does not provide details about specific PC bans. Your PC has been banned because we detected an unusual activity on your computer. To protect the windows service and its members your PC maybe has been infected with viruses that do an unusual activity like botnet, dos, etc. to grant access back to your computer please pay some fee to trusted Microsoft Technicians and the Microsoft Technician will give you a code to unlock to get a code please click button down below to contact the nearest Microsoft Technician.
Nearest Microsoft Technician Found! Contact: +62 081224380320

Here's another variant of this scam, first discovered by security researcher Jiri Kropac (unlock code for this one is "123456"):

Text presented in this scam:

Your Windows Has been Banned
This PC has been banned for terms of use violations. To protect the windows service and its members. Microsoft does not provide details about specific PC bans.
Your PC has been banned because we detected an unusual activity on your computer. To protect the windows service and its member your PC maybe has been infected with viruses that do an unusual activity like botnet, dos, etc. to grant access back to your computer please pay some fee to trusted Microsoft Technician and the Microsoft Technician will give you a code to unlock to get a code please click button below to contact the nearest Microsoft Technician. Already Have your unlock code? Enter it here.

Yet another variant of this scam - "Your computer has been banned" (to unlock this screenlocker users can use "Z234-0113-522T-3UIOP" key):

Another variant of "Your Windows Has Been Banned" scam (the unlock code is "30264410", provided by MalwareHunterTeam):

Text presented within this variant:

Your Windows has been Banned

Dear Windows User, Your PC have been banned and we are sorry to say that we are now Hijacking (legally) to your computer and we are now trying to Encrypt (Lock) your files, because of Fake Windows.

To Know more about this kinds of Windows bans, Visit : www.microsoft.com

What to do now?

Solution Found!!!
Yes, To Unlock Your PC Now, You can 2 things. You have to play us
in order to Unblock your pc or we delete all of your files now!

Payment Information :
We are demanding : 200$ (USD)
Send it Via Paypal to : microsoftxyber@hackindex.com

Thanks

Already Registered Windows? Give Code Here ***** [SUBMIT]

Another variant of "Your Windows Has Been Banned" scam (the unlock code is "hardcoreTR", provided by MalwareHunterTeam):

Text presented within this variant:

Your Windows Has Been Banned

Your Windows Has Been Banned And Microsoft detected an unsolveable Therat And This Therat Can Result A Great Loss to your Computer and its been violated the Terms Of Microsoft Microsoft Will Not Be responsible for any kinds of bans.
Your Pc Has Been Banned, So you cant access your PC right now and its very much bad for you.We have Covered you with 2 options.
1.Install a new windows
2.Verify The Windows
The Choice is Yours, If you Choose the number 1.Then We are going to Delete All of your files From computer and we are going to ban you from computer. and the 2nd refers if you Want Your files back click the bellow button (Solution) and you need to pay 300$ the microsoft tech assistant and he will give you a code then you can get your files back.
[Solution]
Microsoft Tech Around You!
Name: UcanInek    
Email:mr.hakancamioglu@gmail.com
Alredy Got Your Verification Code? Submit it here    [       ]    [Submit]

Another variant of "Your Windows Has Been Banned" pop-up screenlocker:

Text presented within:

Your Windows has been Banned

Your windows has been banned and Microsoft has detected an unsolveable threat that
can result a great loss to your computer and its been violated the terms of Microsoft
We (Microsoft) will not be responsible for any kinds of ban

Your PC has been banned, and you cannot access your PC right now and it is very much bad for you. We have covered 2 options for you
1.Install new windows
2.Verify windows

The choice is yours, if you choose number1, We are going to delete all your files from your computer and ban you
from your PC, if you choose 2nd one refers if you want your files back.Click the bellow button (what to do) and you need to pay Microsoft tech assistant and he will give yo a code then you can get your files back

[Solution]

Already got your code? Submit it here [Submit]

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Quick menu:

• What is BlackVirus?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

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