ERROR! Call for support! Scam

What is ERROR! Call for support!?

"ERROR! Call for support!" is a fake pop-up error message displayed by a malicious website that users often visit inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without consent (the "bundling" method).

As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record various user-system information.

The "ERROR! Call for support!" error message states that the system is infected and victims are advised to contact 'technical support' immediately via a telephone number (1-888-565-0999) provided. They are then supposedly guided through the malware removal process. As mentioned above, however, "ERROR! Call for support!" is fake and should be ignored.

Cyber criminals attempt to scare and trick victims into calling and paying for technical support that is not required. The "ERROR! Call for support!" error message can be removed simply by closing the web browser. Note that PUPs also employ a "virtual layer" to generate coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar ads.

The virtual layer is a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, some lead to malicious websites and clicking them can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.

Another downside is information tracking. PUPs gather various information that might contain personal details (including, for example, IP addresses, geo-location, websites visited, search queries, mouse/keyboard activity, etc.) This information is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal details.

This information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you uninstall all PUPs immediately.

There are many fake errors similar to "ERROR! Call for support!" including, for example, Windows Defender Alert, Call Windows Help Desk Immediately, Unknown Security Breach, and Suspicious Ransomware Activity. All claim that the system is damaged in certain ways, however, these errors are also designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Do not trust any information given. PUPs have an identical purpose: to generate revenue. By offering various 'useful features', these rogue applications attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than providing any value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive ads, and continually record various user-system information.

How did adware install on my computer?

As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party apps with regular (usually free) software. Bundled applications are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes.

Rush these processes and skipping steps exposes systems to risk of various infections and compromises users' privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

This situation can be prevented by taking two simple steps. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Closely analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. The key to computer safety is caution.

The appearance of "ERROR! Call for support!" pop-up (GIF):

Text presented within "ERROR! Call for support!" pop-up:

ERROR! Call for support! 1-888-565-0999
Microsoft Error: Unknown System Failure!
** YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED **
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a virus and spyware. The following information is being stolen…
> Facebook Login
> Credit Card Details
> Email Account login
> Photos stored on this computer
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled. Call 1-888-565-0999

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is ERROR! Call for support!?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error! call for support!" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error! call for support!" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "error! call for support!" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error! call for support!" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on "error! call for support!" virus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion