Your Registration Key Is Blocked POP-UP Scam

What is Your Registration Key Is Blocked?

"Your Registration Key Is Blocked" is a fake error message displayed by a number of rogue sites. Research shows that users typically visit these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or intrusive ads delivered by other rogue sites.

PUPs often infiltrate systems without users’ permission, deliver intrusive ads, and gather various sensitive information.

This error states that the system is not activated and is proliferating malware. Furthermore, the computer is running pirated software and might be hacked or being used from a suspicious location. These issues must be resolved immediately. Therefore, users are encouraged to contact Microsoft 'tech support' via a toll-free telephone number ("+44-203-936-2186") provided.

This is a scam - "Your Registration Key Is Blocked" error is fake and Microsoft certainly has nothing to do with this. All claims are merely attempts to scare and trick gullible users into calling and paying for tech support that is not required. Therefore, ignore "Your Registration Key Is Blocked".

The error can be removed simply by closing the web browser, however, rogue sites often employ scripts that prevent users from closing browsing tabs/windows. In these cases, terminate the browser using Task Manager or simply reboot the system. After rerunning the browser, do not restore the previous session, since this will reopen the malicious sites.

As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs deliver intrusive advertisements (e.g., coupon, banner, pop-up, and so on). These are delivered using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, they can lead to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install malware (or other PUPs). Therefore, even a single accidental click might result in high-risk computer infections.

Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs are likely to record information relating to browsing activity, including IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, etc.

This typically includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of information-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, you are strongly advised to eliminate all potentially unwanted programs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Your computer's registration key is Blocked" virus
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Scammers Telephone Number	+44-203-936-2186, +1-866-399-8722
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of one's computer.
Distribution methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains.
Relating Domain(s)	chrmophotograph[.]host
Serving IP Address (chrmophotograph[.]host)	108.161.135.215
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

"Your Registration Key Is Blocked" shares many similarities with ERROR #AP7MQ79, Someone is Trying to Steal Your Banking Details, Microsoft Alert Your Data Is At High Risk, and a number of other fake errors.

All claim that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, and so on), however, as with "Your Registration Key Is Blocked", these errors are also designed only to extort money from unsuspecting users. In addition, potentially unwanted programs have many similarities.

By offering many "useful features", they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, gather sensitive information, and deliver intrusive ads, thereby posing a threat to your privacy and computer safety.

How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?

In some cases, potentially unwanted programs have official download websites, however, most infiltrate systems without users' permission, since developers proliferate them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and intrusive advertisements.

"Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of third party applications together with regular (typically free) software. Developers are not honest enough to disclose "bundled" PUP installations properly - they hide them within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other section) of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users rush download/installation processes, skip steps, and click various advertisements without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but once clicked, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on).

If you encounter these redirects, immediately remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs and opt-out of all additionally-included programs. You are advised to download programs from official sources only, using direct download links.

Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus should never be used. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "Your Registration Key Is Blocked" pop-up:

VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer is BLOCKED
Do not close this windows and restart your computer
Your computer's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?
The window's registration key is illegal.
This window is using pirated software.
this window is sending virus over the Internet.
This window is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this computer for your security
Contact microsoft helpline to reactivate your computer.

Text presented in the website that displays "Your Registration Key Is Blocked" pop-up:

Windows Support Alert
Your System Detected Some Unusual Activity
It might harm your computer data and track your financial activities
Please report this activity to +44-203-936-2186

Appearance of "Your Registration Key Is Blocked" pop-up scam:

Another variant of "Your Registration Key Is Blocked" scam:

Text presented within this pop-up:

VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
***This computer is BLOCKED***

Do not close this window and restart your computer
Your computer's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?

The window's registration key is illegal.
This window is using pirated software.
This window is sending virus over the internet.
This window is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this computer for your security.
Contact Windows helpline reactivate your computer.

Enter Windows registration key to unblock or Call Support at
+1-866-399-8722(Toll Free)

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▼ 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 "Your computer's registration key is Blocked" virus?
• 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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