Your System Data Has Been Compromized POP-UP Scam

What is Your System Data Has Been Compromized?

"Your System Data Has Been Compromized" is another fake error message similar to Window's Security Certificate Is Expired, Updates Are Needed To Patch New Security Flaws, and many others. This pop-up is delivered by deceptive websites.

Users generally visit these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements displayed on other rogue sites. Research shows that unwanted apps typically infiltrate systems without permission.

As well as causing redirects, they are also designed to gather sensitive information and deploy intrusive advertisements.

This error message states that the system is compromised and that cyber criminals are able to track users' financial activities and access stored files. It goes on to state that they should immediately report this activity to Microsoft's support center via a telephone number ["+1-(888)-216-5999"] provided. Users then supposedly receive help in resolving the issue.

To make the message even more believable, rogue sites start downloading hundreds of files to crash the web browser. This is a scam and Microsoft has nothing to do with it. Your computer is likely to be safe and virus-free. Cyber criminals simply generate revenue by tricking gullible users into calling and paying for support that is not required.

Therefore, ignore "Your System Data Has Been Compromized". You can remove this error simply by closing the rogue site, however, some rogue sites employ scripts that disable closing of browsing tabs/windows. In these cases, terminate the browser using Windows Task Manager or simply reboot the system.

Once the browser is re-opened, do not restore the previous session, since you will end up returning the malicious sites.

Potentially unwanted applications gather IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar data relating to web browsing habits. Collected information usually includes personal details that is shared with third parties and misused to generate revenue.

Therefore, having data-tracking apps installed on your computer can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Another significant downside is display of intrusive advertisements. Potentially unwanted applications are notorious for delivering coupons, banners, pop-ups, and other similar ads.

To achieve this, developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any visited website. As a result, delivered ads often conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, intrusive ads might redirect to malicious sites and execute scripts that download/install potentially unwanted applications or even high-risk malware. Clicking them is risky and can result in system infections. We strongly recommend that you eliminate all potentially unwanted applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Your System Data Has Been Compromized" virus
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
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.
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.

As mentioned above, "Your System Data Has Been Compromized" shares many similarities with dozens of other fake error messages.

All claim that the system is infected, missing files, unsecure, or damaged in other similar ways, however, these are attempts to trick unsuspecting users into purchasing useless software (e.g., fake anti-virus suites) or pay for services ('tech support') that are not required.

All potentially unwanted applications also share many similarities. By offering "useful features", they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these rogue apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Most deliver no real value for regular users and pose a direct threat to your privacy and browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

To proliferate potentially unwanted applications, developers typically use the aforementioned intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software).

Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users often click advertisements and skip download/installation steps.

This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Lack of knowledge and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Remember that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, but they often lead to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.).

If you encounter them, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each download/installation step.

Opt-out of additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "Your System Data Has Been Compromized" pop-up:

Your system data has been compromized.
Hackers may track your financial activities and get access to your personal files on this system
Please report this activity to +1-(888)-216-5999
Ignore Alert

The appearance of "Your System Data Has Been Compromized" pop-up (GIF):

Screenshot of files downloaded by the deceptive websites:

Note that these files are harmless and you can safely delete them. Websites download them just to crash the web browser.

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 "Your System Data Has Been Compromized" 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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