How to avoid falling for MS-SYSINFO32 scam

What is MS-SYSINFO32 scam?

"MS-SYSINFO32" is one of many fake virus, alert, error, and other messages that include We Couldn't Activate Windows, Your System Data Has Been Compromized, and Windows Support Alert.

These bogus messages usually appear when users visit untrustworthy/deceptive websites, however, they are also caused by unwanted applications that force redirects to them. Generally, users install unwanted apps inadvertently and, once installed, cause unwanted redirects, deliver ads, and collect data.

More about the MS-SYSINFO32 scam

When opening this deceptive website, a fake warning alert message appears citing a "MS-SYSINFO32" error and stating that the computer is supposedly infected with a pornographic spyware virus. It also states that Facebook logins, credit card details, email logins, and photos and/or documents have been stolen.

To prevent any further damage, users are encouraged to contact "expert engineers" within five minutes using a telephone number "+65 3129 0796" provided. We strongly recommend that you ignore these warnings and demands. The claims are false - your system has probably not been infected or encountered any genuine errors.

Some scammers proliferate these fake warnings/alerts in attempts to trick users into contacting them and paying for services or products to solve 'problems' that do not actually exist. The solution is simple: close the opened window or website and ignore all warnings about what will supposedly happen if you close it.

If you cannot close it, use Task Manager to terminate the entire browser process, or restart your computer. Note: do not restore the previous session, since this will reopen the website/s that originally led to this fake warning.

More about unwanted apps promoting scams

As mentioned above, unwanted applications cause redirects to websites that display fake messages. Furthermore, they also deliver intrusive ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.) that are displayed using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content.

If clicked, these ads might redirect to other untrustworthy (potentially malicious) websites or run scripts that download other rogue apps. Another negative aspect of such apps is information tracking: these apps collect data including IP addresses, URLs of visited websites, keystrokes, geo-locations, search queries, and also personal or sensitive information.

These details are then shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Therefore, having these unwanted apps installed risks privacy/browsing safety issues or even becoming victims of identity theft. Therefore, uninstall these applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"MS-SYSINFO32" virus
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	An error has occured on the operating system
Disguise	Security warning from Microsoft
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	+65-3129-0796, +1-877-220-4850, +1-833-270-0188
Symptoms	Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.
Distribution methods	Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
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.

Similar scams in general

Scam messages (fake alert, error, warning, etc.) often trick users into contacting the scammers and paying for products or services that users do not need.

Associated apps that often lead to these websites are also very similar. Most of these apps are promoted as 'useful', but these are attempts to trick users into downloading and installing them. In most cases, rogue apps are designed only to generate revenue by collecting and sharing data, causing unwanted redirects, and delivering advertisements.

How did unwanted applications install on my computer?

Most users install such apps unintentionally through certain ads that, once clicked, execute scripts designed to download them, or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Bundling is stealth installation of various PUAs with regular software.

In summary, developers hide unwanted apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation processes. Therefore, information about included apps is not properly disclosed, thus making it easier to trick users into installing them. Many users do not check the settings, or simply skip installation steps - in this way, they install shady apps without their knowledge.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Download software from trustworthy, official sources, and direct links only. Avoid using third party software downloaders, torrents, or other untrustworthy channels. Check all available settings including "Advanced", "Custom" and other sections of the installation dialogs.

Do not skip installation steps without declining unwanted offers of additional software (such as potentially unwanted applications).

Only then, finish the installation. If you constantly encounter ads that redirect you to dubious websites (adult dating, gambling, pornography, etc.), check your browser for new unknown/unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons, and unwanted software on your computer.

Uninstall all suspicious entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with rogue apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up:

Microsoft Warning Alert

ERROR # MS-SYSINFO32
Please call us immediately at: +1-(888)-726-5133
Do not ignore this critical alerts.
If you close this page, you computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Pornographic Spyware and virus. the following information is being stolen:

1. Facebook Logins
2. Credit Card Details
3. Email Account Logins
4. Photos and documents stored on this computer

You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to precent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss.

The appearance of "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up (GIF):

Another variant of "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up scam:

Text presented within this pop-up:

Security Warning:

** Microsoft Warning Alert **

ERROR # MS-SYSINFO32

Please call us immediately at: +1-877-220-4850 (Microsoft Toll Free)
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a
Pornographic Spyware and virus. The following information is being stolen:

1.Face book Logins
2.Credit  Card Details
3.Email  Account Logins
4.Photos and documents stored on this computer

Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss.

Microsoft Toll Free: +1-877-220-4850

[]Prevent this page from creating additional dialogues.

[Back to safety]

Text presented in the pop-up displayed in the right-lower corner of the screen:

Windows Detected Potential Threats On Your Computer.

Windows Security Essentials was unable to blocked virus. Windows detected several potential threats that will compromise your provacy and harm your computer.

Error Code: 0x8024402c , Windows couldn't install the defintion updates.

More Information & Support Please Contact

+1-877-220-4850

Appearance of this "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up scam variant (GIF):

Yet another variant of "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up scam:

Text presented within this pop-up:

** Microsoft  Warning Alert **

ERROR # MS-SYSINFO32
Please call us immediately at: +1-833-270-0188
Do not ignore this critical alert..
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network. Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a pornographic spyware and virus.

The following information is being stolen:
 A.Facebook Logins
 B.Credit Card Details
 C.Email Account Logins
 D.Photos and documents stored on this computer.
You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss.

Microsoft Toll Free:+1-833-270-0188

Yet another example of "MS-SYSINFO32" pop-up scam (in this case cyber criminals are using +1-888-339-4961 phone number):

 

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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 "MS-SYSINFO32" 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

A pop-up scam is a deceptive scheme where fake pop-up windows appear on a user's screen, often mimicking legitimate alerts or warnings from security tools or operating systems.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

In most cases, these scams are designed to trick users into revealing personal information (e.g., credit card details or passwords), downloading malware, or making unnecessary purchases.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Typically, pop-up scams are encountered through torrent sites, illegal movie streaming pages (and similar sites that use rogue advertising networks), deceptive ads, notifications from unreliable pages, ads displayed by adware, or links in fraudulent emails.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is engineered to scan every website you visit, capable of detecting malicious ones, including those designed to deliver pop-up scams. Consequently, you will receive an immediate warning, and access to such sites will be restricted.

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