PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT POP-UP Scam

What is "PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT"?

"PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT TO MICROSOFT" is a scam promoted using a deceptive, dubious website, which opens a pop-up window displaying a fake virus alert. Most people end up visiting these websites due to potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that they have installed on their browsers or operating systems.

Generally, people cause installation of these PUAs unintentionally. When installed, PUAs cause redirects to deceptive websites, display intrusive ads, and collect browsing-related information.

According to the "PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT TO MICROSOFT" pop-up window, the website visitor's computer has been blocked. Whoever visits the site is encouraged not to restart the computer or close this website without calling scammers who claim to be Microsoft support team members.

This scam aims to trick people into believing that the computer was locked due to visiting unsafe, pornographic websites that caused computer infections. People are urged to call the "(888) 731-1022" number to solve this problem. A notice is sent to those who fail to contact these scammers (supposedly, Microsoft Support).

Additionally, a line on the deceptive website informs visitors that this infection might cause data corruption or track financial activities. It also contains a Microsoft logo - scammers often use this to trick people into believing that this information is associated with Microsoft. In this way, they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.

Note that the main purpose of these scams is to trick people into calling scammers. When contacted, they try to sell unnecessary software or services. They try to make people believe that there is a problem that needs to be solved immediately and only they can help.

All scams should be ignored. If a website of this type is opened accidentally or otherwise, simply close it (do not to take the information seriously). If it cannot be closed normally, use Task Manager and end the browser process. Note: do not restore the previously closed session the next time the browser is opened, since this will return you to the deceptive website.

Typically, potentially unwanted apps force people to visit dubious websites, however, this is not the only problem with them. Most PUAs deliver intrusive ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, coupons, pop-ups, and so on. They display them through tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they conceal underlying content of visited websites.

If clicked, they can open other untrustworthy (possibly malicious) websites or run scripts that download/install even more unwanted apps. Another problem with PUAs is information tracking: they often gather information relating to users' browsing habits.

For example, IP addresses, search queries, geo-locations, URLs of visited websites, and so on, however, in some cases they also gather personal, sensitive details.

Furthermore, PUA developers share the information with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Note: some of these third parties might be cyber criminals. In summary, if installed, PUAs can cause problems relating to privacy and browsing safety, and some people might become victims of identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	"PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT" 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.

The internet is full of deceptive websites that display various scams (notifications about fake errors, virus alerts, and so on). Some other similar scams include Activate Your Windows Now, This Computer Is Blocked, and MS MALWARE ALERT. Typically, scammers use them to extort money from people by trying to sell software or online services.

Unwanted apps that open these websites are also very similar - they are promoted as legitimate, however, once installed, PUAs cause problems rather than delivering any real value (features promised, tools, and so on).

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs are promoted through websites from which they can be downloaded, however, most users download and install them inadvertently by clicking intrusive ads (capable of running scripts) or when software developers use the "bundling" method. When they use this method, they include (bundle) unwanted apps in download/installation set-ups of various software.

They trick people into installing PUAs by hiding them in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on. Information about bundled PUAs is not properly disclosed. Therefore, people who do not check these setting/options and leave them unchanged cause unwanted installations.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To avoid download/installation of potentially unwanted apps, download software using official (trustworthy) websites and direct links. Do not download it using third party downloaders or third party installers. The same applies to Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and so on. These sources are monetized by promoting various unwanted software/apps.

Study each software download/installation setup and check "Custom"/"Advanced" settings. Decline offers to install or download unwanted apps before completing the set-ups. Avoid clicking intrusive ads, since they often cause redirects to websites such as gambling, pornography, adult dating, and so on.

If you experience these redirects or unwanted ads, check your browser for unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons, and remove all unwanted entries immediately. 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 "PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT" pop-up:

PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer has been LOCKED
Do not close this window or restart your computer without calling support
We have locked this computer for your security
you have been browsing unsafe pornographic websites.
Your computer has been infected.
Contact the Microsoft helpline to reactive your computer.
Failure to call will result in a notice boing sent to your residence.
Microsoft Security Tollfree:
(888)732-1022

Microsoft Support Alert
We Have Detected A Virus From A Pornographic Website
It might corrupt your data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to (888) 731-1022

Another variant of "PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT" pop-up scam (the error text is exactly the same, the only difference is used telephone number - "+44 203 287 3452"):

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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 "PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT" 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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