How to avoid redirects to scam web pages

What kind of scam is "ERROR # 0x8024402C"?

"ERROR # 0x8024402C" is one of many tech-support scam websites claiming that it has detected an error and encouraging visitors to call the number displayed. We strongly recommend that you ignore websites of this type, since scammers use them to extort money from unsuspecting users.

Typically, people do not visit these sites intentionally. Browsers or operating systems open them, since they are infected with potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

"ERROR # 0x8024402C" scam overview

Browsers open the "ERROR # 0x8024402C" scam page in a full-screen mode. According to the displayed text, this site has detected a critical error (0x8024402C) caused by malware installed on the visitor's computer. The page encourages visitors not to close it, since this might cause further damage.

It is also stated that installed malware was used to steal information such as Facebook and email account logins, credit card details, and other data/media such as photos and documents. To remove malicious software from their computers, visitors are encouraged to call the "+1 (833) 461 9779" number immediately.

This scam page is disguised as an official Microsoft site, however, this company has nothing to do with it. Generally, scammers use these pages to trick people into paying for their services (such as malware removal) or software that will supposedly fix the problem (errors, viruses, and so on).

To exit full-screen mode enabled by this page, press the "Esc" key on the keyboard. It can then be closed as any regular page. If it cannot be closed in the normal way, close the browser (end its process) through Task Manager. Do not restore the closed session, since the browser will reopen the same scam website.

PUAs open untrustworthy websites, cause unwanted redirects, and gather information such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of opened sites, entered search queries, and so on. The people behind these apps share the data with other parties who might be cyber criminals.

These third parties misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, having apps of this type installed on your system can lead to serious problems such as identity theft or cause privacy/browsing safety and other issues. Uninstall all PUAs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"ERROR # 0x8024402C" virus
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	This tech-support scam claims that it has detected an error that was caused by installed malware.
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	+1 (833) 461 9779, +1-888-984-4462
Related Domain	kfykv[.]club
Detection Names (kfykv[.]club)	Kaspersky (Malware), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	104.27.133.152
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.

Technical support scam examples

There are many examples of other similar pages, including "HARDDISK_ROOT KIT_TROJAN_HIJACK.EXE", "Windows Antivirus - Critical Alert", and "Hard Drive Safety Delete". Typically, scammers use these site to extort money from people. When contacted, they urge people to solve the "problem" with paid software or services.

Never trust these sites. The same applies to PUAs, which are often the reason behind redirects to dubious web pages. Typically, developers present them as useful and legitimate, however, they deliver no real value and simply cause issues.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs can sometimes be downloaded from their websites, however, users often download and install them unintentionally - they are tricked when developers use the "bundling" method. They include PUAs into the set-ups of other software.

These unwanted apps are usually hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options of the download or installation set-ups. Furthermore, many people download and install PUAs when they leave settings available in the set-ups unchanged. In other cases, this happens when they click dubious, deceptive ads that run certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software and files from trustworthy, official websites, especially if it is free. Examples of dubious download sources are Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), unofficial pages, third party downloaders and other channels of this kind. Do not use third party installers.

Install programs properly. Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar options/settings and opt-out of offers to download or install unwanted apps. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements cannot be trusted, since most redirect to untrustworthy websites or start unwanted downloads.

If intrusive ads appear or your browser opens dubious web pages, check extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed on the browser and programs on the computer. Uninstall all suspicious or unwanted software immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of " ERROR # 0x8024402C" scam (GIF):

Text presented in " ERROR # 0x8024402C" scam:

** Microsoft Windows Warning Alert **

ERROR # MS-0x8024402C

Please call us immediately at: +1 (833) 461 9779.
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) 461 9779

Yet another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Yet another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Yet another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Yet another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Another variant of "ERROR # 0x8024402C" pop-up scam:

Text presented within:

** MS-Windows Warning  Alert **
ERROR # 0x8024402c
Please call  us immediately at:
+1-888-984-4462 (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.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 prevent your  computer from being disabled or from any information loss.

Call MS-Windows Support
+1-888-984-4462 (Toll FREE)
+1-888-984-4462Error  Logged at: Fri Aug 21 2020 14:46pm
MS-Windows Diagnostics IP Address: 127.0.0.7
Call Helpline +1-888-984-4462

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 # 0x8024402C" 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?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages intended to trick users into performing certain actions. To elaborate, victims may be enticed/scared into calling fake helplines, allowing cyber criminals to access devices remotely, making monetary transactions, disclosing sensitive information, downloading/installing programs, buying products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals primarily profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing private information, and distributing malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are most commonly endorsed via sites employing rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam (e.g., browser notifications, emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, social media posts, etc.), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware.

I cannot exit a scam page, how do I close it?

If you cannot exit a deceptive webpage – end the browser's process using Task Manager. When relaunching the browser, start a new browsing session since the previous one includes the scam page.

I have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access my computer, what should I do?

If you have allowed cyber criminals to access your computer remotely – you must first disconnect it from the Internet. Afterward, remove the remote access program that the criminals used (e.g., TeamViewer, UltraViewer, etc.), as they might not need your consent to reconnect. Lastly, run a full system scan with an anti-virus and eliminate all detected threats.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a pop-up scam, what should I do?

If you have provided personally identifiable or finance-related information to scammers (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities. And if you've disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams and the malware they proliferate?

Combo Cleaner is designed to detect and eliminate all kinds of threats. It can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content. Additionally, it can block all further access to these sites. Combo Cleaner is also capable of detecting and eliminating nearly all known malware infections. Keep in mind that performing a complete system scan is crucial, as sophisticated malicious software typically hides deep within systems.

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