Do not trust fake "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" websites

What kind of scam is "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98"?

While browsing untrustworthy sites, our research team discovered the "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" technical support scam.

It imitates the Microsoft website displaying multiple warnings concerning failed program updates and system infections. The scheme aims to to deceive victims into contacting fake tech support. It must be stressed that this scam is in no way associated with Windows or its developer – the Microsoft Corporation.

"Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" scam overview

This scam is presented as the Microsoft website. Multiple pop-up windows overlay the fake page. The topmost pop-up – "Windows Defender Alert" – states that an error occurred while updating software.

The user is warned against shutting down their device, as that may cause system crashes or damage the hard drive. This window alerts that some system features have been disabled for security reasons. The user is urged to contact a "Windows Support Agent".

The pop-ups in the background make a variety of false claims concerning critical system failure, malware infections, and so on. The goal of this scheme is to trick users into calling and communicating with scammers who pretend to provide technical support. Scams of this kind tend to be elaborate and are associated with various severe threats.

Threats posed by tech support scammers

Tech support scammers can deceive victims into sending money, disclosing sensitive information, purchasing products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing malware, or performing other harmful actions. The scheme can take place entirely over the phone, but more often than not – such scams are facilitated through remote access programs (e.g., UltraViewer, TeamViewer, etc.).

After the cyber criminals connect to victims' devices, whilst pretending to provide technical support, they can disable/remove genuine security tools, install fake anti-viruses, extract vulnerable data, and cause malware infections (e.g., trojan, ransomware, etc.).

Targeted information typically includes online account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, and finance-related information. Data can be disclosed by victims over the phone or entered into phishing websites/files, or exfiltrated using data-stealing malware.

The "services" of scammers usually carry exorbitant "fees". Cyber criminals request the money to be sent using difficult-to-trace methods, e.g., gift cards, cash hidden in innocent-looking packages and shipped, pre-paid vouchers, cryptocurrencies, etc. By relying on these methods, criminals lower the chances of successful prosecution and victims recovering their funds.

In summary, by trusting a scam like "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" – users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

If you cannot close a scam page – end the browser's process using Task Manager. Remember that restoring the previous browsing session will reopen the deceptive website; hence, start a new one when relaunching the browser.

If you have permitted scammers to access your computer remotely – disconnect it from the Internet and remove the remote access program used, as the criminals might not need your consent to reconnect. Lastly, run a full system scan with an anti-virus and eliminate all detected threats.

If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support. And if you've provided personally identifiable or finance-related data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact relevant authorities.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" tech support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Error occurred when updating software and the device is possibly infected.
Disguise	Windows / Microsoft
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	+1 (888) 734-0172
Related Domains	microbillalert[.]shop
Detection Names (microbillalert[.]shop)	alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Trustwave (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (microbillalert[.]shop)	68.178.145.56
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

"Online Internet Banking Security Center", "Microsoft Detected A Unusual Application In Your System", "Temporary Files Deletion Have Started", and "Error: Ox800VDS" are just a few of our latest articles on tech support scams.

The Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content. While online scams are often poorly put together and riddled with grammatical/spelling errors, they can be competently made and even believably disguised as content associated with legitimate entities (e.g., companies, service providers, organizations, authorities, etc.).

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are primarily promoted via sites using rogue advertising networks, malvertising (intrusive advertisements), spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, DMs/PMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), misspelled URLs, (typosquatting), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Vigilance is crucial to online safety. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and type them carefully. Be wary of ads and do not trust offers that sound too good to be true. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., illegal streaming or downloading, Torrenting, etc.), as these webpages typically utilize rogue advertising networks.

Be selective when allowing sites to deliver browser notifications; ignore or deny these requests from suspect pages (i.e., press "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Treat incoming emails and other messages with caution; do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant mail.

Download from official/verified sources and approach installations with care (e.g., read terms, explore options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the device.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Text presented in "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" scam's topmost pop-up:

Windows Defender Alert

Error updating software: #009292w099738H98

Avoid turning off the computer. It might damage the hard drive or cause a system crash.

Some features have been disabled for security reasons. Please get in touch with Windows Support Agent.

Call Windows Support: +1 (888) 734-0172

[Scan] [Cancel]

Appearance of the "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" pop-up scam (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98" tech support scam?
• 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 that aim to deceive users into carrying out certain actions. For example, victims may be lured into calling fake helplines, allowing scammers to access devices remotely, downloading/installing programs, making monetary transactions, disclosing private data, purchasing products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. Profit can be made by obtaining funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), selling/abusing sensitive information, and proliferating malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are primarily endorsed via spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, PMs/DMs, browser notifications, etc.), websites that use rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), mistyped URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

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

If you find it impossible to exit a deceptive webpage – end the browser's process using Task Manager. Do not restore the previous browsing session as it contains the scam page, start a new one when reaccessing the browser.

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

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

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

If you have provided your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. However, if the disclosed information was of a different personal nature (e.g., passport photos/scans, ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact relevant authorities.

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

Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all manner of threats. It can scan visited websites for deceptive and malicious content. Should such a page be opened – Combo Cleaner will issue immediate warnings and block all further access to the site. Combo Cleaner can also detect and remove most of the known malware infections. Note that sophisticated malicious software usually hides deep within systems – hence, performing a full system scan is essential.

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