Threat Database Adware Important Message Pop-up

Important Message Pop-up

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 80 % (High)
Infected Computers: 233
First Seen: May 26, 2015
Last Seen: January 1, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

The 'Important Message' pop-up is part of a technical support tactic that is used to trick inexperienced computer users. These types of tactics have grown in frequency in the last year, probably as a result of the increased number of computer users brought about by the advent of social media and the ubiquity of the Internet in daily life. Unfortunately, many computer users that are newer to the Internet are not well equipped to detect known strategies or lack the appropriate security protection on their computers, making them an easy prey for tactics like the 'Important Message' pop-up. The 'Important Message' pop-up is closely related to a PUP or Potentially Unwanted Program, present on affected Web browsers. This PUP may be causing your Web browser to exhibit the 'Important Message' pop-up and other pop-up messages that may be connected to known online hoaxes and other problems. If your Web browser is displaying the 'Important Message' pop-up, you should avoid at all costs agreeing to the 'Important Message' pop-up message or calling the included phone number and, instead, remove the PUP causing the 'Important Message' pop-up at once.

'Important Message' pop-ups and Similar Tactics Attempt to Lure PC Users

The 'Important Message' pop-up claims that there is a problem with your computer and tries to convince you to call an included telephone number. Hoaxes like the 'Important Message' pop-up will try to convince you that your computer is infected with threats or need some kind of update. There is absolutely no truth on the contents of the 'Important Message' pop-up, and its purpose is to mislead you and convince you to call its included phone number. In some cases, the 'Important Message' pop-up will claim to be connected to Microsoft or Windows. There is also no truth to these claims, which computer users should disregard completely.

How PUPs Linked to the 'Important Message' pop-up may Enter Your Web Browser

The 'Important Message' pop-up is caused by a PUP that may be present on your Web browser. There are many ways in which these PUPs may be installed, often using threat delivery methods such as compromised email attachments and attack Websites. However, the most common way of installing a PUP on a computer is by bundling it with other software. PUPs associated with the 'Important Message' pop-up may be bundled with a free application. Developers may agree with these types of bundling practices as a way of generating revenue. When computer users install the free program on their machines, they may be opted into the installation of a Web browser extension or other unwanted components automatically. It may be possible to opt out of these special 'offers', but computer users may need to choose advanced or custom installation to access these options.

What is the Meaning of PUPs Associated With the 'Important Message' pop-up

PUPs associated with the 'Important Message' pop-up are not considered threatening; they are neither viruses, trojans or other threats. Nevertheless, this does not indicate that they aren't risky or that they will not cause problems in a computer; PUPs will behave very similarly to threats and may cause significant problems, particularly by exposing computer users to known tactics such as the 'Important Message' pop-up. In many cases, PUPs associated with the 'Important Message' pop-up may be difficult to remove. This is because security programs are often capable of deleting high-level threats, but may have problems detecting low-level attacks such as the UPs associated with the 'Important Message' pop-up. To treat these kinds of infections, malware researchers strongly advise computer users to confirm that their machines are protected by a security program that is fully up-to-date and capable of detecting and removing low-level threats such as adware and other PUPs.

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