'844-665-5111' Pop-Ups

Computer users have reported problems with the '844-665-5111' pop-ups, which appear on their screen unannounced. The '844-665-5111' pop-ups and similar content are often generated by corrupted websites, phishing websites and corrupted online content. Typically, the '844-665-5111' pop-ups claim to be from a security representative or technician from the Microsoft. The instructions provided by the '844-665-5111' pop-ups should be ignored and calling the phone number in these pop-ups should be avoided. The '844-665-5111' pop-ups are a tactic and have nothing to do with the Microsoft or with any legitimate computer security support.

How the '844-665-5111' Pop-Ups can Enter a Computer

The individuals operating the '844-665-5111' pop-ups are fraudsters that are attempting to take advantage of unsuspecting computer users. These tactics are commonly designed to trick the computer users into believing that their PCs have become infected with malware, displaying the bogus error number '#268D3' and claiming that the victim's online accounts were hijacked. Hoaxes like the '844-665-5111' pop-ups are designed to prey on computer users that are inexperienced, tricking them into paying for expensive, bogus fake technical support services. The '844-665-5111' pop-ups display the following text, which is similar to the ones used by its numerous variants:

'www.support.microsoft.com says :
YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED
Error #268D3
Please call us immediately at: ' 1-844-665-5111
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 virus and spyware.
The following information is being stolen...
Facebook Login
Credit Card Details
Email Account Login
Photos stored on this computer
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled.
Toll Free: 1-844-665-5111 1-844-665-5111'

The following is a variant of the '844-665-5111' pop-ups, which also have been observed by malware researchers:

'VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer is BLOCKED
Do not close this window and restart your computer.
Your computer's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?
The windows registration key is illegal.
This window is using pirated software.
This window is sending virus over the internet.
This window is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this computer for your security.
Contact microsoft helpline to reactivate your computer.
Microsoft Security Toll Free 1-844-665-5111'

The '844-665-5111' pop-ups use logos from the Microsoft and official sounding language designed to trick computer users into calling the associated phone number. The '844-665-5111' pop-ups have been associated with the IP addresses 162.241.148.226 and 162.222.226.77. These two IP addresses are associated with the following URLs (among various others):

h[tt]p://computer-issues-fixed[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://computer-network[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://computer-solution-support[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://computerbackup[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://computeruses[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://laptop-secure[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://pc-software-check-up[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://pcassure[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://pcsolutionsupport[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://securityofsystem[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://securityofsystems365[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://top-solution-support[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://wayservice[.]xyz/
h[tt]p://wehelppcsupport[.]xyz/

What is the Goal of the '844-665-5111' Pop-Ups

When computer users call the phone number in the '844-665-5111' pop-ups, a bogus technical support person will answer them. These people will try to take advantage of the victims, claiming that their computers have been infected severely and attempting to convince them to buy a fake anti-virus or technical support services. These people will often try to obtain the victim's credit card information and other data, for identity theft or credit card fraud purposes. In many cases, the criminals will convince the victim to allow them to gain remote access to the victim's computer through RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) or other means, supposedly to help 'fix' the affected computer. This can result in additional malware being installed onto the victim's computer or the victim's data being compromised and collected by the criminals responsible for this tactic.