'866-291-9960' Pop-Ups

The '866-291-9960' pop-ups are related to a tactic that involves bogus telephone calls and online pop-up messages. If you've received an unsolicited telephone call from this phone number, you should hang up immediately, and avoid answering any questions; this is a well-known tactic that tries to gain access to the computer users' PCs and information. If your Web browser is displaying the '866-291-9960' pop-ups repeatedly, then this may be a hint that a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), is already on your computer. Computer users that fall prey to the tactic linked to the '866-291-9960' pop-ups may be asked to pay hundreds of dollars in exchange for bogus technical support services. The main purpose of this tactic is to gain access to the computer user's online passwords and credit card information. Because of this, computer users should remove the PUPs associated with the '866-291-9960' pop-ups to stop them from continuing to appear, and should refrain from calling this phone number under all circumstances.

The '866-291-9960' Pop-Ups and Their Related Tactic

The '866-291-9960' pop-ups may claim that the user's computer is in severe trouble because it have found a threatening infection or some 'fatal error.' Some variants of the '866-291-9960' pop-ups may mimic legitimate Windows error messages or even the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) which may occur when Windows crashes. The '866-291-9960' pop-ups may claim to be related to Windows Defender, Microsoft Security Essentials or some other legitimate source. The '866-291-9960' pop-ups message is always the same: it may claim that the user's computer is in dire trouble and may try to convince the computer user to call the included phone number for a consultation and assistance. Once the computer user calls the number, the person on the other end of the line may try to obtain the computer user's data as well as to convince the computer user to pay large amounts of money for this bogus technical support service.

A Look at Pop-up Messages and Error Notifications Linked to the '866-291-9960' Pop-Ups

The main purpose of the '866-291-9960' pop-ups is to scare computer users.The '866-291-9960' pop-ups may contain fake error codes and technical language to give their message an air of legitimacy. They also may rely on confusion, trying to make computer users believe that there is something significantly wrong with their computers. For example, the following is an example of a typical message associated with these kinds of tactics. Note how it doesn't contain any real information, instead relying on scary language and generic 'error message' language to make it seem as if there is a real problem with the user's computer:

0x000000CE DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS
WINDOWS HEALTH IS CRITICAL
DO NOT RESTART BSOD : Error 333 Registry Failure of operating system - Host:
Blue Screen Error 0x000000CE

The message below, similar to the '866-291-9960' pop-ups may claim to be associated with Windows Security Essentials. Note the misspelling and grammar issues, which would be unthinkable in a real message from Microsoft:

Windows Detected a Potential threat on your computer
Windows Security Essential wasn't able to block virus. Windows detected potential threats that might compromise your privacy or damage your computer. Error code: 0x8024402c, windows couldn't install the definition updates.

What may Happen When Computer Users Call the Number in the '866-291-9960' Pop-Ups?

Computer users that make the call are asked to provide their credit card information to pay several hundred dollars for this bogus security service immediately. They also may be asked to permit the con artists to install a remote desktop application to 'carry out maintenance;' what they are really doing is gaining access to the computer user's files and information. It is not uncommon for con artists to use this access to the users' computers to collect their online contacts list and email addresses to continue spreading the '866-291-9960' pop-ups hoax to friends and colleagues of the computer user.