'888-991-9974' Pop-Ups

The '888-991-9974' pop-ups may take the form of a fake 'Blue Screen of Death', a typical Windows error screen that sometimes appears when there is a severe problem with a computer. The '888-991-9974' pop-ups are designed to trick inexperienced computer users and take their money by pretending that their PCs are severely infected and require technical support. It is easy to note that the '888-991-9974' pop-ups are note genuine Windows screens; the font and text are completely wrong, and genuine Windows error screens are not accompanied by any kind of phone number. If your computer is displaying the '888-991-9974' pop-ups, you should know that these messages are not associated with Windows and are part of a well-known tactic.

The Real Purpose of the '888-991-9974' Pop-Ups

If the '888-991-9974' pop-ups are appearing on your computer, it is likely that a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) has been installed on your machine. In most cases, PUPs associated with the '888-991-9974' pop-ups may be downloaded inadvertently, bundled along with other software. PC security researchers have received reports that PUPs associated specifically with the '888-991-9974' pop-ups may be distributed by disguising them as printer drivers distributed online publicly.

PUPs are not as threatening as viruses or Trojans but may pose a risk to a computer. Although many PUPs may take the form of unwanted Web browser add-ons or extensions, many also may work as Web browser hijackers, taking over a Web browser and forcing it to display certain Web pages. In this case, the PUP associated with the '888-991-9974' pop-ups may take control of the affected Web browser and force it to display a full-screen pop-up window that is meant to look like the Windows 'Blue Screen of Death.' The '888-991-9974' pop-ups may claim that there is a severe problem on the affected computer, recommending that computer users call the phone number for assistance. The full text of the most typical '888-991-9974' pop-ups reads as follows:

A problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.
If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If a driver is identified in the stop message, disable the driver or check with the manufacturer for driver updates. Try changing video adapters.
Check with your hardware vendor for any bios updates. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.
For technical support to this problem, call Windows helpline: +1-888-991-9974.
Technical Information:
*** STOP: 0x0000001E (0xFFFFFFFFC00000094,0xFFFFFF8000C074D1E,0x000000000,0xFFFFFFFFFFD)

Computer users should avoid calling this number. Besides the appearance of the message, it is clear from the way it is written that it cannot possibly be associated with a legitimate Microsoft message.

Dealing with '888-991-9974' Pop-Ups

Computer users are strongly advised to avoid interacting with the '888-991-9974' pop-ups, including any other pop-up advertisements and messages that may appear on an affected Web browser. Computer users also should avoid calling the phone number in the '888-991-9974' pop-ups. This may result in a fake technical support assistant trying to convince you to disclose financial information or other data. These types of tactics may be designed to prey on inexperienced computer users, which have increased substantially since social media and other online features have become ubiquitous in daily life. To prevent the '888-991-9974' pop-ups from appearing in the first place, computer users are advised to be aware of any new software or components (in particular drivers or codecs). All software should be downloaded from reputable sources, directly from manufacturers whenever possible. Computer users also should opt out of installing any components bundled along with any software download.