Threat Database Adware 'Critical Programming Alert' Pop-Ups

'Critical Programming Alert' Pop-Ups

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 80 % (High)
Infected Computers: 2
First Seen: August 27, 2015
Last Seen: October 1, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PC security researchers have received reports related to the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-up messages that are part of a well-known technical support hoax. If your Web browser is displaying the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups, this either means that you are visiting a website with compromised advertising content or that a low-level threat has been installed on your computer. In either case, you should avoid following the instructions contained in the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups or interacting with these messages in any way. PC security researchers recommend the use of a reliable security program that is fully up-to-date to remove the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups.

The 'Critical Programming Alert' Pop-Ups may Cause Money Loss

The 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups may be very irritating, causing numerous issues on affected computers. Most importantly, the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups are designed to expose computer users to a known tactic that may involve attempting to trick inexperienced computer users into paying hundreds of dollars in order to remove non-existent infections from their machines. The full text of the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups reads as follows:

Critical programming error alert. The website you were attempting to access ahead is infected with malware. Unknown users on your computer are attempting to install harmful software and programs which will allow them to steal or delete information. This is including but not limited photographs, user passwords, instant messages, and credit card numbers. We strongly advise that you dial the number for customer care at (855) 982-9386 this very moment for technical support.

Computer users have reported that the message does not close and may require computer users to force the Web browser close or even restart their machines. The 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups are not legitimate. Calling the phone number included in the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-Uus may lead to a tactic where computer users are asked to pay hundreds of dollars for a fake technical support service. The people behind the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups also may try to convince computer users to disclose their information and credit card data. In many cases, computer users may be asked to install a remote access Trojan on their computers supposedly to allow technicians to access it.

Possible Causes of the 'Critical Programming Alert' Pop-Ups

There are two possible reasons for the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups:

  1. In some cases, your Web browser may be displaying the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups because the website you are visiting is compromised in some way. If the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups only appear when you visit a specific website, PC security researchers recommend computer users to stop visiting that particular website and run a full scan of their computers with a reliable security program as a precaution. In most cases, websites regarded as insecure may be associated with these types of pop-ups. Examples of websites that computer users should try to avoid include pornographic websites, websites with pirated content, file sharing networks and unauthorized streaming video websites.
  2. If the 'Critical Programming Alert' pop-ups are appearing repeatedly regardless of the website you visit, often in new tabs on your Web browser, this may indicate that the problem is with your computer itself. In these cases, a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), has been installed on the computer user's Web browser. PC security researchers recommend that computer users uninstall any recently installed Web browser extensions, toolbars and other types of add-ons. Newly installed software should also be regarded with suspicion. A full scan of the affected computer should be carried out with a reliable security application capable of detecting low-level threats.

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