Threat Database Adware 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' Pop-Ups

'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' Pop-Ups

By GoldSparrow in Adware

Some computer users have reported the presence of the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups on their computers. Computer users should disregard the content of the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups since they are part of a well-known tactic. The 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups may appear when computer users visit websites with unsafe advertising content. The 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups also may be associated with unwanted components installed on a computer, such as (Potentially Unwanted Programs) (PUPs) or adware. The 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups cannot be closed easily and are designed to harass computer users to trick them into calling a fake technical support number. To bypass the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups, it will be necessary to close the Web browser using the Windows Task Manager.

The Misleading Message Contained in a Fake Error Warning

The 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups will appear unexpectedly and contain the following message:

'0x000314CE VIRUS_DETECTED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATIONS
To STOP Deleting Hard Drive Call:
0800-014-8826
Please contact technical support Toll Free: 0800-014-8826
ERROR CODE: 0x000314CE
Hard Drive Safety Delete Starting In 3:44
To immediately rectify issue and prevent data loss Toll Free: 0800-014-8826.'

The error code and supposed virus that is mentioned in the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups is a complete fabrication, and there is not truth to any part of this message. The 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups make it seem as if the victim's hard drive will be deleted if the victim does not call the phone number included in the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups. Since the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups will appear on the affected computer's Web browser, they may appear on various operating systems, which may include the Android operating system that is used in mobile devices.

The Hoax Behind the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' Pop-Ups

The main purpose of the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups is to trick computer users into calling a phone number included in the attack. This phone number is labeled as a technical support number. However, there is no relationship between this number and any legitimate technical support or computer security service. Some of the phone numbers that have have been linked to the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups include the following:

  • 800-014-8826
  • 844-670-2145
  • 844-831-5995

When victims call one of these phone numbers, a fake technical support professional will try to convince the victim to pay for a fake technical support service, in this case, a 'tech support – premium package,' which costs the victim several hundred dollars. There is absolutely no truth to this supposed technical support service. Furthermore, providing your credit card information to the people responsible for the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups will place you at risk for various hoaxes and a possible identity theft. During the 'technical support' consultation, the people responsible for the attack may try to convince the victim to install a Remote Access Tool (RAT), supposedly to allow the technician remote access to the infected computer. Although this tool does give the technician access to the PC, the granted access will be used to install threats, collect data, and attempt to spread the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups hoax to the victim's online contacts.

Dealing with the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' Pop-Ups

If the 'Error Hard Drive Safety Delete' pop-ups appear on your computer, you will need to take steps to remove any possible PUP or adware that could be causing them. If they appear when visiting certain websites, PC security researchers advise closing the affected Web browser and using a security program to ensure that there is no issue on the affected PC.

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