'Windows Activation Pro' Pop-Ups
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Ranking: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Threat Level: | 80 % (High) |
| Infected Computers: | 9 |
| First Seen: | May 16, 2016 |
| Last Seen: | February 2, 2021 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
Malware analysts have received complaints regarding the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups, irritating pop-up messages that may fill the computer user's screen and claim that it is necessary to 'activate' Windows by entering the serial number located on the back of their computer or Windows DVD. The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may be recognized because they claim that 'your computer is suspected of housing threatening software' and include the phone number 844-459-8882 so that the computer user can receive 'technical support.' In fact, the whole point of the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups is to trick inexperienced computer users into calling this bogus technical support number, especially since the message makes no sense, leading to many frustrated and inexperienced computer users. The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups are part of a well-known tactic and should be removed from the affected computer at once.
The Well-Used Hoax of the 'Windows Activation Pro' Pop-Ups
The phone number associated with the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups is American, but this tactic most likely originates in Asia, placing the con artists out of reach of American authorities. The phone number listed above is associated with the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may change. Con artists may release new versions of the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups and similar tactics frequently by changing the phone number regularly. The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups are part of a social engineering tactic that is set up to trick inexperienced computer users. The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may be associated with PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs), that are installed on the user's computer in a variety of ways. Fortunately, the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups are relatively benign. PUPs associated with the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups are not threatening, and the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups themselves cannot be used to hack into your computer, collect data, or destroy any data on your hard drive. Rather, they use deception to trick computer users into paying money for a nonexistent service.
How the 'Windows Activation Pro' Pop-Ups Tactic Works
The purpose of the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups is to collect the computer user's data and money. To do this, they will wait for you to call the phone number in the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups. When computer users call, the person on the other end of the line may claim to be associated with Microsoft or Windows, posing as a technical support employee. The phone number associated with the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups is not toll-free, and the phone call itself already represents a significant waste of money. The person on the other end of the line may try to convince computer users to pay large amounts of money (usually hundreds of dollars) for a fake technical support service and bogus anti-malware software. The people associated with the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may try to trick inexperienced computer users into allowing them access to their computers, through the installation of a RAT (Remote Access Tool) or through Remote Desktop. Once access has been established, the fraudsters may try to install threats or other PUPs, collect data, and spread the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups to the computer user's email or social media contacts.
Other Symptoms that may be Linked to the 'Windows Activation Pro' Pop-Ups
The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may be accompanied by other irritating symptoms. The following are some other symptoms that may be linked to the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups:
- The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may be associated with poor system performance. Computers displaying the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may become slow and unstable.
- PUPs that cause the 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may change the affected Web browser's settings, including its homepage and default search engine automatically.
- The 'Windows Activation Pro' pop-ups may not be the only pop-up messages appearing on the user's computer, which may display numerous other types of pop-ups and unwanted content.
Submit Comment
Please DO NOT use this comment system for support or billing questions. For SpyHunter technical support requests, please contact our technical support team directly by opening a customer support ticket via your SpyHunter. For billing issues, please refer to our "Billing Questions or Problems?" page. For general inquiries (complaints, legal, press, marketing, copyright), visit our "Inquiries and Feedback" page.