‘Windows Firewall Security Damaged’ Pop-Ups

Computer users have reported 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups, which are scary messages that make it seem as if their computers are in severe danger. The 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups appear at random, nearly filling the screen. The 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups may appear as soon as the affected computer users open their Web browser. In most cases, the presence of the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups on a computer indicates that a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program), has been installed. These types of components may be installed in the form of a Web browser extension or add-on. They are designed to carry out various types of hoaxes. In this case, the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups may try to convince computer users that their machines are in danger so that they may call a fake technical support service. These bogus technical support companies may charge computer users hundreds of US dollars to fix nonexistent problems on their computers, preying on inexperienced computer users that may not be able to recognize these types of attacks.

The 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups may be Very Intrusive

The 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups themselves use scary language to provoke a response from computer users. PC security researchers have observed two different 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups, which read as follows:

Windows Firewall Security Damaged !!!
A Suspicious Connection Was Trying Access Your Logins, Banking Details & Tracking your Internet Activity.
Windows Security Center & Firewall Services are Disabled, Error code 0x8007042c;.

Your Personal Information May Have Leaked. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED
Your Hard Disk May Have Trojan Virus! Please Do Not Try To Fix It Manually, It Might Crash Your Data.
Please Visit Your Nearest Windows Service Center OR Call Help Desk

At the end of the messages, computer users are urged to call an included phone number. This is not a free phone call, despite the fact that it is billed as 'toll-free.' It is strongly recommended not to call the phone number included in the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups. PUPs associated with the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups are not threatening, despite sometimes being erroneously classified as 'Trojan' or 'viruses' by some sources.

How Con Artists may Profit from the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups

There are several ways in which con artists may use the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups to generate revenue at the expense of inexperienced computer users that may include the following:

1. The 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups' phone number, although claiming to be toll-free, may be a premium rate type of number, which may have a very elevated cost for every minute of the call.
2. After computer users call the phone number included in the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups, the con artists may try to obtain the computer user's banking and credit card information, which may result in charges made to the PC user's credit card or bank account.
3. Part of the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups tactic involves gaining access to the PC user's computer. In most cases, the con artists may try to obtain information about the PC user's location, browsing habits, and other private data for use in marketing and advertising. It is not uncommon for the con artists to install adware and other PUPs on the user's computer.
4. The fake technical support service advertised in the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups may cost between $300 and $600 USD, charged to the PC user for the installation of a fake anti-virus program.

Any supposed problems on the PC user's computer may be caused by the con artists themselves. They may be performance issues related to the PUP associated with the 'Windows Firewall Security Damaged' pop-ups or to a component installed by the con artists after they have obtained access to the user's PC.