‘Liam.x’ Pop-Ups

The 'Liam.x' pop-ups are phishing tactics with associations with various PC threats and unwanted programs, including both adware and threatening software. In addition to delivering browser advertisements automatically, the 'Liam.x' pop-ups also may redirect you to fraudulent technical support hotlines. Since phishing tactics may create escalating security issues, a proper response to such attacks always should include using anti-malware solutions to remove the 'Liam.x' pop-ups and all related threats as soon as possible.

The Virus You Don't Need to Fear as Much as Its Anti-Virus

The 'Liam.x' pop-ups are browser attacks that malware experts have seen implemented through the functions of some adware programs, as well as through Command Prompt-based browser hijackers and threats. Along with the variety of threats implementing them, the 'Liam.x' pop-ups may be found in equally diverse formats, ranging from in-browser injected advertisements to separate pop-up windows. However, besides loading standard advertisements for third-party products, the 'Liam.x' pop-ups also may be used to deliver phishing tactics to computer users.

Phishing-based 'Liam.x' pop-ups format themselves as being warning messages from the Microsoft 'Real-Time Web Monitor,' a fictitious browser security feature. These variants of the 'Liam.x' pop-ups may claim to have identified a virus on your PC and instruct you to call a Microsoft support line. However, Microsoft has since confirmed that the alerts have no affiliation with the company.

PC users who call the associated phone lines may find that the ensuing phone conversations merely put them into contact with con artists. Some of the standard consequences of such contact may include:

• You may be asked to purchase special system cleaning software to remove the 'Liam.x' pop-ups from your browser. In practice, this software may be nonfunctional scamware or even nonexistent.
• Third parties that pose as repair technicians also may ask you to modify your system settings in ways that allow them to exert control over your PC. This backdoor control may allow them to install new threats or collect information.
• Phishing tactics like the 'Liam.x' pop-ups also may be associated with the attempted exfiltration of credit card numbers, along with other financial or identity-related information.

Xing out a the 'Liam.x' pop-ups Problem

Firefox and Internet Explorer both have histories of being vulnerable to different versions of software launching the 'Liam.x' pop-ups. Malware experts first saw a noticeable increase in the 'Liam.x' pop-ups in early 2015, ranging from February to April, but threats associated with these tactics are likely still to be in circulation. Symptoms that are similar to the 'Liam.x' pop-ups, even as advertisements, may be assumed to be potential attacks against your PC and should be removed with a reliable anti-malware product.

The main distribution vector for adware and other 'Liam.x' pop-ups software remains unidentified, although non-consensual strategies, such as software bundles, are highly implied. However, in spite of the limited information at hand, malware experts can point to many common features between the 'Liam.x' pop-ups and similar phishing tactics. Computer users should be alert to pop-up threats that may pose as security features. You may identify such threats by their unusual requests, their references to nonexistent or irrelevant security products and their use of frequently vague, accusative security information.

Ultimately, the 'Liam.x' pop-ups may be assumed to be byproducts of the attacks of threatening or unwanted software, but not necessarily associated with the fraudulent 'Liam.x virus' that they claim to block.