’844-714-3213′ Pop-Ups

The '844-714-3213' pop-ups are online hoaxes that con artists use to contact computer users while representing themselves as PC technical support agents. Like similar attacks, the '844-714-3213' pop-ups can help third parties gain control over your PC, collect your information or install threats. Exposure to the '844-714-3213' pop-ups should be limited by any means needed, and standard anti-malware strategies should be applied for removing the '844-714-3213' pop-ups that continue to load within any browser.

Technical Support Hoaxes: The 'Gift' that Never Stops Giving

Even several years ago, online technical support tactics were operating as part of a con industry worthing millions of dollars, but time has yet to damage the profitability of these enterprises in any significant way. The newest of these attacks under examination by malware researchers, the '844-714-3213' pop-ups, were seen loading themselves in Mac's Safari-brand browsers. While some sources have reported that these attacks may have relationships with Potentially Unwanted Programs like RocketMediaPlayerPlus, no hard evidence has surfaced of such ties, to date.

What malware experts can confirm in their research of the '844-714-3213' pop-ups is that these attacks may interlink with triggered redirects to a sub-domain of the newly-registered site, trackclick2.info. However, the original website is a domain dedicated to the '844-714-3213' pop-ups tactic, support.365-support.info. As usual, Web surfers may have encountered the latter domain in the form of pop-up attacks delivered through compromised advertising networks, which could load themselves on an otherwise safe website.

The '844-714-3213' pop-ups may format themselves as being security warnings or technical service alerts from reputable companies like Microsoft or Apple fraudulently. Calling the associated phone number to 'fix' your computer places you in direct contact with a con artist, who may attempt any of the following:

• You may be asked to make settings changes that give third parties remote access to your computer and, by extension, control over its files and settings.
• You may be asked to purchase a fake software product or service to repair your machine.

Similar tactics may be aimed at gaining long-term access to your PC, collecting critical financial information, or both simultaneously.

A Trek Through the Jungles of Fake Support

PC users who experience the '844-714-3213' pop-ups or equivalent attacks routinely should be aware of the necessity of cleaning their browser's settings, including the cache. All corrupted pop-ups also should be closed with minimal interaction, which you can accomplish with standard keyboard shortcuts. Windows machines support the Alt + F4 shortcut.

However, Apple machines require a different shortcut: Command-Option-Escape to pull up the 'Force Quit' menu. From this menu, you should select your Web browser and close it. Even clicking a compromised pop-up for the sole purpose of closing it may trigger its payload, which could include threats downloaded to your computer directly.

Staying informed about the state of online hoaxes can give computer users the information they need to avoid compromising their machines during attacks like the '844-714-3213' pop-ups. If you transfer any information whatsoever to associated con artists, you should contact your bank or other, relevant institution for further steps you will need to take to keep your identity, finances and PC safe.