’855-718-3514′ Pop-Ups

The '855-718-3514' pop-ups are phishing attacks that can trick you into believing that your PC is damaged or compromised, after which they may ask for money or remote access to the machine. Like other Web-based attacks, the '855-718-3514' pop-ups can launch themselves from corrupted Websites, advertising networks, or some forms of threats. In response to these attacks, malware experts recommend rebooting your PC immediately and scanning it with anti-malware products, without any further interaction with the pop-up window.

When Technical Support Attacks

The popularity of the Windows OS is a double-edged sword: threat authors and other people are just as aware as anyone else that targeting their attacks towards Windows users may result in more victims. Many of the most recent of these attacks use the format of a PC repair hoax, with third parties pretending to be certified Microsoft technical support employees. The '855-718-3514' pop-up is one of the numerous examples of this tactic, with their attacks verifiable as being live since early 2016.

The '855-718-3514' pop-ups use 'blue screen' error message formats to convince computer users that the attacks are built-in Windows alerts, instead of browser pop-ups. Besides promoting the hotline used to put the computer user in direct contact with a con artist, the '855-718-3514' pop-ups also may include some semi-advanced script exploits, such as:

• The '855-718-3514' pop-ups may create audio-only loops, independently from the visual pop-up content, that ignore your browser's volume control settings. Typically, this audio playback is used in support of the fake Windows alerts displayed by the '855-718-3514' pop-ups, such as by telling you to call the promoted number.
• The '855-718-3514' pop-ups also may use exploits for locking your desktop, closing the Windows File Explorer, or blocking your ability to open other programs. These exploits may block you from using your PC effectively until you've rebooted and stopped your browser from reloading the '855-718-3514' pop-ups.

Getting a Persistent 'Microsoft' Hoax out of Your Browser

Besides endangering you with browser-based exploits and attacks, technical '855-718-3514' pop-ups also may help con artists pilfer money, acquire your information or create backdoor connections for controlling your computer. If you have any worries about being exposed to the '855-718-3514' pop-ups accidentally while browsing the Web, malware experts can endorse blocking in-browser scripts, pop-ups and advertising as being an effective way of limiting the possibilities inherent in such attacks. Misused Java, JavaScript, and Flash may be reoccurring elements of pop-ups that try to take control over your browser or the rest of your computer.

Giving information to con artists operating through the '855-718-3514' pop-ups may result in compromised accounts or credit cards, as well as identity fraud. Cancel any financial transactions made by such a company or individual, and reverse any settings changes implemented under their recommendations. Reliable anti-malware products should be more than able to remove the '855-718-3514' pop-ups that are recreated by adware or similar threats continually, but the greatest damage done by this hoax is most easily averted by keeping yourself informed about Microsoft's real support practices.