Your Windows Licence Has Expired Scam

What is Your Windows Licence has Expired?

"Your Windows Licence has Expired" is a fake error message that attempts to trick users into purchasing a valid activation key. It is distributed via various adware-type applications falsely claiming to provide a number of 'valuable functions'.

These applications usually infiltrate systems without users' consent. Furthermore, adware tracks Internet browsing activity and generates intrusive online advertisements.

This fake error message locks computer screens and encourages users to call the telephone number provided (+1-888-303-5121). Victims are then be asked to purchase a genuine Windows activation key, however, this error message is a scam - developers attempt to trick users into buying the key and solving a problem that does not exist.

All claims regarding expired versions are false and paying will not deliver any positive results - you will simply support developers' malicious businesses and lose your money. Furthermore, adware-type apps that promote this scam often display intrusive online advertisements that conceal underlying content of users' visited websites.

Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites - clicking them is risky and can result in further computer infections. In addition, adware records various data relating to users' Internet browsing activity including IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and search queries.

This information might be personally identifiable and shared with third parties who often misuse it to generate revenue. Data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, if you encounter "Your Windows Licence has Expired" error message, ignore all requests to contact/pay and immediately uninstall all suspicious applications.

There are hundreds of adware-type applications - all very similar. For example, that apps such as CurveLayer, USB Locker, BrowsingGuard, etc. offer different functions, however, all have similar behavior. These applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Adware generates intrusive online ads (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), causes unwanted browser redirects (to generate traffic for various sites), and collects personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties). All claims to enhance the web browsing experience are attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

How did Your Windows Licence has Expired install on my computer?

Adware-type applications are usually distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software. Research shows that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps.

Aware of this, developers intentionally hide bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these procedures. By skipping this section, users expose their systems to risk of various infections. Note that developers' revenue is dependent on the number of distributed adware and, therefore, these installation are never properly disclosed.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Be aware that potentially unwanted programs are often distributed using the bundling method. Therefore, analyze each step of the download and installation processes. Furthermore, all offers to download/install additional applications must be declined. Bundled software is often rogue and should never be installed.

• Victims of this scam can enter this code - 8716098676542789 to unlock their computers for free. No need of calling the cyber criminals behind this scam.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Your Windows Licence has Expired virus?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

▼ Show Discussion