How to avoid tech support scams like WARNING CRITICAL MESSAGE scam?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is WARNING CRITICAL MESSAGE?
There are many technical support scam websites pretending to be official Microsoft (or other company) websites and claiming that a computer is blocked, infected or there is some other problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible.
It is common that such pages display some pop-up window (or multiple windows) instructing the potential victim to call the provided number for technical support. Once contacted, scammers usually instruct users to download and install some remote access software/give them a remote access to a computer, or pay money for some unnecessary software, or technical services.
This particular technical support scam website displays a fake error, warning messages saying that Windows has been blocked due to suspicious activity and data like passwords, browsing history, sensitive information like credit card details, and files on the hard drive may be stolen.
The main purpose of this website is to trick visitors into believing that they need to call the +1-888-357-5053 number to prevent further damage. It is likely that scammers behind this page would ask to give them remote access to a computer, sell unnecessary software or repair services, ask for personal information (like credit card details).
It is important to know that by having a remote access to a computer scammers could access all information stored on it, or even install some malware on it (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware, cryptomining malware).
| Name | WARNING CRITICAL MESSAGE pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Windows has been blocked due to suspicious activity |
| Disguise | Microsoft website |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | +1-888-357-5053 |
| Related Domain | tastykitchenrecipes[.]site |
| Detection Names (tastykitchenrecipes[.]site) | CyRadar (Malicious), ESET (Phishing), Google Safebrowsing (Phishing), Netcraft (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address | 172.67.182.40 |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
As mentioned in the first paragraph, there are many various technical support scam websites, some more examples are "ERROR #DW6BD36", "Error # WINDOWS-PORN-91" and "Killer's IP Address". Regardless of the tactics that scammers behind such pages use, they have one purpose - to make money.
Typically, users do not visit such pages intentionally. One of the reasons why such pages get opened by a browser is because there is some potentially unwanted application (PUA) installed on it (or the operating system).
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
In most cases users download and/or install potentially unwanted applications unknowingly - when developers distribute them by using a "bundling" method. More precisely, when PUAs distributed by including them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers.
As a rule, unwanted offers can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings, or by unticking certian checkboxes before finishing downloads and/or installations. Although, quite often users download and/or install programs without checking and changing the aforementioned settings.
In some cases users cause unwanted downloads and/or installations via deceptive advertisements - by clicking ads that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Programs and files should not be downloaded from shady, unofficial pages, via Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, and so on, or installed with third party installers. That should be done by using official websites and direct links.
Furthermore, downloads and installations should not be finished without declining offers to download and/or install additionally included, unwanted apps. Ads on questionable web pages should not be trusted (clicked) as well. It is common that those ads open other websites of this kind or even cause unwanted downloads, installations.
Unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons that are installed on a browser and programs of this kind that are installed the operating system should be uninstalled. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of the WARNING CRITICAL MESSAGE scam page (GIF):
Text in a pop-up window:
Contact-Windows-Support: +1-888-357-5053
Please call us: +1-888-357-5053
Program Defender.exe
Verified Publisher: Windows-Defender
Necessary measures: Contact us immediately so that our technicians can guide you through the process of removing the Phone can lead. Please call us within 5 minutes to prevent Your Computer will be disabled.
Quick Help
Go Back Safety
Prevent additional dialogs.
+1-888-357-5053
Text in the background:
** WARNING-CRITICAL-MESSAGE**
Error # MSWindows-77X1
Contact-Windows-Support: +1-888-357-5053 :
Do not ignore this important warning
Windows was blocked due to suspicious activity. Please call us within 5 Minutes to prevent your Computer from being deactivated. The following information may be lost:1. Passwords
2. Browsing History
3. Sensitive information (credit cards)
4. Files on the hard driveDo not ignore this critical warning if you close this page, your Computer access disabled to prevent further damage to our network .
Contact-Windows-Support:
+1-888-357-5053
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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.
Quick menu:
- What is WARNING CRITICAL MESSAGE?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Mac OSX users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the warning critical message pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with warning critical message pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the warning critical message pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the warning critical message pop-up, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove warning critical message pop-up from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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