"Your Computer has been Blocked" is a Fake Virus Message Created by Cybercriminals
Online users who have received the "Your Computer has been Blocked" pop-up messages like the one below, which claim their computers have been infected by a virus and ask them to call a technical support number to prevent further damage to their computers or networks, are asked not to follow the instructions in the same messages. This is because the pop-up messages are fakes. The fake messages are created by cybercriminals to trick their potential victims into believing their computers are infected with a virus, which they are not. Then, the cybercriminals trick potential victims into calling a fake technical support number operated by them.
If the potential victims should call the fake technical support number, the cybercriminals will trick them into disclosing their personal information, credit card information, online account credentials and other sensitive information that they need to scam the same potential victims.
A Sample of "Your Computer has been Blocked" Fake Virus Message
YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED
Error # 268D3
Please call us immediately at: 1-888-375-1978
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a virus and spyware. The following information is being stolen...
Facebook Login
Credit Card Details
Email Account Login
Photos stored on this computer
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled.
Toll Free: 1-888-375-1978
Below is a list of fake technical support numbers the fake "Your Computer has been Blocked" pop-up message will ask potential victims to call. Please do not attempt to call the numbers because they are fakes and are being operated by cybercriminals.
Fake Technical Support Numbers
- 1-888-375-1978
- 1-844-312-7478
- 1-844-831-6841
- 1-888-997-0687
- 1-844-556-7757
- 1-800-368-9744
- 1-844-807-8357
- 1-866-245-4827
- 1-866-245-4827
- 1-888-583-9666
Online users who have received the fake message pop-up messages that block out everything on their computers preventing them from closing them, may do the following to close the fake messages:
For Microsoft Windows computer users:
- Hold on Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys on your keyboard and then click Task Manager.
- Under the "Processes" tab active of the Task Manager window, highlight any processes related to your browser and hit the "End Task" button at the bottom of the Task Manager window.
For Apple Mac computer users:
- Hold on the Command, Option, Esc keys on to open the "Force Quit Applications" window.
- Select the name of the browser you are using and hit the "Force Quit" button.
Also, for online users using Microsoft Windows who may have downloaded some malware or adware on their computers that may continue to display the annoying pop-up message, it is recommended that they click here to use a malware or adware removal software to scan and remove malware or adware from their computers.
Check the comment section for additional information, or share what you know or ask a question about this article, by clicking the 'View or Write Comment' button below.
Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.