888-727-9405

If your web browser locks up, insisting that you must call this number, inciting 'possible suspicious activity' as well as 'complete data loss' 'non-bootable [...] failure of the operating system', DO NOT CALL THE PHONE NUMBER! This is known as a browser hijack scam. It happens because the web site you visited deals with advertisers of ill repute. If you do call the number, the scammer on the other end will first instruct you to grant them remote assistance (essentially control) of your computer over to them. From there, they will install malicious software that will hijack your ENTIRE COMPUTER (not just your browser). Similar to the browser hijack, the computer hijack software will display a phone number, and should you call that number, the scammers on the other end will then charge you a fee to remove the very same software that they themselves had a hand in installing on your computer in the first place.

So instead of calling the phone number, just hold CTRL + ALT and while holding these keys, press the DELETE key. Release these keys and Task Manager should become available: select it. In Task Manager, find your browser, highlight it, and select END PROCESS or END TASK. Your browser will shut down (including everything that was displayed, both good and bad). You can now once again use your browser, however I'd recommend that you first go into your browser's SETTINGS and clear ALL browsing data before once again using your browser. I would also update and run your anti-virus software just to be sure.

Thanks for the information Rod.  The SOB got me too but your information took the AO off my computer.  Thanks

Thanks so much for your information. It saved me from this scam. Now I'm telling everyone I know so they don't become victims.