888-974-9056

Didn't receive a phone call from this number, but this phone number is being used for a well known scam.

My coworker mistyped a website address and received this message

"Dear customer, your system has detected possible Suspicious activity. Please call the toll-free number below for a-Certified technician to help you resolve the issue. 888-974-9056 For your safety, please do not open internet browser to avoid corruption to the registry of your operating system. Please contact support at the toll-free Helpline 888-974-9056. PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART THE COMPUTER. DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DTA LOSS AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE OPERATING SYSTEN AND POTENTIAL NON BOOTABLE SITUATION RESULTING IN COMPLETE DATA LOSS, CONTACT CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE CALLING TOLL FREE - 888-974-9056"

If you receive this message, don't call the phone number. This is a well know scam. Press Ctrl/Alt/Delete together to bring up the task manager. Under the Applications tab, highlight your internet browser and click on End Task. The browser will close.

If you call the phone number, the "technicians" you call are thieves who will use any number of remote desktop software programs to gain access to your PC, load keyloggers or other malicious software and then lock your computer demanding money to unlock. Even if you pay the ransom, your computer data has already been transferred to them.