The 1-844-307-1890 phone number is used in a new tech support scam. A Trojan horse virus is dropped which loads a screen locking you out of your PC. On that screen, it shows an error text titled “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired.” The error looks like a legitimate Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) message, but it is a fake one. You should carefully read the article and find out how you can fight the Trojan and unlock your screen.
Threat Summary
| Name | 1-844-307-1890 |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | The tech support scam is made in a way that tries to scare you into calling the phone number provided on the screen. It tries to make you believe that your PC has a critical issue. |
| Symptoms | An image that looks like a BSOD screen will lock you out of your desktop. A fake phone number is displayed in an attempt to make you call it. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Browser Redirects |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss 1-844-307-1890. |
1-844-307-1890 Scam – Distribution Methods
The 1-844-307-1890 tech support scam loads from a Trojan horse. The Trojan itself can be dropped from various locations. One of the methods for distribution is via redirects from websites that host malicious content. The content can be in the form of advertisements or in-text links.
Another method for distribution for the scam that shows the 1-844-307-1890 phone number can use packers from third-party installations. Freeware and bundled applications mainly come wrapped in such packages. By default, more than one component might be selected for installation. If you want to prevent such installers of dropping an unwanted component you could do so by finding an Advanced or Custom settings menu. From there you should be able to deselect any undesirable content.
1-844-307-1890 Scam – Analysis
The 1-844-307-1890 phone number is used in a supposed error message starting with the phrase “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired”. This is a tech support scam that tries to make you call that number. The scam is being dubbed both after the phone number and the above-mentioned starting phrase.
Many users fall victim to such types of scams to this day. There might be websites that mirror the error message and try to lock your browsers. This one, however, is a Trojan horse virus, which will lock your desktop screen and will not let you remove it that simply.
You can preview the message from the picture shown down here:
The message begins with the line Your PC/Device needs to be repaired which is used in similar tech support scams. A portion of the message is actually from the legitimate BSOD crash screen, which a Windows computer can show. It pops up that screen when there is a critical problem related to the Operating System and fails to load it. But the fake message that is shown in the above picture locks your screen to help it become more believable.
The full message reads the following:
Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
The digital Signature for this File couldn’t be verified.
File: \windows\syetm32\boot\winload.exe
Error code: 0xc0000428The problem seems to be caused by the following file: atikmdag.sys
If this is the first time you’ve seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:
Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation,You’ll need to use recovery tools. If you don’t have any installation media [like a disc or USB device), contact your PC administrator or PC/Device manufacturer on these numbers. The automated phone system will ask for your installation ID (IID). Some charges may be applied by local operators for toll-free numbers in certain countries or regions.
Toll free:
1-844-307-1890Error code:
20200Installation ID:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8870 9976 5897 8543 5038 1954 9825 3608 7216Technical Information:
*** STOP: OxaOOOOOl (OXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO5, OXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, OXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,OXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO)
*** atikmdag.sys – Address 0xfffff8800f2c97ce base at 0xfffff8800f2a2000
Press Enter to try again
Press F8 for Startup Settings
The cybercriminals behind the scam want you to make you believe that the only possible way to fix the supposed problem on your PC is to call the 1-844-307-1890 number. Nothing will work too if you try to tamper with the screen unless you try two things:
- Edit the %AppData%\st file by modifying the second line from “True” to “False”
- Visit Microsoft’s support topic that covers how to deal with some variations of the scam
Do NOT the 1-844-307-1890 phone number in any circumstances. The number is advertised as toll-free, but it is not. Even the shortest of calls may cost you a fortune. And if you do call the number, you will be asked lots of questions, so more time passes and the crooks to gain more money. Not to mention that they will try to extract personal data and financial details from you. This information can be later used for sale on the black market to the highest bidder. In case that becomes true, you might be facing big problems, including identity theft.
The fraudulent telephone number might be used in websites hosting a similar scam and be presented as a Microsoft number. Note that Microsoft has a support page, but no support line.
Remove 1-844-307-1890 Scam Completely
To remove the 1-844-307-1890 tech support scam manually from your PC, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. If the manual removal does not get rid of the scam and Trojan horse effectively, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software will keep your system safe in the future.
Preparation before removing 1-844-307-1890.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for 1-844-307-1890 with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by 1-844-307-1890 on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by 1-844-307-1890 there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by 1-844-307-1890 on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
1-844-307-1890 FAQ
What Does 1-844-307-1890 Trojan Do?
The 1-844-307-1890 Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like 1-844-307-1890, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can 1-844-307-1890 Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can 1-844-307-1890 Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the 1-844-307-1890 Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this 1-844-307-1890 how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on 1-844-307-1890?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the 1-844-307-1890 threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.