What is ERROR 0xC004FC03? How to remove the software that keeps causing ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam messages to pop-up on your computer?
The ERROR 0xC004FC03 is yet another scam message that urges online users to call Microsoft Windows Support. The scam’s main idea is to get victims to call the number +1-833-292-1252. In addition, fraudsters attempt to steal Windows login credentials. Beware that a call to the presented number will neither be free nor will fix the detected “issues”. At worst, scammers will trick you into granting them access to your device and paying them a hefty amount of money.
Our research indicates that the scam is still active in February 2020, resulting in users landing on pages promoting the fake support number. If you want to remove the ERROR 0xC004FC03 tech support scam as well as the software that could be causing it to appear on your computer, then we recommend that you read the following article.
Threat Summary
| Name | ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | A tech support scam that is trying to scare you that you have a legitimate alert generated by Microsoft Windows Support about a virus found on your PC. You are provided with a phone number to a supposed Microsoft tech support team. |
| Symptoms | The message may lock your screen. Pop-up boxes, messages, and redirects appear in your browser. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam. |
ERROR 0xC004FC03 (Activation Warning Alert) Scam In Detail
Online users’ reports regarding Microsoft and Windows-related tech support scams continue to appear across the web. Users are complaining about seeing scareware messages regarding viruses on their Windows systems. Some fake tech support scam websites are taken down, but others quickly appear in their place, and the cycle of fake tech support scams goes on and on.
Another example of such a scam exploiting Microsoft’s name is the so-called Activation Warning Alert ERROR 0xC004FC03 message. Similar to Internet Security Alert! Code: 055BCCAC9FEC, the scareware message will try to make you call a phone number – +1-833-292-1252. Note that various domain addresses and other numbers may be used as well.
The ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam message displays the logo and name of Windows but of course, it has nothing to do with it. When the scam message loads in your browser you are likely to see a web page with a pop-up like the one show below:
According to this message, you need to call Microsoft Windows Support due to some suspicious activities that were detected on your PC. Here is a copy of its text:
Windows Security
Microsoft Edge
The server *** is asking for your user name and password.
That server also reports: “Suspicious activity detected due to harmful virus installed in your computer. Call Microsoft Toll Free now @ +1-833-292-1252 for any assistance. Your data is at a serious risk. There is a system file missing due to a harmful virus error, causing system failure. Please contact technicians at Microsoft Toll Free Helpline at @ +1-833-292-1252. PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART YOUR COMPUTER, DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND FAILURE OF OPERATING SYSTEM, HENCE NON BOOTABLE SITUATION RESULTING IN COMPLETE DATA LOSS. CONTACT MICROSOFT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON TOLL FREE NUMBER: +1-833-292-1252”.
Don’t be tricked by anything such scareware messages say, no matter how alerting they sound, as this is just another well-crafted tech support scam. You should know that Microsoft is a company that does not provide technical support by phone. So the presented number is neither free nor helpful. Contrary to the statement “toll-free” a call at this number could cost you next to a small fortune.
Furthermore, as fraudsters often present themselves as Microsoft employees or similar experts or even partners, they can try to acquire personal information and financial data from you. That information can be sold, and you could get into more problems, such as identity theft, financial losses, etc. That’s why you should ignore the content of Activation Warning Alert ERROR 0xC004FC03 Pop-up and regard it as a hoax.
Beware of a lot more nefarious websites that are lurking across the web in search for their victims. Their messages sound quite the same – Windows Warning Alert, Microsoft System Security Alert, etc. They all aim to obtain sensitive details and eventually steal your money. To prevent falling victim of these scam messages you should recognize their common traits among which are:
- The names of legitimate organizations like Microsoft
- Technical support phone numbers stated to be toll free
- Urgent warnings about critical security issues
How to Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 Scam
Before actually getting to the point of removal of the unwanted software that may be causing pop-ups, like ERROR 0xC004FC03, you will need to close your browser first, which cannot be done conventionally. This is why you will need to do the following:
Step 1: Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Step 2: Open Task Manager.
Step 3: Right-Click on Google Chrome (chrome.exe) and click on End Process. If this doesn’t work, right-click again and click on End Process Tree.
After you have done this, you should follow the removal instructions underneath and remove the unwanted program either manually or automatically. As recommended by security experts you should download and scan your computer, using an advanced anti-malware program if you want to secure it and keep it protected in the future. Such a program will fully remove any intrusive programs and malware that may currently be residing on your PC.
Gergana Ivanova
Gergana has a bachelor's degree in Marketing. She has been with the STF team for five years, researching malware, reporting on the latest computer infections, and following digital marketing trends.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam
Step 2: Uninstall ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam 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 ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam 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.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate ERROR 0xC004FC03 scam from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
