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What is Error 268D3-XC00037 scam? And how does it function?

Error 268D3-XC00037 is yet another web browser-based tech support scam that displays an alert stating that your computer has been blocked due to error# 268D#-XC00037. Clearly, it is nothing but a scam that prompts users to call some remote support number for further assistance. Since this is obviously a scam alert, you should not call the given number.
When you come across this tech support scam, it will display an alert that contains the following content:
“https://support.microsoft.com says:
** YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED **
Error # 268D3-XC00037
Please call us immediately at +1-833-864-5500
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:+1-833-864-5500.
Prevent this page from creating additional dialogues.”
Some users were tricked into calling the fake tech support number as they find the message pretty convincing as it includes some error codes just like the ones you see on Microsoft’s error messages. But make no mistake, this tech support scam is not related in any way to Microsoft. Once again, this is just an attempt to get you into calling malevolent people behind this tech support scam and you might only be urged to pay for some tech support assistance fee even though there’s nothing really wrong with your computer. What’s worse is that you could unknowingly give the crooks remote access to your PC which would seriously put your security and privacy at risk.
Browser-based tech support scams like this one can thankfully be closed simply by ending its process in the Windows Task Manager. But if you constantly find yourself getting redirected to sites that display this scam alert, then it may be possible that you have an adware program installed in your program that’s causing these redirects.
How does Error 268D3-XC00037 tech support scam spread online?
The Error 268D3-XC00037 tech support scam spreads online through advertisements that redirect you to malicious websites containing this fake alert. And as already pointed out, it could also be caused by some adware program in your computer. Adware programs usually roam the web through free software bundles. So when you install a free software package using only the standard installation setup, you will end up installing all the programs attached in the bundle – adware program included. To make sure it won’t happen again, you must install any freeware or shareware using only the Custom or Advanced installation setup.
Carefully follow the removal guide below to get rid of the Error 268D3-XC00037 tech support scam.
Step 1: Tap F11 to exit if your browser is forced into full-screen mode.
Step 2: After that, try to close the browser manually. If you find it hard to do so, close the browser through the Task Manager.
Step 3: Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 4: After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the affected browser’s process and end it by clicking End Task or End Process.

Step 5: Close the Task Manager and tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type in appwiz.cpl to open Control Panel to uninstall the adware program behind the fake alert.
Step 6: Look for the adware program or any unfamiliar program under the list of installed programs and once you’ve found it, uninstall it.

Step 7: Close the Control Panel and tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 8: Navigate to the following directories and look for the adware installer like the software bundle it came with as well as other suspicious files and delete them.

  • %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
  • %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
  • %TEMP%

Step 9: Close the File Explorer and empty your Recycle Bin.
Step 10: Reset all your browsers to default.
Google Chrome

  1. Launch Google Chrome, press Alt + F, move to More tools, and click Extensions.
  2. Look for suspicious browser extensions or any unwanted add-on, click the Recycle Bin button, and choose Remove.
  3. Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
  4. Navigate to the On Startup section at the bottom.
  5. Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
  6. Click the More actions button next to the hijacker and click Remove.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open the browser and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
  2. In the Extensions menu Remove the unwanted extension.
  3. Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
  4. Select Options and then move to the General menu.
  5. Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.

Internet Explorer

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Tap Alt + T and select Internet options.
  3. Click the General tab and then overwrite the URL under the homepage section.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

To make sure “Error 268D3-XC00037” scam is completely eliminated as well as the adware program behind it, follow the advanced steps below:
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
  2. After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

  1. To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
  2. Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
  3. Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

  1. If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
  2. Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro

A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.

  1. A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading the program. The installation will start automatically once a download is done.

  1. Click OK to launch it.
  2. Run SpyRemover Pro and perform a full system scan.

  1. After all the infections are identified, click the REMOVE ALL button.

  1. Register the program to protect your computer from future threats.

 

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