What is Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897

Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 is a fake virus alert used to trick victims into calling fake tech-support numbers. These scams are known as tech-support scams because scammers pretend to be legitimate technicians that can help with computer issues. These scams are harmless as long as users do not interact with them or call the shown phone numbers. Falling for such a scam can lead to money loss and/or a damaged computer.

 

 

Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 is just one of the thousands of tech-support scams. They all follow the same pattern so it’s generally very easy to recognize them. The way these tech-support scams work is victims first need to be redirected to fake Microsoft or similar sites. The redirects usually happen either because the computer is infected with an infection like adware or because users browse questionable websites on which a redirect can be triggered by anything. Usually, these fake websites are made to look like they are official sites for Microsoft, Apple, or similar. Numerous alerts will then start popping up with warnings about supposed infections on the computer. The Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 fake pop-up will claim that access to your computer has been blocked because there supposedly is a “trojan spyware” on your computer. A different pop-up will caution you that the malware can steal your email login credentials, banking information, social media logins, as well as your files/documents. According to the pop-up, you need to call the shown number to get help from Microsoft technicians. The phone number we have encountered is +1-(833)-220-3550.

If you were to call the tech-support scam phone number, you would be connected to professional scammers pretending to be legitimate Microsoft or other company technicians. They would ask you to describe the issue and quote the error code, then claim that the malware is very serious and needs immediate attention. In order to supposedly remove the malware, the fake technicians would request remote access to your computer. If you give them access, they would show fake malware detection alerts, install a highly questionable “anti-virus” program, and potentially set a password for the computer. When the pretend malware removal is complete, the scammers will demand that you pay a couple of hundred dollars for the services you supposedly receive. If the scammers were able to set a password for your computer, they would refuse to give it to you if you do not pay. The scammers can get quite aggressive when victims refuse to do as they demand. If you’re curious about what this kind of scam looks like, there are various videos on YouTube of people purposely engaging with them to waste their time and educate people.

If it hasn’t been made clear yet, if you get this pop-up, it doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with your computer. Your device is perfectly fine, you’re just seeing a random tech-support scam that’s harmless as long as you don’t interact with it. For future reference, keep in mind that every single virus alert that appears in your browser will be a scam. Your browser cannot detect malware, only anti-virus software installed on your computer can. Furthermore, phone numbers are never displayed in legitimate alerts. They’re always a sign of a tech-support scam. A company like Microsoft or Apple never makes unsolicited contact with users, nor do they block infected devices. If you needed to contact their tech support, you would need to look for the phone number on their official websites.

Why are you redirected to tech-support scams?

There are a couple of potential reasons why you could be redirected to tech-support scams. In most cases, it’s because users browse high-risk websites that have questionable ads. Often, interacting with anything on them can trigger a redirect. If you regularly browse high-risk websites, we strongly recommend installing an adblocker program to block both the redirects, as well as regular ads/pop-ups.

If you’re redirected on a more regular basis and it happens when you browse safe sites, it’s possible that your computer is infected with adware or something similar. Adware is a rather minor but very annoying infection that is usually distributed via the free software bundling method. Infections like adware and browser hijackers come attached to free software as extra offers and are permitted to install alongside automatically without requiring any permission from users. So when you install free programs that have something attached to them, you could end up installing all added offers as well. These offers are optional but because they are initially hidden, many users simply do not know about them. Evidently, this installation method is quite sneaky, which is why programs that use it are often detected as potential threats by anti-virus programs.

Since the extra offers are optional, you can easily prevent their installation. All you need to do is pay attention when installing free programs. When given the option, opt for Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default. The installation window will recommend that you use Default but those settings will hide all added offers and allow them to install. Advanced settings, on the other hand, will make all offers visible and give you the option to deselect what you do not want. Generally, we recommend always deselecting all offers. None of them will be useful to you in any way, and no legitimate program will use software bundling to essentially sneak into users’ computers. By allowing these unwanted installations, you will only fill up your computer with junk that can be difficult to get rid of later on. So to avoid all that, simply deselect all offers when installing free programs.

Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 removal

If you’re only redirected when browsing certain websites, you don’t need to do anything to remove Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 pop-up from your computer as it’s not caused by anything on your device. Though you should install an adblocker program to block intrusive advertisements.

If you’re redirected regularly, we recommend scanning your computer with anti-virus software. If there is adware on your device, only getting rid of it would permanently delete Trojan Spyware Alert Error Code #0x564897 pop-ups from your screen.