Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step.
Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications? Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue programs. Therefore, they conceal bundled programs in the "Custom/Advanced" settings' section of the download or installation processes. This marketing method is called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps.ĭevelopers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps. They are not genuine and you should never believe them.Īs mentioned above, "Microsoft Office Activation Wizard" is distributed with potentially unwanted programs that infiltrate systems without users' consent. These errors are designed only to scare and trick victims into paying for unneeded services.
"Microsoft Office Activation Wizard" shares many similarities with dozens of other fake pop-ups/errors such as You Have A ZEUS Virus, Your PC Ran Into A Problem, Your Windows Computer Has Been Blocked, and Windows Firewall Security Damaged.Īll claim that the system is infected, missing files, or damaged in other similar ways. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of read more.
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software.
Decreased Internet browsing speed.ĭeceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.ĭecreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Potentially unwanted programs must be uninstalled immediately. Thus, the presence of information-tracking apps on your system might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. The data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private details to generate revenue. In addition, PUPs continually monitor users' Internet browsing activity by recording various data that might be personally identifiable (including, for example, geo-locations, Internet service provider (ISP), Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.). Content-concealing ads and unwanted redirects significantly diminish the Internet browsing activity. These bogus programs are also likely to redirect users to various websites (usually fake Internet search engines) without their consent. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. PUPs employ a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements.
Be aware that this pop-up is fake - criminals attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not needed.įortunately, the "Microsoft Office Activation Wizard" executable has a hard-coded activation code (" THTY4-89LK6-RTI23-XZTOP-05ERY"), which you can use to "activate" your MS Office and, therefore, remove the pop-up.
In fact, activation via the Internet does not work and, thus, victims are forced to call tech support. It contains a message stating that the MS Office activation has expired and that the victim has two choices: 1) activate via the Internet, or 2) call tech support via the telephone number provided (1 8). The "Microsoft Office Activation Wizard" pop-up overlays all computer applications. This pop-up often infiltrates the system during installation of potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), which generate intrusive online advertisements, cause unwanted redirects, and continually record information relating to users' Internet browsing activity. "Microsoft Office Activation Wizard" is a deceptive pop-up claiming that the user's MS Office activation has expired. What is Microsoft Office Activation Wizard?