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?

Deactivation of microsoft office on mac