“Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam (Removal Instructions)

“Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam Removal Guide

What is “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam?

Reasons why you should not trust “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” alerts

Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software virus may really scare the wits out of you if you do not have experience dealing with tech support scams. Locked screen and alert that unrecognized activity has been detected surely scare less tech-savvy netizens. However, if you take a look at certain features, you might instantly look through the deception. In this article, we will instruct how to tell the difference between a scam and a real Windows activation window [1]. If you fell into the target list as well, there is need to call any provided numbers. Instead, remove Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software. You can use FortectIntego for that purpose.

Despite frequent publications about tech support scams and the ways to avoid them, such forms of a felony are still on a hike [2]. Crooks manage to counterfeit realistically looking Windows error messages. Unfortunately, frightening warnings of the outdated Windows version or product key still lead many users to fall for the bait. Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software malware also uses the same technique. The forged message claims that you need to re-enter your product key in order to regain access to your computer. What is more, the scam window also includes GotoAcces, TeamViewer, and Supremo application links. Developers of this malware use these utilities for accessing your computer remotely. If you cannot find the product key and call the crooks, you might be asked to install one of the mentioned utilities. Since they are legitimate, anti-virus tools may fail to detect them as viruses.

the image of Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software

Afterward, when you call the indicated number, specifically, 1-877-360-0485, you will be connected to a felon who pretends to be a technician. Afterward, he will lead you through the series of steps to convince that your computer is overloaded with simultaneous processes [3]. Due to Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software redirect, you might be directed to the forged website. Later on, the crook might ask you to fill with personal details, including your email address and credit card information. In short, such tech support scams are practical for several reasons. The crooks may obtain legitimate product keys which later on are used for activating illegal copies of Windows. Secondly, after obtaining your private information they might get access your banking accounts with the assistance of secretly placed trojan [4]. Thirdly, the developers might persuade you into purchasing a futile anti-malware removal utility. Note that such tools might mediate future hijacks. Luckily, there is a fairly useful tip for performing “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” removal. Enter THTY4-89LK6-RTI23-XZTOP-05ERY to exit the lock-screen window.

How do such viruses spread?

To the surprise of most of the users, tech support scams happen to disguise as additional files along with freeware. Thus, when you dash through the settings, keep in mind that a couple of unwanted programs might await to enter your device. Even legitimate freeware might disperse potentially fraudulent tools. In order to avoid Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software hijack in the future, make sure you opt for “Advanced” settings. Unmark unnecessary tools and proceed with the installation of the intended program. Note that tech support scams may even lurk for new victims in infected file-sharing domains. If you accidentally clicked on a corrupted link [5], you might have facilitated the hijack.

Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software removal suggestions

Though this application may contain adware elements, we do not recommend dealing with it manually. Instead, it would be better to remove Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software virus with the assistance of an anti-spyware application, for example, FortectIntego or Malwarebytes. Make sure the software is fully updated before starting the removal process. Lastly, let us give you some valuable advice how you can distinguish between a fraud and a real message. In most of the cases, the screen color of the fake alert is different than the original. What is more, the text contains grammar, style mistakes as well as typos and most importantly, a fake number of tech support specialist. If you haven’t started Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software removal, do it now.

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What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam. Follow these steps

Manual removal using Safe Mode

Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.

Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking

Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment. 

Windows 7 / Vista / XP
  1. Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
  2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list. Windows 7/XP
Windows 10 / Windows 8
  1. Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
    Update and security
  3. On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
  4. Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
  5. Click Restart now.
    Reboot
  6. Select Troubleshoot. Choose an option
  7. Go to Advanced options. Advanced options
  8. Select Startup Settings. Startup settings
  9. Press Restart.
  10. Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking. Enable safe mode

Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes

Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details.
    Open task manager
  3. Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
  4. Right-click and select Open file location.
    Open file location
  5. Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
    End task
  6. Delete the contents of the malicious folder.

Step 3. Check program Startup

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
  2. Go to Startup tab.
  3. Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
    Startup

Step 4. Delete virus files

Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:

  1. Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
    Disk cleanup
  2. Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
  3. Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:

    Temporary Internet Files
    Downloads
    Recycle Bin
    Temporary files

  4. Pick Clean up system files.
    Delete temp files
  5. You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):

    %AppData%
    %LocalAppData%
    %ProgramData%
    %WinDir%

After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.

Remove “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam using System Restore

  • Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
    Windows 7 / Vista / XP
    1. Click Start Shutdown Restart OK.
    2. When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
    3. Select Command Prompt from the list Select 'Safe Mode with Command Prompt'

    Windows 10 / Windows 8
    1. Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
    2. Now select Troubleshoot Advanced options Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
    3. Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window. Select 'Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt'
  • Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
    1. Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter. Enter 'cd restore' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    2. Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again.. Enter 'rstrui.exe' without quotes and press 'Enter'
    3. When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam. After doing that, click Next. When 'System Restore' window shows up, select 'Next' Select your restore point and click 'Next'
    4. Now click Yes to start system restore. Click 'Yes' and start system restore
    Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with FortectIntego and make sure that “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam removal is performed successfully.

Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from “Windows Defender Prevented Malicious Software” Tech support scam and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes

How to prevent from getting malware

Protect your privacy – employ a VPN

There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals. 

No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool

If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.

If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.

About the author
Julie Splinters
Julie Splinters - Anti-malware specialist

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