“Firewall Breach Detected” virus displays a fake alarm message to misguide computer users

“Firewall Breach Detected” alert is a fake “error 0x8007042C” warning[1] notifying that Microsoft has detected a security breach from your IP address. It may look completely legitimate since scammers tend to intimidate victims by claiming that it may lead to data loss, identity theft, loss of passwords for social networking platforms and credit card details. The developers urge to contact “Microsoft Network Security Advisor” via toll-free +1 844 699 8351 number.
Most people get confused or scared due to the atmosphere created[2] to consult “as soon as possible” and as a result, unconsciously provide their personal number to the criminals. Thus, if you encountered a redirect to this alert pop-up, immediately close the window/tab and remove “Firewall Breach Detected” using a security software of your choice.
You should be aware that fake warnings are created to collect victims’ mobile numbers and later, offer their “help” to fix the nonexistent problem. Cybercriminals might choose between several ways to swindle money:
- Insist on purchasing sponsored or expensive security software that is unnecessary for you;
- Ask to provide access to manage your computer remotely and infect it with high-risk computer infections to continuously charge money for their services;
- Distribute malware through spam text messages.
If you click on any ads promoted by this warning pop-up, they might redirect you to suspicious websites containing malware-infected links or even trigger an automatic installation of one. Therefore, you should avoid clicking on vague ads and start “Firewall Breach Detected” removal. We strongly recommend using FortectIntego or any other trustworthy security system.

Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) distribute the adware
You might encounter such scam due to the presence of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) or another plug-in in your computer. It sneaks into your system if you choose Quick/Recommended installation process and do not decline to install the adware bundled together. Dieviren.de team[3] warns that such occurrences are extremely frequent.
Developers intentionally hide the information about the PUP that comes as a package with other free software. Therefore, you should avoid downloading applications from unauthorized developers. If you do so, always select Advanced or Custom settings and un-tick all preselected boxes allowing to install the adware.
Besides, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) spread via intrusive ads. Developers try their best to attract users into clicking on them. Never trust delusional advertisements offering free coupons, quickly earned prizes or secrets of an effective diet.
Kill “Firewall Breach Detected” warning pop-up automatically
Our IT professionals suggest you to remove “Firewall Breach Detected” with the help of a security application. As mentioned above, scammers might have infected your computer with malware remotely. To make sure that your system is entirely safe, you have to get rid of all corrupted files. Thus, trying to detect the unknown virus might become an impossible mission.
Instead, you should download a reliable security program and run a full system scan. It will help to uninstall all types of malware found and maintain your security in the future.
However, if you have still decided to use your manual “Firewall Breach Detected” removal option, follow the guidelines at the end of this article. Make sure to uninstall the adware safely, in order not to do even more damage.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Did this guide help?
Be the first to comment