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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Malware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Dec 2017

How to remove YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED Scam

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Olivia Morelli · Ransomware analyst

Scammers spread fake YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED alert

Screenshot of YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED Microsoft Scam

“YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED” is fake alert that warns about blocked computer due to detected suspicious activities or virus attack. This tech support scam mostly targets Windows computer users. However, a similar version of the hoax has been noticed attacking Mac OS X as well. The purpose of them is to convince users into calling a fake tech support service.

YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED pop up is delivered by a corrupted website. Usually, these redirects are triggered by an ad-supported application. It might sneak into the computer in a software bundle during installation of freeware or shareware.

When YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED adware gets inside the system, it redirects users to a misleading website that provides fake information about possible threats and asks to call a provided phone number. Currently, crooks are known for using these numbers:

  • +1-844-850-3385;
  • +1-866-811-0525;
  • +44-800-090-3856.

However, other numbers might be used as well. Users are advised to stay vigilant and do not fall for scammers tricks. Neither Microsoft nor Apple provides phone support service. Thus, chatting with fake support staff might lead to the loss of money or personal information.

If redirects to technical support site do not stop, please obtain FortectIntego, or another anti-malware software to remove YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED virus from the system. You can wipe out this cyber threat manually as well. The detailed guide is given at the end of the article.

Examples of YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED tech support scams

YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED Microsoft support scam delivers fake error code

As soon as users are redirected to tech support scam website, it delivers a pop-up message that warns about blocked computer due to the critical Error #268D3.[1] However, this error code does not exist. Therefore, there’s no need fixing it.

YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED
Error #268D3
Please call us immediately at: +1-844-850-3385
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your device access will de disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Please call us immediately at: +1-844-850-3385
Your device has alerted us that it has been infected with a Suspicious Activity. The following information is being stolen.
Please call us immediately at: +1-844-850-3385
> Facebook logins
> Credit Card details
> Email Account Login
> Photos stored on this device
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your device from being disabled.

The urge to call within 5 minutes might prevent inexperienced computer users from thinking critically. However, spontaneous decision to grab a phone and make a call may lead to privacy or computer-related issues.

Mac users are targeted by a similar version of technical support scam

Screenshot of YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED Mac scam

Even though the majority of scams are targeted at Windows computer users, scammers found a new niche and managed to threaten Mac OS X users. It seems that crooks take advantage of a strong belief that Mac devices cannot be infected with cyber threats.[2]

However, users are usually redirected to YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED Mac scam website by adware program which might be installed without user’s knowledge. However, the fake site delivers a slightly different notification:

** YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED **
Error # 268D4
Please call us immediately at: +1-866-811-0525 or +44-800-090-3856
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a virus and spyware.

However, the provided Mac error code 268D4 is non-existent. Though, if you have seen this alert a couple of times, your device indeed might be infected. But instead of calling the fake support line, you should obtain reputable anti-spyware/anti-malware program and perform YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED removal.

Adware that is responsible for scam spreads bundled with freeware

Redirects to scam websites usually start after installation of a free program. Many download sites spread software bundles that include lots of additional apps along the primary software. Thus, users should learn to install freeware correctly no matter what operating system they use.

Security experts for LesVirus.fr[3] remind following these installation tips:

  • using legit download sources;
  • reading Terms of Use, EULA, and Privacy Policy before downloading programs;
  • using Advanced/Custom installation instead of Quick/Standard;
  • monitoring the process and unmarking the ticks from additional third-party apps.

Getting rid of YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED virus

The quickest YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED removal method is system scan with anti-malware or anti-spyware. However, after the system scan browser reset is still needed delete tracking cookies or other invisible components.

However, if you are one of the users who are willing to remove YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN BLOCKED manually, you can find the guide below the article. However, if you fail and redirects to scam site continues, please opt for the automatic elimination to wipe out components you left.

Uninstall from Windows

Uninstall from Windows 10/8:

  1. Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.Uninstall from Windows 10/8

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:

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

Remove the unwanted program:

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

Delete from macOS

Remove the unwanted application:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).Uninstall from Mac

Delete leftover files and folders:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
  3. Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.Delete leftover files from Mac
  4. Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.

Reset Internet Explorer

Remove dangerous add-ons:

  1. Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
  2. Pick Manage Add-ons.
  3. You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.Remove add-ons from Internet Explorer

Change your homepage if it was altered:

  1. Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
  2. Select Internet Options.
  3. In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
  4. Click Apply and then select OK.Reset IE homepage

Delete temporary files:

  1. Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
  2. Under Browsing history, click Delete...
  3. Select relevant fields and press Delete.Clear temporary files from Internet Explorer

Reset Internet Explorer:

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

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

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

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. 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.Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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.Reset MS Edge

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now.Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

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

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data...
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

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

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings.Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove dangerous extensions:

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

Clear history and website data:

  1. Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
  2. Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.Clear history from Safari

Reset Safari:

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

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