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  • Active
  • Severity: High
  • Malware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Jan 2018

How to remove Windows Firewall Warning Alert

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

Lucia Danes · Virus researcher

Windows Firewall Warning Alert indicates that your system is infected with adware

The image of Windows Firewall Warning Alert pop-up

Windows Firewall Warning Alert virus appears as a fake pop-up message which is designed for phishing[1] purposes. Despite how genuine it looks, Error #0x86672ee7 is not a real warning rather than an attempt to trick you into calling so-called Tech Support via toll-free +1 (866) 475-7161 number. Experts say that the reason why you see this scam is an adware program which is present on your system.

Usually, people install the ad-supported unconsciously since developers employ a deceptive distribution technique called bundling. Shortly after, users are redirected to a shady site which displays “Windows Firewall Warning Alert” pop-up. Users are urged to call fake Tech Support since malicious spyware/riskware is detected. 

Here is the fraction of Windows Firewall Warning Alert scam message:

Windows Firewall Warning Alert
Malicious Spyware/Riskware Detected
Error #0x86672ee7
Please call us immediately at +1 (866) 475-7161
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 Spyware and risk ware. The following information is being stolen…
Financial Data
Facebook Logins
Credit Card Details
Email Account Logins
Photos stored on this computer

You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss.

Fake Windows Firewall Warning Alert tries to convince the victim to call via indicated number by claiming that most important information, including financial data, Facebook and email account logins, credit card details and photographs might be stolen. However, we can assure you that your private information is safe.

The illustration of Windows Firewall Warning Alert

Although, if you call to the so-called Tech Support the scammers of “Windows Firewall Warning Alert” pop-up who are behind the phone will most probably ask you to give remote access to your system in order to fix this “critical” issue. In reality, they usually stealthily infiltrate other dangerous computer threats to force you to keep using their fake services. 

Furthermore, you might be asked to get an expensive and ineffective antivirus to help you protect your system. Both ways criminals try to gain illegal profits from credulous people by using phishing techniques. Therefore, you should NEVER call the fraudulent support[2]. Instead, remove Windows Firewall Warning Alert together with the adware which is displaying it.

We suggest you get a reliable security software from authorized developers like FortectIntego. It will provide you real protection from all types of potentially unwanted programs which help the crooks to swindle money from innocent people. Although, you can use another professional tool for Windows Firewall Warning Alert removal as well.

Pay close attention when installing free software

Experts from BedyNet.ru[3] keep warning users about the popular distribution method, bundling, which helps the developers of potentially unwanted programs to stealthily infiltrate their unreliable applications without user's consent. However, people continue skipping steps and unconsciously installing adware programs with free software.

If you want to protect your system from potentially unwanted programs, never choose Recommended or Advanced mode of the installer. It hides optional components of the software, including adware and you are unable to reject its installation. Instead, pick Advanced/Custom parameters and closely monitor the procedure.

It is important to detect all pre-selected checkmarks which allow the PUP to enter your system without your consent. Likewise, un-tick those checkboxes and always use the antivirus to double-check your computer for any types of potentially dangerous cyber threats.

Windows Firewall Warning Alert virus uninstall guide

Windows Firewall Warning Alert removal is a slightly tricky procedure which requires extreme attention. Adware program which delivers this scam message has extra elements which help it to continue this malicious activity. Have in mind that those components might be hidden and not every computer user is able to find them.

Unfortunately, if you want to get rid of Windows Firewall Warning Alert for good, you must uninstall them all. Note that if you are tricked to terminate fundamental system processes, it might lead to permanent computer damage. Likewise, the smartest decision would be to ensure the elimination procedure for a professional malware removal software.

You can remove Windows Firewall Warning Alert automatically. Just download a reliable antivirus and let it find the adware with all its components on your system. Shortly after you will be able to enjoy adware-free computer. Additionally, your PC will be protected from similar infections in the future as well.

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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