“Windows Firewall Security Alert” scam tricks people into purchasing useless services and apps

“Windows Firewall Security Alert” is one of the Microsoft support scams,[1] which is caused by adware infection. People can also be redirected to this domain after clicking on the malicious link and experiencing redirects to infected websites. The deceptive message employs a persuasive strategy to make less experienced PC users believe that their PCs need professional maintenance from Microsoft support.
Usually, “Windows Firewall Security Alert” scam message reports a “Malicious Spyware/Riskware detected” or indicates the fact that “Windows Firewall has blocked some features of this app.” The information provided on the scam pop-up may vary. Hackers may indicate different telephone numbers, virus names, error codes, and so on.
“Windows Firewall Security Alert” virus has a sole purpose – to swindle money from naïve people. To increase credibility, scammers use malicious code to block Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or another web browser while the scam is being displayed. The only way to continue browsing is to close web browser via Task Manager and re-open it, but not restoring the last browsing session. Besides, the scam may use false claims about the leakage of logins, banking details, full name, browsing-related information, and so on.
This way, criminals try to make “Windows Firewall Security Alert” pop-up more convincing; therefore, ensure the bigger rate of potential scam victims. If your web browser is continuously displaying this fake Microsoft scam, the only way to get rid of it is to remove “Windows Firewall Security Alert” virus.
No, you will not find a program named this way. To remove “Windows Firewall Security Alert” pop-up from Firefox, you’ll have to delete all potentially unwanted program (PUP)[2] from Control Panel and then reset the affected web browser. Otherwise, unwanted pop-up ads and scam alerts will keep disrupting your web browsing activities. Besides, it may eventually start installing other malware on the system.
FortectIntego software utility can help you with “Windows Firewall Security Alert” removal. Automatic removal will save your time and ensure successful removal of all PUPs. Nevertheless, adware-type and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) can be eliminated manually by following the instructions provided at the end of this post.

Freeware installers can hide adware
Adware and browser hijacker is potentially unwanted programs (PUP). This type of apps is distributed by bundling.[3] The developers of free apps use pay-per-install marketing scheme to monetize their free services by merely adding “adware” or “browser hijacker” as additional installers.
The key to preventing the installation of software bundles is attentiveness. Before you decide to download another free app to your PC, select its download source carefully, make sure that your antivirus is enabled and then follow these steps:
- Select Custom or Advanced installation mode to install the freeware.
- Follow every installation window. Search for suspicious items that are pre-selected.
- By clicking Next, you will agree to install all pre-selected apps. To prevent this from happening, you should unmark check boxes and only then click Next.
“Windows Firewall Security Alert” scam removal guide
If Google Chrome, IE, Edge, Mozilla Firefox or another web browser keeps redirecting you to “Windows Firewall Security Alert” scam, you should check the system for adware infection. According to NoVirus[4] experts, removing malware manually seldom succeeds due to the multiplicity if files that PUPs tend to install. The easiest and the most reliable way to eliminate unwanted programs is to run a full system scan with a reliable anti-malware. It will remove “Windows Firewall Security Alert” virus and other related programs.
Apart from automatic “Windows Firewall Security Alert” removal, you can get rid of it manually. Although this method is far more complicated and requires much more spare time, the instructions given below should help you to get rid of all PUPs successfully.
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.

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