Flash Player Premium SMS: what it is and how to remove it

Flash Player Premium SMS is a scam which claims that the most widely used Adobe Flash Player software must be downloaded or Updated. Usually, a malicious website is displaying the false message where the user can click on the download button directly.

Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.

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Flash Player Premium SMS: is a fake message
Flash Player Premium SMS as our 2018 report showed it.

Flash Player Premium SMS: summary

DistributionGets into the system via bundling technique
NameFlash Player Premium SMS
TypeMalware
SymptomsThe user receives a fake alert which offers to download Adobe Flash Player. Once the download button is clicked, the installer requires to send an SMS via indicated number to get a confirmation code
DangersThis scam can be programmed to download potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or even malware. Additionally, the gathered telephone numbers can be used for other future phishing attacks or sold to third-parties
Detection namesNo Microsoft detection name is known
Removal

Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged.

Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free.
Show 4 more facts
DamageNot recorded in the old report
Evidence4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited
First seen28 March 2018
Facts checked7 October 2026

What Flash Player Premium SMS does on an infected PC

From our report of Mar 2018 · not reviewed since

Flash Player Premium SMS is a fraudulent message by scammers who try to swindle money from credulous people

Flash Player Premium SMS is a scam which claims that the most widely used Adobe Flash Player software must be downloaded or Updated.

Usually, a malicious website is displaying the false message where the user can click on the download button directly. However, this alert is a phishing attempt since the user is asked to send a message during the installation procedure to get an authentication code. Note, that the official program is completely free and do not require any SMS confirmation.

People receive Flash Player Premium SMS alert if their computers are infected with adware or similar potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). However, as we have already mentioned, the original program is free and does not come in a bundle with a third-party application!

Once the person proceeds with the installation of fake Flash Player Premium SMS, he/she is asked to complete the procedure by sending an SMS with the indicated text via given number. Unfortunately, this is a scam and cybercriminals can use this alert to trick you into installing spyware , banking Trojans or even malware. Likewise, you should NOT click on the download button.

Additionally, if you send the SMS to the indicated number, scammers can use it later to make phishing calls. For example, they might pretend to be the representatives from well-known companies and ask to confirm your personal details. Also, they may send you infected links to infiltrate malicious programs on your smartphone. Therefore, you should know that Flash Player Premium SMS is a scam.

If you want to protect yourself from potential phishing attempts, you must remove Flash Player Premium SMS virus the first time you encounter it. Since a potentially unwanted program is displaying this fraudulent message, you should eliminate the PUP from your system as well. Note that it might be challenging. Thus, the smartest decision would be to complete it automatically.

It will quickly identify all hidden adware-related elements on your system and delete them. Our top pick would be . However, you might also use another professional malware removal tool or use manual elimination instructions. Find them at the end of this article.

Flash Player Premium SMS: is a fake message
The message as our 2018 report captured it.
Flash Player Premium SMS: scam tricks people to pay for the fake code
Flash Player Premium SMS in our 2018 report.

From our report of Mar 2018 · not reviewed since

More from our earlier report on Flash Player Premium SMS

  • You can uninstall Flash Player Premium SMS and related cyber threats with

How Flash Player Premium SMS got on your PC

From our report of Mar 2018 · not reviewed since

It is not a secret that developers of potentially unwanted programs take advantage of the popular and legal distribution technique called bundling.

This method is very common since it allows the contrivers to trick people into installing their unreliable software without knowing it.

Bundling is a way to hide the PUP inside the setup and do not disclose the information about such actions if the user picks Quick/Recommended parameters.

You must search for suspicious pre-marked boxes offering to install unknown software. Usually, they are displayed as "Get XXX now," "I agree to install XXX," etc. Always de-select them and make sure that your system is not infected with a potentially unwanted program by running a full system scan with an anti-malware tool.

How to remove Flash Player Premium SMS

A loader's job is to install other malware, so treat the PC as infected with more than one program until the scans are clean.

  1. Step 1: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back

    Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu and click Task Scheduler Library. Select each task you do not recognise and read the Actions tab:

    • a task that starts a file in %AppData% or %Temp%
    • runs powershell with a long encoded line
    • opens a web address belongs to Flash Player Premium SMS or a similar program

    Right-click such a task and choose Delete, and check the subfolders too. Leave tasks from Microsoft, your PC's maker and programs you use. Task Scheduler is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

    Task Scheduler Library with a task selected and its Actions tab showing the program it starts
    Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows

  2. Step 2: Remove it from startup

    Whatever Flash Player Premium SMS installed usually starts with Windows.

    Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.

    Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix

  3. Step 3: Delete the folders left behind

    What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through %LocalAppData%, %AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.

    Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold .exe, .dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows

  4. Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan

    Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.

    Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.

    Windows Security Scan options with Microsoft Defender Antivirus offline scan selected
    Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan

  5. Step 5: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions

    Assume that the passwords saved in this PC's browsers, and the accounts that were open in them, are known to the attacker. From a phone or a clean computer, change the e-mail password first, then banking, shopping, social and gaming accounts.

    Use each service's option to sign out of all other sessions, because stolen cookies keep a session open even after a password change. Turn on two-step verification on each account. Wait with the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC until the scans are clean.

    Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account

Instructions for each browser and system

The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.

Uninstall from Windows

If you see Flash Player Premium SMS scam during your browsing sessions, you must uninstall the adware from your Windows system to get rid of it. Below you will find instructions showing how to find the components of the PUP and delete them.

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
Remove from Google Chrome

You can fix Chrome after adware infection by uninstalling unknown extensions and other potentially dangerous elements.

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
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)

You can prevent the reappearance of fake messages on Mozilla only by removing all suspicious entries from your browser.

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
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
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

From our report of Mar 2018 · not reviewed since

Learn how to get rid of Flash Player Premium SMS virus completely

It is wise to know that Flash Player Premium SMS virus can be very persistent.

Experts from Utanvirus.se report that people cannot uninstall it since the fake message reappears on a daily basis. This is not only annoying but also dangerous because users can accidentally click on the download button and fall into the trap of the scammers.

The easiest way to do so is with the help of professional security software which would identify and uninstall all adware-related components. This elimination method would ensure that you would no longer receive deceptive alerts during your browsing sessions.

Although, you might also try to perform manual Flash Player Premium SMS removal. However, this is not the safest option since the virus might have infiltrated the system with unknown and dangerous programs which you will not be able to identify. Thus, this option is recommended only for advanced PC users.

After you uninstall Flash Player Premium SMS, make sure that you will reset the alterations made by the adware on your browser settings. For that, we have prepared instructions showing how to fix Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, and others. You can find them below.

After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention

Your passwords after Flash Player Premium SMS

Removing Flash Player Premium SMS does not undo what it may already have sent out while the PC showed flash Player Premium SMS in the list of installed apps.

Treat saved browser passwords and logged-in sessions on this PC as known to the attacker.

From another device, change the e-mail password first and end all its sessions. Then do the same for the bank, PayPal, Microsoft, Google and Apple accounts. Stolen session cookies keep working after a password change until you sign out everywhere.

Move crypto to a new wallet created on a clean device. A step-by-step order for every kind of account is in our guide to account security after an infection.

Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are

There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.

While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.

Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.

Data backups are important - recover your lost files

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.

Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.

While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.

Questions about Flash Player Premium SMS

What is Flash Player Premium SMS and why is it on my PC?

Flash Player Premium SMS is a program that was installed on the PC, most likely together with something else you downloaded. Free software sites and many installers add extra programs on setup pages with pre-ticked boxes, so the extra install looks like your choice even though nobody read the page.

Check the install date in Settings, Apps, Installed apps: the program you installed that day is the probable carrier. If you do not need Flash Player Premium SMS, uninstall it. If it belongs to your hardware or to a program you use, search its exact name and publisher first, because drivers and their tools can have unfamiliar names.

How do I stop programs like Flash Player Premium SMS from being installed again?

Most unwanted programs arrive through installers, so the fix is in how you install software. Download programs from their official sites or the Microsoft Store, not from download portals or ads above search results. During setup, choose Custom or Advanced installation and untick every extra offer, including browsers, toolbars and optimizers.

Decline update prompts that appear inside other programs unless you know them. In Windows Security, turn on reputation-based protection and potentially unwanted app blocking. These steps would most likely have stopped Flash Player Premium SMS before it reached the app list.

Is a trojan infection worth reporting to the police?

If there was harm, yes. Unauthorised payments, accounts used for fraud, blackmail or a remote session during a scam call all belong in a report, and banks often ask for its reference number before they refund anything.

If antivirus caught Flash Player Premium SMS before it ran and nothing was misused, there is nothing to report. Keep the evidence anyway:

  • protection history
  • the original download
  • the dates

Businesses may also have to notify a data protection authority if personal data could have been accessed.

Can a normal remote support program be a backdoor?

Yes. Tools such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer and ScreenConnect are legitimate, but whoever controls the account behind them controls the PC. Scammers install them during fake support calls, and some trojan campaigns install them silently because antivirus programs do not flag a genuine, signed product.

If you find one you did not set up, uninstall it, check Startup apps for related entries and change passwords from another device. If money or accounts were involved, call your bank and report the incident.

Why can't I find Flash Player Premium SMS in antivirus databases?

Because it is new or because it is listed under a different name. Antivirus companies name threats after the family they belong to, and a program that appears as Flash Player Premium SMS on your PC may carry a generic or unrelated label in their databases.

Many new samples are first detected only by behaviour, without a family name. What you saw, flash Player Premium SMS in the list of installed apps, is enough to act on:

  • end the program
  • remove its startup entry
  • run a Microsoft Defender offline scan
  • secure your accounts

A detection name from a scan is worth noting for later.

Can Flash Player Premium SMS spread to other devices on my network?

Most trojans aimed at home users stay on the PC they infected, but an attacker with remote access can look at the network, open shared folders and try passwords on other devices. Loaders sometimes deliver worms or ransomware that do spread.

Disconnect the PC while cleaning, run a full scan on other Windows PCs, change the router's admin password and the Wi-Fi password if they were saved on the infected PC, and update the router's firmware. If other PCs show the same detection, treat them as infected too.

Why didn't my antivirus stop Flash Player Premium SMS?

New trojan builds are packed and changed often so that signatures do not match, and some are signed with stolen or bought certificates. Many arrive inside password-protected archives, which scanners cannot open until you extract them.

Some downloads also tell the user to turn off the antivirus "because it gives false alarms", a common line in cracked software instructions. Keep real-time protection on, never disable it for an installer, and run the offline scan whenever you suspect something slipped through.

Can I keep using the PC while Flash Player Premium SMS is on it?

Not for anything that matters. As long as the program behind flash Player Premium SMS in the list of installed apps runs, it can see what you type and what the browser stores, and it may download more malware. Disconnect the PC from the internet while you remove it, and do your banking, e-mail and password changes from another device.

Once the offline scan finds nothing and the sign does not return after a few restarts, normal use is fine. If the scan keeps finding new items, or you cannot remove the startup entry, a reset of Windows is the safer choice.

What are the signs of a trojan infection?

Most trojans try to leave no visible signs, so look for side effects. Common ones:

  • Windows Security turned off or unable to update
  • new entries in Startup apps or Task Scheduler
  • programs in Installed apps you did not install
  • browser settings that changed by themselves
  • unusual network activity while the PC is idle
  • password-reset or login-alert e-mails you did not trigger

None of these proves an infection on its own. Together with an antivirus alert naming Flash Player Premium SMS, they are a strong reason to follow the full plan.

Will Fortect remove Flash Player Premium SMS?

Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.

For Flash Player Premium SMS, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.

Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.

Sources

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