Helpline: what it is and how to remove it
Helpline-12.xyz Tech Support Scam virus tries to trick computer users into calling a fake support line and solve some security-related issues. Earlier we have talked about the Helpline-9.xyz virus, which seems to be related to this new scam.
Facts checked October 6, 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.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
After a call to +1 844 257 9402, a scan of the PC is a quick way to look for leftovers of the session.
Do it yourself · free Remove Helpline yourself 3 steps, about 9 minutes, no software needed.
Helpline: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Helpline |
| Type | Tech support scam page |
| Symptoms | A fake virus warning in a browser tab and a support phone number shown on screen |
| 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 6 more facts
| Evidence | 6 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
|---|---|
| Imitates | Microsoft support |
| Domains | helpline-12[.]xyz |
| Phone number | +1 844 257 9402 |
| First seen | 14 February 2017 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is the Helpline warning real?
- Address:
helpline-12[.]xyz - Phone number:
+1 844 257 9402
What the Helpline scammers want
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Getting rid of Helpline-12.xyz Tech Support Scam virus
Probably, you can realize that calling the provided number won't solve these issues.
Indeed, in order to remove Helpline-12.xyz malware from the computer. The easiest way to clean your PC is to use anti-malware/anti-spyware program and scan infected computer's system. The system scan assures that all suspicious entries are eliminated from the system. Adware programs are not hard to remove manually either.
Therefore, if you are willing to terminate the virus on your own, carefully look through manual Helpline-12.xyz removal instructions presented below. If you decide to delete virus manually, be careful and don't leave any adware-related component because you may receive another misleading security warning soon.
Why Helpline opens in your browser
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
Helpline-12.xyz virus delivers misleading security warnings
Helpline-12.xyz Tech Support Scam virus tries to trick computer users into calling a fake support line and solve some security-related issues.
Earlier we have talked about the Helpline-9.xyz virus, which seems to be related to this new scam. Just like many other tech support viruses, this one delivers a fake security warning claiming that victim's computer and privacy may be at risk. The scam spreads as an adware program and infiltrates the computer with a help of freeware and shareware.
Once inside, Helpline-12.xyz virus initiates redirects and delivers misleading pop-ups. On the particular website, malware delivers a message saying that connection to the site is not private and requires to enter username and password. In order to scare victims even more, Helpline-12.xyz scam delivers "Your computer has been Locked" warning and tells that victim's IP address was infected.
The message also informs that System Activation Key has expired, and for this reason, some personal information, such as passwords, messages or credit card details might be stolen. According to the message, users can protect their data and identity by calling to the provided Technical Support number +1 844 257 9402. However, calling provided number won't solve any issues and may end up even worse.
The purpose of the Helpline-12.xyz Tech Support Scam virus is to trick users into calling the provided number for several reasons. First of all, this call may be charged a lot, and you may receive a ridiculously huge bill next month. Secondly, scammers may offer you to purchase some bogus software which is capable of fixing these fake computer problems.
However, you may not only waste your money but also install a bogus software or malware. In this case, you may have to deal with even bigger cyber threats such as ransomware . Thirdly, cybercriminals may try to convince you to install remote access tools because it's easier way to fix the computer. Though, giving full access to your PC to cyber criminals may end up terribly wrong.
They might install malware or try to steal your private information. Lastly, scammers may try to get your personal information, such as banking or credit card details, passwords, and so on. Bear in mind that criminals are good in human psychology and you may not notice how and when you reveal personal details to the shady people.
Protect yourself by performing Helpline-12.xyz removal as soon as you receive a fake security warning. The adware program, which is responsible for delivering these pop-ups, is not hard to remove manually. However, if you do not want to spend an hour for cleaning your computer, you can go the easier way.
From our report of Feb 2017 · not reviewed since
How do scammers spread the virus?
The adware program which is responsible for delivering Helpline-12.xyz pop-up ads spread in the software bundle.
It's common distribution and infiltration method among potentially unwanted programs. Often adware, browser hijackers, and other shady tools are attached to the freeware or shareware . The developers of these programs are aware that users often install new programs under wrong settings. By saying "wrong," we mean quick, basic, standard or recommended setups which do not disclose about additional programs.
Using these settings, you often risk installing unwanted and useless applications because all additional programs are installed by default. Therefore, one of the recently installed applications might be responsible for the Helpline-12.xyz hijack. In order to prevent this from happening, you should have opted for Advanced or Custom setup. These settings allow seeing the list of additional programs and rejecting their installation.
How to get rid of the Helpline pop-up
The warning is a web page and your PC is not infected by it.
Close it, then remove what keeps bringing it back.
Which browser shows the ads?
Step 1: Remove helpline-12[.]xyz from Chrome's notification list
Chrome keeps a list of every site you once allowed to send notifications, and
helpline-12[.]xyzis on it. Pastechrome://settings/content/notificationsinto the address bar, find helpline-12[.]xyz under Allowed to send notifications, open the three-dot menu next to it and pick Remove.Then click Add next to Not allowed to send notifications and type helpline-12[.]xyz, so the site cannot ask a second time. Repeat it in every Chrome profile you use on Windows 11 or Windows 10, since each profile has its own list.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Google Chrome
Remove from Google Chrome
Check the list of extensions. If you see some suspicious entries you don't remember installing, remove them immediately. They might be related with Helpline-12.xyz scam.
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.
Step 1: Remove helpline-12[.]xyz from Edge's notification list
Open Settings and more (the three dots) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Remove
helpline-12[.]xyzfrom the Allowed list, then click Add site next to Not allowed to send notifications and enter it there.Edge is built into both Windows 11 and Windows 10, so check it even if you normally use another browser. If the notifications came with the Edge logo, this is the browser that holds the permission.
Edge on Windows 11: Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Microsoft Edge
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Follow the instructions to fix Microsoft Edge after Helpline-12.xyz hijack.
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.
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.
Step 1: Remove helpline-12[.]xyz from Firefox's notification permissions
Open the menu (three lines) > Settings and click Permissions and data in the left list, then Notifications. Select
helpline-12[.]xyz, click Remove Website and confirm with Save Changes.In versions older than Firefox 152 the same list sits under Privacy & Security, behind a Settings button next to Notifications. Firefox shows these notifications only while it is running, on Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Firefox on Windows 11: the Notification Permissions window. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Mozilla Firefox
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Helpline-12.xyz Tech Support Scam virus may have installed various extensions, add-ons and other questionable entries to the Mozilla Firefox. Make sure you remove all of them.
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.
Our tested steps are for Windows 11 and 10. For Safari (Mac), use the instructions below.
Instructions for Safari (Mac)
Delete from Safari
Eliminate all questionable extensions from the Safari that might be responsible for delivering fake security warnings.
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.
Delete from macOS
IfHelpline-12.xyz virus infected your Mac, follow the steps below to eliminate this adware from the system.
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.
Then, whichever browser you use
Step 2: Close the page without touching its buttons
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the browser on Processes and click End task: buttons on the page, including Close and Cancel, can trigger downloads or more pop-ups. When you reopen the browser, do not restore the previous tabs.
Warning: Never call
+1 844 257 9402; Microsoft and antivirus companies do not put phone numbers in warnings.If the page opens again by itself, notifications or an extension are bringing it back, which the next steps fix. Task Manager works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 3: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of Helpline that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
More removal instructions
For programs installed on the PC and older browsers. Open the one you need.
Uninstall from Windows
To remove adware which is responsible for delivering Helpline-12.xyz pop-ups you have to investigate computer's system. The instructions below will guide you through this process. Then, check all web browsers that are installed on your PC and remove all questionable extensions from them.
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.
Reset Internet Explorer
Check the list of add-ons and remove all questionable entries that might be related to the virus.
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.
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 Helpline
Is +1 844 257 9402 a real Microsoft support number?
No. Microsoft does not put phone numbers in warnings, pop-ups or error messages, and its support never calls you first about a virus. The number +1 844 257 9402 is used by a scam call centre that pays for traffic to fake warning pages.
If you need help from Microsoft, go to support.microsoft.com yourself and start from there. Never use a number that appeared in a pop-up, an unexpected e-mail or a search ad that looks like a support listing. If you already called, follow the steps in this guide for callers:
- remove any remote tool
- change passwords from another device
- contact the bank if you paid
I called +1 844 257 9402 and let them connect. What now?
Act in this order. Disconnect the PC from the internet so the session ends. Uninstall the remote-access program they asked for, and check Installed apps for anything else added during the call.
From another device, change your e-mail and banking passwords and turn on two-step verification. If you paid or gave card details, call your bank today and ask to block the card and dispute the payment.
Watch for follow-up calls offering a refund; they are part of the same scam. Finally, report +1 844 257 9402 to the authorities in your country with the date and amount.
Does Microsoft support know about Helpline?
Large brands such as Microsoft support are aware that scammers copy their names and logos, and most have pages where you can report such abuse. They do not run these pages and do not profit from the warnings themselves.
Sometimes an affiliate of an antivirus vendor sends traffic through fake alerts, which breaks the vendor's rules and gets the affiliate banned when reported. If you want to help, report the page address to the brand's security team and to your browser through its report option.
Why does my browser keep opening helpline-12[.]xyz?
Because something sends you there. The usual causes are a notification permission you gave to some site, an adware extension, or a site you visit often that shows redirect ads. The site itself cannot open on its own.
Remove unknown sites from the notification settings, check the extensions list, and do not restore the previous session when the browser starts. If the page appears even with the browser closed, look in Installed apps for programs you did not install. Running a scan with Windows Security afterwards confirms that nothing else is involved.
Is +1 844 257 9402 a real support number?
No. +1 844 257 9402 appears on Helpline and is answered by a scam call centre. Microsoft and antivirus companies do not put phone numbers in security warnings, and they never ask you to call because of a web page.
If you need real support from Microsoft support, find the contact page on its official site by typing the address yourself. Scammers sometimes buy search ads for support numbers too, so check that the site you find is the real one. If the number reached you by phone instead, hang up.
Would Microsoft support ever warn me in the browser?
Not like this. Microsoft support shows warnings in its own program window or as Windows notifications from that program, and some browser extensions from security vendors show a warning page when you open a known bad site.
None of them fills the screen with sirens, phone numbers or countdowns, and none asks you to call or pay on the spot. If a browser page shows all that, it is Helpline or something similar, and closing it is safe. Nothing was installed by seeing it.
The page will not close. What can I do?
Press Esc to leave full-screen mode, then close the tab. If the browser is frozen, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select the browser and click End task. When you restart the browser, do not restore tabs.
If the page loads again on start, open a new window and close the old one, then remove the page from the browser's startup settings. Restarting the PC also works. Nothing was installed by the page, so closing it by force is safe and loses nothing.
Can Helpline harm my PC just by being open?
No. A web page runs inside the browser's sandbox and cannot install programs, read your files or change Windows settings on its own. Helpline can only make noise, fill the screen and try to persuade you. The risk begins when you follow it:
- calling the number
- paying
- downloading a file
- pasting a command
Close the page, and if it frightened you into doing one of those, follow the matching steps in this guide. Otherwise, nothing on the PC needs cleaning or repairing.
I closed it, but it appeared again the next day. Why?
A page that returns on its own has a trigger. Look at how it appeared: from a pop-up in the corner of the screen means a notification permission; on start-up means a session restore or a changed start page; while browsing any site means an extension; on one particular site means that site's ads.
Each has a quick fix in the browser settings. If none of them explains it, reset the browser, which clears permissions, extensions and start pages together.
Will Fortect remove Helpline?
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 Helpline, 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
- Naked Security: Tech support scammer tricked into installing ransomware (read October 6, 2026)
- Russ Harvey Consulting: Shareware (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to spot, avoid and report tech support scams (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 6, 2026)