Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected: what it is and how to remove it
"Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" is a technical support scam that is aimed to trick users into calling a specific phone number in order to fix computer-related problems. Scammers create threatening messages on compromised websites and use adware programs to redirect users to them.
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.
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Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected: summary
| Distribution | Adware, malicious ads, compromised websites |
|---|---|
| Name | Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected |
| Type | Technical support scam |
| Targeted OS | Windows |
| Phone number | 1-888-326-5882 |
| Purpose | Trick people into calling fake Microsoft help line |
| 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 9 more facts
| Other symptoms | Redirects to suspicious websites, increased amounts of ads and pop-ups on the browser |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | A fake virus warning in a browser tab and a support phone number shown on screen |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; no sample analysed yet |
| Imitates | Microsoft support |
| Domains | s3[.]amazonaws[.]com |
| First seen | 25 May 2018 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What the Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected pop-up looks like
Microsoft Warning Alert
Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected
Error # 0xx90025ee9
Please call us immediately at: 1-888-326-5882
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 Pornographic 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 though 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.
Is the Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected warning real?
- Address:
s3[.]amazonaws[.]com - Phone number:
888-326-5882
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected
- To uninstall Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" adware, install and run a full system scan
What the Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected scammers want
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
Redirects to technical support scam website usually begin after adware infiltration
This tech support scam works mainly through the adware scripts placed on movie streaming, torrent sharing domains and similar domains overcrowded with links and ads.
Clicking on a certain link may trigger the installation of the ad-supported application.
Such adware/malware temporarily paralyzes the website. In order to exit the web page, clicking on the exit button is not sufficient. Click on the earlier mentioned button. Let us assure that no serious spyware nor data-stealing viruses have corrupted your computer.
Additionally, adware which is responsible for redirecting to scam website might travel in software bundles and sneak into the system if users do not pay attention to the installation of freeware. The hijack might happen when users rely on Quick/Recommended settings. To avoid such problems, it's important to use Advanced/Custom settings and follow the instructions attentively.
From our report of May 2018 · not reviewed since
"Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" – a fake message created by cyber criminals
"Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" is a technical support scam that is aimed to trick users into calling a specific phone number in order to fix computer-related problems.
Scammers create threatening messages on compromised websites and use adware programs to redirect users to them. As soon as users accidentally install some potentially unwanted program (PUP), his or her browser might start redirects to misleading tech support website.
"Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" virus typically redirects users to s3.amazonaws.com or storage.googleapis.com sites that displays fake Microsoft alert. Microsoft-related scams comprises the majority of all tech support scams. The reason for such tendency is simple – users react to Microsoft or Windows alerts more sensitively convinced that related notifications are genuine.
Creators of this technical support scam use psychological terror and want to make people believe their computers were infected by malicious pornographic spyware. Due to the infection, their sensitive information and credit card details might be in danger. However, only Microsoft support line can protect from the damage. However, we want to warn that the following alert is not legitimate:
In order to grant more reliability, a specific error code 0xx90025ee9 is indicated as well. However, this error message is just a creation of people standing behind malicious pornographic spyware/riskware detected scam. Even if you have recently visited adult-oriented websites, we can ensure that this error does not warn cyber infection on your computer.
Researchers from NoVirus.uk report that pornographic spyware alert has a couple different versions. They might use other phone numbers and give another error code. Despite these minor changes, the aim of the hoax remains the same. Therefore, if you receive an unknown error code or suggestion to call some support service, you should always look up for more information online.
Online forums are full of people questions what is pornographic spyware and is this alert sent by Microsoft. Victims of various scams also share their stories how these scammers took advantage of them. Typically, these cyber threats are created for these reasons:
Frightened that their credit card credentials and personal data will be leaked, might follow the predetermined scenario of the scammers. Instead of wasting time and money on such felonies, instead, proceed to "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" removal.
Luckily, this particular scam can be easily terminated. You can simply exit it by clicking on Prevent this page from creating additional dialogues. Then, scan the device with malware elimination tool, such as or . It will help you also remove "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected."
- Convincing users into installing TeamViewer or another program enabling remote access in order to gain access to user's computer.
- Selling useless or corrupted security programs that are expensive.
- Tricking users into installing an obfuscated antivirus that is actually malware or spyware.
- Obtaining credit card details and other sensitive information.
How to get rid of the Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected 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 s3[.]amazonaws[.]com from Chrome's notification list
Open More (the three dots) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, or paste
chrome://settings/content/notificationsinto the address bar.Under Allowed to send notifications, open the menu next to
s3[.]amazonaws[.]comand choose Remove or Block, and do the same for any other address you do not recognise.Next to Not allowed to send notifications, click Add and enter s3[.]amazonaws[.]com, so the site cannot ask again. The menus are the same in Chrome on Windows 11 and Windows 10, and each Chrome profile keeps 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
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 s3[.]amazonaws[.]com from Edge's notification list
Edge stores its own permission list, separate from Chrome's, and it is often the browser behind these pop-ups on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications, or paste
edge://settings/content/notifications. Removes3[.]amazonaws[.]comfrom Allowed, then add it under Not allowed to send notifications. Notifications that show the Edge logo come from this list.
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
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 s3[.]amazonaws[.]com from Firefox's notification permissions
In Firefox the permission sits in Settings > Permissions and data > Notifications (in older versions Privacy & Security > Notifications > Settings). Select
s3[.]amazonaws[.]comin the list, click Remove Website, and confirm with Save Changes.Firefox only shows these notifications while it is open, so if they stopped after closing Firefox, this is the browser to clean. The steps are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
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)
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
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
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
The warning is a web page, not Windows, so closing the browser ends it. If the page blocks the browser or goes full screen, press Esc first, then end the browser in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Start the browser again without restoring the session.
Warning: Do not call
888-326-5882and do not let anyone connect to the PC: the people behind it sell fake repairs.On Windows 11 and Windows 10 the steps are identical.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 3: 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 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.
"Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" removal instructions
In spite of the alarming content of such scam, you can easily remove "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" virus.
You can opt rather for an optimal solution – automatic elimination. Scan the infected computer and let your chosen anti-malware program to clean all adware-related components.
However, if you feel skilled enough, you can opt for the automatic "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" removal. For more information, please check the instructions presented below. But if redirects to scam site reappear, we highly recommend using security software.
Uninstall from Windows
Follow the instructions to get rid of all questionable programs that might be responsible for redirects to scam website:
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
Though it is not elaborate, you may run through these steps and ensure that all elements of "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" are permanently eliminated.
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.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected
Is the "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" warning from Microsoft?
No. Microsoft and Windows Security never show warnings inside a browser tab, never ask you to call a phone number and never charge for a scan through a web page. The message "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" comes from a website that copies the look of a system alert.
It runs a script that shows the same alarm to every visitor, whatever computer they use. Close the tab, and if it refuses to close, end the browser in Task Manager.
Then check the browser's notification permissions and extensions, because those are the usual reason such a page reopens. If you want to know whether the PC is really clean, open the Windows Security app from the Start menu and run a scan there.
The warning said to call 888-326-5882. Should I?
Do not call. A genuine problem on your PC is reported by Windows Security or your own antivirus in its own window, without a phone number. A warning that tells you to call 888-326-5882 is a tech support scam, and the call is where the harm happens:
- remote access
- fake repairs
- card payments
- gift card requests
Close the warning instead. If it is in a browser tab, end the browser in Task Manager.
If it is in its own window, find the program in Installed apps and uninstall it. Then run a scan in Windows Security to be sure nothing else was added.
What if I called the number on the "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" page?
Hang up if you are still on the call, and do not let anyone connect to the PC. If you already allowed a remote session, disconnect the PC from the internet and uninstall the remote-access tool they asked for, such as AnyDesk or a similar program.
Assume they saw everything on the screen. From another device, change the passwords you typed during or after the call, starting with e-mail and banking.
If you paid by card or gift card, contact the bank or the card issuer the same day and ask for a chargeback. Report the call and the page that showed "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" to the authorities in your country so the number can be blocked.
I called 888-326-5882 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 888-326-5882 to the authorities in your country with the date and amount.
Is Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected really from Microsoft support?
No. It is a web page made to look like a message from Microsoft support. Websites cannot scan your computer, see your files or know whether your antivirus is active. Real security warnings appear in Windows Security or in your antivirus program, not as browser pages with phone numbers, countdowns or prize wheels.
Close the page; nothing was installed just by seeing it. If you want to check, open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a quick scan. It shows the real status of your protection.
Is s3[.]amazonaws[.]com safe?
No. The site s3[.]amazonaws[.]com hosts Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected, a page that imitates Microsoft support to scare or lure visitors. Do not open it again to check; the content can change between visits and may include downloads. If you see it once, close the tab.
If it opens by itself, a notification permission, an extension or a redirecting site is sending you there; the steps in this guide remove each of these. You can report the address to your browser so that others get a warning page before it loads.
How do I avoid pages like Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected?
Keep the browser updated, do not click Allow on notification prompts from sites you do not know, and leave sites that open many pop-ups. Turn on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen in Edge under Settings > Privacy, search, and services, or Safe Browsing in Chrome under Settings > Privacy and security > Security.
Never call numbers, download files or paste commands because a web page told you to. An ad blocker from your browser's official extension store also cuts most redirect ads. Keep Potentially unwanted app blocking on in Windows Security as well.
Is it safe to force-close the browser?
Yes. Ending the browser in Task Manager or restarting the PC does not damage Windows or your files, despite what pages like Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected say.
The warning "do not close this window" is part of the scam. At worst you lose unsaved text in other tabs. After restarting, do not let the browser restore the previous session, because that would reopen the scam page.
If it reopens anyway, open the browser's settings for startup pages and remove the address. Then remove its notification permission if it has one.
Will Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected come back after I close it?
It may, if the thing that opened it is still there. Closing the tab ends that one page, but a notification permission, an extension or an adware program can open A browser warning that reads "Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected" again later.
Check the browser's notification settings and extensions first, then Installed apps for anything new. If the page does not return within a day or two of normal browsing, you have removed the source. If it does, reset the browser, which clears permissions and settings in one step.
Will Fortect remove Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected?
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 Malicious Pornographic Spyware/Riskware Detected, 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
- USA Today: Beware of tech-support scams (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)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 6, 2026)