“NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus (Removal Guide) - Support Scam Virus
“NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus Removal Guide
What is “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus?
Brief review of “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus
“NETERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus is another example of online fraud[1] that tries to convince computer users into calling to the fake support line[2]. Malware redirects users to particular websites where it delivers a fake warning about detecting some suspicious activities that might lead to personal information loss. Users are urged to stop attackers from stealing your login credentials or credit card details by calling to “Windows certified technicians.” However, this alert is nothing more than another tech support scam[3] virus. Also known, as “Your connection is not safe” virus, usually spreads as an adware program attached as an optional component in the software package. Therefore, inattentive computer users might let this application in. Once inside it starts delivering pop-up messages and initiate redirects suspicious domains that include threatening message. “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” warning tries to make victims believe that their computers have been infected with some serious virus. Looking from the broader perspective, scammers are not lying – your PC is infected; however, calling to fake technician won’t help to fix this problem. For that, you will need professional and reliable malware removal tools, such as FortectIntego, that can remove “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus from your computer immediately. Do not believe in cyber criminal’s words that after closing this alert, you will lose access to your PC. It’s only a psychological terror and heartless method to scare you.
“NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus asks victims to call 0800-090-3286 and stress out that it’s toll-free. However, it can be a lie. Often calling to fake tech support service line are charged with ridiculously huge sums of money. Even though, this dialing this number is free, you might still end up with losing your money[4]. For example, scammers might offer you to purchase some questionable software that can fix your computer’s issues. However, buying useless program is only one side of the problem. This application might be a Trojan horse or include malware executable. Hence, after installing this application, you can be infected with ransomware[5], lose your personal files, and asked to pay even more money. The developers of “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” malware might also try to convince you to install remote access tools and let them fix these problems. Probably, you can imagine that giving full access to your computer for criminals won’t bring anything good. Reading this might sound unrealistic and impossible to happen; however, scammers are great in human psychology and can easily manipulate you. So, do not call the provided number and initiate “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” removal.
How can cyber criminals reach my computer?
NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID scam spreads as an adware program. Potentially unwanted programs, adware included, are attached to other freeware or shareware as an extra application. When users install new programs using Standard or Recommended setup, they install these additional apps without realization. It happens because these installation wizards do not disclose about other attached programs. It’s unknown which specific program is responsible for helping this adware to spread and infiltrate computers; however, you can still avoid “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” hijack. For new software installation always choose Advanced or Custom setup that allows opting out all extra applications. We want to remind that using this installation wizard is the only way to protect your PC from hundreds of thousands potentially unwanted applications that are distributed using this method.
How to remove “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus?
We recommend performing “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” removal with using professional security tools. Running a full system scan with a reputable anti-malware program (e.g. FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner is quick and effective to get rid of this malware. It will detect and delete all malware-related components from your device; moreover, protects your PC from other computer infections in the future. If you need additional help to remove “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID,” check the instructions provided below.
Getting rid of “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If malware blocks access to the malware removal tools or prevents from installing them, reboot your device to the Safe Mode with Networking.
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” using System Restore
It’s another method to disable the virus and initiate automatic removal.
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
- Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
- Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
- Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
- When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID”. After doing that, click Next.
- Now click Yes to start system restore.
Bonus: Recover your data
Guide which is presented above is supposed to help you remove “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” from your computer. To recover your encrypted files, we recommend using a detailed guide prepared by 2-spyware.com security experts.If your files are encrypted by “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID”, you can use several methods to restore them:
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from “NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID” and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting malware
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 Private Internet Access 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, or 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, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
- ^ What is “online fraud”?. National Crime Victim Law Institute. Protecting, Enforcing, and Advancing Victim's Rights.
- ^ Matthew Hughes. Just Hang Up: Why You Shouldn’t Taunt Fake Tech Support Scammers. MakeUseOf. Technology, Simplified.
- ^ What is Tech Support Scam. Know it and Avoid it. Tech Support All. Free Technical Help Center.
- ^ Catalin Cimpanu. Microsoft: Half of Tech Support Scam Victims Are Millennials. Softpedia. Free Downloads Encyclopedia.
- ^ Ms. Smith. Researcher scams fake tech support scammer, infects scammer’s PC with Locky ransomware. Network World. Network news, trend analysis, product testing and the industry's most important blogs.