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  • Active
  • Severity: Medium
  • Adware
  • Windows, Mac
  • Verified · Oct 2017

How to remove “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” virus

A step-by-step removal guide for affected devices. Follow the verified procedure below — most readers complete it in under 10 minutes.

Linas Kiguolis · Expert in social media

Be aware of the new “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” technical support scam

Screenshot of "RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected" scam

“RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” is a fake security warning that is delivered on a malicious website. This example of tech support scam[1] claims that computer was infected with a virus and due to the attack, user’s personal information might be stolen. In order to solve this problem, users are asked to call “Windows Technical Support” via 1-800-894-0551.

We can assure that this number does not belong to Microsoft. However, your computer might be infected, but not with a hazardous data-stealing malware. You might have been redirected to this website by a potentially unwanted program (PUP) known as an adware. Thus, the so-called “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” virus may have arrived on your PC in a software bundle. 

Once users enter “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” tech support scam website, they receive a pop-up message telling about error code 0x000019F.[2] However, it’s a non-existent code created by cyber criminals. Crooks also give a description of the error:

ERROR DESCRIPTION:
Error Code: 0x000019F
Position Reason: Security Breach/Virus Attack
Affected Entity: Personal Data, Banking/Credit Card Deatails
Action Required: Don’t turn off or reboot your computer as it may lead to data loss and computer crash.

Authors of the “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” scam also give a long list of the supposedly detected Trojans on the computer. Cyber criminals use scare tactics and play on peoples’ fears to lose personal information. However, calling the provided number and talking with scammers might lead to an actual money or data loss.

If you were redirected to this scam website, you should not be tricked. Never forget that security alerts by Microsoft or antivirus programs do not appear in the browser’s window. Therefore, close the tab and focus on “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” removal.

This redirect might be just a one-time activity which might happen if you visit a high-risk website. However, if your browsing sessions are continuously redirected to this site, you’d better employ a professional anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego and let it remove “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” adware.

“RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” scam campaign aims at British computer users

Researchers spotted the same virus attacking British[3] computer users. The scam website delivers the same error message and wants to convince that user’s passwords, browsing history, credit card information and online banking history may have been compromised. 

However, this time scammers ask to call “Local Windows Support” at 0208 133 6658 and notes that this number is only for the UK users. Though, you should not get tricked by this scam. This phone number belongs to cyber criminals that might be interested in stealing your personal information or install malware[4] on your computer.

The image of "RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected" virus

Be careful with freeware downloads

The ad-supported program which is responsible for redirecting to “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” site often arrives in the system in the software bundles. It means that when you download freeware, you have to check for additional downloads by using Advanced/Custom setup. If you see the list of third-party apps that are called “optional downloads,” make sure that these entries are not selected for the installation.

However, if you rely on Quick/Recommended setup, you will not get a chance to monitor and adjust freeware installation. Therefore, you should avoid using this setup to protect your PC from unwanted apps.

Getting rid of to “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” malware

Redirects to the technical support scam website are often triggered by an adware. Therefore, in order to stop this suspicious activity, you have to remove to “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” PUP from the device. You can follow the instructions below and do it manually.

However, if you want quick and effective results, you should opt for the automatic to “RDN/Trojan/Hacking File Detected” removal. It is performed using updated anti-malware tool. Once the system scan is finished, do not forget to reset each of your browsers!

Uninstall from Windows

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

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

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)

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

Remove from Google Chrome

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

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

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