Security Center Total Protection scam (fake) - Free Guide
Security Center Total Protection scam Removal Guide
What is Security Center Total Protection scam?
Security Center Total Protection scam mimics legitimate antivirus tools to deceive users
Security Center Total Protection is a fake security alert designed to imitate real antivirus software. This scam presents itself through a browser-based pop-up window that closely resembles the user interface of trusted cybersecurity programs. Its primary purpose is to convince users that their computer is infected with multiple threats and that immediate action is required.
The appearance of this fake tool can catch users off guard, especially since it uses familiar elements found in genuine system scans, such as progress bars, threat counters, and warning icons. These visual tricks are intended to build trust and give the illusion of credibility. In reality, the entire scan is simulated, and none of the listed threats are real.
The campaign behind the Security Center Total Protection scam is typically promoted via deceptive websites, shady redirects, or bundled software downloads. Users may encounter it after clicking on misleading ads, visiting unsafe pages, or having adware installed on their devices without noticing.
| Name | Security Center Total Protection |
| Type | Scam, fraud, ads, redirect |
| Infiltration | Compromised websites, pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications |
| Scam content | This scam operates by alarming users into thinking their systems are infected, urging them to eliminate the supposed threats using the promoted software |
| Dangers | Loss of finances due to fake subscriptions; redirects to other malware-laden, scam websites; installation of potentially unwanted or malicious software |
| Removal | You should ensure that your system is not infected using a reliable security tool – SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes are both robust anti-malware apps |
| Other tips | After successfully removing adware and other unwanted programs, it's advisable to clear your browser of cookies and tracking elements. The FortectIntego tool can handle this process automatically for you |
The deceptive alert and manipulation tactics explained
When Security Center Total Protection completes its simulated scan, it launches a browser pop-up that looks remarkably like a genuine antivirus dashboard. The fake window borrows familiar visual elements – such as a logo, progress animation, and threat counters – to lower users’ guard and lend an air of authenticity to its warning.
Here is the exact message displayed to unsuspecting users:
Security Center Total Protection
Your PC is infected with 5 viruses!
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
Renew now to keep your PC protected.Viruses found on this PC most likely track internet activity to collect banking details and login credentials. Unprotected Macs are 93% more vulnerable to suffer from malware.
[Proceed…]
This alert leverages several psychological tricks to push users toward payment:
- False authority. By mimicking the layout and iconography of established security software, the scam gains unwarranted credibility.
- Engineered urgency. Phrases like “IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!” and specifying “5 viruses” create panic and pressure users to act without pausing to verify.
- Bogus statistics. Citing unverified data (“Unprotected Macs are 93% more vulnerable…”) adds a veneer of research-backed concern.
- Fear of financial loss or data theft. Warning that infections “track internet activity to collect banking details” taps into deep anxieties about identity theft.
Once gripped by fear, many users click the lone [Proceed…] button, only to be redirected to a payment portal or prompted to download worthless software. To recognize this deception, always question unsolicited browser alerts claiming system infections, verify with your installed security solution, and refuse to enter payment details on unfamiliar sites.
How users end up seeing the Security Center Total Protection scam
The Security Center Total Protection scam never happens by chance – it typically comes after the user has interacted with fake websites or has unwanted software installed on the computer. Users may encounter the fake alert for the first time after clicking on fake advertisements, downloading cracked software, or visiting websites with pirated content. The web settings are often exploited as launching points for malicious scripts or redirect links, which open the scam window.
The other common cause is adware or a browser hijacker already installed on the system. Such potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are typically distributed as part of freeware or shareware. If users download software from untrusted sites and hurry through the installation process as well, they may inadvertently agree to install the additional components. Once installed, these modify browser settings, display ads, or generate automatic redirects to impostor pages like Security Center Total Protection.
Others may also be spoofed virus warnings when they click on fake “update your browser” or “missing codec” notices. They deliver a chain of redirects that lead to a false scan or phishing page. Since the browser is being used to display the warning, it is more convincing than an ordinary pop-up or email fraud.
What makes this threat so persistent is that even once the browser window is closed, users will tend to be forwarded to the same or equivalent scam sites. What this suggests is that traces of adware or changed browser preferences remain on the machine, making repeated exposure inevitable until a clean-up is undertaken. Due to this, it is essential to know where the redirect originated from (be it a hacked extension, unknown app, or hijacked browser shortcut) so that more scams do not appear.
Verifying your system
Dealing with the Security Center Total Protection scam requires prompt and efficient action, particularly because its appearance is often linked to unwanted software or browser threats. System scanning for adware and other potentially unwanted programs, most likely responsible for triggering the scam, would always be the first step. This can be done using reliable anti-malware tools that can detect and eliminate these threats before they cause additional interference.
Even though technically feasible to attempt manual uninstallation of questionable programs and browser extensions, it can be inconvenient and error-prone, especially for users without experience in understanding system folders or registry keys. Thus, opting for an automated removal solution is a much safer and more reliable approach. Employing tools such as SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to do a complete scan ensures that any malicious components, such as stealthy files, nasty browser extensions, or hijacked shortcut,s will be detected and eradicated efficiently.
As soon as the device itself has been scanned and cleared, attention goes to web browsers. Scam pop-ups very often leave remains in the way of tracking software, such as cookies, cached resources, or even lingering push notification permissions. Remainders of that kind may be able to make the unwanted process continue even while adware removal is in operation. Browser cleaners like FortectIntego perform this step effectively, though, for users preferring to configure in manual mode, detailed manual guidelines are also supplied.
It is essential to treat the issue from both ends (system and browser cleansing) so as to completely eliminate the effect of the Security Center Total Protection scam. Not only will it remove current threats, but it will also prevent potential future repeats of the same attacks, providing the user with a seamless and secure web surfing experience.
Google 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.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Safari
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
How to prevent from getting adware
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 Private Internet Access 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 Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
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