Remove “System Alert! Add Extension” pop-up virus (Tutorial)

“System Alert! Add Extension” alerts are more than an annoyance

Screenshot of “System Alert! Add Extension

“System Alert! Add Extension” virus triggers fake alerts urging netizens to install shady extensions. Most likely, you may encounter them while getting redirected by a movie streaming site. The messages ask to install a browser extension in order to assure browsing safety. Enabling the installation this suspicious extension may lead to hijacked web browser, installation of an ad-supported application or even malicious program.

“System Alert! Add Extension” might prevent from closing the misleading website. But you should not agree to install the offered extension, click “Cancel” button or mark “Prevent this page from creating additional dialogs” option. It’s a trick. You will be still forced to install the extension.

In some cases, this notification is followed by a voice message that says: “Click Add button to install the extension.” No matter how convincing or threatening robot’s voice is, you should not do what you are asked.

Once you end up on such website, close the browser’s tab. If you cannot do it, you should force-quit and then scan the computer with anti-malware/anti-spyware. The security program, such as Fortect Intego, will help to remove “System Alert! Add Extension” and forget about other negative features of the adware.

As we have mentioned, redirects to this malicious site are usually initiated by an ad-supported program. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) spread in software bundles and enters the system silently. Once it gets inside, it might alter few settings in Windows and web browsers.

Apart from promoting unknown extension, this program might also:

apply a virtual layer to display third-party commercial content;
redirect to promotional websites;
turn text into hyperlinks;
deliver fake security alters;
deliver fake software updates;
track information about users;
modify browser’s homepage or/and search engine.

“System Alert! Add Extension” removal is also recommended because adware might deliver third-party ads that lead to infected, phishing or tech support scam websites. Thus, you can easily suffer from cyber criminals, reveal your personal information or let malware^[1] to your PC.

Currently, the majority of users who have dealt with this cyber parasite the most are the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.^[2] However, it might spread further to other parts of the world too.

The image of “System Alert! Add Extension

The reason behind fake system messages is adware program

When you’re browsing through adult-themed websites or watch movies on illegal video streaming sites, you might receive “System Alert! Add Extension” pop-up any minute. Obviously, you should not use such sites in order to protect yourself from similar cyber infections.

However, redirects to the misleading site are most of the time caused by an adware program. If you have recently installed freeware or shareware, this undesired app may have sneak inside too. It may have happened if you have installed a program under Quick/Recommended setup.

The problem is that these settings do not openly disclose about third-party apps that may have been included in the software package. Thus, relying on this method, you always risk to let PUPs to get inside your device.

To avoid “System Alert! Add Extension” hijack and similar problems, you should always install new software using Advanced/Custom settings. The most important task is to reject installation of “additional downloads” by unmarking pre-selected entries.

Eliminate “System Alert! Add Extension” threat

If you are tired of forced redirects to suspicious websites and want to get rid of fake system alerts for good, you should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware program and perform automatic “System Alert! Add Extension” removal.

However, if you have plenty of time or do not want to use additional software, you can opt for the manual elimination method. Thus, you need to investigate the system, look up for unknown programs and browser extensions that may have been recently installed.

The instructions below will help you to remove “System Alert! Add Extension” manually. Though, you have to be careful and follow each of the steps carefully.

Uninstall from Windows

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.

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.

Reset Internet Explorer

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.

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.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to remove “System Alert! Add Extension” pop-up virus

“System Alert! Add Extension” alerts are more than an annoyance

The reason behind fake system messages is adware program