“This User Is Disabled” Tech support scam virus (Virus Removal Instructions)

What is “This User Is Disabled” Tech support scam virus?

How not to get entangled in the “This User Is Disabled” Tech Support Scam?

“This User Is Disabled” virus is a Tech Support Scam (also known as Power Cam virus) which spreads around with the help of freeware or shareware bundles. The virus manifests itself the next time the device is booted after the virus infiltration. “This User Is Disabled” malware belongs to the new generation of Tech Support viruses that accommodate the qualities of the malicious ransomware infections. Especially in the last couple of years ransomware has proven to be one of the most profitable money extortion strategies, so malware developers started integrating its working principles to other forms of malicious software, one of them being tech support viruses. Though these particular viruses do not utilize file encryption functionality like most ransomware do, they apply other means of obstructing the victims from accessing data stored on their computers. “This User Is Disabled” Tech support scam, in particular, uses a lock screen which opens every time the computer is booted. This fake Windows login screen features the typical user name and password input box but rejects all login attempts with the following notification:

The user is disabled due to some malicious files found in system, ensure you have complete protection. Call Technician Now 1-914-465-0012

The user is urged to call the supposed tech support number several times. This toll-free number is also placed at the top of the screen. Following the warning about a disabled user account, calling the indicated number may indeed seem like a reasonable thing to do. Nonetheless, you should know that Microsoft never displays notifications like these, so seeing them on your computer only signifies one thing — you are being targeted by fraudulent scammers. If you are in such a situation right now, DO NOT ring up the indicated number or enter any details into the login box. Reboot your PC in Safe Mode instead, to get rid of the lock screen and then proceed to the “This User Is Disabled” removal immediately. Initiate a full system scan with FortectIntego — a sophisticated anti-malware software that will get rid of the virus for you automatically.
The consequences of “This User Is Disabled” hijack are usually very unpleasant. The victims may end up with a corrupted computer if the scammers manage to trick them into allowing to access it remotely. During the time the malicious third parties have the control over the computer, they may not only mess with the system’s settings but also secretly install tracking software to spy on the user’s activity even after the initial malware is eliminated from the device. This way, sensitive information such as online banking credentials, account logins and similar can be easily transferred to the hackers, and they may use it however they want. Luckily, this information leak can be stopped if the victim hurries up to remove “This User Is Disabled” virus from the infected device.

How does tech support scam travel around?

Though it may surprize some of the home users, “This User Is Disabled” is able to infiltrate computers only with the help of the computer users themselves. Of course, it is not a conscious and voluntary decision. Usually, the virus victims find their computers blocked by “This User Is Disabled” lock screen after installing some freeware or shareware software on their computers. So, as you can already suspect, the infiltration takes place sometime during the installation process. Indeed, if the computer user does not setup software properly, i.e.: rushes through the installation constantly clicking the “Next” button, the malware can enter the system quite easily. “Advanced” and “Custom” installation settings offers an escape from such situations. These modes allow manually choosing the software that it worth installing and rejecting the one that is unnecessary of potentially dangerous.

“This User Is Disabled” Tech Support Scam virus removal guide

With all of its malicious functionalities, “This User Is Disabled” virus creates an impression of a serious malware infection, when in truth, its working principles are rather simple. This means that it does not take special effort to remove “This User Is Disabled” from the infected computer either. You can complete this process in a couple of minutes by employing specialized security software, anti-spyware, anti-malware or antivirus and scanning the system with it. We also recommend checking the below-indicated guidelines in case you want to remove “This User Is Disabled” manually and clear your browser from potentially malicious elements that might accompany the malware on your computer.