“WannaCry detected” scam (Easy Removal Guide) - Microsoft Support Scam
“WannaCry detected” scam Removal Guide
What is “WannaCry detected” scam?
“WannaCry detected” pop-up is not a real security alert about ransomware attack
“WannaCry detected” is a fake alert that is designed to convince users that their computers and networks were infected with WannaCry virus. However, it’s an example of Microsoft technical support scam.[1] Crooks want people to call a provided phone number phone number and follow their instructions for a non-existing virus removal.
CRITICAL ALERT FROM MICROSOFT :WANNACRY DETECTED! IMMEDIATE SUPPORT REQUIRED
Microsoft has detected WANNACRY Virus on your computer and network location.
Recent website visit might be the reason for this.Please call us immediately at the toll-free number listed so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process of WANNACRY over the phone. Call us immediately on our Toll Free ++1-844-528-4333 for Technical Assistance.
Authors of the “WannaCry detected” scam might have numerous hidden purposes. However, the first task is to convince people into calling the number. Using the name of a well-known worldwide cyber threat is a pretty good strategy to achieve the goal.
Crooks note the importance of calling fake Technical Assistance service by telling threatening that virus will collect personal information and send it to hacker’s server located in North Korea. However, if you follow cyber security, you should know that WannaCry works as ransomware, not a data-stealing trojan.
Currently, ”WannaCry detected” technical support scam uses +1-844-301-0371 and +1-844-528-4333 toll-free phone numbers that are presented as Microsoft Support line. However, criminals might use many other numbers to give netizens a non-existing virus removal instructions. Thus, they might trick you into:
- purchasing expensive security programs;[2]
- installing remote access tools;
- downloading malware into the computer;
- revealing personally identifiable and sensitive information.
Additionally, “toll-free” phone line might be just an illusion to motivate you into grabbing your phone. The call might be charged a lot as well. Additionally, you might suffer from the further attack. Thus, if you continuously see this fake security alert, you should explore “WannaCry detected” removal options.
Typically this notification is delivered by a corrupted website that you might be forced to visit by adware program. This potentially unwanted program (PUP) might infiltrate the system in the software bundle. Thus, in order to remove “WannaCry detected” malware, you have to uninstall ad-supported applications. Though, you can speed up the process with FortectIntego.
"WannaCry detected" scam pretends to legit notification from Microsoft that informs about the WannaCry attack.
Methods used to spread a new version of Microsoft technical support scam
Usually, redirects to “WannaCry detected” website are triggered by adware program which is most likely to spread in software bundles. Thus, users should be careful with freeware or shareware installation. Instead of Quick/Recommended setup, opt for Advanced/Custom and carefully follow the process in order to reject installation of unknown third-party apps.
Security researchers from senzavirus.it[3] also note that redirects to scam websites might occur when surfing in high-risk sites, such as adult-themed, gambling, gaming or similar. Thus, you should avoid visiting them.
Stopping redirects to “WannaCry detected” Microsoft support scam website
If redirect to scam website is not a one-time thing, they might be triggered by adware. Thus, you have to find and remove “WannaCry detected” adware from the computer by following the guide below or scanning the system with reputable anti-malware.
If you are going for manual “WannaCry detected” removal, you should not forget uninstalling unknown applications, files, browser extensions, and similar components. Keep in mind that browser reset is also needed because adware might spy on your browsing activities too.
You may remove virus damage with a help of FortectIntego. SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.
Getting rid of “WannaCry detected” scam. Follow these steps
Uninstall from Windows
Follow the instructions to find and eliminate adware-related components from the Windows computer:
Instructions for Windows 10/8 machines:
- Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.
- From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
- Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
- If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
- Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK.
If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
- At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
- In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
- Click OK once the removal process is finished.
Delete from macOS
Remove items from Applications folder:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
- Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash)
To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
- In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
- Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files.
Remove from Microsoft Edge
Stop redirects to “WannaCry detected” scam site by following this guide:
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 on Uninstall at the bottom.
Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select everything (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 Disable if you found any suspicious domain.
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.
If this solution failed to help you, you need to use an advanced Edge reset method. Note that you need to backup your data before proceeding.
- Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
- Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
- Right-click on them and pick Delete
- Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- When the new window opens, copy and paste the following command, and then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Unintall suspicious extensions and reset Firefox as shown below:
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 unwanted plugin and click Remove.
Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Options.
- Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.
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, as well as Cached Web Content and press 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
Follow the guide to get rid of redirect to “WannaCry detected” technical support scam website:
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 the suspicious plugins that might be 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 unwanted extensions from Safari:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- Go to Advanced tab.
- Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.
After uninstalling this potentially unwanted program (PUP) and fixing each of your web browsers, we recommend you to scan your PC system with a reputable anti-spyware. This will help you to get rid of “WannaCry detected” scam registry traces and will also identify related parasites or possible malware infections on your computer. For that you can use our top-rated malware remover: FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
How to prevent from getting malware
Protect your privacy – employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private – you can access an incognito tab. However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of Private Internet Access VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise. Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and Private Internet Access VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers – human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence. In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. Data Recovery Pro is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market – it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
- ^ Courtney Gregoire. The fight against tech support scams. Microsoft Blogs. The official Microsoft Blog.
- ^ Jon Brodkin. Tech support scam victims lost $120 million—and will get $10 million back. Ars Technica. IT news, reviews, and analysis.
- ^ SenzaVirus. SenzaVirus. Cyber security news.