Remove “Windows Security Alert” pop-up virus (Free Guide)

“Windows Security Alert” is another example of a tech support scam that targets valuable details and credentials with fake Microsoft messages

Screenshot of “Windows Security Alert” scam “Windows Security Alert” is the scam message that delivers pop-ups and redirects that state about potential damage and malware infections. However, there is nothing legitimate about these alerts, and the name Microsoft or Windows has no relation to software providers or your issues. It is possible that the list of problems is fake, and your machine is totally safe and not affected by any malware. Scareware is designed to create frustration and make people believe that their system is affected or can get damaged.

There is a reason why the message gets “Windows Security Alert” tech support scam name – fraudulent content that leads to malicious people. If you continue browsing on the site or even call the provided number, you get to talk to direct scammers. Anyone that believes all the claims and falls for the scam ends up talking with criminals. When that happens, the “Windows Security Alert” virus may be the harmless PUP when compared to RAT or info-stealing malware installed on the machine by people on the other side. Remember that none of the well-known software providers and program developers send such system alerts or pop-ups on the browser.

Name	“Windows Security Alert”
Type of malware	Adware/ Scam
Distribution	Deceptive pages expose the user to malicious content that triggers PUP installations and infections like adware. Also, budling technique often gets used as the primary method of spreading potentially unwanted programs and similar browser-based threats that shows scammy messages
Danger	Such programs directly expose people to malicious content and result in privacy issues. It becomes especially dangerous when victims communicate with scammers one on one
Tactics	Technical support scam is based on scareware tactics that allow manipulating people's behavior in your favor by scaring them and tricking into performing needed action. In this case, victims are tricked into contacting scammers directly and installing shady software
Elimination	“Windows Security Alert” removal requires professional anti-malware tools because such intruder can install other programs without victims' knowledge and affect the persistence of the initial PUP this way
Repair	Since the scam is more dangerous and can lead to installations of additional threats, you need to check all the places that can possibly get affected or even corrupted by the virus. System tools like Fortect Intego can find and even fix files damaged by the infection

“Windows Security Alert” scam delivers a fake system/ browser message that might pop up during your regular browsing sessions. This alert is delivered by a malicious website that you might be forced to visit by an adware program^[1] or a high-risk website. The redirect itself is caused by the potentially unwanted program which is running in the background of your device and affecting the performance from the inside.

The notification informs that something went wrong with the Windows operating system because one of the recently visited sites may have installed malware on the computer. For this reason, the user’s device has been blocked until he or she calls Windows Help Desk via 1-844-826-1198. However, the tech support team behind the message is fake and possibly having malicious goals.

One of the “Windows Security Alert” scam messages reads the following:

** Windows Security Alert **
Internet Security Alert! Code: 055BCCAC9FEC

Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your device access will de disabled to prevent further damage to our network.

Your device has alerted us that it has been infected with a Suspicious Activity. The following information is being stolen.
Please call us immediately at:

> Facebook logins
> Credit Card details
> Email Account Login
> Photos stored on this device
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your device from being disabled.

Nevertheless, authors of the “Windows Security Alert” virus claim that it’s a toll-free number, you should not dial it. This security alert is fake. We can assure you that any serious virus is not installed on your computer yet. What is more, this customer support service won’t help you to fix any problems.

“Windows Security Alert” pop-up virus

Most likely fake specialists will convince you to download fake software or install remote access tools. Scammers may have created this cyber infection for numerous reasons. However, none of them is related to doing something good for computer users. Such campaigns mainly lead to installations of malware that is designed to collect data or damage the machine.^[2]

As we have mentioned in the beginning, you might also end up on this technical support scam website after a visit to the high-risk site. For instance, adult-themed or gaming sites might be designed to redirect users once they click the “Play” button or blank space of the site. Thus, you should stay away from potentially dangerous websites.

“Windows Security Alert” might reach computer users all over the world. It doesn’t matter where you live – in Spain,^[3] Iceland or Algeria – if you do not take previously mentioned precautions, you might suffer from scammers. These people target anyone online and can be directly aiming at your country.

Once you end up on Windows-security-alert.info, you should close the browser’s tab immediately. Do not click any buttons because it may lead to the installation of malware. Leaving this website is just a temporary solution. You will be redirected to this site again soon because such behavior is controlled by the PUP which runs in the background of your PC directly.

In order to stop undesired redirects completely and get rid of the potentially unwanted infection, you need to run a full system scan with anti-malware program. Additionally, Fortect Intego can help you to remove “Windows Security Alert” damage within several minutes and improve the performance even more.

Usually, the virus is related to an adware program. Thus, apart from showing this fake security alert, you might also notice an increased amount of intrusive ads. What is more, adware might track information about users and even share it with third parties and malicious people.

If you delay “Windows Security Alert” removal, you might also notice unknown browser extensions installed to Chrome, Firefox, and other web browsers. Keep in mind that various data tracking technologies^[4] might be installed as well and you cannot notice such additions yourself. The biggest problem is that these shady tools might be interested in tracking sensitive details and expose your personal information online. Thus, it may lead to serious problems and privacy-related issues or even identity theft. “Windows Security Alert” error

Redirects to fake security alert site might notify about the infiltration of the adware

Such fake messages usually get triggered by an ad-supported program or adware. This potentially unwanted application may have sneaked inside the system unnoticed during the installation of freeware. Developers of such applications use bundling techniques to infiltrate computers silently.

Inattentive installation of new programs might end up with a hijacked web browser or installation of numerous undesired apps. Thus, in order to avoid scams and similar cyber parasites, you should:

not install software from torrents and suspicious file-sharing sites;
download legitimate programs from publishers’ websites;
choose Advanced/Custom installation settings;
unmark all pre-selected optional downloads;
never trust Quick/Recommended installation settings;
always read EULA and Privacy Policy.

“Windows Security Alert” virus elimination methods

We highly recommend choosing the automatic “Windows Security Alert” removal option. By scanning the system with a reputable anti-malware program, you can get rid of this threat easily. An updated security program will locate and delete all virus-related components for you.

However, you can try to terminate it manually as well. Redirects to this malicious site are usually triggered by adware. Thus, you need to find and remove it from the system. Below you will find detailed guidelines on how to remove “Windows Security Alert” manually. Please follow them carefully.

Manual“Windows Security Alert” virus elimination might be complicated because the virus may have installed additional components and helper objects. Thus if redirects and pop-ups continue showing up, you should opt for automatic removal.

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 “Windows Security Alert” pop-up virus

“Windows Security Alert” is another example of a tech support scam that targets valuable details and credentials with fake Microsoft messages

Redirects to fake security alert site might notify about the infiltration of the adware