Windows Support Alert scam - 2021 update

Windows Support Alert scam Removal Guide

What is Windows Support Alert scam?

Windows Support Alert pop-up is a scam that shows up on web browser due to adware infection

Windows Support Alert pop-up virusWindows Support Alert is a misleading pop-up showing on the device due to adware infection

Windows Support Alert scam is a rogue technical support alert, which shows up on web browsers if an adware-type malware is installed on the system. Criminals use social engineering techniques to scare people into thinking that their devices are infected by a dangerous virus and offer to call +1-855-393-4537 number and connect with the “Microsoft tech support team.” However, we can assure you that this alert has nothing to do with Microsoft and that dealing with these people can be dangerous.[1]

The first thing you need to know is that scammers, who are working behind this fake error message, rely on social engineering.[2] Typically, Windows Support Alert appears on victims' desktop out of the sudden, while they are browsing the Internet. After being caught out of the sudden, they fall into frightening claims about detected malware.

Name Windows Support Alert
Classification Technical Support Scam
Symptoms When browsing the web, a new tab window shows up and freezes the browser. The notification contains a mobile number and attempts to look like a legitimate Microsoft's notification. In addition, the web browser may display advertising content and redirect to suspicious websites
Related programs This rogue pop-up emerges on the system due to adware infection, which creates a scheduled web browser's task to load a tech support scam window regularly. Therefore, any advertising malware can be the culprit of these pop-ups
Criminal contacts +1-855-393-4537. Nevertheless, the provided telephone number may vary because the scam is regularly updated
Affected web browsers Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Safari are primary targets. Nevertheless, it exhibits compatibility with other less popular web browsers as well
Danger The pop-up itself is not dangerous. However, those who got tricked by the alert and called the given number may experience money loss or inadvertently allow criminals remotely connect to their devices
Removal Scam pop-ups on web browsers mean that the system is contaminated with malware. Thus, a full system scan with a reputable AV is required.
Fix malware damage Post-malware system may encounter errors, slowdowns, and similar malfunctions. In this case, optimize the system with FortectIntego utility.

The most important thing is to ignore the telephone number given in the alert because such scams seek to sign users up for paid and useless services. Besides, you can be tricked into downloading malware to your computer in the form of a useful tool that is supposed to fix a computer.

The fake warning message reads:

Windows Support Alert
Your system detected some unusual activity.
It might harm your computer data and track your financial activities
Please report this activity to +1-855-393-4537

No matter how terrifying the message might sound, you must keep calm and never contact cyber criminals. Their only goal is to make easy money. Instead, you should remove adware from your computer using FortectIntego or any other software you might prefer.

Windows Support Alert scamThe scam tries to create an image that it is related to Microsoft

Reasons why crooks alert you about the supposed infection

The scam messages and fake pop-up ads are displayed for a reason. First of all, they might ask for remote access to your machine and install malware. Beware that all these “powerful” optimizers and similar software that is promoted with the help of such scams do not work. In the worst-case scenario, hackers might try to install a keylogger or trojan to steal your personal information.

Following some “investigation” performed by fake technicians, you can also be asked for a payment in exchange for the bogus services provided. Alternatively, they might urge you to subscribe to fraudulent services that can lead you to the money loss every month.

Evidently, trusting cyber criminals is not a good idea. Their only goal is to steal your money, so you should waste no time and use our removal guide at the end of this post. However, continue reading if you are interested in how these scams get into your system.

Windows Support Alert  popupWindows Support Alert scam tricks people into calling for criminals and granting remote access to a target device

Update 2020: one of the latest Windows Support alert scams displayed an aggressive Google Chrome window, which freezes the web browser and scares the victim with false claims that “This computer is BLOCKED.” The message contains a supposedly Toll-Free Microsoft support telephone number 0800-051-7350. The alert says:

VIRUS ALERT FROM WINDOWS

This computer is BLOCKED

Do not close this window and restart your computer
Your computer's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?
The window's registration key is illegal.
This window is using pirated software.
This window is sending virus over the Internet.
This window is hacked or used from undefined location.
We blocked this computer for your security.
Contact windows helpline to reactivate computer.

On the right side of the window, the user is asked to enter a valid Windows activation key, which should be provided by the Windows support team. However, criminals on the other side of the handset may try to get remote access to your PC or induce to install a trojan, keylogger, spyware on the system. Therefore, if you see such and similar pop-up, close your web browser and remove the adware from the system. For that, use a professional anti-malware program and make sure to reset the web browser to prevent the pop-up from reappearing.

To protect your system, be careful with free software

To prevent your system from displaying tech-support scams, make sure you take the needed steps to protect yourself from adware. As adware mostly spreads with the help of bundling, experts[3] recommend being careful when downloading free software from the web.

It might seem like a good idea to use Recommended settings while installing freeware, as it is advised by developers. However, it is a trick designed to conceal additional unwanted programs within the installation manager. Taking into account that users skip steps to rush the whole installation process, there is no surprise that they end up with adware or other unwanted programs installed on their computers.

Therefore, always use Advanced mode while installing freeware, as it is the only way to avoid installing additional components. If you are not sure whether you are affected by such PUP, look for suspicious signs in unexpected pop-ups: grammar mistakes within the text, amateur graphic design, etc.

Remove Windows Support Alert virus from your computer

The most reliable way to remove Windows Support Alert scam is to use a genuine anti-malware tool. You have plenty to choose from the list given below. However, beware that your security software must be up-to-date before a scan to make sure that all suspicious components are gone from your computer. Otherwise, BHOs (browser helper objects) can reinstall malware right after rebooting the system.

However, if you possess decent computer skills and do not want to employ additional software, you can attempt to uninstall adware yourself. Just follow our guide below carefully, and you will be able to enjoy a problem-free browser again.

Once a full PUP removal is performed, you should take extra precautions:

  • Reset passwords on all your accounts;
  • Contact your bank to revert payments if any was performed by you or other people;
  • Apply security software updates as soon as they are available.

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.

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Compatible with Microsoft Windows Compatible with macOS
What to do if failed?
If you failed to fix virus damage using Fortect Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Fortect Intego has a free limited scanner. Fortect Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Fortect, try running SpyHunter 5.
Alternative Software
Different software has a different purpose. If you didn’t succeed in fixing corrupted files with Intego, try running Combo Cleaner.

Getting rid of Windows Support Alert scam. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

To get rid of the annoying pop-up from Windows, use the guide given below. Your task is to find all suspicious entries in Control Panel and uninstall them.

Instructions for Windows 10/8  machines:

  1. Enter Control Panel into Windows search box and hit Enter or click on the search result.
  2. Under Programs, select Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 1
  3. From the list, find the entry of the suspicious program.
  4. Right-click on the application and select Uninstall.
  5. If User Account Control shows up, click Yes.
  6. Wait till uninstallation process is complete and click OK. Uninstall from Windows 2

If you are Windows 7/XP user, proceed with the following instructions:

  1. Click on Windows Start > Control Panel located on the right pane (if you are Windows XP user, click on Add/Remove Programs).
  2. In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program. Uninstall from Windows 7/XP
  3. Pick the unwanted application by clicking on it once.
  4. At the top, click Uninstall/Change.
  5. In the confirmation prompt, pick Yes.
  6. Click OK once the removal process is finished.

Delete from macOS

Remove items from Applications folder:

  1. From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
  2. In the Applications folder, look for all related entries.
  3. Click on the app and drag it to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash) Uninstall from Mac 1

To fully remove an unwanted app, you need to access Application Support, LaunchAgents, and LaunchDaemons folders and delete relevant files:

  1. Select Go > Go to Folder.
  2. Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
  3. In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
  4. Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and terminate all the related .plist files. Uninstall from Mac 2

Remove from Microsoft Edge

Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:

  1. Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
  2. From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
  3. Click on Uninstall at the bottom. Remove extensions from Edge

Clear cookies and other browser data:

  1. Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Privacy & security.
  2. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  3. Select everything (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear. Clear Edge browsing data

Restore new tab and homepage settings:

  1. Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
  2. Then find On startup section.
  3. Click Disable if you found any suspicious domain.

Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:

  1. Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
  3. Select Details tab.
  4. 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. Reset MS Edge

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.

  1. Find the following folder on your computer: C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Packages\\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  2. Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select all folders.
  3. Right-click on them and pick Delete Advanced MS Edge reset 1
  4. Now right-click on the Start button and pick Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  5. 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 Advanced MS Edge reset 2

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge

Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):

  1. Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
  2. Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove. Remove extensions from Chromium Edge

Clear cache and site data:

  1. Click on Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Select Privacy, search and services.
  3. Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
  4. Under Time range, pick All time.
  5. Select Clear now. Clear browser data from Chroum Edge

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. On the left side, pick Reset settings.
  3. Select Restore settings to their default values.
  4. Confirm with Reset. Reset Chromium Edge

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)

Remove dangerous extensions:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
  2. Select Add-ons.
  3. In here, select unwanted plugin and click Remove. Remove extensions from Firefox

Reset the homepage:

  1. Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
  2. Choose Options.
  3. Under Home options, enter your preferred site that will open every time you newly open the Mozilla Firefox.

Clear cookies and site data:

  1. Click Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security section.
  3. Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
  4. Click on Clear Data…
  5. Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content and press Clear. Clear cookies and site data from Firefox

Reset Mozilla Firefox

If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
  2. Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information. Reset Firefox 1
  3. Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox…
  4. Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox. Reset Firefox 2

Remove from Google Chrome

Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

  1. Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
  2. 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. Remove extensions from Chrome

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:

  1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
  2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
  3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
  4. Click Clear data. Clear cache and web data from Chrome

Change your homepage:

  1. Click menu and choose Settings.
  2. Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
  3. 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:

  1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
  4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  5. Confirm with Reset settings. Reset Chrome 2

Delete from Safari

Remove unwanted extensions from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
  3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall. Remove extensions from Safari

Clear cookies and other website data from Safari:

  1. Click Safari > Clear History…
  2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
  3. Confirm with Clear History. Clear cookies and website data from Safari

Reset Safari if the above-mentioned steps did not help you:

  1. Click Safari > Preferences…
  2. Go to Advanced tab.
  3. Tick the Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches. Reset Safari

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 Windows Support Alert 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 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.

About the author
Ugnius Kiguolis
Ugnius Kiguolis - The mastermind

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