Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus: what it is and how to remove it
Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus (also known as VirLocker virus or National Security Bureau virus) is a dangerous ransomware, which may try to swindle your money. For that, it locks the entire PC system and then causes a huge notification on PC's desktop.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
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Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Name | Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus |
| Type | Loader |
| Symptoms | An unknown process in Task Manager |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 4 more facts
| Evidence | One write-up by a security site; details still limited |
|---|---|
| File names | explorer.exe |
| First seen | 26 April 2021 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
What Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus does on an infected PC
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
What is Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus?
Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus (also known as VirLocker virus or National Security Bureau virus) is a dangerous ransomware, which may try to swindle your money.
For that, it locks the entire PC system and then causes a huge notification on PC's desktop. Of course, just like any other threat that belongs to 'ransomware' category, this virus presents itself as a notification from the serious governmental authority and claims that it blocked computer due to the pirated software that was found on victim's PC.
Please, do NOT fall for such tricks because such governmental authorities as National Security Bureau have never been using such techniques while trying to punish PC users. Believe us, they have better methods for that.
In reality, people who are responsible for releasing this rogue anti-spyware into the wild are a serious group of hackers who are trying to increase their income by scaring people into paying $250 or bigger fines. In reality, you can never know whether this payment will help you to unlock your computer.
Fortunately, you can unblock it not only by paying this fine. You can also fix it by running a full system scan with and eliminating malicious files that are hiding in your PC system. Please, do not hesitate and do this ASAP.
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
How can Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked infect my computer?
There are lots of methods used for spreading ransomwares.
Some of them are very common and typical. In addition, you should also know about the latest ransomwares' distribution method. It relies on fake alerts offering people to update their Flash Player, FLV Player, download manager or other programs that they use each day.
Such ads look very convincing and we believe that they are capable of affecting even the most suspicious PC user because they are filled with various logos and other tricky details. In order to avoid installation of Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked ransomware or other virus, you should be very careful when seeing such ads during your browsing.
Please, do NOT click them! Instead of that, go to the official website of the program and download what you really need. Once this threat manages to infiltrate its target PC system, it blocks it and starts showing such fake notification:
Please, do NOT fall for this fake alert because it will leave you with nothing! For eliminating this ransomware, you should follow a guide below.
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus
- Reason: Pirated software Your computer is now blocked.
- XXX files have been temporarily blocked on your computer.
- To regain computer access and restore files you are required to pay a 250 USD.
- Blocked files will be permanently removed from your computer if the fine is not paid.
- The NSB has two ways to pay a fine: 1.
- You can pay your fine online through BitCoin.
- You computer will be unblocked after you make your payment.
- You can come to your provincial courthouse and pay the fine at the 'Cashiers' window.
- Your computer will be unlocked within 4-5 days.
How to check the PC for Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus
- File:
explorer.exe
How to remove Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus
A loader's job is to install other malware, so treat the PC as infected with more than one program until the scans are clean.
Step 1: Check where explorer.exe runs from and stop it
explorer.exeis the part you can see, and its location tells you whether it belongs there. Right-click it on the Processes page of Task Manager and choose Open file location, then right-click the file > Properties > Digital Signatures to see who signed it.An unsigned file, or one in a user folder such as
%AppData%, is the one to remove: end the task, then delete the file.Note the folder name, because the same folder usually holds its other files. This is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 2: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back
Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu and click Task Scheduler Library.
Select each task you do not recognise and read the Actions tab: a task that starts a file in
%AppData%or%Temp%, runs powershell with a long encoded line, or opens a web address belongs to Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus or a similar program.Right-click such a task and choose Delete, and check the subfolders too. Leave tasks from Microsoft, your PC's maker and programs you use. Task Scheduler is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 3: Remove it from startup
Whatever Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus installed usually starts with Windows.
Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.
Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.
Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 4: Delete the folders left behind
What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through
%LocalAppData%,%AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold
.exe,.dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 6: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions
Assume that the passwords saved in this PC's browsers, and the accounts that were open in them, are known to the attacker. From a phone or a clean computer, change the e-mail password first, then banking, shopping, social and gaming accounts.
Use each service's option to sign out of all other sessions, because stolen cookies keep a session open even after a password change. Turn on two-step verification on each account. Wait with the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC until the scans are clean.
Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
From our report of Apr 2021 · not reviewed since
How to remove Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus?
If you are looking at Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked.
If you can't launch any of these programs, follow steps that are given below:
Manual Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus removal:
* Flash drive method:
* Users infected with Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus are allowed to access other accounts on their Windows systems. If one of such accounts has administrator rights, you should be capable to launch anti-malware program.
* Try to deny the Flash to make your ransomware stop function as intended. In order to disable the Flash, go to Macromedia support and select 'Deny': http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help09.html. After doing that, run a full system scan with anti-malware program.
If This computer was automatically blocked virus infected your Android-based mobile device, run or follow these steps:
1. Reboot your Android device into Safe Mode:
If this failed to work for you, just turn off your device and then turn it on. Once it becomes active, try pressing and holding Menu, Volume Down, Volume Up or Volume Down and Volume Up together to see Safe Mode.
2. Uninstall malicious app (this virus may hide under BaDoink, Video Player, Network Driver System, Video Render, ScarePakage and other suspicious names):
If this failed, enter a random, 15 digit length, code of imaginary MoneyPak xpress Packed voucher that is asked by This computer was automatically blocked virus or follow these steps:
- Reboot you infected PC to 'Safe mode with command prompt' to disable virus (this should be working with all versions of this threat)
- Run Regedit
- Search for WinLogon Entries and write down all the files that are not explorer.exe or blank. Replace them with explorer.exe.
- Search the registry for these files you have written down and delete the registry keys referencing the files.
- Reboot and run a full system scan with updated to remove leftovers of this virus.
- Take another machine and use it to download or other reputable anti-malware program.
- Update the program and put into the USB drive or simple CD.
- In the meanwhile, reboot your infected machine to Safe Mode with command prompt and stick USB drive in it.
- Reboot computer infected with Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus once more and run a full system scan.
- Find the power button and press it for a couple of seconds until you see a menu. Tap the Power off.
- Once you see a dialog window that offers you to reboot your Android to Safe Mode, select this option and OK.
- When in Safe Mode, go to Settings. Once there, click on Apps or Application manager (this may differ depending on your device).
- Here, look for previously mentioned malicious app(s) and uninstall all of them.
- Go to Settings -> Security. Here, select Device administrators.
- Here, look for previously mentioned malicious app(s) and uncheck it
- In order to finish the removal of Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus, select Deactivate and OK.
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Accounts come next
Because the PC showed an unfamiliar process called explorer.exe in Task Manager, a sign of a program that could read browser data, the clean-up is only half of the work.
The other half happens in your online accounts.
Change passwords from a clean device, beginning with e-mail; sign out of all sessions; check forwarding rules and recovery phone numbers; and turn on two-step verification with an authenticator app or a passkey. Ask your bank to replace cards saved in the browser.
Why the order matters and what to check in each account: secure your accounts after malware.
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files.
More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Questions about Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus
What is explorer.exe and why is it running?
Every process is started by something:
- a program you installed
- a Windows service
- a scheduled task
- a startup entry
To learn why explorer.exe runs, find its file with Open file location in Task Manager, then look for an entry pointing to that file in Settings > Apps > Startup and in Task Scheduler.
Sort Installed apps by date to see what arrived when the process first appeared. Once you know the owner, you can decide whether to keep it, switch it off at startup or uninstall it completely.
Can I delete the explorer.exe file?
Only after you know what it belongs to. If explorer.exe is part of a program, uninstall that program through Settings instead, so its services and tasks go too. If it belongs to nothing and is unsigned, end the process, disable whatever starts it and then delete its folder.
Do not delete files from the Windows folder or files signed by Microsoft: those are part of the system, and removing them can stop Windows from starting. When in doubt, run a Microsoft Defender scan first and let it decide.
Can I just delete explorer.exe?
Deleting explorer.exe by hand rarely removes Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus. While the trojan runs, Windows may refuse to delete the file, and if you succeed, a scheduled task, a service or a second copy may bring it back at the next restart.
The file can also be only one part of the infection: loaders and remote access tools often install other programs. Use the Microsoft Defender offline scan, which removes the file together with its startup entries before Windows loads, and then check startup items and scheduled tasks as described in the plan.
Can a normal remote support program be a backdoor?
Yes. Tools such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer and ScreenConnect are legitimate, but whoever controls the account behind them controls the PC. Scammers install them during fake support calls, and some trojan campaigns install them silently because antivirus programs do not flag a genuine, signed product.
If you find one you did not set up, uninstall it, check Startup apps for related entries and change passwords from another device. If money or accounts were involved, call your bank and report the incident.
Should I reset my PC because of Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus?
Only if the signs point to deeper access. Reset when you see an unfamiliar process called explorer.exe in Task Manager again after removal, when Windows Security cannot start or update, when remote access tools you did not install keep appearing, or when you simply cannot trust the PC any more.
Otherwise, the plan in this guide plus an offline scan is enough. If you do reset, choose Remove everything and Cloud download for a fresh copy of Windows, restore only documents and photos, and reinstall programs from their official sites. Change important passwords from the clean system afterwards.
Why didn't my antivirus stop Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus?
New trojan builds are packed and changed often so that signatures do not match, and some are signed with stolen or bought certificates. Many arrive inside password-protected archives, which scanners cannot open until you extract them.
Some downloads also tell the user to turn off the antivirus "because it gives false alarms", a common line in cracked software instructions. Keep real-time protection on, never disable it for an installer, and run the offline scan whenever you suspect something slipped through.
What are the signs of a trojan infection?
Most trojans try to leave no visible signs, so look for side effects. Common ones:
- Windows Security turned off or unable to update
- new entries in Startup apps or Task Scheduler
- programs in Installed apps you did not install
- browser settings that changed by themselves
- unusual network activity while the PC is idle
- password-reset or login-alert e-mails you did not trigger
None of these proves an infection on its own. Together with an antivirus alert naming Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus, they are a strong reason to follow the full plan.
Can Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus spread to other devices on my network?
Most trojans aimed at home users stay on the PC they infected, but an attacker with remote access can look at the network, open shared folders and try passwords on other devices. Loaders sometimes deliver worms or ransomware that do spread.
Disconnect the PC while cleaning, run a full scan on other Windows PCs, change the router's admin password and the Wi-Fi password if they were saved on the infected PC, and update the router's firmware. If other PCs show the same detection, treat them as infected too.
Is Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus a known trojan?
Not as a documented family, at least not yet. What is known is the visible sign, an unfamiliar process called explorer.exe in Task Manager, which matches a hidden program working for someone else.
New threats are often seen by victims weeks before researchers publish anything about them. Treat Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus as you would any trojan:
- remove what starts it
- run an offline scan
- change passwords from another device
If a scan reports a detection name, keep it; it usually reveals the family and whether it is known to download other malware. We update this guide when an analysis appears.
Will Fortect remove Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Your Computer Was Automatically Blocked virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: How Microsoft names malware (read October 7, 2026)