“Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” ads (Tech Support Scam) - Virus Removal Instructions

“Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” ads Removal Guide

What is “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” ads?

“Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” – fake alert used to spread malware

The main page of "Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!" scamPlease don't believe this fake alert as there is nothing wrong with your device

“Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” is a social engineering attack know as bait or tech support scam[1]. Its developers use multiple psychological strategies to create the feeling of immediacy, the risk of a fatal system crash, and fear of personal data loss.

To protect the system from possible consequences, the victim is asked to purchase the PC Smart Cleanup utility, which is nothing else but malware. In the middle of March 2018, a new version of this dangerous infection has been spotted circulating around. Dubbed as Four Virus, this potentially malicious infection is considered to become as widespread as the Android and iPhone viruses.

According to people's reports, a target for both Four virus and “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” versions are iPhone, Android, and iPad users. The tablet and smartphone users may get another variant, stating that your battery is badly damaged by 4 virus.

name Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!
Type Adware, PUP, tech support scam
Purpose Convince people to download a rogue tool that shows fake scan results trying to persuade you into purchasing its worthless paid version
Risks PUP installation, malware infections, financial losses, privacy issues
Distribution Software bundles, fake Flash Player updates, file-sharing platforms, deceptive ads
Removal Scan your device with the FortectIntego system tool to remove adware and tracking cookies

Nonetheless, comparing this scam with other samples of the online felony, it does not manifest any extraordinary behavior or features. On the other hand, there is a distinguishable feature. Unlike the majority of tech support scams which alert users with Zeus virus, for instance, Your computer has been infected with Zeus virus and threatens that your Facebook login and email account information is about to be stolen, this sample of the tech support scam behaves a bit differently.

It says that your computer is heavily damaged by four virus. However, it is unknown whether the “four” indicates the malware's name or the number of viruses supposedly detected on the system. Furthermore, this tech support scam sample advised you to acquire technical support not by dialing a specific number but by installing a program called PCSmartCleanup. Here's where the problem lies.

The Four virus is not only intrusive as it locks the web browser completely but can expose the system to potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). The pretend-to-be legitimate PCSmartCleanup utility has been condemned for questionable behavior, such as the usage of cookies, delivery of predetermined scan results, and ongoing proposals to purchase the Advanced or Licensed version. Thus, it is not recommended to install it or if you already did, remove it. Speaking of the scam, ignore it and close the tab.

If you got redirected to its counterpart — “Your Computer is heavily damaged! (33.2%)” scam – you should not comply with the demands either. If you cannot exit the page, shut it down via the Task Manager. In addition, it is recommended to scan the device and remove “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” web elements. You can do so with the assistance of FortectIntego.

The screenshot of "Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!"Instead of calling a supposed tech support specialist, this tech support scam tries to foist PCSmart Cleanup program

Tech support scams are carried out via freeware bundles

Browser-based tech support scams are often hidden in the form of web scripts. You are most likely to get redirected to the article's culprit scam site after you click on the play button in an illegal movie streaming or gaming site, click on deceptive as, etc. Speaking of PC-based tech support scams, you might encounter it if you install a corrupted application or browser extension[2].

Therefore, it is of utmost importance to pay attention to the installation of any new software, especially if you downloaded it from a third-party vendor. Always choose the Advanced/Custom installation modes over the Recommended/Standard/Quick ones. Only then will you be able to deselect all additional, untrustworthy, questionable applications from installing on your device.

Get rid of “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” hoax

All browser-based scams can be terminated by closing the tab or the browser. If you get regularly redirected to such a site, it is necessary to clean your browser and device from adware or other PUPs. You can do so by scanning the device with a malware elimination tool. It will also come in handy dealing with PC-based tech support scams.

In order to cease “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” ads and pop-up alerts, it is also recommended to reset your affected browser. For your convenience, detailed instructions for doing that are posted below this article.

All, not only UK[3] users should be wary of the scam as the browser scam might pop up in miscellaneous web pages. After you remove virus elements with an anti-spyware tool, you should check the manual guidelines as well and run system diagnostics to ensure a stable working environment.

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 “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” ads. Follow these steps

Uninstall from Windows

Resetting the browser to finish infection removal.

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 “Your system is heavily damaged by (4) virus!” 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

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 Private Internet Access 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, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection. 

 

About the author
Olivia Morelli
Olivia Morelli - Ransomware analyst

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