Hard Disk Failure Error Scam

What is Hard Disk Failure Error?

Similar to BSOD Driver Problem, BSOD Error, Enter A Product Key, and a number of other fake errors, "Hard Disk Failure" is a false error message displayed by a rogue website. Victims are redirected to this website by various adware-type applications that infiltrate systems without users' consent.

Research shows that adware is also likely to monitor users' Internet browsing activity and display intrusive online advertisements. Developers often distribute these potentially unwanted programs using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling".

"Hard Disk Failure" error states that the system has been infected with high-risk malware and that victims' personal data is at risk. To prevent permanent data loss, victims must call a "Microsoft-certified technician" within ten minutes. The error message provides a toll-free telephone number (+1888-245-8846).

It is also stated that other computers connected to the same network might become infected, and that closing the browser and/or restarting the computer could result in a hardware failure. This error message is a scam. All claims regarding infection are false - cyber criminals merely attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for technical services that are not needed.

Research shows that adware-type applications often display intrusive advertisements (pop-ups, banners, coupons, interstitial, transitional, full-page, search, and other similar ads) that conceal underlying content of visited websites (thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience), and might also lead to malicious websites.

Clicking them is risky and can result in various computer infections. In addition, these potentially unwanted programs often record various data types such as IP addresses, Internet service provider, geo-location, operating system and browser types, unique identifier numbers, search queries entered into search engines, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and so on.

This collected information might be personally identifiable. This recorded data is shared with various people (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, all adware-type applications should be uninstalled immediately.

Most adware is virtually identical. By delivering fake promises to provide a number of 'valuable features', potentially unwanted programs trick users into believing that these applications are legitimate. In fact, these apps provide no significant value for regular users.

The only purpose of adware-type applications is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than enabling the functions promised, potentially unwanted programs cause unwanted browser redirects, collect personal data, and display intrusive online advertisements.

How did Hard Disk Failure Error install on my computer?

Adware is usually distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of PUPs with regular software. Developers know that users often rush and skip most/all of the download and installation steps. Aware of this, developers intentionally conceal bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these processes.

Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs. In doing so, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent this situation, be cautious during the download/installation processes. Analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Furthermore, all additionally-included programs should be cancelled and offers to download/install them, declined. The key to computer safety is caution.

Screenshot of Hard Disk Failure Error message:

Text presented within this error message:

WARNING!! HARD-DISK FAILURE OR SYSTEM CRASH IN PROGRESS, CALL TOLL FREE IN 10 MINUTES FOR HELP AND TO AVOID IT!! - +1888-245-8846.
Seeing these pop-up's means that you have Virus or Malware installed on your computer which puts the security of your personal data at a serious risk.
Please Call Windows Support technician immediately to Diagnose your PC Security status.
All other computers connected into your network can also get infected. To avoid kindly call the Microsoft certified network engineer immediately to diagnose your pc security status.
Toll free Number : +1888-245-8846
DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER or CLOSE BROWSER, to avoid any hardware failure.

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is Hard Disk Failure Error?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the hard disk failure error virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the hard disk failure error virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with hard disk failure error virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the hard disk failure error virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on hard disk failure error virus or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

▼ Show Discussion