Your Computer May Be At Risk Scam

What is Your Computer May Be At Risk?

"Your Computer May Be At Risk" is a fake error message displayed by a number of deceptive potentially unwanted programs (PUPs, such as "PC Clean Plus", "PC Purifier", etc.) By offering a variety of 'useful features', PUPs often trick users into believing that they are legitimate programs.

In fact, they often infiltrate systems without consent. Furthermore, these rogue programs track web browsing activity and often display intrusive online advertisements.

The "Your Computer May Be At Risk" error states that the system has crashed. To receive help in solving this problem, users must supposedly contact "Tech Support" via a telephone number provided (844-763-5838). Be aware, however, that this error message is not genuine - it is a scam.

Criminals merely attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. Furthermore, PUPs often gather information such as IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc., without users' consent.

This recorded data might be personally identifiable and shared by developers of PUPs with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal information. Thus, the presence of information-tracking applications on your system can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

Another downside is display of intrusive online advertisements. Pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar ads are displayed using a ‘virtual layer’ (a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site).

These ads often conceal underlying web content and can lead to malicious websites - even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. For these reasons, uninstall potentially unwanted programs immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Your Computer May Be At Risk virus
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

The Internet is full of potentially unwanted programs that offer users various 'useful features', including Slithermon, MegaBackup, Trezaa, and My Web Shield (just some examples from many). These applications may appear legitimate and useful, however, do not be tricked.

Potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers and they provide no value for regular users. PUPs collect personally identifiable information, display intrusive ads, and often cause unwanted browser redirects.

How did PUPs install on my computer?

Some PUPs have official download websites, however, most are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip most steps. Therefore, bundled programs are hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of these processes. Skipping this section can lead to inadvertent installation of bogus programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be cautious when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Furthermore, decline offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of those already included.

Screenshots of potentially unwanted programs displaying "Your Computer May Be At Risk" fake error:

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▼ 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 Your Computer May Be At Risk pop-up?
• 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.

Potentially unwanted programs' 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 (e.g. "PC Clean Plus", "PC Purifier"), 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 your computer may be at risk 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 your computer may be at risk 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 your computer may be at risk 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 your computer may be at risk 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.

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