Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC?
"Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC" is a fake error message delivered by a malicious website. Users often visit this website without their consent - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Research shows that PUPs often infiltrate systems without permission.
As well as causing unwanted redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements and continually gather information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.
"Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC" states that all data stored on the computer is at risk and, therefore, users must immediately contact 'technical support' via the telephone number ("+1-844-612-7496") provided. Victims then supposedly receive help in resolving the issue. As mentioned, however, this error message is fake.
Cyber criminals attempt to generate revenue by scaring and tricking victims them into calling and paying for services that are not required. You can remove this error simply by closing the web browser. An identical pop-up is displayed by a malicious website that delivers another fake error called You Have A ZEUS Virus.
Be aware that potentially unwanted programs employ a "virtual layer" to generate banner, coupon, pop-up, and other similar advertisements. The virtual layer is a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. The displayed ads usually conceal underlying content of visited websites, significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience.
In addition, some lead to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs continually gather IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, geo-locations, and other similar information that might contain personal details.
This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private details. Thus, data tracking can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. All potentially unwanted programs must be uninstalled immediately.
There are dozens of fake error messages similar to "Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC" including Your Hard Drive Will Be Deleted, Microsoft Warning Alert, and Don't Restart Your Computer - these are just some examples from many. As with "Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC", these errors also claim that the system is infected or damaged in certain ways.
In fact, these claims are merely attempts to trick victims into paying for services that are not required. Potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
By offering various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, rather than providing any value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, collect various user/system information, and deliver intrusive online advertisements.
How did adware install on my computer?
Criminals proliferate potentially unwanted programs by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party apps with regular software/apps. Developers hide all bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of rogue applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.
Text presesnted within "Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC" error:
This alert indicates that an attempt to Tamper Data on this PC has been made. Error Ticket: WBCKL457 has been generated You are advised to call Customer Support on 1-844-612-7496 (Toll Free) and share this code with the agent.
Here is what this scam looks like (GIF):
Text presented within this pop-up:
**** Don’t Restart Your Computer ****
System Detected ZEUS Virus and these Infections indicate that some Unauthorised File Tampering has taken place on the computer which must be Diagnosed and Rectified to prevent loss of Personal Data. Call Apple/Microsoft Technical support on 1-844-612-7496 and share the Error Ticket: WBCKL457 with Agent to get Diagnosed Free of Charge. PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART YOUR COMPUTER, DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND FAILURE OF YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM RESULTING IN COMPLETE DATA LOSS. CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON TOLL FREE -1-844-612-7496
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Quick menu:
- What is Attempt To Tamper Data On This PC?
- 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 "attempt to tamper data on this pc" 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 "attempt to tamper data on this pc" 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 "attempt to tamper data on this pc" 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 "attempt to tamper data on this pc" 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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