COMPUTER BLOCKED POP-UP Scam

COMPUTER BLOCKED removal instructions

What is COMPUTER BLOCKED?

"COMPUTER BLOCKED" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website that users often visit inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). These applications infiltrate systems without consent (the "bundling" method). PUPs deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record user-system information.

The message states that Windows Firewall has detected suspicious activity and, for this reason, the Internet connection has been blocked. To solve this issue, victims are encouraged to contact "Microsoft's Technical Support" via a telephone number ("+1-844-392-7021") provided. They are then supposedly guided through the recovery procedure. Bear in mind, however, that the "COMPUTER BLOCKED" message is fake and should not be trusted. Criminals attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. Never attempt to call the aforementioned telephone number - you can remove this error simply by closing the web browser. Another downside is display of advertisements. To deliver pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar ads, PUPs employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, delivered ads often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, they redirect to malicious websites and, thus, clicking them can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, PUPs continually gather IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information. There is a high probability that this collected information will contain personal details that PUP developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue. This behavior can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, the presence of a data-tracking app can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.

"COMPUTER BLOCKED" is virtually identical to Suspicious Ransomware Activity, Error Virus - Trojan Backdoor Hijack, Unknown Security Breach, and dozens of other fake errors. All claim that the system is damaged in some way, however, as with COMPUTER BLOCKED, their purpose is simply to generate revenue for the developers by tricking users into paying for so-called 'technical support'. PUPs have an identical purpose. By offering various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, all are useless for regular users. PUPs cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and continually gather user-system information.

How did adware install on my computer?

PUPs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular (mostly free) applications. Developers know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, they hide PUPs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. By skipping this section, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent system infiltration by PUPs. Firstly, choose the "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

Another variant of this 'tech support' scam (scammers use the 18883373426 telephone number):

Text presented within "COMPUTER BLOCKED" pop-up:

Windows Firewall has detected some suspicious activity from your IP address and network connection has been blocked temporarily.
To get it unblocked you need to call on Microsoft Technical Support Desk.
Microsoft Safety & Security Center: +1-844-392-7021
Ring now to get it fixed toll free: +1-844-392-7021

Do not restart the device, this may cause serious damage to the system and network address. Don’t worry, Microsoft brings this free
for you. Please do not shutdown or restart your computer, doing that ay lead to data loss and failure of operating system, hence
non bootable situation resulting complete data loss. Contact administrator department to resolve this issue on toll free
+1-844-392-7021 Official US Local Microsoft Support

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Quick menu:

• What is COMPUTER BLOCKED?
• 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 "computer blocked" 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 "computer blocked" 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 "computer blocked" 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 "computer blocked" 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.

Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove "computer blocked" virus from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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