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Windows Warning Alert Scam

Also Known As: "Windows Warning Alert" virus
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Windows Warning Alert?

"Windows Warning Alert" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website and often visited by users inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission (the "bundling" method). Furthermore, PUPs continually deliver intrusive online advertisements and record various data relating to browsing activity.

Windows Warning Alert adware

The "Windows Warning Alert" error message states that malware infections have been detected, personal data (logins/passwords, banking details, etc.) are at risk, and that the malware must be eliminated immediately. Victims are encouraged to contact "certified technicians" via a telephone number ("1-877-804-5390") provided.

They are then supposedly guided through the virus removal process. Bear in mind, however, that, as mentioned above, the "Windows Warning Alert" error is fake. It attempts to scare and trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. Ignore this message. You can remove it simply by closing the web browser.

PUPs generate pop-up, banner, coupon, and other similar advertisements using a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads often conceal underlying content of visited websites, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

In addition, these ads can lead to malicious websites - even accidental clicks might result in high-risk adware or malware infections. PUPs record IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other similar information.

This collected data might contain personal details that PUP developers share with third parties (who misuse personal details to generate revenue). Information tracking can result in serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, uninstall all PUPs immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name "Windows Warning Alert" virus
Threat Type Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim Deceptive pop-ups and websites claim that the system is infected/damaged and encourages users to contact fake tech support.
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number +1-877-804-5390, +800-721-3515, +1833-782-9400, +1300-310-117
Symptoms Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.
Distribution methods Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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"Windows Warning Alert" is virtually identical to Ransomware Attack Warning Alert, Windows Health Is Critical, Windows Defender Alert, and dozens of other fake error messages that also claim that the system is infected, missing files, or damaged in other similar ways. As with Windows Warning Alert, however, these pop-ups should not be trusted.

Their purpose is identical - to generate revenue for the developers. PUPs have very similar behavior. By offering various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. Rather than providing any significant value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and continually record user-system information.

How did adware install on my computer?

To proliferate PUPs, developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software/apps, since they know that users often rush the download/installation processes and skip steps.

They hide bundled PUPs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Thus, 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, closely analyze each download/installation step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, opt-out of all additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. The key to computer safety is caution.

Text presented within "Windows Warning Alert" pop-up:

Malicious Spyware/Riskware Detected
Error #0x80072ee7
Please call us immediately at: 1-877-804-5390
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Spyware and risk ware. The following information is being stolen…
> Financial Data
> Facebook Logins
> Credit Card Details
> Email Account Logins
> Photos stored on this computer

You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any inforamtion loss. Toll free 1-877-804-5390

The appearance of this scam pop-up (clicking "Back to Safety" opens this pop-up in full screen mode):

microsoft warning alert scam pop-up appearance

Yet another variant of "Windows Warning Alert" pop-up scam, tech support scammers are using 800-721-3515 phone number:

windows warning alert pop-up scam variant 3

Another variant "Microsoft Warning Alert" pop-up scam (crooks are now using "+1833-782-9400" phone number):

Windows Warning Alert pop-up scam

Another variant of "Windows Warning Alert" pop-up scam:

Windows Warning Alert pop-up scam (2020-06-16)

Text presented within:

** Windows Warning Alert **
ERROR # 268d3x8938(3)
Please call us immediately at:
+1-833-922-2143 (Toll Free)
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Pornographic Spyware and riskware. The following information is being stolen...

1.Facebook Logins
2.Credit Card Details
3.Email Account Logins
4.Photos stored on this computer

You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity or from any information loss.
Call Windows : +1-833-922-2143 (Toll Free)

Another variant of "Windows Warning Alert" pop-up scam:

Windows Warning Alert pop-up scam (2020-09-28)

Yet another variant of "Windows Warning Alert" pop-up scam:

Windows Warning Alert pop-up scam (2020-12-29)

Another example of Windows Warning Alert-themed scam website:

Windows Warning Alert pop-up scam (2022-01-07)

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Quick menu:

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Accessing Apps and Features in Windows 11

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 8

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:

Accessing Programs and Features (uninstall) in Windows 7

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:

Uninstall app in OSX (Mac)

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.

Windows Warning Alert adware uninstall via Control Panel

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:

Internet Explorer logoRemove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Removing Windows Warning Alert ads from Internet Explorer step 1

Click the "gear" icon Internet Explorer options 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".

Removing Windows Warning Alert ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "windows warning alert" 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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows XP

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.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 7

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

Reseting Internet Explorer settings to default in Windows 8 - accessing

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - Internet options advanced tab

Click the Reset button.

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - click the Reset button in the Internet options advanced tab

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

Resetting Internet Explorer settings to default on Windows 8 - confirm settings reset to default by clicking the reset button

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removing Windows Warning Alert  ads from Google Chrome step 1

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

Removing Windows Warning Alert ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "windows warning alert" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Google Chrome settings reset step 1

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 2

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

Google Chrome settings reset step 3

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Removing Windows Warning Alert ads from Mozilla Firefox step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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.

Removing Windows Warning Alert ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "windows warning alert" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

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

Accessing settings (Reset Firefox to default settings step 1)

Select Troubleshooting Information.

Accessing Troubleshooting Information (Reset Firefox to default settings step 2)

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

Clicking on Refresh Firefox button (Reset Firefox to default settings step 3)

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

Confirm your want to reset Firefox settings to default (Reset Firefox to default settings step 4)

safari browser logoRemove malicious extensions from Safari:

removing adware from safari step 1 - accessing preferences

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

removing adware from safari step 2 - removing extensions

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...

resetting safari step 1

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

resetting safari step 2

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) logoRemove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 1

Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) 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.

Removing adware from Microsoft Edge step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "windows warning alert" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon Microsoft Edge (chromium) menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 1

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 2

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.

Microsoft Edge (Chromium) reset step 3

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

Summary:

declining installation of adware while downloading free software sampleCommonly, 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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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Software uninstall instructions
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Windows Warning Alert virus QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of "Windows Warning Alert" virus on your mobile device.
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