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Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! Scam

Also Known As: "Warning - your computer is infected!" virus
Type: Adware
Damage level: Medium

What is Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!?

"Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!" is a fake pop-up error message displayed by a malicious website that users often visit inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that stealthily infiltrate systems during installation of other software (the "bundling" method).

As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements and track browsing activity by gathering various user-system information.

Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! adware

The error message states that the system is infected, that someone is attempting to access/steal personal data (logins/passwords, banking details, etc.), and the infection must be eliminated immediately. Victims are encouraged to call "Customer Support" via a telephone number ("+1-877-304-0310") provided.

They are then supposedly guided through the removal process. As mentioned above, however, the "Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!" message is fake. Cyber criminals attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. Therefore, you should never attempt to call the aforementioned telephone number.

You can remove this error simply by closing the web browser. Be aware that PUPs deliver various advertisements (pop-ups, coupons, banners, etc.) that often conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, these ads often redirect to malicious websites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. PUPs record various user-system information that might contain personal details.

The collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal information. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking applications might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. For these reasons, uninstall PUPs immediately.

"Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!" shares many similarities with Windows Firewall Blocked The Internet, Windows Warning Alert, Windows Health Is Critical, and dozens of other fake errors. As with Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!, these pop-ups also claim that the system is infected, missing files, or is damaged in other similar ways.

In fact, all fake error messages are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. They should never be trusted.

By offering various 'useful features', PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, but rather than providing any significant value for regular users, they cause unwanted redirects, deliver advertisements, and continually record various 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. They hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing and 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" or "Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel of those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

Text presented within "Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!" scam pop-up:

Warning - your computer is infected! They may cause critical system failure. Click here to get available software. Or call Support Now! Call Toll-Free +1-877-304-0310 To find right solution.
Warning: Internet Security Damaged!!!
A suspicious Connection Was Trying to Access Your Logins, Banking Details & Tracking Your Internet Activity.
Your TCP Connection Was Blocked by Your Firewall. Your Accounts May be Suspended Until You Take an Action.
Your Personal Information May Have Leaked. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED.
Your Hard Disk May Have Trojan Virus! Please Do Not Try to fix Manually. It May Crash Your Data.
Consequently, we are performing additional security checks to verify system security.
Please Visit Your Nearest Windows Service Center OR Call Help Desk
Customer Service +1-877-304-0310 (TOLL-FREE)

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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.

Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! 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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! 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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! ads from Internet Explorer step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "warning - your computer is infected!" 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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected!  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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! ads from Google Chrome step 2

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "warning - your computer is infected!" 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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! 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 Warning - Your Computer Is Infected! ads from Mozilla Firefox step 2

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "warning - your computer is infected!" 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 "warning - your computer is infected!" 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.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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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.

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Warning - your computer is infected! virus QR code
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