Firewall Detecting Suspicious Incoming Network Connections Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections?
"Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections" is a fake error message displayed by a rogue website. Users often visit this site inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted adware-type programs (PUPs).
Note that cyber criminals also promote this scam using Typosquatting - whenever users misspell a URL (for example, "facebook[.]cm" rather than "facebook[.]com") they are redirected to the rogue site. Note also that PUPs deliver various intrusive online advertisements and gather information relating to users' Internet browsing activity.
According to this error message, the system has been infected with a trojan and the activation key has expired. Personal details (banking information, logins/passwords, messages, etc.) are also supposedly at risk.
The message goes on to say that malware must be eliminated immediately and users are encouraged to contact Google's Help Desk via a telephone number ("+1-844-284-8623") provided. They then supposedly receive help in resolving this issue. In fact, "Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections" is fake and has no association with the Google company.
Cyber criminals claim to be 'certified technicians' and attempt to scare and trick victims into calling and paying for technical support that is not required. For these reasons, this error should be ignored. You can remove it simply by closing the web browser. As mentioned above, PUPs also generate intrusive advertisements.
To achieve this, developers usually employ a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed ads (coupons, banners, pop-ups, etc.) often conceal underlying website content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, once clicked, these ads might activate a script to downloads/install malware or redirect to malicious websites. Therefore, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. PUPs are also record user-system information relating to browsing activity.
The list of collected data usually includes (but is not limited to) users' geo-locations, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, queries entered into search engines, pages viewed, and mouse/keyboard activity.
The collected data may be personally identifiable and shared by PUP developers with third parties (who generate revenue by misusing personal details). Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
| Name | "Suspicious’ incoming network connections" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | The fake pop-up error claims that Windows Firewall has detected some sort of suspicious network connections and encourages users to immediately contact technical support via provided telephone numbers. |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Numbers | +1-844-284-8623, 1-844-618-5763, +1-888-870-3813, +1-305-735-3877 |
| Related Domain(s) | bestsupportlll.000webhostapp[.]com |
| 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) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are many fake errors similar to "Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections" (for example, Google Chrome Warning Alert, Suspicious Incoming Network Connections, Error Virus - Trojan Backdoor Hijack, etc.) All claim that the system is damaged or infected, however, as with Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections, they are designed to trick victims into purchasing unnecessary services. PUPs are designed to generate revenue for the developers.
By offering various 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In fact, they deliver no value for regular users. PUPs promote various websites (by causing unwanted redirects), deliver intrusive advertisements (using the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and gather information relating to browsing activity.
Most of the promoted websites are fake Internet search engines that also have similar behavior to PUPs - they promote dubious websites, display ads, and record data.
These websites are often filled with dozens of intrusive online advertisements. Furthermore, they often generate irrelevant search results that might lead to malicious sites. Therefore, using a fake Internet search engine can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.
How did adware install on my computer?
Most PUPs are distributed via intrusive advertisements or a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of additional applications with regular (usually free) software.
Many users rush the download/installation procedures and skip steps. Aware of this, developers conceal bundled apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Skipping this section often leads to inadvertent installation of various PUPs and compromises users' privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Be very cautious when browsing the Internet. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings, carefully analyze each download/installation step, and decline offers to download/install additional software. Furthermore, avoid clicking any advertisements - this might cause various computer infections.
Text presented within the "Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections" pop-up error:
Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections, we recommend that you click on “Back to Safety”
Text presented within the malicious website:
Your computer has been Locked
Call Now: +1-844-284-8623
Your computer with the IP address 182.74.27.50 has been infected by the Trojans - Because System Activation KEY has expired & Your information (for example, passwords, messages, and credit cards) have been stolen. Call the Google Help Desk +1-844-288-8623 to protect your files.
Another variant of this scam using 1-844-618-5763 phone number:
A variant of "Firewall Detecting Suspicious Incoming Network Connections" tech support scam using +1-888-870-3813 phone number:
Yet another variant of "Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections" pop-up scam using +1-305-735-3877 telephone number:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Firewall detecting ‘suspicious’ incoming network connections?
- 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 "suspicious’ incoming network connections" 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 "More 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 "suspicious’ incoming network connections" 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 "suspicious’ incoming network connections" 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 "suspicious’ incoming network connections" 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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Outstanding!
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