The Roboto Condensed Font Was Not Found Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found"?
Similar to The ArialText Font Was Not Found and The HoeflerText Font Wasn't Found, "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" is a fake pop-up error message displayed by a malicious website. This fake pop-up was first discovered by security researcher MalwareBreakdown.
Research shows that users often visit this website inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission. As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually track browsing activity by gathering various user-system information.
The error message states that the system is missing a font called "Roboto Condensed", thus preventing a website from being opened. To fix the issue, users must supposedly update the font pack. Rather than installing the font, however, this error infiltrates the system with a number of cryptocurrency-mining trojans, as well as Nymaim and Ursnif viruses.
In fact, "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" error is a scam and, therefore, should be ignored. Cyber criminals generate revenue by proliferating this malware. Distributing malware is quite unusual behavior for fake errors. Most falsely claim that the system is infected or damaged, and encourage victims to contact 'technical support'.
Cyber criminals then demand a fee in exchange for guidance in resolving the issue. PUPs often deliver pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar advertisements. They also use a "virtual layer" - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site.
Therefore, displayed advertisements often conceal underlying content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, these ads redirect to malicious websites or even activate scripts that download and install malware - thus, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections.
Many PUPs gather information that might be personally identifiable. PUP developers share the collected data (IP addresses, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries, mouse/keyboard activity, etc.) with third parties who misuse personal details to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking applications can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
| Name | "The "Roboto Condensed" font was not found" virus |
| Threat Type | Ransomware, Crypto Virus, Files locker |
| Symptoms | Can't open files stored on your computer, previously functional files now have a different extension, for example my.docx.locked. A ransom demanding message is displayed on your desktop. Cyber criminals are asking to pay a ransom (usually in bitcoins) to unlock your files. |
| Distribution methods | Infected email attachments (macros), torrent websites, malicious ads. |
| Damage | All files are encrypted and cannot be opened without paying a ransom. Additional password stealing trojans and malware infections can be installed together with a ransomware infection. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of malicious websites that display fake errors similar to "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" including Google Chrome Warning Alert, Ransomware Detected, and Suspicious Incoming Network Connections. These are just some examples from many.
All claim that the system is infected, missing files, or damaged in other similar ways, however, these errors are designed only to proliferate malware or extort money from unsuspecting victims. PUPs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.
By offering 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these programs give no significant value for regular users. They merely cause unwanted redirects (thereby promoting various websites), deliver intrusive advertisements (via the "Pay Per Click" advertising model), and record various data (which is later sold to third parties).
Most of the promoted websites are fake Internet search engines that contain dozens of intrusive advertisements. Furthermore, PUPs promote suspicious websites by generating search results irrelevant to the user. Therefore, fake search engines pose a direct threat to browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
Most PUPs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party programs with regular software/apps. Developers are aware that users often skip download/installation steps and thus hide bundled programs within the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings.
As mentioned above, cyber criminals also proliferate PUPs via intrusive advertisements. Therefore, by skipping download/installation steps and clicking on various advertisements, users often expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Installation of PUPs can be prevented by taking two simple steps: 1) carefully analyze each download/installation step (especially the "Custom/Advanced" settings) and decline offers to download/install additional software, and; 2) never click any advertisements.
Cyber criminals take their business seriously and put a great deal of effort into making intrusive advertisements appear legitimate - it is hard to determine if certain advertisements can be trusted. Therefore, do not take any risk. The key to computer safety is caution.
Text presented within "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" pop-up error:
The web page you are trying to load is displayed incorrectly, as it uses the “Roboto Condensed” font. To fix the error and display the next, you have to update the “Chrome/Mozilla Font Pack”
Manufacturer: Google INc. All Rights Reserved./Mozilla Corporation.
Current version: Chrome Font Pack 54.0.2785.89/Mozilla Font Pack 53.0.2785.89
Latest version: Chrome Font Pack 60.0.3112.90/Mozilla Font Pack 60.3112.90
Second "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" pop-up:
Apart from spreading ransomware (for example Ykcol), this scam is also spreading adware infections for example - NotToTrack, WebOptimum, Search Awesome, dotdo, s5mark, OnlineApp, Interstat, and many other:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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 "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found"?
- STEP 1. "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus removal using safe mode with networking.
- STEP 2. "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus removal using System Restore.
"The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus removal:
Step 1
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Go to the Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click on Advanced Startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window select Advanced Startup. Click on the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into "Advanced Startup options menu".
Click on the "Troubleshoot" button, then click on "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen click on "Startup settings". Click on the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press "5" to boot in Safe Mode with Networking Prompt.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options".
In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Step 2
Log in to the account infected with the "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus. Start your Internet browser and download a legitimate anti-spyware program. Update the anti-spyware software and start a full system scan. Remove all entries detected.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking, try performing a System Restore.
Video showing how to remove viruses using "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" and "System Restore":
1. During your computer starting process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until the Windows Advanced Options menu appears, and then select Safe Mode with Command Prompt from the list and press ENTER.
2. When Command Prompt Mode loads, enter the following line: cd restore and press ENTER.
3. Next, type this line: rstrui.exe and press ENTER.
4. In the opened window, click "Next".
5. Select one of the available Restore Points and click "Next" (this will restore your computer system to an earlier time and date, prior to the "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus infiltrating your PC).
6. In the opened window, click "Yes".
7. After restoring your computer to a previous date, download and scan your PC with recommended malware removal software to eliminate any remnants of the "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus.
If you cannot start your computer in Safe Mode with Networking (or with Command Prompt), boot your computer using a rescue disk. Some viruses disable Safe Mode making it's removal complicated. For this step, you require access to another computer.
After removing "The 'Roboto Condensed' font was not found" virus from your PC, restart your computer and scan it with legitimate anti-spyware software to remove any possible remnants of this security infection.
Other tools known to remove this scam:
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