Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found?
Identical to Adobe Flash Player Was Not Found, "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" is a fake error displayed by a malicious website.
Research shows that users are often redirected to this site by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). In most cases, these programs infiltrate systems without users’ permission. Furthermore, PUPs deliver intrusive advertisements, gather data, and also misuse system resources to run unnecessary background processes.
The "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" error states that the website that the user is trying to access cannot be loaded correctly, since the system is missing certain fonts. Users are then encouraged to download/update these missing fonts.
Bear in mind, however, that "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" is fake and has nothing to do with Microsoft - it is designed by cyber criminals to proliferate malware. Rather than downloading updates, users will probably infect their systems. At time of research, "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" was proliferating a password-stealing virus.
Previously, however, these scam campaigns were used to distribute adware and ransomware. In any case, never trust "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" - it is a scam. Your software should be updated only using implemented functionality or tools provided by the official developers. Immediately leave this malicious website.
Note that some of these sites employ scripts that prevent users from closing tabs. Therefore, we recommend that you close the entire web browser (preferably, via Task Manager) or reboot the system. In addition, never click "Restore Closed Tabs" after re-running the web browser, as this will reopen the malicious website.
As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs typically deliver various intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, pop-ups, and so on). These are delivered using various tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, most displayed ads conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
Furthermore, displayed ads often redirect to malicious websites and even run scripts that download/install malware. Therefore, clicking them risks various computer infections. Another downside is information tracking. Potentially unwanted programs gather various data types, including personal details.
In addition, the data is typically sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal information. The presence of information-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs misuse system resources to perform various unnecessary tasks (e.g., mine cryptocurrencies) without users' consent. These programs significantly reduce overall system performance. For these reasons, all potentially unwanted programs must be eliminate immediately.
Name | "Microsoft Font Pack was not found" virus |
Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
"Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" shares many similarities with Your Device Is Under Threat, Windows Support Alert, Google Security Warning, and dozens of other fake errors, however, unlike "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found", these errors do not promote downloads - they simply attempt to scare and trick victims into calling fake technical support and pay for services that are not required.
Potentially unwanted programs also share many similarities. Almost all offer "useful features", however, since their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers, PUPs typically deliver no significant value and pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
Some PUPs are free for anyone to download on official websites, however, in most cases criminals proliferate them by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and the aforementioned intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is stealth installation of rogue apps together with regular software/apps.
Developers are aware that many users rush download/installation processes and skip steps. Therefore, they hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings. Skipping download/installation steps and clicking various advertisements, thus often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.
It is also highly recommended that you download your applications from official sources only and use direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers should never be used, since criminals monetize them by promoting rogue software (the "bundling" method).
Intrusive ads typically look legitimate, however, they are distinguishable since most lead to survey, gambling, adult dating, and other dubious websites. If you encounter such redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.
Text presented in "Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found" fake error:
Microsoft Font Pack 10.2.1100 was not found
The web page you are trying to load is displayed incorrectly, as it uses the "Microsoft Font Pack 10.2.1100". To fix the error and display the next you have to update the "Microsoft Font Pack".
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Current Version: Microsoft Font Pack 10.1.0258
Latest version: Microsoft Font Pack 10.2.1100
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 Microsoft Font Pack Was Not Found?
- 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 extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted programs:
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 rogue extensions 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 "microsoft font pack was not found" 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 "microsoft font pack was not found" 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 "microsoft font pack was not found" 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 "microsoft font pack was not found" 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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