Error #31(0x1F) POP-UP Scam

"Error #31(0x1F)" removal instructions

What is "Error #31(0x1F)"?

"Error #31(0x1F)" is a fake (error/virus) alert message displayed only on deceptive, untrustworthy websites. According to this fraudulent alert, an unknown system failure has occurred. It also states that the computer is infected with malicious program/s. These claims are common to websites of this type, however, another problem is that most people arrive at these websites inadvertently, since they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on their systems. These apps are installed on browsers or within operating systems, often unintentionally. They go on to feed users with advertisements and record various data relating to browsing activities.

The entire "Error #31(0x1F)" scam consists of two parts: a deceptive website and a pop-up window displayed from it. According to the pop-up window (supposedly a Windows security alert), the presence of malicious programs was detected and caused error "#31(0x1F), which is identified as an "Unknown System Failure". Users are encouraged to call the +1-888-905-1666 number immediately. According to the scam, this is a Windows Support number. It is stated that failing to calling this number (and solving the problem) might result in having banking information, email accounts, Facebook logins, credit card details, and photos stolen. Apparently, this situation might have occurred due to a suspicious connection to the user's IP address. The website itself contains more or less identical information. This website and associated pop-up window attempt to give the impression that the computer was infected and the user's personal details are at risk. Using this website, scammers attempt to trick people into calling the number (which is mentioned several times in the information provided). When contacted, scammers try to extort money from innocent people by encouraging them to purchase tools that are "necessary" to fix the problem, or they try to trick them into paying for "technical support/guidance". We strongly recommend that you ignore these websites/scams by closing them. If the website prevents you from closing it, use Windows Task Manager and terminate the entire browser process. Do not restore the closed session, since this will return you to the dubious website displaying the "Error #31(0x1F)" scam.

When installed, PUAs force redirects to these dubious websites. In addition, they deploy intrusive ads and gather browsing-related information. PUAs deliver coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other ads that are usually displayed via tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. They conceal underlying content and, if clicked, often lead to dubious (potentially, malicious) websites or even run scripts that download/install other unwanted, potentially malicious apps. Most PUAs gather browsing-related data, including, for example, URLs of visited websites, IP addresses, geo-locations, search queries etc. They also gather personal/sensitive data. Developers share the recorded details with third parties (cyber criminals) who misuse private information to generate revenue. Thus, having data tracking applications installed can lead to online privacy problems, issues with browsing safety or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Error #31(0x1F)" virus
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of one's computer.
Distribution methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. ▼ Download Malwarebytes To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

"Error #31(0x1F)" is just one of many scams/scam websites that extort money from innocent users. Generally, this is achieved by making users believe that immediate action must be taken to prevent computer damage, sensitive data stolen, and so on. Examples of other similar scams include "Error Code XLMR01F7985", "Windows Is Not Activated", and "Activate Your Windows Now". These unwanted apps are very similar. Most are promoted as providing useful features, however, this is done only to trick people into downloading and installing them. When installed, they perform actions that help developers to generate revenue.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some people download potentially unwanted apps from their official websites, however, in most cases, PUAs are downloaded/installed through intrusive advertisements or during installation of other software. Software developers often use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this to trick people into installing unwanted apps together with their chosen software. Developers achieve this by hiding unwanted apps in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the installation set-ups. They do not disclose information regarding the presence of unwanted apps in download or installation set-ups. Furthermore, many people install PUAs when they skip installation steps without checking the available options/settings.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Download software using trustworthy and official sources only, especially if the software is free or ad-supportive. Do not use third party software downloaders, peer-to-peer networks, unofficial websites, or similar sources to download software. Handle all installations with care - check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar options/settings and opt-out of offers to install unwanted applications. Many intrusive advertisements redirect users to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other untrustworthy websites. Do not click ads displayed on these websites. If you are redirected to untrustworthy websites, it is possible that you have inadvertently installed a unwanted, rogue application. Check installed extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons on your browser, and programs on your computer. Uninstall any suspicious/unwanted entries immediately. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "Error #31(0x1F)" pop-up:

WINDOWS SECURITY ALERT:

Your Windows Customer ID: WINDOWS10A182404
Call Official Windows Support Tollfree: +1-888-905-1666
Malicious spyware / riskware detected.
Error #31(0x1F) Unknown System Failure!

Please call WINDOWS SUPPORT NO: +1-888-905-1666 (TOLL FREE) immediately
Suspicious Connection Was Trying To Access Your IP Address, Logins & Tracking your Banking.
Your TCP Connection Was Blocked By Your Firewall. Your Connection Will Be Suspended Soon.
Hard Drive Have Trojan Virus! Please Don't Try To Fix Manually, It Will Crash Your All Data on the Device.
Suspicious Connection may trying to access following information:
> Banking Information.
> Email / Facebook Logins.
> Credit cards details.
> Photos stored on this device.

Consequently, We are performing additional security check to verify our existing customers.
Please Call OFFICIAL WINDOWS TOLL FREE NUMBER +1-888-905-1666 to reactivate your Connection.
Please mention the Your YOUR WINDOWS CUSTOMER ID: WINDOWS10A182404
when you are calling.

The appearance of this tech support pop-up scam (.gif):

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

Quick menu:

• What is "Error #31(0x1F)"?
• 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 applications:

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.

Windows XP users:

Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.

Windows 10 and Windows 8 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.

Mac 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 application, 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 "error #31(0x1f)" 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 and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the "error #31(0x1f)" 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "error #31(0x1f)" 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 "error #31(0x1f)" 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.

Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove "error #31(0x1f)" virus from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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