Windows Hard Disk Is At High Risk POP-UP Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
"Windows hard disk is at high risk" removal instructions
What is "Windows hard disk is at high risk"?
"Windows hard disk is at high risk" is a technical support scam that is promoted on a deceptive website. Scam websites of this type are used with a purpose to extract money from unsuspecting people by tricking them into paying money for unnecessary software or services. Typically, people do not visit websites of this type intentionally. They are redirected to them by deceptive ads they have clicked or potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) that they have installed on their browsers or computers. In addition to redirects, apps of this type usually feed their users with unwanted ads and gather browsing-related information.
This scam page says that all data stored on a visitor's hard drive will be deleted if he will close this page. According to this website, a computer/system was attacked by ALUREON, supposedly a high-risk virus. It is stated that a visitor's hard drive will be wiped out after 5 minutes. To prevent this from happening, this scam page encourages people to call the "1-855-623-5333" number. According to the pop-up window that this website displays, this virus attack happened due to some recently downloaded files that were malicious. Since this is a scam, it can be ignored. This scam is a typical method to swindle people out of their money. Once contacted, scammers try to trick people into using their services that are not free, or to purchase some software that supposed to fix the occurred problem (in this case to eliminate some viruses). We strongly recommend not to fall for this or any other similar scam and to simply close this page. If it cannot be closed in a normal way, then we suggest to end browser's process using the Task Manager. Note, it is not recommended to restore the previously closed session the next time a browser is opened. It will reopen the same deceptive web page again.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, redirect to untrustworthy, deceptive pages often occur because of various PUAs that people have installed on their computers and/or browsers. These apps usually are designed to gather various data too. They collect user's IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites and so on. Note, some of them might be designed to record personal details too. One way or another, their developers send all gathered data to other people, potentially, cyber criminals. Third parties misuse received data to generate revenue. One more problem such apps is that they might be designed to deliver intrusive ads. For example, various coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and so on. If clicked, they open various scam and other unreliable pages or execute scripts designed to download, install unwanted programs.
| Name | "Windows hard disk is at high risk" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | The fake message claims that system is attacked by "ALUREON" and that hard drive will be deleted if user will close the page. Message also encourages users to contact "certified technicians" immediately. |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | 1-855-623-533 |
| Related Domain(s) |
browsersecurityalert1z001[.]info |
| 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. |
| Removal |
To eliminate Windows hard disk is at high risk virus our malware researchers recommend scanning your computer with Spyhunter. |
There is a great number of various deceptive, scam websites. Here are some examples: "Microsoft detected malicious virus and blocked your computer", "Enter Windows registration key to unblock" and "Error XR01F5" Typically, people (scammers) who created them try to trick their visitors into paying them money for some questionable, unnecessary software, or to use their services ("technical support"). None of these pages should be trusted, the best option is to simply ignore/close them. PUAs that often are the reason behind redirects to such pages usually are promoted as legitimate and useful tools. However, when installed, they cause unwanted redirects, gather data and serve ads. Having apps of this type installed might lead to problems with browsing safety, privacy, or cause even more serious problems such as identity theft.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Typically, PUAs get installed when people download and install some other software without dismissing additionally included apps. In other words, when they leave all download or installation setup's settings like "Custom", "Advanced" and others unchecked and unchanged. Including apps into setups of other software is known as a marketing method called "bundling". To trick people into downloading and installing PUAs, they hide information about them in the aforementioned parts (settings) of download/installation setups. Another way to cause unintentional downloads and installations is to click deceptive, intrusive advertisements that, once clicked, run scripts designed to download and install unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
We do not recommend to use various third party software downloaders (or installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, etc.), questionable, unofficial websites and other similar sources to download or install any software. It should be downloaded from official, trustworthy websites and using direct download links. Furthermore, it is important to check what are the included "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of any software's setup, and to deselect bundled apps. Otherwise, they will be downloaded and installed together with the desired software. We suggest to avoid clicking intrusive advertisements, especially if they are displayed on pages related to gambling, adult dating, pornography and so on. If clicked, they open various untrustworthy, potentially malicious websites or download/install PUAs. If you encounter such redirects or ads often, then we recommend to check if there are no unwanted/unknown extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on a default web browser. All apps of this kind should be removed as soon as possible. Unwanted programs that are installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Spyhunter for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "Windows hard disk is at high risk" website:
Your Hard drive will de DELETED if you close this page. You have a ALUREON Attack! Please call Support Now! Call Toll-Free: 1-855-623-5333 To Stop This Process
Hard Drive safely delete in starting in 4:36
Your Windows hard disk is at high risk
To immediately rectify issue and prevent data loss
Call Toll Free: 1-855-623-5333
Screenshot of this scam website's pop-up window:
Text presented in this pop-up window:
Windows Detected ALUREON Attack, The Infection detected, indicate some recent downloads on the computer which in turn has created problems on the computer. Call Toll Free 1-855-623-5333 and share this code SD333 to the Agent to Fix This.
The appearance of "Windows hard disk is at high risk" pop-up (GIF):
Instant automatic removal of Windows hard disk is at high risk virus:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Spyhunter is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Windows hard disk is at high risk virus. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Spyhunter
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Free scanner checks if your computer is infected. To remove malware, you have to purchase the full version of Spyhunter.
Quick menu:
- What is "Windows hard disk is at high risk"?
- 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 "windows hard disk is at high risk" 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 "windows hard disk is at high risk" 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 plugins 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 "windows hard disk is at high risk" 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 add-ons from Microsoft Edge:
Click the three horizontal dots icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions, right click your mouse on these entries and click "Uninstall".
Optional method:
Click the three horizontal dots icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), and select Settings.
In the opened tab, click the "Choose what to clear" button.
Click Show more and select everything, and then click the "Clear" button.
- If this didn't help, please follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset 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 "windows hard disk is at high risk" virus from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!