Do not trust the "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!" scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!" removal instructions
What is "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!"?
This untrusted website displays a deceptive notification stating that the computer is infected with viruses and attempts to scare users into downloading and installing potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Typically, these web pages are opened when users visit other dubious websites, click bogus advertisements or already have PUAs installed on the browser and/or computer. In most cases, they do not visit these sites intentionally.
Scammers designed this deceptive notification to appear as a legitimate notification from Google stating that the Windows Operating System is infected with three viruses. It advises removal of detected viruses immediately, otherwise they might cause loss of apps, photos and other files. Removal of the viruses will also supposedly prevent personal and banking information from being stolen. At the time of research, this deceptive site promoted Norton AntiVirus, a legitimate anti-virus/anti-malware software product. Note that neither Google nor Norton computer security products have anything to do with this website/fake notification. This site might also be used to advertise various PUAs (e.g., browser hijackers, adware). Therefore, do not trust this web page - download your software only from official websites.
Browser hijackers are PUAs that promote fake search engines by changing browser settings. Generally, they modify the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab by assigning them as the address of a fake search engine. Most fake search engines do not generate unique results, or they generate misleading results. Adware serves advertisements (e.g., pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons). When clicked, these ads can open dubious websites and sometimes can download and/or install unwanted software by executing certain scripts. Both browser hijackers and adware-type apps can collect various user-system information (IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and so on). They might also be capable of accessing personal, confidential information as well. Furthermore, the collected data could be misused to generate revenue by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), or in other ways. Therefore, these apps can be the reason behind identity theft, problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and other issues.
| Name | "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!" pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | This site claims that the computer is infected with three viruses. |
| Promoted Software | Norton AntiVirus. This web page could be used to promote potentially unwanted apps as well. |
| Related Domain | subscriptions[.]click |
| Serving IP Address | 185.193.125.214 |
| 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 Malwarebytes. |
"VIRUS ALERT FROM Windows", "Activation Security Warning" and "Norton Subscription Has Expired Today" (another scam promoting Norton AntiVirus) are some of examples of other deceptive websites designed to trick visitors into believing that their computers are infected with viruses. Note that these sites can be used to deceive people into installing potentially unwanted software, and also calling scammers via the provided numbers. When contacted, criminals attempt to sell unnecessary services or software. They might also try to trick users into installing Remote Administration Tools (RATs) so that they can gain access and control over computers remotely.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
In most cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed through the set-ups of other programs. I.e., when they are included as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling" and is used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted software together with users' required software. In most cases, offers to download and/or install additionally-included apps are listed in "Custom", "Advanced", and other settings of the set-ups. Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate. In some cases, PUAs can be downloaded and installed by clicking deceptive ads that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
It is not safe to download or install software through third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), from unofficial pages or other channels of this kind. Use official websites and direct links. Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings and dismiss any offers to download or install additionally-included/unwanted apps before completing the process. Do not click intrusive ads on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause download/installation of PUAs. Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately. Also remove software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!" pop-up scam (GIF):
Text presented in "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!" pop-up:
Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!
Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses. The pre-scan found traces of (2) malware and (1) spyware. System damage: 28.1% - IMMEDIATE REMOVAL REQUIRED!
The removal of (3) Viruses is required immediately to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of (1) Spyware were found on your computer. Personal and banking information are at risk.
Step 1: Click on the "Proceed" button to check your computer for viruses.
0 minutes and 55 seconds
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:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Your Windows is infected with (3) Viruses!"?
- 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 "your windows is infected with (3) viruses!" pop-up, 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 "your windows is infected with (3) viruses!" pop-up, 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 "your windows is infected with (3) viruses!" pop-up 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 "your windows is infected with (3) viruses!" pop-up, 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 "your windows is infected with (3) viruses!" pop-up from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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