Do not trust the A virus has been detected on your computer scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"A virus has been detected on your computer" removal instructions
What is "A virus has been detected on your computer"?
This is a typical tech support in which scammers claim to offer a legitimate technical support service. Typically, scammers behind such scams attempt to trick unsuspecting users into paying money for supposedly legitimate software or services, or even installing some Remote Administration Tool that would allow them to remotely access and control a computer. Either way, it is strongly recommended to ignore/not to trust such scams.
The main purpose of this technical support scam is to trick users into believing that a computer is infected with a virus and calling the +1 (603) 652-1871 number. It claims that a detected virus may compromise data such as passwords, browsing history, files stored on a computer and other confidential information. To prevent any of the possible damage users supposed to call the provided number within 5 minutes. This scam website is designed to look like an official Microsoft page, although, none of the actual, official Microsoft websites has anything to do with this site. Typically, scammers behind such scams attempt to deceive users into paying for the supposed "support" services or some software, and/or into giving them a remote access to a computer. By having such access they may be capable of stealing sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, installing some malware (like ransomware, Trojans), accessing personal files, etc. Scammers may misuse accessed information, data to steal identities, personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, and so on. In one way or another, such scams must be ignored. It is worthwhile to mention that users do not open such scam pages intentionally. In most cases they get opened through other shady websites, clicked deceptive ads or by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Quite often installed PUAs are designed not only to open untrustworthy pages but also to collect various data related to user's browsing habits. For instance, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations. In some cases they can be targeting sensitive, personal details as well. Moreover, PUAs can be designed to serve intrusive ads (like coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.) as well. Usually those ads open various untrustworthy pages or even run scripts designed to cause download and/or installation of some unwanted software.
| Name | A virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | This scam claims that user's computer is infected with a virus |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | +1 (603) 652-1871, 0808-143-3686 |
| Related Domains | hdpornxxx[.]online, proactiveininfo[.]online |
| Serving IP Address (hdpornxxx[.]online) | 198.187.31.101 |
| 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. |
More examples of similar scams are "ERROR CODE 72", "Your Windows Is infected With (3) Viruses!" and "VIRUS ALERT FROM Windows". Typically, such scam pages are disguised as official Microsoft websites claiming that they have detected some virus, error, etc., and encouraging users to call the provided number as soon as possible. As mentioned in the second paragraph, users do not visit such pages intentionally. If a browser opens unreliable, deceptive pages by itself often, then it is very likely that it has some PUA installed on it.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
It is common that various potentially unwanted applications are distributed by using download and installation setups of other programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Developers include PUAs in setups as additional offers and hope that users will not decline them. Typically, such offers are mentioned and can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings of a setups. Although, users often download and/or install programs without checking and changing those settings. When they leave them unchanged, they download and/or install additionally included software together with a desired one. In some cases such downloads and/or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule, etc.), unofficial sites, freeware download pages, etc., can be used as tools to distribute various PUAs or even malicious apps. Therefore, software and files should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Also, downloads and installations should not be finished without checking setups for "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings. It is common that such settings mention offers to download and/or install additionally included, unwanted apps. Advertisements that appear on various questionable, untrustworthy websites often either open untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Such ads should not be clicked as well. If there are any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons, plug-ins installed on a browser, then they should be removed from it. Software of this kind that is installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of "A virus has been detected on your computer" pop-up scam (GIF):
Text presented in "A virus has been detected on your computer" pop-up:
**** Do not restart the computer ****
A virus has been detected on your computer.
The infections detected indicate some malicious downloads from the Internet that have caused serious problems for your computer.
Contact us immediately +1 (603) 652-1871 Contact technical support and report the following error code to your technician to repair your computer: O1AAT.
Screenshot of a background page:
Text in this page:
Your computer is infected.
The following data may be compromised:
1. Password.
2. Browsing history.
3. Confidential information (credit card).
4. Files on your hard drive.
To prevent your computer from being deactivated, please call us within 5 minutes.
Call immediately: +1 (603) 652-1871 (Free call).
Do not ignore this important warning. Closing this page will disable access to your computer to avoid further damage to your network.
Please contact us immediately. A technician will call you over the removal process.To prevent your computer from being deactivated, please call us within 5 minutes.
Another example of "A Virus Has Been Detected On Your Computer" pop-up scam:
Text presented within:
Text in the pop-up:
**** Do not restart your computer ****
A virus has been detected on your computer.The infections detected indicate some malicious downloads from the internet that have caused serious problems to your computer.
Call Us Windows Support 0808-143-3686 Please contact technical support and report the following error code to a technician to repair your computer: O1AAT
Text in the background:
Your computer is infected.
The following data may be compromised:
1. Password.
2. Browsing history.
3. Confidential information (credit card).
4. Files on your hard drive.To prevent your computer from being deactivated, please call us within 5 minutes.
Call Us Windows Support: 0808-143-3686 (toll free).
Do not ignore this important warning. Closing this page will disable access to your computer to avoid further damage to your network.
Please contact us immediately. A technician will guide you over the removal procedure. To prevent your computer from being deactivated, please call us within 5 minutes.
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 "A virus has been detected on your computer"?
- 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 a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam, 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 a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam, 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 a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam 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 a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam, 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 a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!