Avoid the scam entitled "A virus has been detected on your computer"

"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 scam in which criminals claim to offer a legitimate technical support service. Typically, the scammers responsible attempt to trick unsuspecting users into paying for supposedly legitimate software or services, or even installing a Remote Administration Tool (RAT), which would allow them to remotely access and control computers. In any case, you are strongly advised to ignore such scams and never trust the messages.

The main purpose of this technical support scam is to trick people into believing that their computers are infected with a virus and calling the +1 (603) 652-1871 number. It claims that a detected virus might compromise data such as passwords, browsing history, files stored on the computer, and other confidential information. To prevent possible damage, users are urged to call the provided number within five minutes. This scam website may seem similar to an official Microsoft web page, however, none of the official Microsoft sites have anything to do with this site. Typically, criminals behind these scams attempt to deceive people into paying for so-called "support" services or software and giving remote access to their computers. Through such access, the scammers might be capable of stealing sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, installing malware (like ransomware, Trojans), accessing personal files, etc. They can then misuse the accessed information to steal identities, personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, and so on. You should ignore these scams. Note that users do not open these scam pages intentionally - in most cases, they are opened through other dubious websites, clicked deceptive ads, or by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

PUAs can open untrusted web pages and also collect various data relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, and geolocations. In some cases, they target sensitive, personal details as well. Furthermore, PUAs often serve intrusive ads (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.), which can open untrusted web pages or even run scripts designed to download/install other unwanted software.

Threat Summary:

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 the 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. ▼ Download Malwarebytes To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.

More examples of similar scams are "ERROR CODE 72", "Your Windows Is infected With (3) Viruses!" and "VIRUS ALERT FROM Windows". Typically, these scam pages are disguised as official Microsoft websites claiming that they have detected a virus, error, etc., and encouraging users to call the provided number immediately. As mentioned, users do not often visit these sites intentionally. If your browser opens dubious, deceptive web pages automatically, it is likely that a PUA is installed.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted applications are distributed using the download and installation set-ups of other programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Developers include PUAs into set-ups as 'additional offers' and hope that users will not decline them. Typically, these offers are listed in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings, however, many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby allowing additionally-included software to infiltrate. In some cases, rogue downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, etc.), unofficial sites, freeware download pages, etc., often distribute PUAs or even malicious apps. Therefore, software and files should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted apps. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious, untrusted websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any, suspicious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed on the browser. 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 "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 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 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on a virus has been detected on your computer tech support scam or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Click to post a comment