How to remove apps designed to promote the Trojan Spyware Alert scam

What is the Trojan Spyware Alert scam?

Scammers behind this tech support scam attempt to trick unsuspecting visitors into believing that their computers are infected with a Trojan and/or Spyware and calling the provided number. In most cases, users who contact scammers behind these sites are encouraged to pay for unnecessary services and/or software, or even to provide remote access to their computers.

You should avoid these websites. This particular web page is hosted using Amazon AWS, a legitimate service provided by Amazon. This is not the first case whereby cyber criminals/scammers have employed this service for malicious purposes.

Like many tech support scam web pages, this one looks very similar to the official Microsoft website. In fact, Microsoft has nothing to do with this or other websites of this kind.

This particular page displays two deceptive pop-up windows notifying visitors that it has detected "Trojan Spyware", found error code "#0x898778", and blocked access to the computer for security reasons. This page also claims that data such as email credentials, banking passwords, Facebook login credentials, pictures and documents have been compromised.

Visitors are instructed to resolve the problem with the help of "Windows Support" by calling the +1-(877)-570-9733 number immediately.

In most cases, scammers behind such pages attempt to trick users into paying for supposedly legitimate technical support services and software, or allowing them to access and control their computers remotely via a Remote Access/Administration Tool (RAT).

Note that granting such access to cyber criminals/scammers could infect your computer with malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware), and they might steal personal information or perform other malicious actions.

Threat Summary:

Name	Trojan Spyware Alert tech support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud.
Fake Claim	The computer is infected and blocked for security reasons.
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	+1-(877)-570-9733, +1-(888)-531-1238, +1-844-264-1242, 1-888-308-5705
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 Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Some examples of other similar scams are "ERROR # 0x6a4-0xf9fx3999", "Activation Failed! (Error Code 001)" and "Windows Error Code: DLL011150". Scammers behind these pages attempt to trick visitors into believing that there is a issue with their computers and into calling a specific number.

Once the call is made, scammers try to extort money from people or attempt to trick them into installing a RAT. Most users do not visit these sites intentionally - they are opened through other untrusted sites, deceptive ads, or by installed potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Browser hijackers, adware-type apps, and other types of PUAs are commonly distributed by integrating them into the download and/or installation set-ups of other programs, so that a proportion of users inadvertently download and install them together with their chosen software.

This distribution method is known as "bundling". Offers to download and install additionally-included apps usually appear in "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the set-ups (where they can usually be declined). Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby granting permission for PUAs to be downloaded and installed by default.

In addition, unwanted downloads and installations are sometimes caused by clicking deceptive advertisements capable of executing certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software and files from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to use torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, unofficial websites or other sources of this kind. Avoid third party installers. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install unwanted software.

Do not click ads that are displayed on dubious websites, since they can open other untrusted websites or even cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious applications (extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins) that are installed on the browser.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of Trojan Spyware Alert pop-up scam (GIF):

Text presented in the initial pop-up of the Trojan Spyware Alert scam:

Windows Defender

 

Trojan Spyware Alert - Error Code: #0x898778
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.

 

Contact Windows Support: +1-(877)-570-9733

 

Threat Detected - Trojan Spyware
App: Ads.financetrack(1).exe

 

Run Anyway Back to Safety

Screenshot of the second pop-up window:

Text in this pop-up:

Windows Defender - Security Warning
** ACCESS TO THIS PC HAS BEEN BLOCKED FOR SECURITY REASONS **

 

Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Trojan Spyware. The following data has been compromised.

 

> Email Credentials
> Banking Passwords
> Facebook Login
> Pictures & Documents

 

Windows Defender Scan has found potentially unwanted Adware on this device that can steal your passwords, online identity, financial information, personal files, pictures or documents.

 

You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone.

 

Call Microsoft Support immediately to report this threat, prevent identity theft and unlock access to this device.

 

Closing this window will put your personal information at risk and lead to a suspension of your Windows Registration.

 

Call Microsoft Support: +1-(877)-570-9733 ( USA Toll Free )

 

Cancel

Text in the background page:

Error: Unknown System Failure!

 

Contact Support

 

+1-(877)-570-9733

 

( USA Toll Free )

 

 LIVE CHAT

Yet another variant of "Trojan Spyware Alert" pop-up scam:

A slightly different variant of "Trojan Spyware Alert" pop-up scam (the error code is different):

Text presented within:

Windows Firewall Protection

Microsoft

Trojan Spyware Alert - Error Code: #0x268d3
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Windows Support: +1-844-264-1242

Treat Detected - Trojan Spyware
App: Ads.financetrack(1).exe

[Run Anyway] [Back to Safety]

Another example of "Trojan Spyware Alert" pop-up scam:

Text presented within:

Windows Firewall Protect

 

Trojan Spyware Alert - Error Code: #fc71cibus9re61
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Windows Support: 1-888-308-5705 (Toll Free)

 

Threat Detected - Trojan Spyware
App: Ads.financetrack(1).exe

 

[Run Anyway] [Back to Safety]

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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 Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is "Trojan Spyware Alert"?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
• STEP 6. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.

Removal of potentially unwanted applications:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 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.

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.

macOS (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 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 trojan spyware alert 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 trojan spyware alert 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 trojan spyware alert 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.

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 trojan spyware alert 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.

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 trojan spyware alert tech support scam from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

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