How to remove apps that open scams like Important Security Alert!

Removal guide for unwanted apps that open pages like Important Security Alert! scam

What is Important Security Alert! scam?

As a rule, technical support scams like this one are designed by scammers who seek to deceive visitors into contacting them via the provided number. Once contacted, scammers attempt to trick unsuspecting users into paying money for some unnecessary software, services. In some cases they ask for a remote access to the computer. In one way or another, such scam pages should never be trusted. It is worthwhile to mention that users do not visit websites of this type on purpose, it is common that they get opened by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

As written in this scam website, it has detected some virus which may cause problems like loss of passwords, browsing history, some sensitive information (like CC details) and files stored on the hard disk. It is designed to trick visitors into believing that they will not be able to access the operating system if they will ignore this warning/if they will not call the 0808-143-3686 number. In other words, scammers behind it attempt to trick visitors into thinking that they can solve the problem (remove virus) by using customer service representatives. It is strongly recommended not to call the provided number. This scam page is designed to look like some official Microsoft page, however, the actual Microsoft company (or its support team) has nothing to do with it. As mentioned in the introduction, scammers behind technical support scams try to trick visitors who contact them to pay money for unnecessary services or some software. In some cases they even ask users to give a remote access to their computers, e.g., install some Remote Administration Tool (RAT). By having a remote access to the computers scammers could install malware on them, steal personal, sensitive information, or use such access for other malicious purposes. It is worthwhile to mention that this particular page displays a pop-up asking users to enter their username and password as well. It is strongly recommended not to trust such pages and/or enter any personal information on them.

As mentioned in the introduction, users do not visit tech-support scam pages intentionally, it is common that such sites get opened by PUAs that are installed on browsers and/or computers. Such apps can be designed not only to open untrustworthy websites but also to collect browsing data and other information, and/or serve advertisements. More often than not PUAs gather data such as IP addresses, websites of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, and so on. Nevertheless, PUAs can be designed to record sensitive, confidential information as well. Moreover, their developers could sell recorded information to third parties (potentially cyber criminals) who would misuse it to generate revenue in other ways. Also, apps of this type can be (and often are) designed to serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other forms of ads. Those ads usually lead to untrustworthy websites, however, they may be designed to cause downloads, installations of unwanted applications by executing certain scripts. PUAs can be the reason behind identity theft, problems with browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. For these reasons any PUA that is installed on a browser and/or operating system should be removed from it as soon as possible.

Threat Summary:

Name	Important Security Alert! technical support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Windows operating system is infected with a virus
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	0808-143-3686
Distributed Unwanted Apps	viewwebinfosales[.]online
Detection Names (viewwebinfosales[.]online)	Kaspersky (Malware), Trustwave (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address	144.76.208.21
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.

"TROJAN Error Code 0xdc2dgewc", "Windows Defender - Security Warning" and "Microsoft Important Alert" are a couple of examples of other scam websites that are quite similar to this one. What most of them have in common is that they are designed to look like official Microsoft websites and used with a purpose to trick visitors into calling scammers via the provided number. If a browser opens such pages often, then it is very likely that it already has some PUA installed on it.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Usually various PUAs are distributed by integrating them in setups of other programs as additional offers. This distribution method is known as "bundling". In most cases offers to download and/or install additionally included apps are mentioned in settings of setups like "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual". However, not all users check (and change) those settings before they complete downloads and/or installations. In such cases they agree with offers to download and/or install included PUAs as well. Sometimes potentially unwanted apps can be downloaded and/or installed through deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts. However, it can happen only if ads of this type are clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to always check what are "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other settings (or checkboxes) of any download and/or installation setup and see if they mention offers to download and/or install additional, unwanted software. Software should not be downloaded from/through untrustworthy, unofficial websites, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, installers via third party installers, etc. It should be done by using official pages and direct links. Advertisements that are displayed on questionable pages should not be clicked as well. It is common that such ads are designed to open potentially malicious pages or cause downloads, installations of unwanted programs. If some unwanted, suspicious extension, plug-in or add-on is already installed on a browser, then it should be removed. The same should be done with 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 Important Security Alert! scam page (GIF):

Text presented in this page:

Read how we're responding to the issues, and get resources to help >

 

Important Security Alert!

Virus intrusions detected on you computer.Your personal
data and system files may be at serious risk.All system
resources are halted to prevent any damage.Please call
customer service immediately : 0808-143-3686 to report
these threats now.

 

Windows was blocked die to suspicious activity

 

The following information may be lost:
1. Passwords
2. Browsing history
3. Sensitive information (CC Details)
4. Files on the hard disk

 

Do not ignore this critical warning. Closing this page will
disable your computer access to prevent further damage
to your network

Call Now : 0808-143-3686

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 "Important Security 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 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 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 important security alert! technical 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 important security alert! technical 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 important security alert! technical 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 important security alert! technical 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 important security alert! technical support scam from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on important security alert! technical support scam or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Click to post a comment