Ignore the Required video codec is not installed on your computer scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
"Required video codec is not installed on your computer" removal instructions
What is "Required video codec is not installed on your computer"?
Blue screen of death (BSoD) is an error screen that appears when Windows operating system can no longer operate. This website loads a fake BSoD in it saying that Windows Media Player cannot play some video because the required video codec is not installed on the operating system. It is very likely that this page is designed to trick visitors into downloading and installing some potentially unwanted application (PUA) - at the time of research this social engineering scam was distributing ZLoader malware. It is worthwhile to mention that this page is promoted via fake movie streaming websites - users do not visit it intentionally.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, this deceptive page claims that some video cannot be played without the right video codec. It says that visitors can install that codec by downloading and executing some file. Although, it is very likely that this page is used to trick users into installing adware-type app, some browser hijacker, or some other unwanted, or even malicious application. Adware-type apps serve coupons, surveys, banners, pop-ups and/or other types of advertisement. Quite often those ads, if clicked, open questionable websites, or even cause download and/or installation of unwanted software by executing certain scripts. Browser hijackers change certain browser settings to an address of a fake search engine. What most adware-type apps and browser hijackers have in common is that they collect browsing data, for example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites and/or other information related to user's browsing habits. However, in some cases they are capable of gathering sensitive details as well.
| Name | Required video codec is not installed on your computer scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | The required video codec is not installed |
| Disguise | Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) |
| Related Domain | moviehunter[.]one |
| Serving IP Address |
194.58.111.201 |
| 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. |
A couple of examples of other pages that are more or less similar to this one are "Killer's IP Address", "Google Chrome Blocked For Security Reasons" and "Windows Error Code: WIN.DLL0151930". It is worthwhile to mention that such pages can be used users to trick into paying money for unnecessary software, services, or even giving scammers a remote access to their computers. In one way or another, such websites have to be ignored. If they get opened by a browser often, then it is likely that a browser has some PUA installed on it.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
In some cases unwanted downloads and/or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that are designed to execute certain scripts. However, more often users download and/or install PUAs when such apps are included in download and/or installation setups of other programs. This distribution method for potentially unwanted apps is called "bundling". Typically, users can decline offers to download and/or install PUAs via "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual" or other settings (or by unticking certain checkboxes) that are available in setups. When users do not do that when they download and/or install programs, then they allow for integrated PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed too.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloads, installations should not be completed without checking setups for settings like "Custom", "Advanced" (or checkboxes) and declining offers to download and/or install additionally included, unwanted applications. Software (and files) should be downloaded only from trustworthy, official websites and through direct links. Third party downloaders (and installers), Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, etc., should not be used. Advertisements that appear on questionable pages should not be clicked as well - those ads tend to be be designed to open untrustworthy websites or even download, install unwanted apps. Also, there should not be any unwanted, unknown apps (extensions, add-ons or plug-ins) installed on a web browser and software of this kind 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.
Text presented in the website:
Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the required video codec is not installed on your computer. To install it, click Download. If prompted, click Run or Save. If you choose Save, double-click the file to start the installation process.
Download
wndws
qr
For more information about this issue and possible fixes, visit hxxp://windows.com/stopcode
If you call a support person, give them this info
Stop code: CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
Appearance of the website that displays fake BSoD error (GIF):
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 "Required video codec is not installed on your computer"?
- 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 required video codec is not installed on your computer 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 required video codec is not installed on your computer 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 required video codec is not installed on your computer 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 required video codec is not installed on your computer 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 required video codec is not installed on your computer scam from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
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Outstanding!
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