How to uninstall apps that promote scam sites like Pornographic Alert?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Removal instructions for apps that promote tech-support scams like Pornographic Alert
What is Pornographic Alert scam?
This is a typical technical support scam website that displays a fake notification saying that a computer is infected ant instructs visitors to dial the provided number for help/remote technical support. In most cases such pages are designed to look like official, legitimate Microsoft pages, although, none of them have anything do to with the actual Microsoft company. It is worthwhile to mention that it is not common for technical support pages to be visited by users on purpose. Typically, they get opened via deceptive ads, other dubious pages, or by installed potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
This page is designed to run a fake virus scan and then display one pop-up window saying that access to the computer has been blocked due to security reasons, and another one saying that a computer has been infected with spyware and adware, and that data such as email and Facebook credentials, banking passwords, pictures and documents, other personal files, have been compromised. The main purpose of this page is to trick visitors into calling the +1-800-756-1068 number.
In most cases when scammers behind such pages are contacted, they either try to trick users into paying for “support"/online services of some software, or ask to give them a remote access to a computer so they could pretend to run a diagnostic test or something else. It is important to know that by having access to a computer scammers may use it to install some actual malware (like Trojan-type malware, ransomware) on the operating, access personal documents, steal identities, make fraudulent purchases, or for other malicious purposes. Therefore, such pages should never be trusted. Sometimes they cannot be closed in an ordinary way, in such cases it can be done via Task Manager by ending browser's process.
| Name | Pornographic Alert technical support scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | A computer has been infected with malware and adware |
| Disguise | Microsoft website |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | +1-800-756-1068, +1-(844) 390-3951 |
| Related Domain | bgfght[.]tk |
| Detection Names | ESET (Phishing), Google Safebrowsing (Phishing), Sophos (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| IP Address | 155.138.198.225 |
| 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 tech-support scam websites are "Pirated software has been detected", "Error code # MS-6F0EXFE" and "Error # WINDOWS-PORN-91". Most of them look quite similarly and are designed for one of these two purposes: to trick visitors into paying money for services they do not need/fix a problems that do not exist or giving scammers a remote access to computers. As mentioned in the first paragraph, it is common for such pages to be promoted via unwanted apps. Typically, users download and install those apps unknowingly.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
One of the most popular ways to distribute PUAs is by using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". To be more precise, by including unwanted apps in download and/or installation setups of other programs as extra offers. Users accept those offers when thye finish downloads and/or installations without changing "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar, or unticking certain checkboxes. Sometimes unwanted downloads and/or installations can be caused by clicking deceptive ads that are designed to execute certain scripts. Usually such ads appear on various shady pages.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Downloads and installations should not be completed without declining offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, it can be done via "Advanced", "Custom", or other settings, or by unticking checkboxes. Furthermore, files, programs should not be downloaded from unofficial websites, via Peer-to-Peer networks (like torrent clients, eMule), third party downloaders, etc., or installed with third party installers. It is recommended to use only official pages and direct download links. Also, it is advised not to click ads on questionable websites - they could be designed to open untrustworthy pages, or even start download and/or installation of some unwanted app. Suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins or add-ons) that are installed on a browser should be removed. 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 the Pornographic Alert pop-up scam (GIF):
Text in the red pop-up window:
Windows_Firewall_protection
Pornographic Alert - Error Code: #0x268d3(x7)
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Windows Support: + 1-800-756-1068
Threat_Detected - Pornographic Spyware
App: Ads.financetrack(1).exe
[Quick Support] [Go Back Safety]
Another example of "Pornographic Alert" pop-up scam:
Text presented within:
Windows-Firewall-Protection
Pornographic- Alert - Error Code: #0x2d6i8df3 (x07)
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Windows Support: +1-(844) 325-0278Threat_Detected - Pornographic Spyware
App: Ads.Ads.financetrack(1).exe
[Quick Support] [Go Back Safety]
Another example of "Pornographic Alert" pop-up scam:
Text in the pop-up:
Windows-Firewall-Protection
Microsoft
Pornographic Alert - Error Code: #0x268d3(x7)
Access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Windows Support: +1-888-612-3097
Threat_Detected - Pornographic Spyware
App: Ads.financetrack(1).exe[Quick Support] [Go Back Safety]
Yet another variant of "Pornographic Alert" pop-up scam:
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 Pornographic Alert scam?
- 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 pornographic 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 pornographic 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 pornographic 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 pornographic 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 pornographic 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 pornographic alert technical support scam or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
Click to post a comment