How to remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam

Q. I have been frequently getting “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups all day, its driving me crazy! I do not know how to remove them and they pop up at random. Please help.

The full text of the pop-up is:

PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer has been LOCKED
Do not close this window or restart your computer without calling support
We have locked this computer for your security
you have been browsing unsafe pornographic websites.
Your computer has been infected.
Contact the Microsoft helpline to reactive your computer.
Failure to call will result in a notice boing sent to your residence.

Microsoft Support Alert
We Have Detected A Virus From A Pornographic Website
It might corrupt your data and track your financial activities.

A. “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up is a fake alert that created in order to force you into believing that your PC has been locked due to visited unsafe pornographic web-sites. The main purpose of these fake alerts is to force you into calling fake Microsoft Support trying to sell unnecessary virus removal service.

If those pop ups keep appearing and greatly affect you, then it indicate that your PC system is hijacked with PUP (potentially unwanted program) or adware (sometimes named ‘ad-supported’ software). You can search whether there is adware in your control panel or undesired extension on your browser. If any, you should first remove it from your PC.

What is adware? Adware delivers undesired advertisements on your web browser. Some of these advertisements are scams or fake ads designed to trick you. Even the harmless ads can become really irritating. Adware software can be installed unintentionally and without you knowing about it, when you open email attachments, install free free software.

Adware is usually written in ways common to malicious software, spyware and browser hijackers. In order to get rid of adware and remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups, you will need perform the following steps or use free adware removal utility listed below.

How to remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam (Removal guide)

There are a simple manual instructions below that will assist you to remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam from your MS Windows computer. The most effective way to delete this adware software is to follow the manual removal instructions and then run Zemana Anti Malware, MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) or Hitman Pro automatic tools (all are free). The manual solution will assist to weaken this adware and these malware removal utilities will completely remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam and revert back the Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and MS Edge settings to default.

To remove PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT pop-up, complete the steps below:

1. How to manually delete “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT”
   • Uninstalling the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT”, check the list of installed software first
   • Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from Mozilla Firefox
   • Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” popup from Chrome
   • Delete “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from Microsoft Internet Explorer
2. How to automatically remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam
   • How to remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam with Zemana
   • Use Hitman Pro to get rid of “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam
   • Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam with MalwareBytes
3. Run AdBlocker to stop “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop up and stay safe online
4. How can you prevent the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam
5. To sum up

How to manually delete “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT”

If you perform exactly the few simple steps below you should be able to get rid of the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from the Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers.

Uninstalling the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT”, check the list of installed software first

It’s of primary importance to first identify and remove all potentially unwanted applications, adware software software and hijackers through ‘Add/Remove Programs’ (Windows XP) or ‘Uninstall a program’ (Windows 10, 8, 7) section of your Windows Control Panel.

Carefully browse through the list of installed apps and get rid of all dubious and unknown applications. We suggest to click ‘Installed programs’ and even sorts all installed applications by date. When you’ve found anything suspicious that may be the adware software that causes multiple “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop ups or other PUP (potentially unwanted program), then select this application and click ‘Uninstall’ in the upper part of the window. If the suspicious application blocked from removal, then use Revo Uninstaller Freeware to fully remove it from your PC system.

Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from Mozilla Firefox

If the Firefox settings have been replaced by the adware, then resetting it to the default state can help. Essential information such as bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.

Click the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu like below.

A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, click “Refresh Firefox” button as on the image below.

Follow the onscreen procedure to return your Firefox web-browser settings to their default values.

Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” popup from Chrome

Reset Google Chrome settings can help you solve some problems caused by adware and remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from web browser. This will also disable malicious extensions as well as clear cookies and site data. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.

First start the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots ().

It will show the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the extension signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.

Open the Chrome menu once again. Further, press the option called “Settings”.

The browser will show the settings screen. Another way to display the Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as displayed in the figure below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.

The Google Chrome will open the confirmation prompt like below.

You need to confirm your action, press the “Reset” button. The web browser will start the procedure of cleaning. When it is complete, the web-browser’s settings back to the values that have been when the Google Chrome was first installed on your computer.

Delete “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam from Microsoft Internet Explorer

By resetting Internet Explorer web-browser you return your web-browser settings to its default state. This is first when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by adware that developed to display “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups within your internet browser.

First, open the Internet Explorer, then click ‘gear’ icon . It will open the Tools drop-down menu on the right part of the web-browser, then click the “Internet Options” as displayed on the screen below.

In the “Internet Options” screen, select the “Advanced” tab, then click the “Reset” button. The IE will display the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” prompt. Further, press the “Delete personal settings” check box to select it. Next, click the “Reset” button as displayed in the following example.

After the procedure is done, press “Close” button. Close the Internet Explorer and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. This step will help you to restore your internet browser’s search engine by default, start page and newtab page to default state.

How to automatically remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam

After completing the manual removal guidance above all unwanted apps, malicious web-browser’s extensions and adware software which displays “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups on your computer should be uninstalled. If the problem with “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam is still remained, then we suggest to scan your computer for any remaining malicious components. Use recommended free adware software removal software below.

How to remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam with Zemana

Zemana AntiMalware (ZAM) is a lightweight utility which created to use alongside your antivirus software, detecting and removing malicious software, adware software and potentially unwanted software that other applications miss. Zemana Anti Malware (ZAM) is easy to use, fast, does not use many resources and have great detection and removal rates.

Visit the following page to download Zemana Anti-Malware. Save it to your Desktop.

When the downloading process is finished, launch it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana will try to update itself and when this process is done, press the “Scan” button . Zemana utility will begin scanning the whole machine to find out adware software that cause “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop up scam to appear.

A scan may take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your PC system and the speed of your PC. When a threat is detected, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Review the results once the tool has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Next” button.

The Zemana Anti Malware will remove adware that designed to show “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” popup scam within your browser and add threats to the Quarantine.

Use Hitman Pro to get rid of “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam

HitmanPro is a completely free (30 day trial) tool. You don’t need expensive methods to delete adware that causes multiple “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop ups and other shady software. HitmanPro will remove all the unwanted software such as adware software and browser hijackers at zero cost.

Installing the Hitman Pro is simple. First you’ll need to download Hitman Pro on your MS Windows Desktop from the following link.

After the downloading process is finished, open the file location and double-click the Hitman Pro icon. It will start the Hitman Pro utility. If the User Account Control prompt will ask you want to open the program, click Yes button to continue.

Next, click “Next” to perform a system scan with this tool for the adware that causes the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the count of files on your computer and the speed of your PC. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the scanning is finished.

After the scan is finished, Hitman Pro will display a list of all items detected by the scan as on the image below.

Once you’ve selected what you wish to get rid of from your computer click “Next” button. It will open a prompt, click the “Activate free license” button. The HitmanPro will delete adware software and add threats to the Quarantine. When finished, the utility may ask you to restart your system.

Remove “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-up scam with MalwareBytes

If you are still having issues with the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” popups — or just wish to scan your machine occasionally for adware software and other malicious software — download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). It’s free for home use, and finds and removes various unwanted programs that attacks your computer or degrades PC system performance. MalwareBytes Anti Malware can delete adware, potentially unwanted software as well as malicious software, including ransomware and trojans.

MalwareBytes AntiMalware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it to your Desktop.

When downloading is complete, close all software and windows on your machine. Double-click the install file named mb3-setup. If the “User Account Control” prompt pops up as on the image below, click the “Yes” button.

It will open the “Setup wizard” which will help you install MalwareBytes Free on your computer. Follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.

Once install is complete successfully, click Finish button. MalwareBytes will automatically start and you can see its main screen as displayed on the screen below.

Now click the “Scan Now” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the adware that causes multiple “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups. This task may take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will detect threats present on your system.

After MalwareBytes Free has finished scanning, you may check all items detected on your computer. Once you’ve selected what you want to get rid of from your computer click “Quarantine Selected” button. The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will remove adware software which designed to display “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop up within your browser. When the clean up is complete, you may be prompted to restart the computer.

We recommend you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the MalwareBytes AntiMalware to remove adware software, browser hijacker infection and other malware.

Run AdBlocker to stop “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop up and stay safe online

If you browse the Internet, you cannot avoid malicious advertising. But you can protect your internet browser against it. Download and use an ad-blocking application. AdGuard is an ad-blocker that can filter out a large amount of of the malicious advertising, blocking dynamic scripts from loading harmful content.

1. Click the following link to download the latest version of AdGuard for Windows. Save it directly to your MS Windows Desktop.
   
   

   Adguard download
   26659 downloads
   Version: 6.4
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: November 15, 2018
   
2. After downloading it, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the installation is finished, click “Skip” to close the install program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted ads, block “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT”, as well as other harmful or misleading web pages. For an overview of all the features of the program, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the icon called AdGuard, that is located on your desktop.

How can you prevent the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam

Most often, the adware software gets onto system by being attached to the installers from a free hosting and file sharing web-pages. So, install a freeware is a a good chance that you will find a bundled adware. If you don’t know how to avoid it, then use a simple trick. During the installation, choose the Custom or Advanced setup mode. Next, click ‘Decline’ button and clear all checkboxes on offers that ask you to install bundled programs. Moreover, please carefully read Term of use and User agreement before installing any apps or otherwise you can end up with another unwanted application on your computer such as this adware software that causes internet browsers to display the “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam.

To sum up

Now your personal computer should be free of the adware software which cause “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” scam to appear. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup advertisements and undesired malicious web-pages) and Zemana Anti Malware (to periodically scan your machine for new adwares and other malware). Probably you are running an older version of Java or Adobe Flash Player. This can be a security risk, so download and install the latest version right now.

If you are still having problems while trying to delete “PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT” pop-ups from the Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer and Firefox, then ask for help here here.