What is MS MALWARE ALERT? The “MS MALWARE ALERT” pop-up is a misleading webpage that designed in order to mislead users into believing that the computer has been blocked by Microsoft. The main purpose of the scam is to force you into calling fake Microsoft Technical Support trying to sell unnecessary virus removal service.
Text presented in the
** Microsoft Warning Alert ** ERROR # MS-SYSINFO32 Please call us immediately at: +1-866-260-3008 Do not ignore this critical alert. If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network. Your computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a Pornographic Spyware and virus. The following information is being stolen: 1.Face book Logins 2.Credit Card Details 3.Email Account Logins 4.Photos and documents stored on this computer You must contact us immediately so that our expert engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to prevent your computer from being disabled or from any information loss. Microsoft Toll Free: +1-866-260-3008 Error Logged, Microsoft Diagnostics IP Address: 127.0.0.1
Cyber security professionals have determined that users are redirected to the “MS MALWARE ALERT” scam by various PUPs from the adware (sometimes named ‘ad-supported’ software) family. Adware is something that you should be aware of even if you use Google Chrome or other modern internet browser. This is the name given to apps that have been created to show unwanted advertisements, fake alerts and popup commercials onto your internet browser screen. The reason for adware software’s existence is to earn profit for its developer.
Even worse, adware can gather lots of privacy data about you (your ip address, what is a web-page you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Net, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties.
Adware software is usually gets on your computer together with free software and install themselves, with or without your knowledge, on your PC. This happens especially when you’re installing a freeware. The program setup file tricks you into accepting the installation of optional programs, which you do not really want. Moreover, some paid apps can also install optional apps which you don’t want! Therefore, always download free programs and paid apps from reputable download web-pages. Use ONLY custom or manual setup mode and never blindly click Next button.
Threat Summary
Name | MS MALWARE ALERT |
Type | Social Engineering, Phishing, Fraud, Scam, adware, pop-up virus |
Distribution ways | pop-ups, fake alerts, malicious ads, adware, pop-up virus, PUPs |
Symptoms |
|
Removal | MS MALWARE ALERT removal guide |
If you are unfortunate have adware software or malicious software running on your personal computer, you can follow the few simple steps here to remove MS MALWARE ALERT pop up from your web browser.
How to remove MS MALWARE ALERT scam from Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge
Even if you’ve the up-to-date classic antivirus installed, and you’ve checked your computer for malicious software and removed anything found, you need to do the tutorial below. The MS MALWARE ALERT popup removal is not simple as installing another antivirus. Classic antivirus programs are not created to run together and will conflict with each other, or possibly crash Microsoft Windows. Instead we suggest complete the manual steps below after that run Zemana, MalwareBytes Free or Hitman Pro, which are free apps dedicated to detect and remove adware which cause annoying MS MALWARE ALERT pop-up. Run these tools to ensure the adware software is removed.
To remove MS MALWARE ALERT, use the steps below:
- How to manually remove MS MALWARE ALERT
- How to remove MS MALWARE ALERT popups automatically
- Use AdBlocker to block MS MALWARE ALERT and stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually remove MS MALWARE ALERT
These steps to get rid of MS MALWARE ALERT pop-ups without any programs are presented below. Be sure to carry out the step-by-step instructions completely to fully get rid of this adware software that causes multiple undesired pop-ups.
Deleting the MS MALWARE ALERT, check the list of installed programs first
One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your personal computer installed programs screen and look for undesired and questionable applications. If there are any applications you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should uninstall them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to use adware removal utility such as Zemana Anti-Malware.
Make sure you have closed all web browsers and other applications. Press CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together to open the Windows Task Manager.
Click on the “Processes” tab, look for something dubious that is the adware that cause the “MS MALWARE ALERT” pop-up scam then right-click it and select “End Task” or “End Process” option. Most commonly, malicious software masks itself to avoid detection by imitating legitimate Microsoft Windows processes. A process is particularly suspicious: it is taking up a lot of memory (despite the fact that you closed all of your programs), its name is not familiar to you (if you’re in doubt, you can always check the program by doing a search for its name in Google, Yahoo or Bing).
Next, remove any unwanted and suspicious software from your Control panel.
Windows 10, 8.1, 8
Now, press the Windows button, type “Control panel” in search and press Enter. Choose “Programs and Features”, then “Uninstall a program”.
Look around the entire list of applications installed on your system. Most likely, one of them is an adware virus. Choose the dubious program or the application that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.
Windows Vista, 7
From the “Start” menu in Windows, select “Control Panel”. Under the “Programs” icon, choose “Uninstall a program”.
Choose the dubious or any unknown programs, then press “Uninstall/Change” button to delete this unwanted application from your machine.
Windows XP
Click the “Start” button, select “Control Panel” option. Click on “Add/Remove Programs”.
Choose an undesired program, then click “Change/Remove” button. Follow the prompts.
Remove MS MALWARE ALERT from Mozilla Firefox by resetting web browser settings
The Mozilla Firefox reset will remove redirections to the MS MALWARE ALERT scam, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, open the Firefox. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal stripes (). It will display the drop-down menu. Next, press the Help button ().
In the Help menu click the “Troubleshooting Information”. In the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page press on “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed on the screen below.
Confirm your action, click the “Refresh Firefox”.
Remove MS MALWARE ALERT pop ups from Google Chrome
This step will show you how to reset Google Chrome browser settings to original settings. This can get rid of MS MALWARE ALERT pop-up scam and fix some browsing issues, especially after adware software infection. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
- First start the Google Chrome and click Menu button (small button in the form of three dots).
- It will show the Chrome main menu. Choose More Tools, then click Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following instructions: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Google Chrome menu once again, press the “Settings” menu.
- You will see the Google Chrome’s settings page. Scroll down and press “Advanced” link.
- Scroll down again and press the “Reset” button.
- The Chrome will display the reset profile settings page as on the image above.
- Next press the “Reset” button.
- Once this process is complete, your internet browser’s search engine by default, newtab and startpage will be restored to their original defaults.
- To learn more, read the blog post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Remove MS MALWARE ALERT pop-up scam from Microsoft Internet Explorer
If you find that Microsoft Internet Explorer browser settings had been changed by adware which cause the MS MALWARE ALERT pop-up scam, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset web browser procedure.
First, open the Internet Explorer, click ) button. Next, press “Internet Options” as on the image below.
In the “Internet Options” screen select the Advanced tab. Next, click Reset button. The Microsoft Internet Explorer will show the Reset Internet Explorer settings dialog box. Select the “Delete personal settings” check box and click Reset button.
You will now need to restart your machine for the changes to take effect. It will get rid of adware that causes annoying MS MALWARE ALERT popups, disable malicious and ad-supported browser’s extensions and restore the IE’s settings such as startpage, new tab page and search provider by default to default state.
How to remove MS MALWARE ALERT popups automatically
Using a malware removal utility to search for and remove adware hiding on your machine is probably the easiest way to remove the MS MALWARE ALERT popup scam. We suggests the Zemana Anti-Malware program for Microsoft Windows computers. HitmanPro and MalwareBytes Free are other antimalware tools for MS Windows that offers a free malware removal.
How to automatically get rid of MS MALWARE ALERT popups with Zemana Anti-Malware
Zemana AntiMalware is a free application for Windows OS to scan for and remove potentially unwanted applications, adware software, malicious internet browser addons, browser toolbars, and other undesired software such as adware related to the MS MALWARE ALERT popups.
Zemana Anti-Malware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop or in any other place.
164113 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After the downloading process is finished, start it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana Free will try to update itself and when this task is finished, press the “Scan” button to start checking your computer for the adware software related to the MS MALWARE ALERT pop up scam.
A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your computer and the speed of your computer. While the utility is checking, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned. Once you’ve selected what you want to get rid of from your PC system press “Next” button.
The Zemana Free will delete adware software that causes MS MALWARE ALERT pop ups.
Get rid of MS MALWARE ALERT pop up scam and harmful extensions with Hitman Pro
All-in-all, HitmanPro is a fantastic utility to clean your PC system from any undesired apps like adware that causes unwanted MS MALWARE ALERT scam. The HitmanPro is portable program that meaning, you do not need to install it to use it. Hitman Pro is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows operating system from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 10. Both 64-bit and 32-bit systems are supported.
Download HitmanPro on your computer by clicking on the following link.
After the download is done, open the file location. You will see an icon like below.
Double click the HitmanPro desktop icon. Once the tool is opened, you will see a screen as shown on the screen below.
Further, press “Next” button . HitmanPro program will scan through the whole PC system for the adware that causes multiple annoying pop-ups. 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 machine. After that process is complete, Hitman Pro will create a list of unwanted programs adware as on the image below.
You may remove threats (move to Quarantine) by simply click “Next” button. It will display a dialog box, click the “Activate free license” button.
Run MalwareBytes Free to remove MS MALWARE ALERT scam
We recommend using the MalwareBytes Free. You can download and install MalwareBytes Free to locate adware and thereby remove MS MALWARE ALERT pop-up scam from your internet browsers. When installed and updated, this free malware remover automatically scans for and deletes all threats present on the system.
- Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes Free. Save it to your Desktop so that you can access the file easily.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware
326464 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
- Once the downloading process is complete, close all applications and windows on your computer. Open a file location. Double-click on the icon that’s named mb3-setup.
- Further, press Next button and follow the prompts.
- Once install is complete, click the “Scan Now” button to look for adware that causes MS MALWARE ALERT scam. A system scan can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your personal computer. While the MalwareBytes Free utility is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
- As the scanning ends, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will show a scan report. Review the report and then press “Quarantine Selected”. Once finished, you can be prompted to restart your machine.
The following video offers a steps on how to remove hijacker infections, adware software and other malware with MalwareBytes.
Use AdBlocker to block MS MALWARE ALERT and stay safe online
Use an ad-blocking utility like AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you may find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and block phishing and spam web pages. Additionally, adblocker programs will allow you to avoid annoying ads and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the following link. Save it on your MS Windows desktop.
26659 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
Once the download is complete, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as shown on the image below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick instructions as shown in the figure below.
Press “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guide that will help you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your machine, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop unwanted ads, block MS MALWARE ALERT scam, as well as other malicious or misleading web-pages. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, that may be found on your desktop.
To sum up
Once you have complete the steps above, your computer should be clean from this adware and other malware. The Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Chrome and Microsoft Internet Explorer will no longer display the MS MALWARE ALERT scam when you browse the World Wide Web. Unfortunately, if the steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.
Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the undesired MS MALWARE ALERT pop ups.