HOW DO I GET RID OF A FAKE VIRUS ALERT?

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

I am SURE this is fake, based on the ridiculous website. It's not a Microsoft notice.

I have an "alert" in my lower right corner saying I have 7 viruses and my McAfee license is expired, click here.

Not even trying that.

Then it changes to a little screen with 4 boxes copying the Microsoft logo and says Critical Error, click here to remove.

It's VERY persistent.

So ... I went to my Windows Defender and ran all the scans they have. It says no viruses.

After a couple days of security scans and restarts, I thought perhaps it's coming through as some sort of ad. So, I added another Ad Blocker I got from the Microsoft Store.

Didn't help, it's still on my screen.

So ........ if it's NOT a virus or an ad .... what could it be? I'm afraid to open my bank accounts online until I get rid of this thing.

Help! All feedback welcome ... TIA.

spumoni99 · ‎02-16-2019

I would probaby just restart the computer.

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

check over on youtube and do a google search

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

When I have such issues I always call Apple, it happenens to me about once a month

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

Tori3569 · ‎06-27-2010

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

I am SURE this is fake, based on the ridiculous website. It's not a Microsoft notice.

I have an "alert" in my lower right corner saying I have 7 viruses and my McAfee license is expired, click here.

Not even trying that.

Then it changes to a little screen with 4 boxes copying the Microsoft logo and says Critical Error, click here to remove.

It's VERY persistent.

So ... I went to my Windows Defender and ran all the scans they have. It says no viruses.

After a couple days of security scans and restarts, I thought perhaps it's coming through as some sort of ad. So, I added another Ad Blocker I got from the Microsoft Store.

Didn't help, it's still on my screen.

So ........ if it's NOT a virus or an ad .... what could it be? I'm afraid to open my bank accounts online until I get rid of this thing.

Help! All feedback welcome ... TIA.

Did you try to right click and close or delete the box?

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

Is it one of those LOUD, FLASHING, RANSOM THINGS that tell you to

N O T TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF?

Immediately do a "hard" turn-off of your computer...hold down the OFF key for 10 or MORE seconds. Do NOT use the "restart" option.

Then turn the computer back on, and it should be OK. My tech told me to do this, and it works every time.

♥Surface of the Sun♥

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Tori3569 wrote:
@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

I am SURE this is fake, based on the ridiculous website. It's not a Microsoft notice.

I have an "alert" in my lower right corner saying I have 7 viruses and my McAfee license is expired, click here.

Not even trying that.

Then it changes to a little screen with 4 boxes copying the Microsoft logo and says Critical Error, click here to remove.

It's VERY persistent.

So ... I went to my Windows Defender and ran all the scans they have. It says no viruses.

After a couple days of security scans and restarts, I thought perhaps it's coming through as some sort of ad. So, I added another Ad Blocker I got from the Microsoft Store.

Didn't help, it's still on my screen.

So ........ if it's NOT a virus or an ad .... what could it be? I'm afraid to open my bank accounts online until I get rid of this thing.

Help! All feedback welcome ... TIA.

Did you try to right click and close or delete the box?

Several times. Another screen comes up and then a Microsoft alert comes up saying this is a bad site ... or words to that effect.

We rescue cats · ‎01-25-2023

Last evenine my laptop was giving me fits, I really thought it was a virus of some sort. I cleared my cache and shut down, that seemed to clear it up. My computer guy is taking my laptop for the weekend to check it out.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Reset your browser settings. Restore to original defaults. Find that under Settings>Advanced>Reset settings>Restore settings to original.

catmama · ‎01-07-2011

My aunt had the same problem on her PC so we googled Virus alert and was told to go into Settings and turn off notifications. We then restarted her PC and the notice went away.

She's still taking her PC into a tech to make certain there aren't any other issues.