Virus Alert From Microsoft Scam

Beware of this scam, it looks authentic and can catch even the tech savvy off guard.

It is essentially an alert pop up that sets your browser to full page and effectively disables your browser with an audio alert that:

• Advises you that your computer is infected with a virus than can broadcast your personal and banking details etc
• Urges you to call a toll free number for Microsoft support; and
• Warns you that your computer will be disabled if you ignore the message on the pretext that your computer will adversely affect their network

There are a number of variations to the schemes and numerous online sites like PC Risk that provide removal instructions.

In a nutshell:

1. Close the offending instances of the web browser using task manager:
   DO NOT use the “restore pages” option when you reopen the web browser.
   • Click the “Ctrl,” “Alt” and “Del” keys on your keyboard at the same time.
   • Click “Start Task Manager” from the menu. A new window will appear.
   • Navigate to the “Applications” tab if the tab is not already open
   • Click on the name of your Internet browser in the applications list to highlight it.
   • Click the “End Task” button to close the program. Confirm that you would like to close the browser if you are prompted.
   • Repeat this process if you have more than one instance of the browser open.
2. Uninstall any dubious programs using Window’s Add Remove Programs feature.
3. Run Malwarebytes, one of the best Malware removal programs in the market. I personally subscribe to them but the free version will do the job.