Internet Security Damaged Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Internet Security Damaged?
Internet Security Damaged is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website and identical to You Have a ZEUS virus and You Have A ALUREON Virus.
Users are redirected to the Internet Security Damaged website by rogue adware-type applications that infiltrate the system during installation of various (usually free) software. As well as causing redirects, adware-type apps deliver intrusive online advertisements and track web browsing activity.
The Internet Security Damaged error displays two different pop-ups. The first states that a suspicious connection attempted to access personal data (logins, banking details, etc.) and that the system is infected with a trojan. The second claims that the system is infected with the ZEUS virus.
It is also stated that attempting to solve these problems manually and/or restarting the computer can result in data loss. Therefore, victims must supposedly contact "Customer Service" via the telephone number provided (1 844-347--5037) to receive detailed removal instructions. Be aware, however, that Internet Security Damage is fake and simply a scam.
Developers attempt to scare and trick victims into calling, and paying for services that are not needed. Therefore, you should ignore this error. Advertisements displayed by adware-type applications are delivered using a ‘virtual layer’ (a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site).
These ads often conceal underlying web content, thereby diminishing Internet browsing experience. Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites and, thus, even accidental clicks can result in high-risk computer infections.
Furthermore, adware gathers information that might be personally identifiable including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, geo-locations, mouse/keyboard activity, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other data that is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing personal data.
Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Adware-type applications must be uninstalled immediately.
The Internet is full of adware-type applications, all offering so-called 'useful features' to significantly enhance the web browsing experience. In fact, these claims are merely attempts to trick users to install.
Adware is designed only to generate revenue for the developers by collecting personally identifiable information (which is later sold to third parties) and delivering intrusive ads (via the "Pay Per Click" [PPC] advertising model).
How did adware install on my computer?
Adware-type applications are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Developers conceal bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Many users rush these processes and skip most steps. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent this situation, be cautious when downloading and installing software. Analyze each step using the "Custom/Advanced" settings. Furthermore, decline offers to download/install additional applications. Most bundled software is categorized as rogue and, thus, should never be installed.
Text presented within the first pop-up:
Warning: Internet Security Damaged!!!
A Suspicious Connection Was Trying to Access Your Logins, Banking Details & Tracking Your Internet Activity.
Your TCP Connection Was Blocked by Your Firewall. Your Accounts May be Suspended Until You Take an Action. Your Personal Information May Have Leaked. IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED. Your Hard Disk May Have Trojan Virus! Please Do Not Try to Fix Manually. It May Crash Your Data. Consequently, we are performing additional security checks to verify system, security. Please Visit Your Nearest Windows Service Centre OR Call Help Desk Customer Service +1 844-347-5037 (TOLL-FREE)
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED
Please contact network administration to rectify the issue. Please of not open Internet browser for your security issue to avoid data corruption on your registry of your operating system. Please c…erived from the story of the wooden horse used to trick defenders of Troy into taking concealed warriors into their city in ancient Greece, because computer Trojans often employ a form of social engineering, presenting themselves as routine, useful, or interesting in order to persuade victims to install them on their computers. A Trojan often acts as a backdoor, contacting a controller which can then have unauthorized access to the affected computer. The Trojan and backdoors are not themselves easily detectable, but if they carry out significant computing or communications activity may cause the computer to run noticeably slowly. Malicious programs are classified as Trojans if they do not attempt to inject themselves into other files (computer virus) or otherwise propagate themselves (worm). A computer may host a Trojan via a malicious program a user is duped into executing files or browsing Internet. Please contact network administration department at +1 844-347-5037 (TOLL FREE)
Screenshot of the second pop-up:
Text presented within the second pop-up:
**** Don’t Restart Your Computer ****
Windows Detected ZEUS Virus. The Infections detected, indicate some recent downloads in the computer which in turn has created programs n the computer. Call technical support +1 844-347-5037 and share this on the computer. Call technical support +1 844-347-5037 and share this code B2957E to the Agent to Fix This.
Another variant of this scam (scammers are using +1-800-658-2836 phone number):
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Quick menu:
- What is Internet Security Damaged?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 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.
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.
macOS (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 program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 internet security damaged virus, 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.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the internet security damaged virus, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with internet security damaged virus 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 and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
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 top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the internet security damaged virus, 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.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
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