Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected Scam

What is Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected?

"Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected" is a fake pop-up error claiming that the computer has been infected. It is displayed by a malicious website that users visit inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

These applications usually infiltrate systems without users' consent. As well as causing unwanted redirects, PUPs also deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually monitor Internet browsing activity by gathering various user/system information.

The "Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected" pop-up states that the system has been infected with high-risk malware, that personal information (logins/passwords, banking details, etc.) is at risk, and that this malware must be removed immediately.

To do so, users must contact certified technicians via the telephone number ["(800) 404 9734"] provided. Users then supposedly receive help in removing the malware. As mentioned above, however, the "Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected" error message is fake - there is no infection.

Cyber criminals attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required. Therefore, never attempt to contact these people. You can remove this error message by simply closing the web browser. Be aware that potentially unwanted programs employ a 'virtual layer' to generate pop-up, coupon, banner, and other similar ads.

The virtual layer is a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, the displayed ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the Internet browsing experience. In addition, some redirect to malicious sites and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk computer infections.

Another downside is information tracking. PUPs gather geo-locations, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, mouse/keyboard activity, and other similar information that might contain personal details. This information is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private details to generate revenue.

Therefore, the presence of an information-tracking app on your system can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. All PUPs should be uninstalled immediately.

There are dozens of fake error messages similar to "Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected". The list of examples includes (but is not limited to) Don't Restart Your Computer, Critical Error, Call Windows Help Desk Immediately, and Windows Security Alert. 

All of these pop-ups claim that the computer has been infected or damaged in other similar ways, however, as with "Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected", their only purpose is to trick users into calling and paying. These pop-up messages should never be trusted. Potentially unwanted programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

All claims to provide so-called 'useful features' are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Rather than delivering any value for regular users, PUPs cause unwanted redirects, collect personal data, and deliver intrusive online advertisements.

How did adware install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted programs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party applications with regular software. Developers hide all bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download/installation processes. Rushing these procedures and skipping steps exposes the system to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, never rush when downloading and installing software. Select the "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely analyze each step. Secondly, decline offers to download/install additional applications and cancel those already included. The key to computer safety is caution.

Text presented within the first pop-up:

Computer has alerted us that it has been infected with a spyware.The following information is being stolen.
- Facebook Login
- Credit Card Details
- Email Account Login
- Photos stored on this computer
You must contact us immediately so that our engineers can walk you through the removal process over the phone.
Customer Service: (800) 404 9734 (TOLL-FREE)
Do not ignore this critical alert.
If you close this page, your computer access will be disabled to prevent further damage to our network.

Screenshot of second "Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected" pop-up:

Text presented within the second pop-up:

Warning Internet Security Damaged !!!
Customer Service: (800) 404 9734 (Toll-Free)
A suspicious Connection Was Trying to Access Your Logins, Banking Details & Tracking Your Internet Activity.
Your TCP Connection Was Blocked by Your Firewall. Your Account 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 Center OR Call Help Desk (800) 404 9734

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Quick menu:

• What is Computer Has Alerted Us That It Has Been Infected?
• 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 computer has alerted us that it has been infected 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 computer has alerted us that it has been infected 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 computer has alerted us that it has been infected 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, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

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 upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the computer has alerted us that it has been infected 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:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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