You May Have Suspicious Activity On Your PC Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is You may have suspicious activity on your PC?
"You may have suspicious activity on your PC" is a fake error message displayed by a malicious website that users visit inadvertently - they are redirected by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission (the "bundling" method).
As well as causing redirects, PUPs deliver intrusive online advertisements and continually record user-system information relating to browsing activity.
The pop-up message states that suspicious activity has been detected on the computer, that further actions (shutting down/rebooting the system or opening a new browser) might lead to system failure, and the threat must be eliminated immediately.
Users are encouraged to contact "certified technicians" via a toll-free telephone number ("+18882235549") provided. They then supposedly receive help in solving the issue. It is important to note, however, that "You may have suspicious activity on your PC" is a scam - cyber criminals attempt to scare and trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not required.
Therefore, ignore this pop-up and never attempt to call the aforementioned telephone number. PUPs often display advertisements (pop-ups, banners, coupons, etc.) that conceal underlying website content, significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, these ads often lead to malicious websites, and even accidental clicks can result in high-risk adware or malware infections. Furthermore, PUPs continually gather various information relating to browsing activity.
The collected data (IP addresses, URLs visited, search queries, pages viewed, mouse/keyboard activity, geo-locations, etc.) might contain personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information.
Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Uninstall all PUPs immediately.
| Name | "You may have suspicious activity on your PC" virus |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are numerous fake errors similar to "You may have suspicious activity on your PC" including Security Warning, Your Windows Is Infected, and YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED. These are just some examples from many. As with "You may have suspicious activity on your PC", these error messages also claim that the system is damaged in some way.
Fake search engines are designed only to generate revenue for developers by tricking victims into paying for unnecessary 'technical support'. PUPs also have an identical purpose. By offering various'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy.
Rather than providing any value for regular users, however, PUPs cause redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and continually record private data.
How did adware install on my computer?
Cyber criminals proliferate PUPs by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of third party software with regular apps. Developers hide all bundled programs within the "Custom/Advanced" settings of the download or installation processes. Rushing and skipping this section exposes systems to risk of various infections.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
As mentioned above, PUPs are distributed using the "bundling" method. Therefore, never rush the download or installation processes. Carefully analyze each step using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download/install third party software. The key to computer safety is caution.
Text presented within the malicious website:
BSOD: DllRegisterServer may have failed with the code 0x80040204
Potential Defender Error Status: 0x80072afc
0x0008CE DLL_DRIVER_UNLOADED_WITHOUT_CANCELLING_PENDING_OPERATION
Potential Error Code 0xd80090n3 when starting Defender
Potential Defender Time Our Error Code 0xd800903n3
Potential Error Code 0xd800903n3 when trying to open Defender.
****************************************
IP: -
BROWSER: Firefox
OS: PC
Computer ID: 83094
****************************************
Text presented within "You may have suspicious activity on your PC" pop-up:
You may have suspicious activity on your PC.
Please Contact Technical PC Support for immediate help:
+18882235549 (toll-free)
Please contact Technical Support and have your Computer ID (83094) ready to resolve the potential issue.
DO NOT open any additional internet browser to avoid potential data corruption on the registry of your operating system. Contact certified PC technicians at
Toll-free Helpline +18882235549
DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART THE COMPUTER. DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND POSSIBLE FAILURE OF YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A NON-BOOTABLE SITUATION RESULTING IN COMPLETE DATA LOSS. CONTACT CERTIFIED PC SUPPORT TECHNICIANS IMMEDIATELY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AT +18882235549.
Contact Certified PC Support to rectify the issue.
HEALTH POTENTIALLY CRITICAL!
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is You may have suspicious activity on your PC?
- 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 "you may have suspicious activity on your pc" 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 "More 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 "you may have suspicious activity on your pc" 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 "you may have suspicious activity on your pc" 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 "you may have suspicious activity on your pc" 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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