Cydoor Spyware Scam

What is Cydoor Spyware?

"Cydoor Spyware" is another fake error displayed by a malicious website. Research shows that users are often redirected to this site by various potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) that infiltrate systems without permission.

In addition to redirects, PUPs deliver various intrusive advertisements (coupons, pop-ups, banners, etc.), reduce overall system performance, and continually gather sensitive data.

This error states that a security breach has been detected and, for this reason, personal details (logins/passwords, banking information, etc.) are at risk. Users are encouraged to immediately resolve this issue by contacting certified Microsoft technicians (via toll-free telephone number ["1-300-190-430"] provided) and following further instructions.

Note, however, that "Cydoor Spyware" is a scam - it is fake and has nothing to do with Microsoft. Cyber criminals claim to be certified technicians and generate revenue by scaring unsuspecting users and tricking them into paying for technical support that is not needed - all claims regarding security breaches are false.

Furthermore, criminals often demand remote access to users' computers to install malware and/or change system settings. Criminals then claim to "detect" more issues and offer services for an additional fee. For these reasons, we strongly advise you to ignore "Cydoor Spyware" and never call the telephone number.

You can remove this error simply by closing the web browser (preferably, via Task Manager) or rebooting the system, however, never re-open closed tabs after re-running the browser, otherwise you risk visiting the malicious website again.

As mentioned above, PUPs often deliver various advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ various tools (e.g., a "virtual layer") that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, delivered ads are likely to conceal underlying content.

In addition, some ads lead to malicious websites and, in some cases, execute scripts that download/install malware. Clicking these ads thus risks various computer infections. Potentially unwanted programs often mine cryptocurrency or run other unwanted processes in the background, without users' consent.

In most cases, these programs misuse available resources (RAM, CPU, etc.), thereby significantly diminishing overall computer performance. For these reasons, potentially unwanted programs should be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Cydoor Spyware" 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

"Cydoor Spyware" is virtually identical to Internet Security Alert, TEST, Cyber Security, Your TCP Connection Was Blocked, and many others. Note that all claims that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, etc.), however, these errors are designed only to to extort money from unsuspecting users.

All potentially unwanted programs are very similar - they claim to enable certain "useful functions", however, these fake promises are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy.

In fact, PUPs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value for regular users, PUPs pose a direct threat to privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?

In most cases, potentially unwanted programs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling", and intrusive online advertisements. Therefore, users often install PUPs inadvertently, without their consent. "Bundling" is stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps.

Developers do not adequately disclose these installations - they hide all "bundled" apps within the "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. Therefore, skipping download/installation steps (and clicking various advertisements) often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted programs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Carefully analyze each window of the download/installation windows and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Bear in mind that intrusive ads usually look legitimate, however, they are distinguishable for their redirects - most lead to survey, gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other suspicious sites. If you encounter such redirects, immediately eliminate all dubious applications/browser plug-ins. The key to computer safety is caution.

Text presented in the first "Cydoor Spyware" pop-up:

Cydoor Spyware may have caused a security breach at your network location.
YOUR PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MIGHT BE AT RISK.CaIl Toll Free 1-300-190-430 .
Please contact MICROSOFT CERTIFIED technician to rectify the issue. Please do not open internet browser for your security issue to avoid data corruption on your registery of your operating system. Please contact MICROSOFT CERTIFIED technicians at Toll Free HelpLine: 1-300-190-430
PLEASE DO NOT SHUT DOWN OR RESTART YOUR COMPUTER,DOING THAT MAY LEAD TO DATA LOSS AND FAILURE OF OPERATING SYSTEM,HENCE NON BOOTABLE SITUATION RESULTING COMPLETE DATA LOSS. CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR DEPARTMENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ON

Screenshot of second "Cydoor Spyware" error pop-up:

Text presented in the second "Cydoor Spyware" pop-up:

The problem is caused by an unusual activity performed on this machine. Error code - 022-146-128. Call customer support number - 1-300-190-430 and share this code with the agent.

ERROR CODE : 022-146-128 AWARNING: Your system has critical security vulnerabilities. Attention Vodafone Australia customer: Your personal emails, bank and other personal passwords, as well as credit card information are at risk! Multiple high risk infections detected, call Windows Certified Tech Support right away: 1-300-190-430 (Toll-FREE, High priority Call Line)

The appearance of "Cydoor Spyware" pop-up (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is Cydoor Spyware?
• 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 extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Removal of potentially unwanted programs:

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 rogue extensions 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 "cydoor spyware" 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 "cydoor spyware" 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with "cydoor spyware" 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 "cydoor spyware" 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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