Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses! POP-UP Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!"?
"Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!" is a scam promoted on an untrustworthy website that encourages visitors to remove viruses with a potentially unwanted application (PUA).
Neither websites of this type nor software promoted through them should ever be trusted. If this page opens randomly, it is likely that there is a PUA already installed on the browser or computer. PUAs usually cause unwanted redirects, gather user-data, and deploy intrusive ads.
According to this scam website, the Windows computer could be infected with viruses. It is stated that over 98% of computers have harmful/malicious files or programs (including phishing software and spyware) stored/installed on the operating systems.
Website visitors are informed that their systems could be at risk of irreversible damage and that those malicious files and/or programs should be removed immediately. It is stated that some personal and banking information might also be at risk. This scam website encourages people to scan their systems by clicking the "Proceed" button.
If clicked, this web page starts a fake scan. Once finished, it encourages people to download and install the PC Cleaner program, since the computer could be harmed with malware such as "Ransomware 2.0" and "Trojan.Win32.SendIP.15". According to this website, PC Cleaner will detect and remove these viruses.
To download the software, visitors are encouraged to press the "Download and Repair" button, however, this actually downloads another unwanted application called Qbit PC Speedup. As mentioned, programs that are promoted through dubious, deceptive websites should not be trusted, downloaded, or installed.
Ignore the messages on this scam website and closed it. If this cannot be done in the usual way, end the browser process via Task Manager. Note that if the closed browsing session is restored the next time the browser is opened, it will reopen the identical scam website.
Scam websites are often opened by PUAs. Most apps of this type record browsing-related data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, and so on. Some are designed to collect sensitive/personal data. Developers share the data with third parties (possibly, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.
Another problem with these apps is that they often display intrusive ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and other annoying and deceptive ads. If clicked, they usually redirect people to dubious pages, however, they might also be designed to execute scripts that download and install PUAs.
| Name | "Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Fake error claims that system is infected/damaged and encourages users to download a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that is presented as a system cleaner. |
| Distributed Unwanted Apps | Qbit PC Speedup, PC Cleaner |
| Relating Domain(s) | wod007[.]com |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
The number of scams of this type is growing daily. Examples of other similar scams and scam websites include "Microsoft detected malicious virus and blocked your computer", "Enter Windows registration key to unblock", and "Error XR01F5".
Typically, they are designed to trick people into downloading unwanted software or into calling scammers who try to sell unnecessary services or software. Most of the aforementioned PUAs are similar. Their main purpose is to generate revenue for the developers by causing unwanted redirects, gathering data and displaying ads.
Most are promoted as legitimate and useful apps, however, they deliver none of the features promised, tools, etc.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Two common ways used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted apps are through intrusive ads that run scripts designed to download unwanted software and by bundling them into other software set-ups. Using bundling, developers attempt to trick people into downloading/installing PUAs with regular software.
They do not disclose information about the inclusion of unwanted apps in set-ups and hide them in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar parts. Furthermore, people who skip steps of the download or installation set-ups often allow PUAs to be installed.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Do not use Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), unofficial websites, third party downloaders, installers and other such tools to download or install software, especially if the software is free. Use official websites and direct download links. Furthermore, do not leave "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of download or installation setups unchecked.
Deselect offers to install/download unwanted apps. Another way to avoid unwanted downloads and installations is to avoid clicking intrusive ads. If they are displayed on untrustworthy or unofficial websites relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on, do not trust or click them.
If a browser forces you to visit dubious websites or displays unwanted ads regularly, check the list of installed browser apps for any unwanted, unknown add-ons, plug-ins, and extensions and eliminate/remove them. The same applies to unwanted programs installed on the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!" main page:
Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!
29 May 2019
Your device could be infected. Over 98% of scanned computers have harmful files including phishing and spyware. Your system may be at risk of irreversible damage - Immediate removal advised if infected!Scanning and cleaning is advised to prevent possible serious damage, loss of personal data, photos and more.
Traces of Phishing/Spyware may be found on your computer. Personal and banking information may be at risk.
Screenshot of this deceptive website displaying threats that could be detected on the visitor's computer:
Text presented in this page:
DOWNLOAD REQUIRED
This device is possibly harmed.
Please download PC Cleaner to protect your PC from viruses.
The majority of scanned PCs are infected with similar files.
Virus Name: Ransomware 2.0; Trojan.Win32.SendIP.15
Risk: HIGH
Infected Files: System32\migration/video.html /System32\Drivers\spoclsv.exe
Download and Repair
CLEANING
Application: PC Cleanô
Rating: 9.9/10
Price: Free
Website promoting unwanted applications:
Screenshot of the Qbit PC Speedup unwanted app:
The appearance of "Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!" pop-up (GIF):
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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 "Your Windows Computer Could Be Infected With Viruses!" virus?
- How to identify a pop-up scam?
- How do pop-up scams work?
- How to remove fake pop-ups?
- How to prevent fake pop-ups?
- What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
How to identify a pop-up scam?
Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.
While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.
Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:
- Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
- Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
- Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
- Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
- Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.
Example of a pop-up scam:
How do pop-up scams work?
Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.
Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.
How to remove fake pop-ups?
In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.
In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.
How to prevent fake pop-ups?
To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.
To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.
- If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
- If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
- If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
- Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.
Outstanding!
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