How to spot scams like "Warning! Piracy detected!"

What kind of scam is "Warning! Piracy detected!"?

This pop-up message displays misleading information in order to scare computer users into believing that an investigation has begun regarding their stored information. When malware infects your computer, it displays a fake warning message reporting that pirated files have been detected on your computer and threatens that this is a serious violation and that an investigation is under way.

More about this scam

After a short period of time, you are redirected to a payment screen where you are asked to pay $400 in order to settle the dispute. It states that if you pay this sum, the investigation will not be continued.

Cyber criminals target Internet users who from time-to-time use peer-to-peer networks and file sharing services. If by mistake you have already entered your credit card information on the payment screen of this scare-ware, you should contact your credit card company and explain the situation.

Sometimes it is advisable to change your credit card number in order to secure your private banking information.

The following fake messages will be displayed:

"Warning! Piracy detected! Pirated content was detected on your PC! You are seriously violating copyright by:

- Media files downloaded from torrents

- Pirated movies from peer-to-peer networks
- Cracked software from file-sharing services

Copyright fund has received report and has started an investigation. You’ll receive subopena in a week."

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 Warning! Piracy detected!?
• STEP 1. Remove Warning! Piracy detected! using Safe Mode with Networking.
• STEP 2. Remove Warning! Piracy detected! manually by deleting files.
• STEP 3. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 4. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 6. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 7. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 8. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Removal of “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up

NOTE: If you cannot run or download removal tool, download the registry fix file. This enables execution of applications. Click on the link below, and when download completes, click Run, click Yes, and then OK.

 “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up removal instructions:

1. Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK.

During your computer starting process press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.

Video showing how to start Windows in "Safe Mode with Networking":

Windows XP:

Windows 7:

Windows 8:

2. Download the fix.reg file. After saving the file to your desktop, double click fix.reg and then click YES to confirm.

3. Open Internet Explorer, click Tools and select Internet Options. Select "Connections".

 

 

4.Click LAN settings, if 'Use a proxy server for your LAN' is checked, uncheck it and press OK.

 

 

 

 

 5. Download legitimate anti-spyware software to fully remove this fake pop-up from your PC. Download a Recommended Spyware Remover to remove the “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up.

Other tools known to remove the “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up:

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

If you are unable to remove “Warning! Piracy detected!”, you can use these manual removal instructions. Use them at your own risk, since if you do not have strong computer knowledge, you could harm your operating system.

Use them only if you are an experienced computer user. (Instructions on how to end processes, remove registry entries...)

End these  “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up processes:

iqmanager.exe

Delete these “Warning! Piracy detected!” pop-up files:

"C:\documents and settings\USERNAME\application data\IQManager\iqmanager.exe"

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 potentially unwanted applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application that causes ketintontrat[.]info redirects, 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 piracy detected! ransomware, 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 and remove them.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the piracy detected! ransomware, 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 piracy detected! ransomware 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 piracy detected! ransomware, 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.

Post a comment:
If you have additional information on piracy detected! ransomware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

It is a fake virus warning, system notification, or other deceptive message claiming that you must perform certain actions to avoid more damage, solve the problem, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Cybercriminals behind pop-up scams aim to obtain sensitive information (e.g., credit card details, passwords), extract money, get permission to access computers remotely, distribute malware, or sell fake (or unnecessary) products and services.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

In most cases, these pop-ups are delivered by untrustworthy websites. These websites are opened via shady ads, other pages of this kind, installed adware, search results promoted using search engine poisoning techniques, or browser notifications coming from deceptive pages.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner will scan every visited website and detect untrustworthy ones, including sites that display deceptive pop-ups and other messages. It will warn you immediately and restrict access to those pages.

▼ Show Discussion