Fake Windows Security popup - Is my PC safe?

[Alienslayer2406]

While browsing the internet I was suddenly redirected to a "Microsoft" website with multiple popups stating that a Trojan virus was detected on my PC, and I had to call a phone number for support. I experienced similar popups in the past and immediately thought it was a virus, so I hit Alt + F4 and closed the window.

The only antivirus I have is Windows Defender, so I did a full system scan; I did a quick-scan, a full scan, and a Microsoft Defender Offline scan. None of them detected anything, and no new downloads were listed. To my knowledge, I didn't click anything when the popup appeared. Nothing seems to be different. Am I okay?

I use Microsoft Edge, presumably the latest version, if that matters.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by Windows Sucks:

What number did you call? This is important as many of these numbers are often scammers, they can even be listed at the top of google results and look fairly legitimate and it’s just the usual Indian scan center. Did they remote access your PC? If so better off doing a fresh install because who knows what they have done to your os.

I’d recommend to stop using Microsoft Edge. My name might suggest bias but it comes from years of experience, Microsoft products are downright terrible. Try FireFox or Brave (Chrome but without the tracking). Also check frequently for browser updates.

I didn't call any number or click on anything. It locked my browser in fullscreen mode so I pressed Alt + F4 as fast as I possibly could.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by plat:

Clear the browser caches. Go to Edge settings--the three little dots at the top, then to Settings in that menu and go to Privacy Search and Services in the left pane. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and then Choose what to clear. You want to clear at least the cookies, download history and whatever else you feel is worth clearing.

Run a malware scan also. You can download AdwCleaner from the Toolslib site, Malwarebytes free and run a scan with your Antivirus.

I was in private browsing mode, so there's no cache to clear. I've already done extensive scanning with Windows Defender, but I guess Malwarebytes wouldn't hurt.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

There will be times you encounter sites that push scam pages, all you have to do is close the tab / broswer and you're good to carry on, even deleteing cache if you wanted to as well doesn't hurt.

If you see something started downloading that you were not expecting to download then delete it ASAP, never run it, because that one of the common ways to get virus/malware/ransomeware, as OS updates, and having anti virus, this basically stop most of these from acting on their own without you giving it permission that why don't run them just delete and you're basically fine. Anyways if get fear of anything can use anti-malware such as malwarebyte scan with rootkit scan, and even hitman pro, to double check for things if you have paranoia fear.

Most sites you encounter that push fear like, you been hacked, virus been detected, you have a virus, blah blah, blah whatever ♥♥♥♥ story, most of those are scam sites to get you to click download things, and get you to contact them to scam you, as well inject things on your stuff when you run them, this is easily avoided by just simply not clicking crap in the page, and just close it that simple.

I think I'm good. The only things that are listed in the downloads list are jpg/png files.

[ZOD]

Install the uBlock Origin extension for Edge. https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak?hl=en-US

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by ZOD:

Install the uBlock Origin extension for Edge. https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak?hl=en-US

Better using this.
https://ublockorigin.com/ <--- They point you to the path getting it when open said broswer you're using, example if open with chrome it points you to chrome version, if edge to edge version.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by Crosseyed Mie:

Boot to safe mode and run malwarebytes, fast.

So I just downloaded Malwarebytes, and they didn't find anything either. Looks good.

[Sassanid]

Originally posted by littlecat20160:

Try Avast and Malwarebytes

I remember I used Malwarebytes back in the days a few times and it found malware and trojans o my PC and did a great cleanup.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by The18thFret:

Originally posted by littlecat20160:

Try Avast and Malwarebytes

I remember I used Malwarebytes back in the days a few times and it found malware and trojans o my PC and did a great cleanup.

I tried Malwarebytes and it didn't find anything. I think it's safe to assume that I'm fine.

[76561198343548661]

if a second HQ antivirus program confirms the PC is free of viruses and Malwarebytes says there s no threat , you re fine . Did you check by a second AV ? Might install Avast just for a scan

[r.linder]

Anti-virus programs like Avast, Kaspersky, Norton, etc. are largely a placebo effect; most of the viruses that the scanners are detecting and removing are extremely common and a lot of "threats" are also coded by hackers that were paid to do so by anti-virus developers and by the developers themselves. Why? To make it look like it actually does something so you think that your system is safe. But that's not really the case.
If there's a brand new virus that hasn't infected many systems, it's unlikely that most anti-virus will even detect and remove it, similarly to how viruses work with humans; if we don't have the anti-bodies, our bodies aren't protected and will react negatively to it.

There are outliers like Malwarebytes that are free and actually useful. Some others that are trial-based like HitmanPro are also good for finding and removing potentially malicious files deep within the system registry and rootkit. A combination of Windows Defender and Malwarebytes is all anyone actually needs, other scanners won't do you any good, it's all the same crap and they can find false positives.

The only true anti-virus is common sense, and in the case of the OP, his "anti-virus" worked because he didn't click on anything and didn't fall for the scam. There's no harm done to the system, those things can pop up on many websites regularly.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by littlecat20160:

if a second HQ antivirus program confirms the PC is free of viruses and Malwarebytes says there s no threat , you re fine . Did you check by a second AV ? Might install Avast just for a scan

I don't like Avast. It somehow ended up on my old laptop and every once in a while it would show a popup saying "Your address is exposed!" along with my actual IP address. I couldn't get it to stop. I plan to have a Youtube/streaming career at some point, and that could be very dangerous for me.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by Escorve:

Anti-virus programs like Avast, Kaspersky, Norton, etc. are largely a placebo effect; most of the viruses that the scanners are detecting and removing are extremely common and a lot of "threats" are also coded by hackers that were paid to do so by anti-virus developers and by the developers themselves. Why? To make it look like it actually does something so you think that your system is safe. But that's not really the case.
If there's a brand new virus that hasn't infected many systems, it's unlikely that most anti-virus will even detect and remove it, similarly to how viruses work with humans; if we don't have the anti-bodies, our bodies aren't protected and will react negatively to it.

There are outliers like Malwarebytes that are free and actually useful. Some others that are trial-based like HitmanPro are also good for finding and removing potentially malicious files deep within the system registry and rootkit. A combination of Windows Defender and Malwarebytes is all anyone actually needs, other scanners won't do you any good, it's all the same crap and they can find false positives.

The only true anti-virus is common sense, and in the case of the OP, his "anti-virus" worked because he didn't click on anything and didn't fall for the scam. There's no harm done to the system, those things can pop up on many websites regularly.

This is correct. I've learned from this experience, and will try to be more careful in the future.

Here's a quick tip for anyone who needs it: Alt + F4 is your friend (when it wants to be).

[r.linder]

Originally posted by Alienslayer2406:

Originally posted by littlecat20160:

if a second HQ antivirus program confirms the PC is free of viruses and Malwarebytes says there s no threat , you re fine . Did you check by a second AV ? Might install Avast just for a scan

I don't like Avast. It somehow ended up on my old laptop and every once in a while it would show a popup saying "Your address is exposed!" along with my actual IP address. I couldn't get it to stop. I plan to have a Youtube/streaming career at some point, and that could be very dangerous for me.

Avast is typical crap anti-virus anyway, you don't need it. You have common sense, so Windows' built-in Defender (or whatever anti-virus you already have to use) and Malwarebytes is fine.

[Alienslayer2406]

Originally posted by Escorve:

Avast is typical crap anti-virus anyway, you don't need it. You have common sense, so Windows' built-in Defender (or whatever anti-virus you already have to use) and Malwarebytes is fine.

I temporarily had Malwarebytes installed, but it was the free trial so I uninstalled it.

[r.linder]

Originally posted by Alienslayer2406:

Originally posted by Escorve:

Avast is typical crap anti-virus anyway, you don't need it. You have common sense, so Windows' built-in Defender (or whatever anti-virus you already have to use) and Malwarebytes is fine.

I temporarily had Malwarebytes installed, but it was the free trial so I uninstalled it.

Last I checked it doesn't stop you from using it when the trial expires, like Winrar.