What Is Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Scam
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert is the name of a webpage that has been reported to be associated with a fake tech-support scam. These types of scams have been created with the main idea the food the victim and to either download in some type of rogue software or calling a fraud tech-support number that is designed to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars. The main objective of the scammers is to pretend to be a legitimate Microsoft support and ask you to fix a problem with your computer that may not even exist. In return they want you to pay them hundreds of dollars beforehand which is exactly how the scam works.
Read this article to learn more about how to stop the Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Scan messages from appearing on your machine.
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Summary
| Name | Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert |
| Type | Phishing, PUP, Scam, malware |
| Short Description | Phishing messages may be trying to trick you into clicking links to get redirected. Once redirected you will be asked to do an action, such as providing personal details, data about credential information or fill in a form. In some cases, clicking a link will download malware on your device. |
| Symptoms | You receive an e-mail message appearing legitimate. You could be urged to click on a link. You can then get malware on your computer or get redirected from link to a landing page mimicking an original website asking you to fill in information. |
| Distribution Method | Phishing Emails, Pop-up messages, Redirects |
| Detection Tool |
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Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Scam – More Information
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert is a typical scam webpage and it’s very similar to other types of scams that we have seen, such as “I am aware” scam, “Your Operating System Has been Hacked” and “Save Yourself”. The consequences of seeing any form of scam to appear on your web browser or that it could be risky for your computer and information in it in the following main ways:
- Visiting a dangerous website linked in the e-mail, that may compromise your computer with malware.
- Downloading some type of malicious e-mail attachment.
- Getting you to call a fake tech-support number.
- Typing in your personal information by clicking on some web link.
- Extorting you into paying BitCoin by using convincing message, for example accusing you of breaking the law.
Not only this, but seeing these websites could also expose you to some dangerous URLs that may lead to malware, such as:
- Trojans.
- Adware viruses.
- Rootkits.
- Botnets.
- Phishing.
In case your computer gets compromised by a dangerous virus because of the software causing redirect to scams, like in the case of Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert, then it could be a victim to the following malicious activities being ran in the background:
- Stealing files.
- Controlling your internet connection.
- Deleting files.
- Damage causing your files to no longer be able to be opened.
- Taking screenshots.
- Tapping into your microphone or camera.
- Downloading an adding other adware.
- Logging the keys you type in real-time.
- Stealing passwords and other information saved on your web browser.
This is why to avoid scams like Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert and other questionable websites that might trick you for your money or information in the future, we would recommend that you follow the following tips:
- Avoid clicking on links to provide your email address for verification
- Avoid payments to someone whose identity you can’t confirm
- Never pay before your goods get delivered
- Avoid messages with grammatical or typographical errors
- Do not provide any details about you, your addresses or similar information via email or unknown Websites
- Do not open email attachments.
- Avoid emails that are not addressed to you by name
- Avoid messages sent by a service you don’t expect to hear from
- Avoid messages that do not include a tracking number or specific details about your order or address
Keep reading this article to understand more about how to stop seeing Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert scam and how to remove any malware may be causing it to appear on your browser.
Remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Scam
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert is type of scam that can be removed from your machine if you remove the software that is causing redirects on your web browser to it. If you believe that your computer has been compromised by such a software, we would strongly recommend that you follow the guide that has been created underneath this article. It contains the necessary steps to help clean up your web browsers and your drive. For the best removal, it is strongly advise about that you run a check of your computer using a professional anti-malware software. Such a program is designed from the ground up to effectively check your machine and automatically remove any unwanted and malicious software from it.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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How to Remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert (Windows).
Get rid of Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert and remove related files and objects
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Video Removal Guide for Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert (Mac)
Remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert will be removed.
Eliminate Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert-FAQ
What Is Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert?
The Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your email passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activities with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Work?
Once installed, Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Windows_Firewall_Protection_Alert threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.