Update October 2019! What is PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT? Can PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT messages be due to malware? Is your PC in danger? ? How to remove PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT pop-up scam?
SIDENOTE: This post was originally published in March 2019. But we gave it an update in October 2019.
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT is a technical support scam that will try to shock you into calling a phone number. The phone number (888) 732-1022 is given for contacting the supposed support technicians. The scam is connected to multiple websites that push the number for a supposed team of Microsoft technicians, reachable on the phone line if you have any issues with various services, especially if you believe that your computer has been locked because of viewing unsafe pornographic websites.
Threat Summary
| Name | PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | A tech support scam saying that you should call a phone number to fix a problem related to visiting unsafe pornographic websites (the problem presented on the page). |
| Symptoms | Messages, pop-up boxes, and redirects could appear in your browser. Cybercriminals will try to trick you into calling a phone number, while locking your browser to a custom page. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Redirects, Spam Messages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT. |
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT – Update August 2019
This tech-support scam is using two very popular methods – porn blackmail and the name of a big and trustworthy brand or company. In fact, there are plenty of other scams that are exploiting Microsoft’s reputation to trick users into performing a certain action, such as calling a suspicious number.
The latest example of a Microsoft-based tech-support scam is the so-called [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/buggy-windows-10-updates-uninstalled-automatically/”] CRITICAL ALERT – Automatic disinfection failed. The scam message starts with “Windows Antivirus – Critical Alert”. You should keep in mind that Microsoft does not display such messages and does not work with any technicians over the phone. Furthermore, Microsoft’s only anti-virus protection is called Windows Defender, and it does not generate such pop-ups.
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT – Update May 2019
Our analysis indicates that this tech-support scam is currently very active and is affecting users on a large scale. Scams based on such claims of users having watched pornographic content are trending, and they are often called [wplinkpreview url=”https://sensorstechforum.com/4-reasons-receive-sextortion-email-scams/”] sextortion scams, especially when the user is asked to pay a ransom for his “secret” to be kept. Despite PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT being a tech support scam rather than a sextorion phishing email, the situation is the same – the user should not be tricked by the scammers’ claims and should not be involved in any actions that the scam message is prompting him to follow.
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT – What Is It About?
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT with the (888) 732-1022 number (or other numbers) can appear in your browsers as a result of third-party installations and freeware packages. Surfing the Web and reaching new and unverified websites, clicking on advertisements or redirects related to suspicious links are other ways because of which the scam page can appear. Freeware applications, regarded as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) could also be helping to spread the scam.
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT is hosted on a website that pushes this technical support scam. The scam is reported to use the (888) 732-1022 phone line, but other numbers may be involved. Cybercriminals who are behind the telephone can try to trick you into thinking that they are part of some tech support team, working for Microsoft. The presented problem is that you have visited unsafe pornographic websites to scare you into calling the number.
As you can see above, the message labeled as PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT is a fake one, although it can be made to look like it is from Microsoft by changing the font, design and other such tweaks. Do not believe the message and know that it is a blatant lie. Another variant of the same scam could be stting the following:
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer has been LOCKED
Do not close this window or restart your computer without calling support
We have locked this computer for your security
you have been browsing unsafe pornographic websites.
Your computer has been infected.
Contact the Microsoft helpline to reactive your computer.
Failure to call will result in a notice boing sent to your residence.
Microsoft Security Tollfree:
(888)732-1022Microsoft Support Alert
We Have Detected A Virus From A Pornographic Website
It might corrupt your data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to (888) 731-1022
The phone number is not free as promoted on the website, and even the shortest call may be very costly. The con artists can present themselves as Microsoft employees, but they are NOT and will only try to extract personal information and financial data from you leading only to complications.
In conclusion, you should be wary of what information you give out and should do a scan with anti-malware software to make sure that your system is clean and nothing else but the browser is causing the messages to appear.
Remove PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT Scam
To remove the PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT tech support scam and its related files manually from your computer, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. If the manual removal guide does not get rid of the scam and its redirects completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Software like that will keep your system secure in the future.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
Follow Me:
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT (Windows).
Get rid of PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT. 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT, 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT (Mac)
Remove PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT will be removed.
Eliminate PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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".
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT-FAQ
What Is PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT?
The PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT?
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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT?
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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT Work?
Once installed, PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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.
PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT 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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT?
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 PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.