“Your PC is infected with 5 viruses” is an online scam message that tries to force users into installing a rogue anti-virus application. The warning message may vary but the end goal remains the same. The scam is lurking across the web by being pushed by multiple websites. We advise affected users to refrain from installing software that is distributed through unofficial and deceptive websites. Beware that all warning pop-ups, redirects, messages about viruses like “Your PC is infected with 5 viruses”, errors and other online security issues are fake and should never be trusted.
Threat Summary
| Name | "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam |
| Type | Scam |
| Short Description | A tech support scam saying that you should install an update of an anti-malware tool to fix several issues that prevent your system from operating in a smooth and secure manner. |
| Symptoms | Messages, pop-up boxes, and redirects could appear in your browser. Cybercriminals will try to trick you into installing a rogue application to optimize and secure your PC. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Redirects, Spam Messages |
| Detection Tool |
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam. |
Your PC Is Infected With 5 Viruses – What Is It About?
“Your PC is infected with 5 viruses” message can appear in your favorite browser as a result of third-party installations, freeware packages and visits to other bogus websites. When you are surfing the Web and visiting new unverified websites you may easily reach bogus websites that are pushing this scam message. Once of these websites is known to be the Privacyegg.com
Clicking on advertisements or redirects related to suspicious links are also among the events that may cause the scam page Your PC is infected with 5 viruses to appear. Freeware applications, regarded as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) could also be set to trigger the scam to load in affected browsers.
“Your PC is infected with 5 viruses” scam message is hosted on multiple websites that push it in popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, IExplorer, Opera, etc. The scam may have several variants of its message as well. Different rogue applications and fill-in forms may be used by the scammers behind it.
Here is what one of the text related to the Your PC is infected with 5 viruses scam says:
Antivirus Update
Update Status
Your PC is infected with 5 viruses. Urgent update is required for PC Cleaner to protect system from viruses and prevent additional system damage to your personal data, such as loss of apps, photos or other files.
[Install Update]Updates ara available:
2019-09 Cumulative Update for Windows Version 1703 for x64-based Systems (KB4025342)
2019-10 Cumulative Update for Windows Version 1703 for x64-based Systems (KB4022725)Advanced Options
You should know that the message labeled as Your PC is infected with 5 viruses is a fake one, although it can be made to look like it is from a legitimate company like Microsoft by adding the company’s logo, changing the font, design and other such tweaks. Do not believe the message and know that it is a blatant lie. In fact, by stating that it urges affected users to install antivirus update as soon as possible to keep their system secure against infections that lead to loss of apps, photos and other files.
Once the “Install Update” button is clicked, a pop-up disguised as a system window states that an antivirus update is prepared for download. A click on the presented Download button leads to the appearance of a landing page that offers the rogue application OneSafe PC Cleaner.
Beware this program is not one that Windows will offer you to install. We strongly recommend that you do not trust this scam website and refrain from downloading any programs pushed by it. Furthermore, it is possible that pages like Your PC is infected with 5 viruses might be used to spread malware.
Cybercriminals who are behind this scam may also try to trick you into thinking that you should call a fake tech support number similar to the attempts of another online scam dubbed Your System Is Infected With (3) Viruses
In conclusion, you should be wary of what actions you take while surfing the Web, what information you give out and which sites you visit. One thing is for sure you should scan your system with security software to make sure that your system is clean and nothing else but the browser is causing the “Your PC is infected with 5 viruses” scam message to appear.
Remove “Your PC is infected with 5 viruses” Scam
To remove the Your PC is infected with 5 viruses 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.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam (Windows).
Get rid of "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam. 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam, 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam (Mac)
Remove "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam will be removed.
Eliminate "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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".
"Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam-FAQ
What Is "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam?
The "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam?
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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam?
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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam Work?
Once installed, "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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.
"Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam 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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam?
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 "Your PC is infected with 5 viruses" scam threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.