Critical ERROR “Virus” Page (Fake Red Screen)

by Ventsislav Krastev | March 27, 2018 | 0 Comments fake tech support, PUP, scam

Threat Summary Critical ERROR Red Screen Pop-up Scam – How It Starts to Appear Chritical ERROR Red Screen Scam – Analysis and More Info How to Remove the Critical ERROR Red Screen Page and Fix Your PC

This article has been created in order to explain what are the Critical ERROR Scam pages appearing on Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Edge browsers and how to remove them completely from the web browsers.

A new scamming messages started to appear on various different web browsers, including Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. The scamming message is a part of series of tech support scams which tend to appear across different web browsers and their primary purpose is to convince victims to initiate a phone call to the scamming number and convince victims into paying a hefty sum to the fake tech support “specialists” to fix their computers. If you see the Red Screen Critical ERROR message on your computer, recommendations are to read the following article and learn how to remove the Red Screen Critical ERROR scam message from your web browsers and how to get rid of any malware that may be causing these pop-ups on your computer.

Threat Summary

Name	Critical ERROR Scam
Type	PUP/Tech Support Scam Pop-up
Short Description	The software that may be causing this scam may pretend to be a helper program or a browser extension but in fact it causes pop-ups which pretend to be viruses.
Symptoms	Your web browser is locked with a tech support scam message which pretends you’re your PC is at risk, asking you to call a tech support number to fix any possible issues.
Distribution Method	Via PUA (Potentially Unwanted Applications), via JavaScript redirects on suspicious sites, as a result of malware on your PC
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Critical ERROR Scam.

Critical ERROR Red Screen Pop-up Scam – How It Starts to Appear

There are several methods via which this pop-up web page starts to appear on your web browser. The first one of them is if you have visited a web page which has cause a web browser redirect to the suspicious URL, leading to the Red Screen scam message.

Another scenario by which your computer could have started showing the Critical ERROR scamming message is if you have downloaded a potentially unwanted program. Such programs, also referred to as PUPs often tend to come on your PC as a result of being included “as free extras” in the installers of any free programs you may have downloaded recently, like media players, torrent downloaders and other types of freeware.

→Related: Remove Searchgol.com Redirect PUP

Such programs often pretend to be legitimate and seemingly helpful, but they cause browser redirects on your computer and may collect sensitive information plus display various types of ads. Their main symptom is that the presence of different extensions and ads may slow down the performance on your computer, but you will also notice them if your default search engine has been changed.

In addition to this, another possible scenario via which the Critical ERROR tech support scam has been reported to possibly slither on your PC is if you have added a browser extension without knowing it or believing it is legitimate. Some adware and browser hijacker developers often slither their third-party web pages via browser extensions, like:

Fake ad-blockers.
Seemingly helpful toolbars.
Extensions that claim to help by displaying shopping offers on demand.
Browser extensions that show the weather.
Add-ons that claim to display latest news.

Chritical ERROR Red Screen Scam – Analysis and More Info

The Critical ERROR fake virus alert is one of those fraudulent pop-up alerts that may appear on the following web browsers:

Google Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox.
Microsoft Edge.
Internet Explorer.
Opera.

The scamming messages are likely automatically generated, based on the web browser they are visited from. This means that when you are visiting the specific scamming website from your Google Chrome browser, you will be redirected to the Google Chrome Critical ERROR scamming message and the same applies for other web browsers as well. From this information, it seems as if the scamming website uses some type of tracking technologies, like cookies, that detect the type of browser being used and redirect you to one of the following scamming pages:

The scamming messages are very similar to the original messages that are displayed by web browsers:

Their primary purpose is to pretend to be the good guys, but in fact they use social engineering techniques in order to obtain information from you and pretend they have fixed your computer. However, you should know that such fee does not exist and the best course of action for you if you see this message is to not call the number, since the claims that your information is at risk may not be true. The scamming claims are quite convincing too, featuring a tech support message which aims to trick victims into calling “Help Desk” number +1 (888) 563-5234. Here is one instance of the Critical ERROR fake virus pop-up:

Google Chrome Critical ERROR
There was a dangerous try to get an access to your personal logins & bank information.
Luckily, your Firewall managed to block this suspicious connection-
We recommend you to freeze your accounts until some measures will be taken.
There is a great threat of leaking of your personal data-
50, you need to respond swiftly!
Trojan Virus may have already hurt your hard disk and its data-
That is why we are checking and verifying your current system security-
Do not waste your time and consult one of our service centers or call us.
Contact Number +1 (888) 5635234 (TOLL-FREE)
Your urgent response is needed.
To deal with this problem, contact our network administration-
Call Help Desk
+1 (888) 563-5234

The number on the pop-up has been the reason of multiple reports by users who have called it on the website 888notes to be associated with numerous types of scams. Recommendations by the victims are to immediately ignore the message. Victims also report that after calling the number, they have been contacted with people that pretended to be the official Microsoft Tech Support and they aimed to convince victims into believing that they PC was infected with over 200 or so viruses. The scammers then wanted the victim to pay $800 in order to fix the issue, but the victim reduced it to a hundred bucks. When the victim refused paying them, they hung up.

If you have seen the Red Screen Critical ERROR scamming messages, we advise you to immediately take actions towards the removal of these scamming messages on your PC and check if your computer has been infected with adware or malware, causing such redirects to appear automatically.

How to Remove the Critical ERROR Red Screen Page and Fix Your PC

To eliminate the Red Screen Critical ERROR Scam, recommendations are to first close your web browser from Windows Task Manager by pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL key combination on your keyboard and choosing Task Manager after which closing the process of your web browser (chrome.exe, firefox.exe, etc.). This happens if you right-click on the process and click on the End Process from the drop-down menu. If this does not work, try right-clicking again and clicking on End Process Tree. This will effectively close your web browser. From there you can open your browser in Private mode, which is another, more secure version of it, without the remembered web pages you last visited.

From there, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article to help you remove the Critical ERROR Scamming pop-up message either manually or automatically. If manual removal is not something you feel confident in doing and if you want to be fully sure that you have completely secure your Windows and browser, experts advise downloading an advanced anti-malware software to scan your PC with it. Such program will make sure to automatically remove any cookies or other types of threats from your PC, to fully secure it and prevent pop-ups, like the Red Screen Critical ERROR scam to appear in the future.

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.

How to Remove Critical ERROR Scam from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Critical ERROR Scam

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Critical ERROR Scam and related software from Windows

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Critical ERROR Scam on your computer.

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 Critical ERROR Scam there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.

Step 4: Scan for Critical ERROR Scam with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Critical ERROR Scam from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Critical ERROR Scam and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Critical ERROR Scam:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Critical ERROR Scam. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. 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 Critical ERROR Scam. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 Critical ERROR 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Critical ERROR Scam. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 Critical ERROR Scam files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Critical ERROR 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Critical ERROR Scam:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Critical ERROR 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Critical ERROR 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Critical ERROR 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.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Critical ERROR 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 Critical ERROR Scam will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Critical ERROR 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.