This article has been created in order to help you by explaining to you how to remove the Google Critical Security Alert scam which can be encountered on your Gmail.
Update November 2019. The Google Critical Security Alert is a good system designed by google which is used to notify you every time there is a new login on your account from a new device. It can often confuse people who are using new devices to log in from, like their phone or even if they use a VPN or a proxy service to access Gmail securely. However, reports have started to add up that there is a fake message, which is the same as the original Google Critical Security Alert scam and this fake message may contain a virus after the victim clicks on Its button to check if their account is secure. If you are not sure whether the Google Critical Security Alert message is actual we recommend that you read this article in order to learn how to remove the Google Critical Security Alert from your computer.
Subnote: This post was originally created in May 2018, but we gave it an update in November 2019.
Threat Summary
| Name | Google Critical Security Alert |
| Type | Scam / Malware |
| Short Description | Aims to trick victims to be redirected to a third-party web link which can infect their computer |
| Symptoms | A message, claiming the computer of the victim has been compromised. |
| Distribution Method | Via e-mail messages that imitate the original Gmail Critical Security Alert, claiming that the a new and unfamiliar device has logged in to your Google account. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Google Critical Security Alert. |
Google Critical Security Alert Scam – Update November 2019
You can get a Google Critical Security Alert email as a spam message. That has been prevalent in the last few months and it does not seem to go away soon. People have to be on high alert more than ever, as more and more emails of that sort are being sent out to unsuspecting victims. The emails try to be more creative and to use the Google logos more often in the associated scams. People are falling for them as the Privacy Policy links may actually link to the authentic one of Google.
Google Critical Security Alert Scam – Update September 2019
The Google Critical Security Alert Scam has begun to change a bit and diversify the phishing methods it uses to infect computers and hijack passwords. One of its new phishing attempts that were recently detected could appear like the following:
Be very careful, because the scam targets Windows as well as Mac devices, so if you spot such or similar notifications, always make sure that they are from google and not a spoofed e-mail address.
Google Critical Security Alert Sign-In Attempt Was Blocked – Update January 2019
The Google Critical Security alert has also been seen in a massive spam outbreak via Gmail. The alert messages appear like the image we have received from Twitter reports:
Above you can see the Google Sign in attempt was Blocked message that has been plaguing more and more people.
Users should be aware not to trust the fake Google Critical Security alert messages, since opening files attached or URLs that are linked as hyperlinks there may lead to a dangerous malware infection.
Google Critical Security Alert Scam – Update November 2018
A second smaller campaign that is related to the Google Critical Security Alert Scam is a pop-up message or graphics image that can be distributed using various methods:
- Phishing Emails
- Web Redirects
- Virus Infections
The message will display an URL and a counterfeit Google alert warning the victims that their Gmail accounts have been accessed. A password reset link is showed which will open a fake login page. Any entered account credentials will be stolen by the operators.
A sample scam text reads the following:
Critical security alert A suspicious app was blocked from accessing your account ………..@—.com Google prevented someone from signing in to your account using a non-Google app. If this wasn’t you, they know your password and you should change it… https://219.115.87.158/
Critical Security Alert from Google – Update August 2018
New information has come to light concerning the scam Critical Security Alert from Google. It appears that the e-mails have started to spread with an increased rate and the new e-mail form has been modified to say the following:
“Someone just used your passowrd to try and sign in to your account. Google blocked them, but you should check what happened”
or
someone just used your password to try to sign in to your account from a non-google app. google blocked them, but you should check what happened. review your account activity to make sure no one else has access.
In seems that the e-mails now lead to a web link where the crooks may attempt to trick victims into entering their personal information. The scam, which was first detected by Wordfence seems to have come back and despite the fact that Google Chrome has resolved this issue, users still report it as a virus. One particular report has been detected in association with a scam that asks users to click on a link that is not the original sign in web link for their accounts, which is https://myactivity.google.com/. If you see any other URL besides this fake URL, we advise you not to enter your username and password. And if you encounter such e-mail, we do recommend that you immediately contact us via our support e-mail or via writing a comment in the comment section below.
Google Critical Security Alert Malware – How Does It Spread
The main method which is used by the Google Critical Security Alert scam is to send phishing e-mails to the victim’s e-mail account which are the same as the original Google e-mails that a new device has logged into your computer. The message being used by it may appear like the following:
The message also says that a sign-in attempt was blocked on your e-mail address and may contain a sub-message saying “Someone just used your password to try to sign in to your account. Google blocked them, but you should check what happened”.
While many of those messages may be actual, the Google “Critical security alert” scam may appear without you having to log in as a new device, which is the strongest indicator.
Google “Critical Security Alert” – More Information
The Critical Security Alert message may come directly into your Gmail and after you click on the button it wants you to, you have successfully fallen into it’s trap, it may download it’s payload files directly onto your computer. These files may be of different file types:
→ .exe, .dll, .tmp, .vbs, .js, .bat, .cmd, .reg
The files may be located under different names in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
After the files are dropped onto your computer, the Google “Critical Security Alert” “virus” may perform series of modifications that give it privileges to perform different administrative activities. Such activities are likely to:
- Create mutexes.
- Touch system files of Windows.
- Create registry entries in different administrative sub-keys.
- Create scheduled tasks on your PC.
This may ultimately result in the Google Security Alert malware to be able to steal information directly from your computer and perform series of malicious activities, like:
- Install copies of itself in case you remove it’s payload manually.
- Update itself to remain hidden on your PC.
- Take screenshots of your desktop.
- Log your keystrokes.
- Scan for and steal saved passwords on your drive and web browser.
- Steal files by copying them and silently sending them to the cyber-criminals via unsecured ports.
- Download malware and adware on your computer without your consent or knowledge.
Remove “Critical Security Alert” Scam from Your Computer
In order to make sure that the “Critical Security Alert” scam is fully gone from your computer, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They have been divided in manual and automatic removal manuals so that they can help you delete this threat based on your malware removal experience. If manual removal is not exactly something that you feel confident in doing, recommendations are to remove this malware or check if it has your infected your computer automatically by downloading and scanning your computer via an advanced anti-malware program. Such software will effectively make sure that your PC is fully secured and you passwords and data remain safe 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.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Google Critical Security Alert from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Google Critical Security Alert from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Google Critical Security Alert from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Google Critical Security Alert from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Google Critical Security Alert from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Google Critical Security Alert from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Google Critical Security Alert from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Google Critical Security Alert from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Google Critical Security Alert
Step 2: Uninstall Google Critical Security Alert 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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Google Critical Security Alert 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 Google Critical Security 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.
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Google Critical Security Alert from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Google Critical Security Alert and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- 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 Google Critical Security 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 Google Critical Security Alert files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Google Critical Security 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Google Critical Security 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Google Critical Security 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Google Critical Security 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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Google Critical Security 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 Google Critical Security Alert will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Google Critical Security 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.
I have just received an email saying someone has tried to get into my Google account, same description as above.
just got the alert that someone in russia logged in on my google acct.