Remove +1 844 710 0803 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up

by Milena Dimitrova | September 7, 2015 | 0 Comments adware, fake tech support, pop-up

Name	Windows Network Defender Pop-Up
Type	Fake Tech Support, PUP
Short Description	The pop-up will inform about a browser lock to prevent further infection. The information should not be trusted
Symptoms	Pop-ups are presented to the user, promoting a fake tech support number.
Distribution Method	Unsafe browsing, bundled downloads.
Detection tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By Windows Network Defender Pop-Up

Many users’ complains have been registered about a fake tech support pop-up regarding an issue supposedly detected by Windows Network Defender. The pop-up window says something like ‘A browser lock is in place to prevent further infection of your network and the networks of others. Call +1 844 0803 (TOLL FREE) for immediate assistance.’ However, calling the provided number will not fix any issues since it belongs to cyber crooks. Users who have called the number report that a foreigner is on the other side of the line.

How Does the Windows Network Defender Scam Work?

r’s actions prior to the appearance of the pop-up. Then, he may demand permission to login to the user’s computer to fix the issues. Keep in mind that giving access to unknown ‘technicians’ is quite risky. Such technicians have nothing to do with Microsoft’s official support and should be reported to the law. If remote access is obtained, malware can be installed on the PC or private information can be harvested, banking credentials included. Cyber criminals behind the scheme may also try to sell their rogue products. Thus, any interaction with the fake pop-up pretending to be Windows Network Defender is considered highly dangerous.

How Did the Fake Pop-Up Appear on the PC?

The Windows Network Defender pop-up has most likely been triggered by an ad-supported browser extension (adware). Adware is not malicious but it is known to cause a bunch of issues on the system. The present scam is a good example of how adware can be treacherous or even fatal. We already stressed on the fact that calling +1 844 710 0803 or similar numbers is not considered safe at all. Here is a list of what may happen to you if you are tricked into calling:

Malware can be installed on your PC, such as Trojans and spyware. There are different types of Trojans depending on the information crooks are targeting. Read more about the different types of Trojans and the online money theft scams that peeked in 2015.
Keep in mind that if a Trojan is installed on the PC, it may create a backdoor, letting cyber criminals access it any time they wish.
Adware can be dropped onto your system. Adware generates numerous advertisements (pop-ups, banners, in-text ads) and can turn random words into hyperlinks on the pages you visit. It also uses tracking technologies (cookies, beacons, website identifiers) and collects sensitive information).
Browser hijackers can be installed as well. Browser hijacking means that your browser’s settings will be changed without your permission. Additionally, your homepage, search page, new tab page, and error page will be changed to dubious pages.

What Should I Do to Get Rid of the Windows Network Defender Scam?

First of all, you may want to consider reporting the scammers. You are not the only person that has been affected by their deeds, and unfortunately, you will not be the last one. However, there are some things that you can do to prevent becoming a victim of online scammers:

Sustain a strong anti-malware and anti-adware program. Remember to update it frequently so that it continues to shield your PC no matter what.
Improve your surfing habits. You can install an ad-blocking application to prevent random pop-ups from showing and interrupting your browsing.
Avoid unsafe pages and unsafe browsing. Unsafe pages include any pages that parents block on their children’s computers.
Enable your Windows Firewall to enhance the protection of your system. In combination with a strong anti-malware solution, your PC’s health should be in perfect shape.

Now, to rid the system of the intruders, you can refer to the removal instructions below. Additionally, remember to run a full system scan so that all potentially unwanted software in detected and removed.

1. Remove/Uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up in Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

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

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up.

2. Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from your browser

Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome

Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer

Remove a toolbar from Safari

Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu

Select Windows Network Defender Pop-Up and click “Remove”

After Windows Network Defender Pop-Up is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate Windows Network Defender Pop-Up and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

After Windows Network Defender Pop-Up is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’

Select Windows Network Defender Pop-Up to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.

After Windows Network Defender Pop-Up has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Safari

Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.

From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on Windows Network Defender Pop-Up
Click ‘Uninstall’

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the Windows Network Defender Pop-Up will be removed.

In order to remove any associated objects that are left after uninstall and detect any other threats, you should:

3. Start Your PC in Safe Mode to Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up.

For Windows XP, Vista, 7 systems:

1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu.
2. Select one of the two options provided below:

– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.

– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.

3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account

While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.

For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 systems:
Step 1: Open the Start Menu

Step 2: Whilst holding down Shift button, click on Power and then click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, the aftermentioned menu will appear. From there you should choose Troubleshoot.

Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu you can choose Advanced Options.

Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.

Step 6: Click on Restart.

Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You should choose Safe Mode by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.

4. Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.

To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all Windows Network Defender Pop-Up associated objects.

NOTE! Substantial notification about the Windows Network Defender Pop-Up threat: Manual removal of Windows Network Defender Pop-Up requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

Milena Dimitrova

An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the beginning. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim

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Guide 1: How to Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Google Chrome.
Guide 4: Erase Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Internet Explorer.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

How to Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up

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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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

Get rid of Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up:

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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up. 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up. 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up. 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 malware from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Download

Combo Cleaner

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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 Network Defender Pop-Up 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

Eliminate Windows Network Defender Pop-Up 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.

How Does the Windows Network Defender Scam Work?

How Did the Fake Pop-Up Appear on the PC?

What Should I Do to Get Rid of the Windows Network Defender Scam?

Milena Dimitrova

How to Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Windows.

Get rid of Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Mac OS X.

Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Google Chrome.

Erase Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Mozilla Firefox.

Uninstall Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Microsoft Edge.

Remove Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Safari.

Eliminate Windows Network Defender Pop-Up from Internet Explorer.

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