by Berta Bilbao | September 21, 2016 | 0 Comments fake tech support, Microsoft

Critical System Failure is a message box that pops up like an error alert. Know that the alert is a fake and points to a tech support scam. The 855-616-6772 phone number is used for contacting the scammers. Another name for the message is “Compromised Windows Security.” People running the scheme could call you themselves. You could have got the fake messages from a software placed on your PC. That software could have ended up on your computer from another program, or a website could have injected it. You should read the article to the end and find out how you can stop the fake alerts.

Threat Summary

Name	Critical System Failure
Type	Tech Support Scam
Short Description	The tech support scam is built upon scare tactics and tries to make you to call the phone number. It wants you to believe that your computer has issues.
Symptoms	Pop-up boxes will constantly appear and show fake critical alerts that look like they are from the Windows OS. A phone number is provided to fix the supposed problem.
Distribution Method	Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Browser Redirects
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Critical System Failure.

Critical System Failure – Distribution Methods

This tech support scam has more distribution methods. One of the common methods to get the scam on your system is if you are browsing suspicious websites that you do not know. In this way, the files associated with the scam get injected onto your personal computer. Advertisements and redirects which are connected to suspicious websites can land you a PUP (potentially unwanted program) that spams messages of the scam. You will see the 855-616-6772 number in every related message.

The undesirable software which causes the 855-616-6772 phone number to appear on your computer with a fake Critical System Failure message can come with third-party installers. Freeware and bundled programs often contain such packages. The installer packages could have been configured to add extra components with the default installation. If you want to prevent the setup from installing them, you should search for an Advanced or Custom settings menu, so you can deselect the extra content.

Critical System Failure – Details

Critical System Failure is a message box that pops up like an error alert. In actuality, this is a technical support scam, and its purpose is to try and trick people into calling a provided phone number. It is also known as Compromised Windows Security. The 855-616-6772 phone number is used as a contact for the cyber crooks behind this scam.

Lots of users continue to fall, victim of such scams, despite that they are obvious in the eyes of tech savvy people. Also, the logo used for the scam in the fake alert message is depicted as a shield with Microsoft’s logo, instead of a red shield with an “X” inside it or a yellow triangle.

You can view the fake pop-up message in the picture below:

That message is not excluded from opening up inside a browser application and lock the page. The current message box that pops up on your Windows desktop is not reported to lock the screen, although it might appear on top of other windows. The Critical System Failure fake alert is blunt and just wants you to call the 855-616-6772 phone number and fix the supposed critical error on your computer machine.

The pop-up message reads the following:

Critical System Failure
Compromised Website Security
Please Call Technical Support 855-616-6772
Computer ID: 3257-6989
Response Code:

As Critical System Failure is giving you very small detail about the problem, this might look less obvious of a scam if you are not aware that Microsoft does not have a telephone support line. As there is no specific error given, no lock-screen and no voice speaking that there is a problem, some people may be more inclined to believe that the scam is a real thing.

In case you find yourself seeing pop-up windows showing the Critical System Failure error message or you have received a telephone call from the cybercriminals, you might be asked to do certain things. The two things which the con artists usually ask is not to tamper with the message and to provide them with your personal information. They might say something about whether the Windows system you are using is licensed, and to give them information but you to confirm it.

Do NOT provide any information and especially do not call the phone number in the first place. If there was a Critical System Failure, your PC wouldn’t even turn on and show an interface, but you would read that message on a Blue Screen. Aside from that, even a short call can cost you a small fortune.

Cyber crooks will look for ways to stall and if they do not gather information from you to at least gain money from the call’s impulses. They will lie to you that they are certified Microsoft employees or well-renowned partners of the company. Any information they can extract from you might be sold on the black market, and in some cases that can lead to identity theft.

Websites connected to the fraudulent telephone number might exist, trying to mimic Microsoft’s official website, too.

Remove Critical System Failure

To remove the Critical System Failure pop-ups also known with the 855-616-6772 number manually from your PC, follow the step-by-step removal instructions given below. If the manual removal does not get rid of the scam and pop-ups effectively, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Such software will keep your system secure in the future.

Berta Bilbao

Berta is a dedicated malware researcher, dreaming for a more secure cyber space. Her fascination with IT security began a few years ago when a malware locked her out of her own computer.

Guide 1: How to Remove Critical System Failure from Windows.
Guide 2: Get rid of Critical System Failure on Mac OS X.
Guide 3: Remove Critical System Failure in Google Chrome.

Guide 4: Erase Critical System Failure from Mozilla Firefox.
Guide 5: Uninstall Critical System Failure from Microsoft Edge.
Guide 6: Remove Critical System Failure from Safari.
Guide 7: Eliminate Critical System Failure from Internet Explorer.
Guide 8: Disable Critical System Failure Push Notifications in Your Browsers.

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

How to Remove Critical System Failure from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Critical System Failure

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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Critical System Failure 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 System Failure:

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 System Failure. 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 System Failure. 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 System Failure 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 System Failure. 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 System Failure files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Critical System Failure, 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 System Failure:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

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

Remove Critical System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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 System Failure 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.