“Data-error-alert.com” is the domain of a fake tech support website; but it can also have a browser extension or a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) installed on a computer. The user may be constantly redirected to the domain and unable to get out of it or the browser, overall. There are also pop-ups that support the scam, claiming that the user is infected with viruses and in order to prevent data loss, the user must call a toll free phone number.
| Name | Data-error-alert.com |
| Type | Tech Support Scam, PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to deceive users into believing that their system is infected with malware and missing files. Features a phone number. |
| Symptoms | Background imitating a legitimate anti-virus program screen with pop-ups claiming that users must call a number to remove viruses and fix issues found on their computer. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Visiting Suspicious Websites, Browser Redirects |
| Detection Tool | Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware |
Data-error-alert.com – Distribution
The PUP and/or browser extension that support the “Data-error-alert.com” domain usually get into your computer via third-party installers. They can sneak into your computer without your consent, by concealing themselves in freeware installations and bundled packages.
In these packages, additional components for installation are not always disclosed properly, and people get tricked into installing potentially unwanted programs such as those related to “Data-error-alert.com”. Sometimes that can be avoided by clicking on the “Advanced” or “Custom” feature in an installation setup to see what will be installed.
Other ways of getting infected are by opening malicious sites and spam emails or downloading e-mail attachments, clicking on various ads and banners which contain malicious code.
Data-error-alert.com – In Detail
“Data-error-alert.com” is a domain of a fake tech support website. It claims that your computer is infected with different malware and viruses. It also claims to be able to remove them if you call the “toll free” phone number “1-800-597-5598”. It includes an audio message as well, saying all these things as well in such a tone that may scare you and keep you alerted. You are supposed to reach “Microsoft Technicians” so they can solve your problem.
In reality, this may be one of the most expensive phone calls you ever made. It is absolutely not free of charge, and it can cost a lot of money per impulse. That is not the only reason you should NOT in any circumstances call the fake support number – the scammers that run the website, may also try to get you to tell them personal details and financial information using various tricky techniques. Then they can sell any data you have shared to the highest bidder or take advantage of it themselves, according to their personal interests.
Another thing that is worthy to take note of is that the site consists only of a picture, on which a screenshot of Microsoft Security Essentials is shown and that the “toll free” phone number is for USA and Canada only:
You may not be able to figure out it just that only a picture, due to the constant popups, windows and message boxes that keep popping up. Thus, you will see everything of the background very blurry. From the redirects and the pop-ups that you may get, you may be unable to browse the Web or even close your browser. Everything is done in a way to scare you, so you to quickly call the fake number. By doing that you will give money to the scammers in ways that are described above.
“Data-error-alert.com” may also collect information about you through cookies and custom Java Script files injected through the browser extension or an undesirable program installed on your computer that is assisting the fake support site.
Remove Data-error-alert.com Completely
To remove “Data-error-alert.com” manually from your computer, make sure to follow the step-by-step removal guide provided down below. In case the manual removal does not get rid of the browser redirects and PUP completely, you should search for and remove the leftovers with an advanced anti-malware program. Installing such a program will also make sure that your system is secure from other threats you may come across.
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
- Internet Explorer
- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Data-error-alert.com from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Data-error-alert.com with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com (Windows).
Get rid of Data-error-alert.com from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com. 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Data-error-alert.com, 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 Data-error-alert.com (Mac)
Remove Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com will be removed.
Eliminate Data-error-alert.com 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".
Data-error-alert.com-FAQ
What Is Data-error-alert.com?
The Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com?
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 Data-error-alert.com?
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 Data-error-alert.com Work?
Once installed, Data-error-alert.com 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.
Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Data-error-alert.com 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 Data-error-alert.com?
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 Data-error-alert.com threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.