This article will aid you to remove the Windows Security has been Compromised scam in full. Follow the tech support scam removal instructions at the end of the article.
Windows Security has been Compromised is a message usually seen on different websites and screen-locking services that host a tech support scam. The scam features a phone number that allegedly belongs to a Technical Support service. Website pop-ups could show constantly and can lock your browser on a landing page. The browser can be shut down in some cases, without any negative effects, but in other ones your computer and browser might get affected further by more malware. Do not call any phone numbers and read more about the scam below.
Threat Summary
| Name | Windows Security has been Compromised |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | A number of tech support scams trying to scare you that you have problem with your Internet service. You are provided with a phone number to a supposed support help desk. Calling the number, you will be told that you have a virus infection on your computer. |
| Symptoms | Pop-up boxes, messages, and redirects appear in your browser. It is not excluded for there to be a lock-screen function among these, or your computer freezing because of the activity going on in your browser related to the scam. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites, Redirects |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Windows Security has been Compromised. |
Windows Security has been Compromised Scam – Spread
Browsing the Web can be dangerous, especially when you reach new and unknown websites by causally browsing and they turn out to be malicious. Clicking on advertisements or targeted content could have hidden links that redirect you to dubious online places. That is the most common way in which this kind of a tech support scam can use for its spread. Other websites could be filled with advertisements and redirect links and you could land on a page which has the Windows Security has been Compromised Scam waiting to be deployed to your computer.
In the below screenshot, you can see the detections of malicious files related to the Windows Security has been Compromised Scam on the VirusTotal service:
Freeware applications, regarded as PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) could also distribute this sort of scam. Different software could cause the scareware to appear in your browsers or another related Tech Support scam. Such websites usually come with third-party installations and freeware packages. These packages tend to have extra features selected for installation from the get-go. To avoid installing any additional features could be done if you find Advanced or a Custom settings.
Windows Security has been Compromised Scam – Details
Windows Security has been Compromised is a message usually seen on different websites and screen-locking services that host a tech support scam with a phone number that allegedly belongs to a Tech Support service. Website pop-ups could show constantly and can lock your browser on a landing page. The browser can be shut down in some cases, without any negative effects, but in other ones your computer and browser might get affected further by more malware. This article is focused on one particular scam, which features a blue screen, with an instructions note with a title message “Windows Security has been Compromised”.
The theme of this scam seems very close to that of the “Your Windows Has Been Banned” Lockscreen Virus
The basic tactic for all of these scams is to scare you into calling the phone number given on the page. To make it sound more trustworthy, the scammers may claim they are a Tech Support Team for a popular company, such as Microsoft for example. The phone number used with this scam is the following:
- +1-888-398-0888
There could be plenty more phone numbers associated with this scam, depending on the version. The criminals that are on the other end of the telephone line will try to trick you into believing that they are part of some sort of an official tech support team of Microsoft and say they are employees there. That is definitely a lie. The instruction page message of the Windows Security has been Compromised scam is showcased below:
The full message reads the following:
Windows Security has been Compromised
Your Windows Security has been Compromised and Microsoft has detected an unsolvable threat
and this threat can result a great loss to your computer and it has been violated the terms of Microsoft.
We (microsoft) will not be the responsible for any kinds of security threats.Your PC has been Blocked, so you cannot access your PC right now and it is very much bad for you.
We have covered you with 2 options1. Install a New Windows (Removes all the data and files)
2. Purchase and Verify the new License from the Microsoft Certified TechnicianThe choice is yours, If you choose the number 1. Then we are going to delete all of your files
from your computer and we are going to ban you from your PC and the 2nd one refers if you
want your files back, click the below button (what to do) and you need to purchase and verify
the new license from the microsoft certified technician and you will get your files backWhat to do?
Department: Windows Help and Support
Contact: +1-888-398-0888Already got a new License? Submit it here:
In case you see this or any similar message, know that those aren’t legitimate messages generated by your Operating System. Remember that this is just scareware that is trying to trick you into calling the +1-888-398-0888 phone number which is NOT free.
Your browser or computer screen can become locked and may seem like your whole screen is blocked and totally inaccessible. In such a situation, you could try clicking the “Windows” button and combinations such as “Ctrl+Alt+Del” or even the “Close” button to check if you can still interact with your computer system.
The scammers want to make you believe that the only way to fix your computer device is by calling one of the phone numbers, provided on your screen. They also will blatantly lie to you that they are an expert team of technicians and as already mentioned above, in most cases pretending to be Microsoft employees. Not even a small fraction of that is true. Also, note that most of the time the person on the other line has an Indian accent or is from India, Bangladesh or another part of Asia – that is just how the majority of such cases turn out to be.
Do NOT call any phone number stated in such screens. Such calls could cost you next to a small fortune. Moreover, while the con artists can present themselves as Microsoft employees or similar experts or even partners, they will try to acquire personal information and financial data from you. That information can be sold, and you could get into more problems, such as identity theft, your bank accounts getting emptied etc.
Other scenarios involve the “technician” getting access to your PC via TeamViewer or a similar program for remote access and showing you a window with fake infections or planting viruses and other malware. That technician will try to make you pay for his services or to a company by saying that only bank-to-bank transfers are accepted. Even if months pass, you might have malware that is not using lots of resources or even put in sleep mode. You might receive back calls from the technician from time to time.
Do not give access to your PC to these scammers, or any information about you or financial details for that matter. It is certainly not needed for cleaning a computer.
Remove “Windows Security has been Compromised” Scam
To remove the Windows Security has been Compromised tech support scam and its related files manually from your PC, follow the step-by-step removal instructions provided below. If the manual removal guide does not get rid of the scam and its redirects completely, you should search for and remove any leftover items with an advanced anti-malware tool. Software like that will keep your system secure in the future.
Tsetso Mihailov
Tsetso Mihailov is a tech-geek and loves everything that is tech-related, while observing the latest news surrounding technologies. He has worked in IT before, as a system administrator and a computer repair technician. Dealing with malware since his teens, he is determined to spread word about the latest threats revolving around computer security.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Windows Security has been Compromised from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Windows Security has been Compromised on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Windows Security has been Compromised in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Windows Security has been Compromised from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Windows Security has been Compromised from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Windows Security has been Compromised from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Windows Security has been Compromised from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable Windows Security has been Compromised Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
About the Windows Security has been Compromised Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Windows Security has been Compromised?
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 Windows Security has been Compromised threat is backed with VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1.Browser Redirect – What Is It?
2.Adware Is Malicious, and It Uses Advanced Techniques to Infect
3.The Thin Red Line Between Potentially Unwanted Programs and Malware
4.The Pay-Per-Install Affiliate Business – Making Millions out of Adware
5.Malicious Firefox Extensions Installed by 455,000 Users Blocked Updates
How to Remove Windows Security has been Compromised from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Windows Security has been Compromised
Step 2: Uninstall Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Security has been Compromised 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.
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 Security has been Compromised with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
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.
Video Removal Guide for Windows Security has been Compromised (Windows).
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of Windows Security has been Compromised from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Windows Security has been Compromised 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3.In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Windows Security has been Compromised:
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 Security has been Compromised. 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 Security has been Compromised. 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 Security has been Compromised 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:
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 Security has been Compromised. 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 Windows Security has been Compromised files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Windows Security has been Compromised, 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 Windows Security has been Compromised (Mac)
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Windows Security has been Compromised 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 Security has been Compromised will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate Windows Security has been Compromised 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 caused by Windows Security has been Compromised 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".
Windows Security has been Compromised FAQ
What is Windows Security has been Compromised?
The Windows Security has been Compromised threat is adware or browser redirect virus. It may slow your computer down siginficantly 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 Windows Security has been Compromised?
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 has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #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 reccomend 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 Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to do if I have a "virus" like Windows Security has been Compromised?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most adware or unwanted program threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them from your browser and computer. One reccomended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you. There are many anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter is one of the reccomended anti-malware apps, that can scan your computer for free and detect any viruses, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps and eliminate them quickly. This saves time when compared to doing the removal manually.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Windows Security has been Compromised?
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 e-mail 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 activiites 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 reccomendations, 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.
More tips you can find on our website, where you can also ask any questions and comment underneath the articles about your computer problems. We will try to respond as fast as possible.