This article has been created in order to explain to you what is the “Windows Warning Alert” scamming message and how to stop this tech support scam on your browser plus how to secure your PC completely by removing any adware that may be causing such redirects.
A new “Windows Warning Alert” voice and flickering message, asking to call the Microsoft Tech Support number +1 877 247 8999 has been reported by security researchers. The message, whose primary purpose is to begin to scare users that their computer is compromised and they should immediately call the number and the scamming message also prevents victims from closing their browser. If you see the “Windows Warning Alert” web page, do not call the number and read this article in order to learn how to remove this scamming message and remove any software on your browser or PC that may be causing such scamming sites to appear on your PC.
Threat Summary
| Name | “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up |
| Type | Tech Support Scam |
| Short Description | Aims to make your web browser flicker via JavaScript to scare you off into calling the a fake Microsoft Tech Support number. |
| Symptoms | A flickering web page appears, with a voice message, saying that spyware has infected your PC and to fix it, you should call +1 877 247 8999. |
| Distribution Method | Most likely spread as a result of either visitng the wrong website, clicking on the wrong ad or having a PUP installed on your computer, causing browser redirects to suspicious sites, like the +1 877 247 8999 scam itself. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up. |
“Windows Warning Alert” Scam – How Did I Start Seeing It
The main method of propagation this scamming website uses is to slither it’s web page – winserrordirect(dot)info(dot)tm on your web browser. This can occur as a result of several scenarios.
One of those is if you have visited a website of unwanted type and have clicked on a banner or different type of advertisement, which may have initiated a web browser redirect to the web page.
Another likely scenario is if you have let the “Windows Warning Alert” scam inside your computer as a result of allowing a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) which displays advertisements to be installed. Such software, primarily browser hijackers and adware often cause web browser redirects to unwanted websites. You may have accidentally installed a PUP by installing a free program, like a driver or your favorite media player, for example which may have had the PUP added to the installation wizard “as a free useful extra”. Usually those installation steps are difficult to discover and this is the main reason why you should always go through the Advanced or Custom installation modes of your installer, since such installation steps are often concealed there. And the reason why your PC did not flag this program as a virus is that these low-level types of threats are often skipped by conventional antivurus software.
”Windows Warning Alert” – More Information
As soon as you visit the website of the “Windows Warning Alert” scam, you are welcomed by the following screen:
The web page has JavaScript animation which causes it to flicker and seem like it constantly maximizes and minimizes itself, whereas it is actually an animation of some sort. This does not occur if you do not touch anything, but may immediately start to bother you once you click anywhere on your screen.
In addition to this, a voice message also appears on your computer, which simply reads the text from the pop-up that appears, which is the following:
support.Windows.com says:
** Windows Warning Alert **
Malicious pornographic spyware / riskware discoveredError # Unknown System Failure!
Please call us immediately: +1 877 247 8999
Do not ignore this critical warning.
Closing this page will disable your computer access to prevent further damage to our network.
Your computer has warned us that it has been infected with a pornographic Spyware and riskware. The following information is stolen…
> financial data
> Facebook Logins
> Credit cards details
> Email Account Logins
> Photos stored on this computer
Please contact us immediately so that our experienced engineers can accompany you through the removal process over the phone, to protect your identity. Please call us within the next 5 minutes to keep your computer away disabled or from any loss of information.Toll Free: +1 877 247 8999
When we checked the number +1 877 247 8999, we concluded that it was reported by several users in association with scams. Users who have got tricked into calling the number report that the scammers pretended to be Microsoft support and they aimed to get the victims into paying a hefty amount of money for them to fix the issue, but in addition to this, they were also willing to negotiate and lower the “tariff”. If you see this pop-up, be advised that there is no such issue and your computer may even be infected by malware at this point, but may only have unwanted software which can be removed if you keep reading this article.
Remove “Windows Warning Alert” Scam Pop-up from Your PC
Before actually getting to the point of removal of the unwanted software that may be causing pop-ups, like “Windows Warning Alert”, you will need to close your browser first, which cannot be done conventionally. This is why you will need to do the following:
Step 1: Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
Step 2: Open Task Manager.
Step 3: Right-Click on Google Chrome (chrome.exe) and click on End Process. If this doesn’t work, right-click again and click on End Process Tree.
After you have done this, you should follow the removal instructions underneath and remove the unwanted program either manually or automatically. Be advised, that if you want a completely secure PC which is also protected in the future, experts always recommend to download and scan your computer, using an advanced anti-malware program. Such will fully remove any intrusive programs and malware that may currently be residing on your PC and protect you as well.
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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How to Remove “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up (Windows).
Get rid of “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up. 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 “Windows Warning Alert” 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:
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 Warning Alert” Pop-up files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up, 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 Warning Alert” Pop-up (Mac)
Remove “Windows Warning Alert” 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.
Erase “Windows Warning Alert” 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.
Uninstall “Windows Warning Alert” 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.
Remove “Windows Warning Alert” 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 Warning Alert” Pop-up will be removed.
Eliminate “Windows Warning Alert” 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.
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".
“Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up-FAQ
What Is “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up?
The “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up?
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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up?
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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up Work?
Once installed, “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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.
“Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this “Windows Warning Alert” Pop-up 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 Warning Alert” Pop-up?
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 Warning Alert” Pop-up threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.