How to remove fake virus alert jamming my computer?

I had that same event recently right in the middle of filling out online health data form. I had to shut the computer down which messed up the whole effort to sign up for a medical test. After rebooting the computer, the window blocked me from entering the internet.

I took it to the local independent computer store, and he fixed it in about 15 minutes. No charge. If they take it in the back and spend more time on it, then they charge. (Talk about building goodwill!)

Landzdown could probably help you (highly recommended by ravencajun) if you don't mind jumping through a few hoops. I've used them before, and they are patient, knowledgeable.

You are right: DO NOT CALL!

Alisande I recommend going to the Landzdown forum, register it's free and ask Corrine for assistance to check your computer and let her know what happened. Let me know if you need help

www.landzdown.com

I would try a reboot.

Often, a virus is contained in a link. To avoid those types of viruses, do not open links.

Someone sends you an email that contains a link, or you read something on gardenweb, and there is a link...do not open that link. Most of the time, that link is ok, but one time the link will contain a virus.

There are many companies selling anti virus protection.

Try rebooting.

Malwarebytes and ESET have free online scanners.

Thanks, all! I'll try Landzdown. I rebooted last night, but it didn't do anything.

I've been on the Internet since the 1980s, and am very cautious about clicking on unknown links. I don't know how this sneaked in.

I guided a friend through something like this, it wasn't too hard but what you have may be different.

First, clear the cache and all other history in the browser

Second, start the Task Manager and close the browser

Reboot, that may be enough.

What virus/security software are you using? It let you down, you should try another. Good luck.

I run McAfee anti virus and I haven't had any problems clicking on anything. Every once in a great while, I will get a red screen that says "whoa you don't want to go there". That is the anti virus kicking in. One time it showed up and you couldn't close it, so I turned off the computer without shutting down and then restarted it. The anti virus kept it from reloading. You won't hurt these new systems by shutting off the power before closing down.

This one many times is through a not updated Adobe product or Java If you have them on the computer they must be kept updated, Java, flash and Adobe. Just visiting a compromised website with these unpatched can allow automatic code runs. Usually the website doesn't even know.

I had it happen to my computer and the Geek squad fixed in in about 10 minutes. The Geek guy said it is a Browser virus and almost impossible to prevent. I don't know exactly how he fixed it but it took no time at all. Just rebooting doesn't do it.

I clicked on a link on FB. It was one of those below a major story. And this immediately happened to me. I was alone late at night, so I just shut down the computer immediately, waited , rebooted and it was fine.

Don't click on any news story on Facebook. 99% are scams. clickbait. If you want to read one, go out to google or safari and search. Example: Cher gone at 70. FAKE. When I googled it, came up as a scam. ANYONE or ANYTHING can pay to put a "news" story on Facebook.

For me, rebooting did not help, nor did task manager or Malwarebytes.

I had that happen once; I think that I rebooted in safe mode then ran avast to clear it.

Please come back and tell us the outcome!

I think that was me that asked about it here. I followed Elmer's instructions, but had to reboot a few times. before it disappeared

There was nothing on any scans.

This works for me everytime when I get one of those messages.

I press Alt Control Delete keys at the same time.

Then I select Start Task Manager.

Select the Applications Tab.

Click on the browser that you are using from the list.

Select End Task at the bottom of the window box.

Then reopen your browser and make sure that you do not pick out setting that you want them to be restored to settings that were there before you forced close the browser.

This has worked for me every time.

I've done what Elmer suggested. Be sure to delete history and cookies. Good luck.

Fiveholetarget (what does your name mean?), I tried that when it first happened, but nothing changed.

I'm using only Microsoft Security Essentials on that computer. When I got the computer, my son (who works in IT) advised me not to load the Avast and other anti-virus, anti-malware programs I've used in the past--and that I still have on the computer I'm using to type this.

I won't have a chance to address the problem until tomorrow. I'm hoping by then it will have been solved using the Patient Mother Method. (That is, my hope is that my son will come over and fix it for me.) :-)

Many thanks for all your suggestions!

Mothers are often bound to their son's advice, but I think there are many better choices than Microsoft Security Essentials. It's not highly regarded. A good program works in real time to monitor activity and intercepts undesired traffic, dangerous downloads, etc., in addition to simply scanning drives for known problems

If you want to restrict your choices to free ones, any of the "A's" - Avast, AVG, Avira - should all work fine for you. Here's an independent review from a respected source

Free Security programs

Others are very capable and offer wider services. Most can be obtained for less money than shown, and many ISPs provide a quality product for free. I get Norton free from Comcast

Not free security programs

Well, the Patient Mother Method worked--sort of. I came home from a jazz concert to find my computer up and running and problem-free. I called my son to thank him, and learned that he found nothing wrong. The fake alert had gone away, and web browsing was normal. Maybe shutting it down that long did the trick?

Good! I thought that is was pretty much designed to get a user to click on the link and or dial the proffered phone number. If a user calls that number they are instructed to go to a site and download ... In other words, get infected.

SOCKS, Is your white pup dog a Westie? Adorable! Pics?

Great, Alisande. Maybe the baddies lost interest in you because you didn't follow instructions and call!

Petalique, yes, he's a Westie. I'll post a pic over on today's photos.

Shutting a PC off for 5 minutes and then restarting it is the same as shutting it down for 5 days before restarting it. I'm sure there are things for which your patient mother approach can work but I don't think this is one.

I'm glad the problem went away (although it could come back). Don't forget to upgrade your security software.

Well, my son discovered that this computer has not been updating automatically. In fact, my last update was in March! This could explain how the malware could take hold. I need to run a Windows Defender scan, but not until I've received all the updates. I downloaded and ran Windows Update Troubleshooter, which said the source of the problem was Service Registration is Missing or Corrupt. The troubleshooter couldn't fix it automatically, so I need to find out how to do it another way. Mañana, as I'm tired tonight.

'Some virus and malware software can disable the Automatic Updates Service and cause this issue. To resolve this issue, use the following methods ... '

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-update/automatic-updates-have-been-disabled-on-my/6103ebd7-f39c-4230-8cb3-18658d5e738a

Back up your data to a flash drive and repair your operating system or return it to system defaults. There is probably a recovery partition available if you press the correct function key at startup. You'll need all of your licensed software keys or license numbers before you start so that they can be downloaded and reinstalled afterward. This process sounds harder than it really is. Let me know the model number and OS of the computer if you'd like details or a walk-through.

Update: All is well, as far as I can tell. I discovered that my computer was set to never look for updates. I don't know how that happened, but there it was. Once I changed it, there was a lot of looking for updates, and a lot of downloading and installing--a couple of days worth.

The updates solved my Adobe Flash issue. Flash had disappeared, and Adobe said it installs and updates in Chrome automatically. Well, not if your computer is told not to look for updates. Now Flash is back. :-)