Suspicious AntiVirus Alert Popped Up on Web Page

Anonymous
2013-05-11T03:08:31+00:00

I am suspicious about messages that popped up when I went to a web page I'd never been to before. First a message popped up stating "Microsoft Antivirus has found critical process activity on your PC. You need to clean your computer to prevent system breakage."  And then right afterwards another message appeared -- I might have pressed okay --  in a rectangular box with a thick red stripe across the top that read "Potential Threat Details," and then below "Microsoft Security Essentials detected potential threats that might compromise your privacy or damage your computer. You need to clean your computer immediately to prevent the system crash."  But I noticed that "might" was spelled "mihgt." Then below that it listed the threats as:

Trojan PSW.Win32Launch

HackTool:Win32/Welevate.A

Adward.Win32Fraud

It said each of the three was "critical" and "active" and recommended I "remove" them.

Then below all this was a box I could check that said "clean computer."

Now aside from the misspelling of "might," I do not have Microsoft Security Essentials; I have Windows Defender, so I'm pretty sure this is a fake alert.

And I didn't press "clean computer." But I'm wondering what would have happened if I had; would I have gotten a virus, or a sales pitch to buy more antivirus software? But mostly I want to know what really will happen when my antivirus program -- which, again, is Windows Defender for Windows 8 -- does detect a real virus. It hasn't happened yet so I don't know, and I also would like to be able to distinguish the real alerts from the fake ones, especially if the fake ones do not have misspelled words as a telling sign.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-05-11T09:37:27+00:00

It is a fake alert and creater of that alert can enter as many virus names as he/she can, don't worry about that alert. Just practice safe browsing, do not click on Ads (specially of unknown source), always use original software and download them from their genuine sites only. Run scans from the tools you downloaded, and use free version only (neither Pro nor Trial).

About Trojan in quarantine-

Items in quarantine are neutral and cannot harm your PC, just like criminals in jail. There is no need to delete items in quarantine. You can also run a full scan of your PC to ensure no virus is lurking in your PC.

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2013-05-13T15:28:33+00:00

As per your description above, except for the part... "it said it couldn't do much with that"... (Don't know what you mean by this?)

When someone tries to close AdwCleaner after clicking on 'Search' button then AdwCleaner alerts that it has only scanned for Adwares, not removed them and asks to click on 'Delete' button to complete removal. This is what he is trying to say.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

71 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-13T15:15:55+00:00

    Remove View Point Media Player. I don't think it is necessary for AOL. In some sites I found that it installs unwanted toolbars and extensions, maybe it is trying to install 'bad' ones again after AdwCleaner removed it. I am recommending you to run AdwCleaner and SUPERAntiSypware again because some softwares (like View Point Media Player) may have installed some extensions in ypur browser. I noticed you asked 'Can MSE scan links?' in this forum (guess you asked due to AdwCleaner mistake). Reset your browsers (as Stephen Boots suggested in 'that' question). It will remove every culprit of browsers. Install extensions and toolbars only from trusted sources like adobe.com.

    About your 'unknown publisher' problem, many softwares are there in internet. Many are trustable but Microsoft hasn't listed them as trusted publisher in SmartScreen. Its upon you to decide whether you trust publisher or not. Personally, I didn't trust CNET and SoftPedia (I noticed first they supply their software [a kind of Adware] which downloads real software you want + shows some ads and want you to install their toolbar.)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-13T07:05:50+00:00

    Perhaps I should try to run AdwCleaner from CNET, because I trust them.

    That's your choice but you should be aware of the following:

    PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle AND ADWARE (PUP.CNET) From DOWNLOAD.com

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-05-13T06:44:36+00:00

    I didn't really care about installing ViewPoint Media Player -- I don't really know what it is -- but its message popped up repeatedly, so I just gave up. But first, I read it was part of AOL, and that it automatically comes with an AOL download, so, apparently, I've had it for a long time without knowing it. Is it necessary for my AOL?

    Why should I remove it?  Does it cause problems?

    And I'm fine with running AdwCleaner again, but I still don't understand why my computer said it couldn't verify the publisher. Usually I would not run something without a verifiable publisher.  Again, I pressed on the link and it took me to bleepingcomputer.com

    Perhaps I should try to run AdwCleaner from CNET, because I trust them.  Are you suggesting I run it again because I reinstalled ViewPoint Media Player? Is there some connection?

    Thanks again for all your patience and help.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments