Edge Frozen with Virus Warning Popup

Anonymous

After navigating to a web page, a popup hijacked the Edge browser.

The popup is a false virus warning, with audio, that repeats endlessly.

I used Task Manager to close Edge browser, but after re-opening, it returns to the hijacked page. There is no time to open another tab, or reach settings. How can this be cleared.

First I tried searching for /user/appdata for Edge entries, and only found a couple, deleted them, but no effect.

I launched msconfig, and set to boot to Safe Mode, minimal. I tried launching Edge in Safe, but you get a warning saying Edge will not launch using the built in administrator account. IE still ran, but no network (as you might expect). I cleared history in IE. But then was unable to relaunch msconfig! Pressing Start flashed a start menu but it disappeared. Selecting the search box wound not search. I ended up launching Control Panel using win+x, and finding System Configuration that way.

When I returned to normal Windows, Edge was set back to its home page.

Clearly this is not a good work around. I can't imagine explaining it to my little niece or grandmother.

Please suggest something more rational.

[Moved from Windows]

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.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

When this happened to me, I closed Microsoft Edge using the Task Manager.

Then in the search bar next to the Windows 10 logo on the bottom off the screen (I call it the "Cortana Search"), I typed in google.com and hit enter.

Microsoft Edge opened up with a new tab for Google. You can see the offending site still opens in a tab that doesn't have focus. Click the "X" to close Edge. Do not click on the offending site tab or it will get focus again.

When Edge closes nicely, I won't "Restore" the sessions and the offending site tab will be gone.

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Anonymous

This did not work. It closed the offending page, but when I re-opened Edge it popped back up again.

It's a common scam. Click the OK button at the bottom of the popup. You should then see a box Do not allow this site to create new messages. Check it and then close the window.

If that doesn't work, for Edge, follow the instructions by Scott_Ki here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning/edge-frozen-with-virus-warning-popup/7212a393-90ad-48d0-ab55-4ffe1f21a554?page=2&msgId=7618ae67-bf16-4155-bf90-d8a7405ee199

For all other browsers, use the Task Manager to exit the browser. Reboot and see if the pop-up goes away.

How to Use the New Task Manager.

http://www.wikihow.com/Open-Windows-Task-Manager

If the problem persists, for any browser:

Remove Tech Support Scam pop-up (Call For Support Scam)

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-tech-support-scam-popups/

Please read:

PSA: Tech Support Scams Pop-Ups on the Rise

https://blog.malwarebytes.org/fraud-scam/2014/11/psa-tech-support-scams-pop-ups-on-the-rise/

Breaking down a notably sophisticated tech support scam M.O.

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/mmpc/2017/03/02/breaking-down-a-notably-sophisticated-tech-support-scam-m-o/

For more information, see this post by GreginMich

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning/1-888-2361-scam/0990122e-61a9-431b-947e-a904c202fa7c?msgId=8d26f1a8-041a-4351-9c24-a222fb305cbd

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195 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-10-11T10:15:24+00:00

my surface, I don't get the virus when I visit a website using edge in normal mode. but only incognito mode has it.
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Anonymous

2016-10-11T01:18:13+00:00

Ok, I managed to fix this issue with the basic tools provided with windows 10 (thank you Microsoft!). (Note: This method worked for me, it may not work for you. It also will only work if your anti-virus does not require an internet connection to work. Most don't, but we live in the "Cloud Age".)

First, do not under any circumstance give any information to this site. It is a scam that is trying to acquire personal information from you.

Next, disconnect from the internet manually via unplugging your modem or removing the internet cable from your computer.

Now, use the alt-control-delete key function to bring up the Security Options Menu. Click on Task Manager, locate Microsoft Edge in the Apps section of the processes, and right click. This will bring up a side menu. Left click on the "End Task" option. This will close out Microsoft Edge.

After these steps, use your anti-virus program (I use McAfree) to scan your computer. If you discover an issue, use your Anti-virus's go to program to eliminate it. Afterwards, use your Anti-virus to clear out your Temporary Internet Files.

Next step, before you plug you computer back into the internet, Re-open Microsoft Edge. If the "Beware of Virus" appears again, simply use the Alt-Control-Delete function again and close out Microsoft Edge again using the Task Manager in the same fashion as before.

Open Microsoft Edge once more. You should get a message stating that you are not connected to the internet. At this stage, go to your web browser history and clear it.

After following these steps, you can reconnect manually to the internet by plugging your computer or modem back in. Open Microsoft Edge one more time and everything should be back to normal.

I hope you find this helpful.

EmperorEmerald
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Anonymous

2016-10-04T21:04:58+00:00

Hi

Just to clarify i got out of the stupid popup loop by going into task manager but instead of ending the MicrosoftEdge.exe task there were content process tasks named MicrosoftEdgeCP.exe. i had about 4. End these and after the final one has gone edge no longer has the loop.

worked for me anyway

hope it helps
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