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

2015-08-12T01:54:57+00:00

I just got the same issue with my system. I'm running the recommended scans above to try and get rid of the issue. I will know soon if it has worked.

I went so far as to call the phone number they indicated to call and I got someone that said they were from Microsoft and he said they could fix the issue if they could log into my computer remotely. Naturally that sure as the heck wasn't going to happen. So I think Microsoft has a hole in their system already that is bleeding out peoples computers (metaphorically that is). I will gladly return to Windows 7 so I can install all my own antivirus software to prevent this from happening again. I have never seen this happen before but I have heard of it happening.
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Anonymous

2015-08-12T03:41:54+00:00

Ok I tried everything that was asked for me to do to get rid of the hijacked Internet Edge page and still nothing. This is very disheartening and I certainly don't wish to spend another 2 days reinstalling Windows and reformatting my hard drives to get rid of this problem. I need help and so far Microsoft hasn't done anything yet to help resolve this issue....
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Anonymous

2015-08-12T10:10:18+00:00

Try not to panic Mark,

I don't think it is a huge issue. Edge is slated to support 'extensions' in October, which will likely give it capabilities such as 'ad blocker' and a ton of other nice ones.

I managed to clear the error, but it was not very simple. Use IE as a backup, and lets see what they come up with. Have a little faith.
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