Edge Frozen with Virus Warning Popup

Anonymous
2015-08-10T20:42:30+00:00

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]

Windows for home | Windows 10 | 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.

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Anonymous
2015-08-13T17:59:55+00:00

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
2017-04-25T22:28:31+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2017-03-30T20:43:27+00:00

    I just fixed this problem by running Ccleaner.  I shut off all suspicious startup items.  ran multiple scans and nothing worked.  I ran Ccleaner and I opened up Edge and it was gone.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-04T04:49:51+00:00

    just remove edge from taskbar and try edge from windows search box

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-04T22:13:20+00:00

    Scott_ki had a very good answer, he is right. Now, Not as much an answer, but a few words of advice, as this is a common attack tactic known as Social Engineering. This is a common strategy that these cybercriminals will use to try to gain unauthorized access, or get you to purchase services that are bogus. The age old, and tried and true Trojan Horse that used to infect and make tons of money for these people, were Scareware Programs. Most Notably, Things like Spysheriff way back when, and FakeAV nowadays. these programs make it seem like you are infected and need to take immediate action. Really, the only threat is the fake notification itself. These are commonly installed by the Attacker being able to convince you to install the rogue app, or by drive by downloads. If you see these pages, as mentioned, use task manager to kill the process. If you keep being brought back to the page everytime you load microsoft edge, you could either, A: clear browsing history if you can get to it, and If you cannot get to browsing history because it relaunches the web page upon  opening edge, don't panic. simply disconnect your network cable, or wifi via the wifi menu, or disconnect your ethernet, open edge, and as you aren't connected, the site will not load. Close the web browser cleanly, and it will close all the tabs. if you are worried you are infected, you could run, Microsoft safety scanner, or Malwarebytes from malwarebytes.org. Hope this helps.

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