Get Rid of VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT Scam (Tech Support Scam/Adware)

What is VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam? And how does it work?

VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam is yet another deceptive alert that belongs under the category of tech support scams. This new bogus alert uses a fake tech support number, 1-844-808-7462. It appears on websites with malicious and suspicious domains and you can get redirected into one when there is an ad-supported program installed in your computer or when you click on some shady link online.
Once you get redirected to a site that hosts this kind of alert, you will see a pop-up message on your browser that says:
“VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT
This computer is BLOCKED
Do not shut down Your Computer and restart your computer
Your computer’s registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your computer?
Your Computer’s registration key is illegal.
Your Computer is using pirated software.
Your Computer is sending virus over the internet.
Your Computer is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this computer for your security.
Contact Microsoft helpline to reactivate your computer.”
The pop-up message is then followed by another alert which states:
“Your Computer is permanently blocked. Call Support at 1-844-808-7462
System Security Alert
Your information (for example, passwords, messages and credit cards) are been extracted from your Device. Call Microsoft
at 1-844-808-7462 to protect your files and identity from misuse, Please do not try to close this page or your Device will be disabled to
protect your data. Call Microsoft At Toll Free 1-844-808-7462”
If you see this bogus alert when surfing the web, you might be alarmed since it contains a very alarming message but keep in mind that this is only a trick to get you to call a fake tech support number which is something you must not do as you would only end up talking to the crooks behind this scam. The crooks might only charge you for an unnecessary service or you might unknowingly grant them remote access to your computer which is worse.
Getting redirected to tech support scams like VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam indicates that there might be an ad-supported program or adware, installed in your computer that’s been causing these adverts. And so it’s not enough to close the tab or the browser that’s showing this tech support scam but also to find that program responsible for the redirects and uninstall it.
How does VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam spread over the web?
As pointed out, this scam is hosted on malicious websites and you could end up get redirected into one if you click on some suspicious ads or when there is an adware program installed in your computer. Adware programs are commonly found distributed among software bundles that’s why to avoid installing suspicious and unknown programs, you have to use the Advanced or Custom setup when installing a software bundle.
You need to follow the removal steps laid out below to get rid of VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam and the adware program installed in your computer.
Step 1: Close the tab or the browser displaying the VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam. However, if your browser is forced to go into full screen mode because of the fake alert, tap F11 in your keyboard to exit full screen mode.
Step 2: After that, try to close the browser manually. If you find it hard to do so, close the browser through the Task Manager.
Step 3: Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 4: After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the affected browser’s process and end it by clicking End task or End Process.

Step 5: Close the Task Manager and reset all the affected browsers to default.
Google Chrome

Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox

Open Mozilla Firefox and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
In the Extensions menu Remove the unwanted extension.
Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
Select Options and then move to the General menu.
Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.

Internet Explorer

Launch Internet Explorer.
Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
Then click Internet Options.
After that, go to the Advanced tab.
From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
Now click OK to save the changes made.
Restart your computer.

Step 6: Tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type in “appwiz.cpl” to open Programs and Features in Control Panel.
Step 7: From there, look for the adware program or any unfamiliar program that could be related to the VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam under the list of installed programs and once you’ve found it, uninstall it.

Step 8: Close the Control Panel and tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 9: Navigate to the following directories and look for the adware installer like the software bundle it came with as well as other suspicious files and delete them.

%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
%USERPROFILE%\Desktop
%TEMP%

Step 10: Edit your Hosts File.

Tap the Win + R keys to open then type in %WinDir% and then click OK.
Go to System32/drivers/etc.
Open the hosts file using Notepad.
Delete all the entries that contain suspicious web URL.
After that, save the changes you’ve made and close the file.

Step 11: Now you have to flush the DNS cache of your computer. To do so, right click on the Start button and click on Command Prompt (administrator). From there, type the “ipconfig /flushdns” command and hit Enter to flush the DNS.
Step 12: Close the File Explorer and empty your Recycle Bin.
To make sure that you’ve completely gotten rid of VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam as well as the adware program behind it, you need to use an efficient program like [product-name]. To use it, follow the advanced steps below:
Perform a full system scan using [product-code]. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot it.
After that, the BIOS screen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.

To navigate the Advanced Option use the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
Windows will now load the Safe Mode with Networking.
Press and hold both R key and Windows key.

If done correctly, the Windows Run Box will show up.
Type in the URL address, [product-url] in the Run dialog box and then tap Enter or click OK.
After that, it will download the program. Wait for the download to finish and then open the launcher to install the program.
Once the installation process is completed, run [product-code] to perform a full system scan.