Hello, I'm Doug and this is my first time on the Webroot Community. I was just on a newsfeed and received a popup message stating that I have a virus on my computer and to call the number displayed in the message for support. I did NOT call the number, I did shut down all active sessions and ran the Webroot scan on my computer instead. Webroot came back with no virus's found.
This is the second time in a week that I have received this message. The first time I contacted the Geek Squad and had them go through my computer updating everything that needed updating, removing old software I was no longer using and ensuring that everything was OK.
It's my understanding that Webroot will block all virus's and warn me of danger ahead in the event that I arbitrarily end up at an inappropriate website which I have been diligently monitoring my computers access. So how and why am I getting this error message and what can I do (if anything to avoid getting it again in the future. Thanks in advance for all suggestions and guidance.
Webroot virus protection
+62Hello @ ,
Welcome to the Webroot Community,
If you are seeing random pop-up ads with the “Virus Alert – Warning” text within Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome, then your computer is infected with an adware or a potentially unwanted program.
The “Virus Alert – Warning” pop-up ads are caused by an ad-supported extension for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome, which is distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. This malicious browser extensions is typically added when you install another free software (video recording, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this adware program.
When this malicious extension is installed, when you will browse the Internet, an ad from “Virus Alert – Warning” will randomly pop-up.
“Virus Alert – Warning” is used by cyber criminals to promote their remote support services. The “Virus Alert – Warning” bogus pop-up ad will state that you computer is infected and that you need to call their paid support service to remove the infection. This is a bogus claim, and an attempt to make you pay $199 for their “services”.
What you are seeing and describing sounds like it may be what we on the Community refer to as a PUA. (Potentially Unwanted Application) These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Trouble Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge, and the additional examples may help to better automatic removal of that particular PUA for all users in the future.
Hope this helps?
Kind Regards,
Welcome to the Webroot Community,
If you are seeing random pop-up ads with the “Virus Alert – Warning” text within Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome, then your computer is infected with an adware or a potentially unwanted program.
The “Virus Alert – Warning” pop-up ads are caused by an ad-supported extension for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome, which is distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. This malicious browser extensions is typically added when you install another free software (video recording, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this adware program.
When this malicious extension is installed, when you will browse the Internet, an ad from “Virus Alert – Warning” will randomly pop-up.
“Virus Alert – Warning” is used by cyber criminals to promote their remote support services. The “Virus Alert – Warning” bogus pop-up ad will state that you computer is infected and that you need to call their paid support service to remove the infection. This is a bogus claim, and an attempt to make you pay $199 for their “services”.
What you are seeing and describing sounds like it may be what we on the Community refer to as a PUA. (Potentially Unwanted Application) These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behavior that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools.. but they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behavior that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
For those that are not detected by WSA, please see this KB Article. It has some easy to follow directions on locating and removing PUA's. You may also want to submit a Trouble Ticket, especially if you cannot remove it easily from the directions in the KB Article.
For those that ARE detected by WSA, but cannot be removed automatically, you can submit a Trouble Ticket. Webroot Support will help you get these annoying 'crapware' off your computer at no extra charge, and the additional examples may help to better automatic removal of that particular PUA for all users in the future.
Hope this helps?
Kind Regards,
IMac 2021 27 in i5 Retina 5, iMac OS Sequoia (15.7.2), Security: iPads, ALIENWARE 15 R6, W11 Microsoft Windows Workstation, x64, Webroot® SecureAnywhere™ Internet Security Complete, Android Samsung Galaxy Ultra Note 23, Webroot Beta Tester
Thanks Sherry,
This gives me something to review and work from to possibly correct the situation.
Best Regards,
Doug
This gives me something to review and work from to possibly correct the situation.
Best Regards,
Doug
Yes, thank you! My son just found one of these on mine. I added an extension 'adblock plus' which is not "adblock Pro". It started doing stupid things to my laptop again and I had no control over the pop ups. My son found it and a able to remove it. All is well again.
You just affirmed/confirmed (?) what he told me this morning.
You just affirmed/confirmed (?) what he told me this morning.
+62HI Doug,@ wrote:
Thanks Sherry,
This gives me something to review and work from to possibly correct the situation.
Best Regards,
Doug
You are most welcome.
Please let us know how things are going and if you were able to resolve this won't you?
Regards,
IMac 2021 27 in i5 Retina 5, iMac OS Sequoia (15.7.2), Security: iPads, ALIENWARE 15 R6, W11 Microsoft Windows Workstation, x64, Webroot® SecureAnywhere™ Internet Security Complete, Android Samsung Galaxy Ultra Note 23, Webroot Beta Tester
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