What’s ‘Windows has detected spyware infection!’ and how to remove it?

by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Troubleshooting Expert

April 7, 2018

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Even though it’s a long shot, malicious software developers sometimes try to hide scams and malware just before your eyes. Now, even though you’re aware that this overwhelming piece of information popping on your screen is a false alarm, sometimes it’s hard to close it or even avoid it. Like the one commonly appearing “Windows has detected spyware infection” scam alert which plagues a lot of users.

Now, even though this can be quite bothering and carries a risk of virus infections, it can be dealt with relative ease. You can find ways to identify, remove, and block scammy alerts in a few simples steps we enlisted below.

How to identify and remove scam alerts like “Windows has detected spyware infection” in Windows 10

1. How to recognize false prompts and scams
2. How to deal with the scam alerts for good in a browser for good
3. How to remove scam alerts from the desktop applications

1. How to recognize false prompts and scams

First things first. Microsoft or any security-oriented third-party service will never contact you through a strange looking in-browser dialog box. That’s not how the security programs communicate with the end-user. If you receive a message coming from the Windows Defender’s UI — that’s when you should consider possible virus or spyware infection.

The same goes for third-party antivirus solutions. If the pop-up appears anywhere but in the antivirus control center — there’s nothing to worry about. And, for the sake of everything, don’t click on those pop-ups as they’ll get you in a lot of trouble faster than you think.

In the best case, clicking on one of those will lead you to an Ad. On the other hand, if you lack a proper protective software (all around a bad idea), install malicious software in the background and infect your system.

• READ ALSO: Ronggolawe malware: what it is, how it works, how to prevent it

You’ll recognize them with ease. They mostly pop-up suddenly while browsing the internet. Besides the scary message, they come with a sense of urgency — fix it now or look at the consequences. Suspicious websites are full of these ad-like prompts. Back in the days, those were mostly informing users of alleged awards and promotions but since that was blown up, they shifted to false virus threats.

Also, they tend to appear in the scam programs that allegedly fix the system errors and optimize its performance. Now, whether it’s the browser hijacker, a sudden pop-up, or a scammy third-party application, there are ways to deal with this for good.

2. How to deal with the scam alerts for good in a browser for good

Eliminating scam alerts like “Windows has detected spyware infection” is rather simple, but you need to be thorough. By removing it, you’ll get rid of these tricksters for a bit. What you’ll need to do is to completely cut out the possibility of their reoccurrence.

• READ ALSO: The Adguard AdBlocker extension is now available on Microsoft Edge

Here’s what to do it if the false-alarm prompt appears in the browser step-by-step:

• • Check the PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) in Control Panel.
    1. In the Search bar, type Control and open Control Panel.
    2. Click on the “Uninstall a program” under Programs.
    3. Remove everything even mildly suspicious.

• • Download and run Malwarebytes AdwCleaner.
    1. Close the affected browser.
    2. Download Malwarebytes AdwCleaner, here.
    3. Run the tool and click Scan.
    4. Wait until cleans the system and close it.

• • Run a deep scan with Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus
    1. Open Windows Defender Security Center from the notification area.
    2. Choose Virus & threat protection and then Advanced scan.
    3. Highlight Windows Defender Offline Scan and click Scan now.

• • Install Ad-blocker in the browser
    1. Open Extensions/Add-ons.
    2. Search for AdBlocker Plus or uBlock Origin.
    3. Install one of those and make sure pop-ups are blocked.

3. How to remove scam alerts from the desktop applications

These are mostly installed mistakenly. Software developers frequently use a “dark patterns” (look it up) which manipulate you into installing suspicious and fraudulent software. Also, they tend to mimic the original applications in order to take the control of your PC. So be cautious in the future.

• READ ALSO: New Chrome scam injects a malicious font update into your PC

Here’s how to deal with the third-party scammy cleaners, fixers, or optimization tools:

• • Locate and remove the program from the Control Panel.
    1. Open Control Panel.
    2. Choose “Uninstall a program“.
    3. Remove the fraudulent application if you find it on the list.

• • Run Malwarebytes AdwCleaner and third-party uninstaller to clean the remaining files.
  • Run a deep scan with either Defender or a third-party antivirus.

That should do it. In case you’re still seeing the same messages after this, just remember not to click on them. This is paramount. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions, make sure to post them in the comments section below.

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