Remove “Microsoft Security Department – Warning” Scam (Guide)

If you see Microsoft Security Department – Warning alerts then it is possible that your computer is infected with an adware program that displays these types of alerts and other unwanted content. These types of alerts are commonly displayed by web sites and are gone once you shut down the browser.

The Microsoft Security Department – Warning pop-up ads are caused by an adware program, which is distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. This adware program 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 program is installed, whenever you will browse the Internet, an ad from Microsoft Security Department – Warning will randomly pop-up. This pop-up ad will state that you computer is infected and that you need to call their paid support service to remove the infection.
These Microsoft Security Department – Warning alerts are designed to scare you into thinking that your computer is infected so that you will call the number listed in the fake security alert. Once you call the number, the salesperson will try to convince you that your computer has a problem and that you should purchase a support contract to fix it. This is a complete scam and you should not purchase anything from numbers listed in alerts.
When infected with this malicious program, other common symptoms include:

• Advertising banners are injected with the web pages that you are visiting.
• Random web page text is turned into hyperlinks.
• Browser popups appear which recommend fake updates or other software.
• Other unwanted adware programs might get installed without the user’s knowledge.

You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this Microsoft Security Department – Warning adware. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.

Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning pop-up ads (Virus Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning virus from your computer and any other adware program that may have been installed during the setup process.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.

STEP 1: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning adware with AdwCleaner
STEP 2: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning browser hijacker Junkware Removal Tool
STEP 3: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
STEP 4: Double-check for Microsoft Security Department – Warning malware with HitmanPro
(OPTIONAL) STEP 5: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning redirect from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome

OPTIONAL: Remove the Microsoft Security Department – Warning pop-up

This step needs to be performed only if the malicious pop-ups will not allow you to close your browser.

STEP 1: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning adware with AdwCleaner

The AdwCleaner utility will scan your computer and web browser for the adware and unwanted browser extensions, that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.

1. You can download AdwCleaner from the below link.
   ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “AdwCleaner”)
2. Before starting AdwCleaner, close your web browser, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
3. When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the “Scan” button as shown below.
   
   AdwCleaner will now start to search for adware and other malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
4. To remove the malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the “Cleaning” button.
   
5. AdwCleaner will prompt you to save any open files or documents, as the program will need to reboot the computer to complete the cleaning process. Please do so, and then click on the “OK” button.
   
   When your computer reboots and you are logged in, AdwCleaner will automatically open a log file that contains the files, registry keys, and programs that were removed from your computer.

STEP 2: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning browser hijacker Junkware Removal Tool

Junkware Removal Tool is a powerful utility from Malwarebytes, which will remove browser hijackers from Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Google Chrome.

1. You can download Junkware Removal Tool from the below link:
   JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download the Junkware Removal Tool utility on your computer)
2. When Junkware Removal Tool has finished downloading, please double-click on the JRT icon as seen below.
   
   If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run Junkware Removal Tool, please allow it to run.
3. Junkware Removal Tool will now start (as seen in the below image), and at the Command Prompt, you’ll need to press any key to perform a system scan.
   
   The program will now start to search for known adware, PUPs, and junkware programs that may be installed on your computer. This process may take upwards to 10 minutes while it creates a registry backup and checks your startups, installed modules, processes, services, files, folders, and the Windows Registry.
   
4. When the Junkware Removal Tool cleaning process will be completed, this utility will display a log with the malicious files and registry keys that were removed from your computer.
   

STEP 3: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free uses industry-leading technology to detect and remove all traces of malware, including worms, Trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware, and more.
It is important to note that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware works well and should run alongside antivirus software without conflicts.

1. You can download download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the below link.
   MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free”)
2. Once downloaded, close all programs, then double-click on the icon on your desktop named “mbam-setup” to start the installation of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
   
   You may be presented with a User Account Control dialog asking you if you want to run this file. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
3. When the installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Setup Wizard which will guide you through the installation process.
   
   To install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware on your machine, keep following the prompts by clicking the “Next” button.
   
4. Once installed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you will see a message stating that you should update the program, and that a scan has never been run on your system. To start a system scan you can click on the “Scan Now” button.
   
5. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for malware. When Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is scanning it will look like the image below.
   
6. When the scan has completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has detected. To remove the malicious programs that Malwarebytes Anti-malware has found, click on the “Remove Selected” button.
   
   Please note that the infections found may be different than what is shown in the image.
7. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now quarantine all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. When removing the files, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot your computer, please allow it to do so.
   
   After your computer will restart, you should open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and perform another “Threat Scan” scan to verify that there are no remaining threats

STEP 4: Double-check for the Microsoft Security Department – Warning malware with HitmanPro

HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.). HitmanPro is designed to work alongside existing security programs without any conflicts. It scans the computer quickly (less than 5 minutes) and does not slow down the computer.

1. You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
   HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a new web page from where you can download “HitmanPro”)
2. Double-click on the file named “HitmanPro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “HitmanPro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
   
   Click on the “Next” button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
   
3. HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious files.
   
4. When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the “Next” button, to remove malware.
   
5. Click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
   

(Optional) STEP 5: Remove Microsoft Security Department – Warning from Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge

If you are still experiencing issues with the Microsoft Security Department – Warning browser hijacker in Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings. This step needs to be performed only if your issues have not been solved by the previous steps.