Microsoft Azure "Alert Was Triggered" Scam EXPOSED - Investigation

The email looks like it came from Microsoft Azure. The logo is there. The formatting feels official. The subject line is urgent.

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“Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered.”

Then you see the punchline: an “unauthorized transaction,” an exact dollar amount, and a “24/7 fraud resolution hotline” that wants you to call right now.

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That sense of urgency is the entire trap. This alert is not protecting you. It is trying to pull you into a fake tech support call where scammers push remote access tools, steal financial information, and pressure you into sending money or gift card codes.

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Scam Overview

The “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered” scam is a tech support fraud that uses Microsoft Azure branding and Azure Monitor-style emails to scare people into calling a phone number. Once you call, you reach a scam call center posing as Microsoft, a “billing department,” or an “account security team.”

From there, the script is predictable: they claim your device is infected or your account is compromised, and the only way to “secure it” or “reverse charges” is to connect to your computer remotely using software like AnyDesk (or similar tools). After they get access, they attempt to extract bank details, steal money, and often demand payment through gift cards.

Why this scam works so well

This scam succeeds because it combines three powerful psychological levers:

1) Authority
Microsoft Azure is a trusted brand. Many people assume anything that looks like an Azure alert must be legitimate.

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2) Urgency
The email pushes immediate action with phrases like “account suspension,” “verify this transaction immediately,” or “fraud prevention hold.”

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3) Specificity
Scammers include believable details: an invoice number, a transaction ID, a precise amount like $499.99, and time stamps in UTC or EST. Specific details make people stop questioning.

What the scam email often looks like

A common version uses the exact Azure Monitor phrasing and layout. The screenshot you provided includes wording like:

Header: “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered”
Alert context: An “alert rule” that looks like an invoice, such as invoice-214038647
A fake billing narrative inside the alert description, including:
- “MICROSOFT CORPORATION BILLING DEPARTMENT ACCOUNT SECURITY ALERT”
- A “detected unauthorized transaction”
- Merchant: “Windows Defender”
- Amount: $499.99
- A demand to call a “Microsoft Fraud Resolution Hotline”
- A phone number such as +1 (813) 495-1666

It may also show what looks like real Azure resource formatting, such as “Rule ID” and “Resource ID” with long subscription-style paths, plus buttons like “View Rule” or “View Resource.”

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Those technical-looking elements are not proof of legitimacy. In many cases, they are the camouflage.

Important nuance: the email can look legitimate even when the scam is real

A lot of people assume, “If it came from an address ending in microsoft.com, it must be safe.” Unfortunately, that is not a reliable test here.

There are two common ways scammers pull this off:

Scenario A: A spoofed email that only looks like Azure
The sender address and branding are forged. The goal is simply to get you to call the number.

Scenario B: A real Azure Monitor notification used as a delivery vehicle
This is the more confusing version, and it matches what many victims report. Azure Monitor alerts can include user-defined text fields, like an alert description. A scammer can create an alert rule in their own environment and configure notifications to email any address they choose. The email may be delivered through Microsoft’s actual notification systems, but the content is still scam content because the scammer wrote the “billing department” message and inserted the phone number.

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In other words, an email can be technically “real” in delivery while being fraudulent in intent and content.

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What the scam is trying to make you believe

The email is designed to create a very specific fear:

You have an unauthorized charge.
Your Microsoft account is about to be suspended.
Your computer or cloud account is compromised.
The only way to stop it is to call the hotline in the email.

That hotline is the trap. Real Microsoft security or billing notifications do not require you to call a random phone number embedded inside an alert description to “verify” a transaction.

Why the phone call is the danger point

The scam is not “the email.” The email is just the funnel.

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The theft happens after you call, because voice conversations give scammers room to apply pressure, confusion, and step-by-step manipulation. They can also keep you on the line while you install remote access software, log into your bank, or drive to a store to buy gift cards.

Once the victim is engaged, scammers typically pivot into one of these storylines:

Tech support storyline: “Your device is infected or hacked. We must secure it now.”
Refund storyline: “We will reverse the $499.99 charge. We need remote access to process the refund.”
Account takeover storyline: “Hackers are inside your account. We must verify your identity and lock it down.”
Payment storyline: “To validate or stop the charge, you must pay a verification fee” (then they demand irreversible payments).

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How remote access becomes financial theft

Remote access tools like AnyDesk are legitimate products. Businesses use them every day for real support. That is why this scam is so effective.

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Once a scammer gets remote access, they can:

Read what is on your screen, including personal data.
Guide you into logging into your bank while they watch.
Change browser or system settings.
Drop additional remote tools or set up persistence.
Disable security notifications or convince you to turn them off.
Manipulate you into sending payments that you cannot reverse.

Many victims later say the same thing: “I thought I was talking to Microsoft.”

You were not.

Why gift cards show up in “Azure alert” scams

Gift cards are popular in tech support scams because they are fast and hard to recover. Once you read the codes to a scammer, the money is effectively gone.

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Scammers often demand gift cards under labels like:

“Verification”
“Security deposit”
“Refund processing”
“Account unfreeze”
“Anti-fraud validation”

Real companies do not fix fraud cases by asking for gift card codes.

Who is targeted

This scam can target almost anyone, but it commonly hooks:

People who do not use Azure but assume Microsoft must be contacting them for a security reason.
Small business owners and freelancers who fear account or payment issues.
IT staff who see “Azure Monitor” and assume it is an internal incident.
Anyone who has purchased Microsoft products and thinks the charge might be real.

The message does not need to be accurate. It only needs to feel plausible long enough for you to call.

The bottom truth

This is not a real Azure security process. The alert is fake in purpose and has nothing to do with Microsoft, Apple, or Google account security.

It is a lead-generation trick for fake tech support centers that use fear and urgency to steal money.

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How The Scam Works

Below is the typical flow of the “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered” scam, from first contact to financial loss. The details vary, but the structure stays remarkably consistent.

Step 1: The victim receives a scary “Azure Monitor” alert email

The subject line and header are designed to stop you in your tracks:

“Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered”
“Account security alert”
“Unauthorized transaction detected”
“Action required”

The content usually includes:

A transaction amount like $499.99
A product name like “Windows Defender”
A reference code that looks official
A warning about suspension or fees
A phone number presented as “fraud support”

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Sometimes it also includes “View Rule” or “View Resource” links to make it feel like a real operational alert.

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Step 2: The scammer pushes a false deadline

The email implies that if you do not act immediately:

The charge will finalize.
Your account will be suspended.
Additional fees will apply.
Collections will begin.
Your “funds” are at risk.

This is intentional. If you slow down, verify independently, or ask someone else, the scam collapses.

Step 3: The victim calls the phone number

This is where the scam becomes dangerous.

You reach a call center that answers like:

“Microsoft Billing Department”
“Microsoft Security”
“Account Fraud Prevention”
“Windows Defender Support”

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They often use reassuring language and a professional tone. They may give a fake employee ID. They may repeat your “reference number” from the email to sound legitimate.

Then they ask questions designed to gather useful information:

Your name and phone number
Your email address
What device you use
Whether you bank online
Whether you use a business account

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They are profiling you for the next stage.

Step 4: They claim your device is infected or your network is compromised

Even though the email is about a “transaction,” scammers quickly pivot to a tech narrative:

“Hackers got into your computer.”
“There is suspicious activity on your IP address.”
“Your device is sending illegal traffic.”
“Your Microsoft account is under attack.”

The goal is to justify remote access.

Step 5: They instruct you to install remote access software

They typically guide victims to install a remote desktop tool such as:

AnyDesk
TeamViewer
ScreenConnect or similar

They will frame it as standard procedure:

“We need to verify your system.”
“We need to stop the charge.”
“We need to process the refund.”
“We need to secure your account.”

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Once installed, they ask for the connection code, then they control your computer.

At this point, the scammer can see everything you do and can do things while distracting you.

Step 6: They stage “evidence” to convince you the threat is real

This part is psychological theater. Common tactics include:

Opening system logs and pointing to normal entries as “proof of hacking.”
Showing your IP address and claiming it is “flagged.”
Running basic commands and presenting harmless output as “infection.”
Opening the browser and claiming your saved passwords are exposed.
Creating a sense that your machine is barely under control.

The goal is to move you from uncertainty into compliance.

Step 7: They pivot into money extraction

Once they have you scared and engaged, they choose a monetization path.

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Path A: The fake refund scam (very common)

They claim the $499.99 charge is refundable and they will reverse it.

Then they “process” a refund while you watch.

What happens next is usually one of these manipulations:

They claim they refunded too much by mistake.
They claim your bank “duplicated” the refund.
They claim you now owe the difference and must repay it immediately.

They push you into sending money back via irreversible methods.

Path B: Direct payment to “secure” your account

They say you must pay a one-time fee for:

Firewall activation
Security subscription
Anti-hacker protection
Account verification
Charge reversal

Then they steer you to payment methods that are hard to reverse, like wire transfers, peer-to-peer transfers, crypto, or gift cards.

Path C: Gift card demand

If they sense you are hesitant about bank transfers, they go to gift cards.

They will tell you to buy gift cards from a local store and read the codes over the phone. They may stay on the line the entire time, pressuring you not to hang up or talk to store employees.

If a cashier asks why you are buying gift cards, scammers often coach victims to lie:

“It’s for a family member.”
“It’s for a birthday.”
“It’s for office supplies.”

That coaching alone tells you everything you need to know.

Step 8: They attempt to harvest sensitive information

During the process, they often try to capture:

Bank login credentials
One-time passcodes (2FA codes)
Credit card numbers
Personal identifying info (address, date of birth)
Access to email accounts
Access to password managers

If they can get into your email, they can reset passwords for other accounts.

If they can get into your banking, the damage can escalate fast.

Step 9: They may lock you out or leave behind persistence

Not every scammer does this, but it happens often enough that victims should take it seriously.

They may:

Change account passwords.
Add a new user account on the computer.
Install additional remote tools.
Set remote access to start automatically.
Disable security settings or notifications.

Even after the call ends, the risk may remain if remote access tools are still installed or if your accounts are compromised.

Step 10: Follow-up pressure and repeat attempts

After a successful hook, scammers may keep contacting you:

New emails with “final notice”
Calls claiming “case escalation”
Threats of arrest or legal action
Offers to “help recover your money” (a second scam)

This is why victims need a clear, structured recovery plan.

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What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam

If you called the number, installed remote access software, shared information, sent money, or gave gift card codes, take the situation seriously. Move quickly, but stay calm. The steps below are designed to stop ongoing access and limit financial damage.

1) Disconnect the affected device from the internet immediately

Turn off WiFi or unplug the Ethernet cable.
If you are on a phone hotspot, disable it.

This can interrupt a live remote session and limit further access.

2) Uninstall any remote access tools you installed during the call

Look for tools like AnyDesk (or similar) and remove them. After uninstalling:

Restart the device.
Check your installed apps list again to confirm it is gone.

If you are not confident, get help from a trusted local technician or someone you know personally. Do not use a “support” number from the email.

3) Run a full security scan

Use reputable security software already installed on your device, or a trusted tool recommended by your device manufacturer or operating system.

What matters most is a full scan, not a quick scan.

If the scammer had extended access, consider a professional malware check. In some cases, a clean reinstall of the operating system is the safest option.

4) Change passwords from a clean device

Do not change passwords on the possibly compromised computer.

From a different device you trust:

Change your email password first.
Then change banking passwords.
Then change passwords for major accounts like shopping sites, cloud services, and social media.

Use strong, unique passwords. If you reuse passwords anywhere, assume those accounts are at risk.

5) Enable multi-factor authentication on key accounts

Turn on multi-factor authentication for:

Email accounts
Banking accounts
Microsoft accounts
Any password manager you use

If scammers got access to your email, they may be able to intercept resets. MFA helps block that.

6) Contact your bank or card issuer right away

Explain clearly:

You responded to a tech support scam.
You granted remote access.
You may have shared information or completed transactions.

Ask them to:

Review recent transactions
Freeze or secure your accounts if needed
Issue new cards if credentials may be compromised
Add extra verification to prevent unauthorized transfers

Time matters. The sooner you call, the more options you usually have.

7) If you sent gift card codes, contact the gift card company immediately

If you bought gift cards and shared codes:

Keep the receipt.
Contact the gift card issuer immediately.
Ask if they can freeze remaining funds or trace redemption.

Recovery is not guaranteed, but acting fast is your best chance.

8) Check your email account for suspicious rules and forwarding

Scammers who gain email access sometimes set up:

Auto-forwarding to their address
Mailbox rules that hide bank alerts
Filters that move security warnings to trash

Review your email settings carefully and remove anything you did not create.

9) Review your device for new accounts or changed settings

Look for:

New user accounts you did not create
Remote access settings enabled
Browser extensions you do not recognize
Saved payment methods you did not add

If anything looks unfamiliar, treat it as a security incident and escalate your response.

10) Document everything

Write down:

The phone number you called
The date and time
What software you installed
What accounts you accessed during the remote session
Any transactions, gift cards, or transfers

This helps your bank, your recovery process, and any reports you file.

11) Report the scam

Reporting helps with pattern tracking and takedowns. Consider reporting to:

Your country’s consumer protection or fraud reporting agency
Your bank’s fraud department
The email provider (as phishing)
Your workplace IT team if this happened on a company device

If you received the email at work, treat it as a business security event.

12) Watch for “recovery scams”

After victims lose money, scammers often re-contact them pretending to be:

Refund agents
Law enforcement
Cybersecurity firms
“Chargeback specialists”

They claim they can recover your money for a fee. That is usually a second scam targeting you again.

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How to Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware

If a pop-up scam tricked you into downloading an unwanted program — or you suspect your device is infected — follow the free, step-by-step removal guide below to find and remove it.

Before you start: this guide may look long, but that’s only because we’ve broken everything down into clear, detailed steps that anyone can follow — no technical skills needed, and every tool we use is free.
Please follow the steps in order. If you get stuck or have doubts at any point, stop and ask for help in our free support forum — our team will guide you personally.

Choose your device to get started. Browser hijackers, unwanted apps, and adware can infect Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices alike — click your operating system below to jump straight to the right instructions.

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows

To remove unwanted apps and malware from your Windows PC, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs
STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware
STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

In this first step, we will manually check if any unknown or malicious programs are installed on the computer. Sometimes adware and browser hijackers can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove them.

Open the Settings app

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select “Settings” from the menu.
Go to “Installed apps”

In the Settings window, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Installed apps“.
Find and uninstall the malicious program

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Date installed“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click the three dots next to it and select “Uninstall“.

Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide.
Complete the uninstall

Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.

Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025, so it no longer gets regular security updates. If your PC can run it, upgrade to Windows 11. If it can’t, enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program.

Open the Settings app

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, click the Start button on the taskbar and select “Settings” (the gear icon).
Click on “Apps”

In the “Windows Settings” window, click “Apps“. The “Apps & Features” section should open by default — if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.
Find and uninstall the malicious program

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Install date“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click on it and select “Uninstall“.

Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide.
Complete the uninstall

Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.

Is a stubborn program refusing to uninstall? Use Revo Uninstaller to force-remove it completely, including leftover files and registry entries.

With the malicious programs removed, you’re ready for the next step in this guide.

STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings

In this step, we will remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
Please note that a Chrome or Edge reset turns off all your extensions, and a Firefox refresh removes them. Your bookmarks and favorites stay intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.

Reset Chrome for Windows to default settings

We will now reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.

Open the Chrome menu
Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot (⋮) icon in the top-right corner.
Open Chrome Settings
Select Settings from the Chrome menu.
Select “Reset settings”
Look at the menu on the left side of the Settings page. Scroll down and click Reset settings.
Restore Chrome’s original settings
Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm the Chrome reset
A confirmation window will appear. Click Reset settings.
This will:
- Restore the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page
- Reset startup pages and pinned tabs
- Reset site permissions, such as notifications and pop-ups
- Disable installed extensions
- Clear temporary cookies and website data
Don’t worry: Chrome will not delete your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the reset applies on all devices where you’re signed in.
Restart Chrome and perform a test search. If your searches now open normally in Google, you can stop here.
If searches are still redirected through shady domains complete the additional step below.
Remove persistent search hijacker data
Only complete this step if the redirect continues after resetting Chrome.
Some browser hijackers hide inside Chrome’s local search-engine database. A standard Chrome reset may not remove this database, which is why searches can continue to pass through shady sites.
The following procedure creates a backup of the affected database and allows Chrome to build a new, clean version. This is safer and less disruptive than deleting the entire Chrome profile.
First, prevent Chrome Sync from restoring the hijacked settings:
1. Open a new Chrome tab.
2. Copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
```
chrome://settings/syncSetup/advanced
```
3. Under Manage what you sync, select Customize sync.
4. Turn off Settings and Extensions.
5. You can leave Bookmarks and Passwords enabled so your important data remains synchronized.
Note: Some newer Chrome versions may automatically redirect this address to the Google Account settings page. If that happens, locate the list of synchronized Chrome data and turn off Settings and Extensions there.
Now save anything you are working on and close every Chrome window.
Run the cleanup command:
1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type PowerShell.
3. Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
4. Copy the entire command shown below.
5. Right-click inside the PowerShell window to paste the command, then press Enter.
6. If Windows warns you about pasting multiple lines, select the option to continue.
```
$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss"

Get-Process chrome -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
 Stop-Process -Force

$root = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data"

if (Test-Path $root) {
 $profiles = Get-ChildItem $root -Directory |
 Where-Object {
 $_.Name -eq "Default" -or
 $_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$"
 }

 foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
 foreach ($name in @(
 "Web Data",
 "Web Data-journal",
 "Web Data-wal",
 "Web Data-shm"
 )) {
 $file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name

 if (Test-Path $file) {
 $backup = "$file.search-hijacker-backup-$stamp"
 Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup
 Write-Host "Backup created: $backup"
 }
 }
 }
}

Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Chrome search data has been cleaned."
Write-Host "You can now reopen Chrome."
```
Wait until PowerShell displays the following message:
```
Chrome search data has been cleaned.
You can now reopen Chrome.
```
Close PowerShell and reopen Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically create a clean search database for every local profile.
Next, copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
```
chrome://settings/searchEngines
```
Make sure Google is selected as the default search engine. Test several searches from the address bar and confirm that they no longer pass through shady search engines.
Your important Chrome data is protected: the PowerShell cleanup does not remove bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, or installed extensions. However, it may reset locally stored Autofill addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and form suggestions.
The original search database is not deleted. PowerShell renames it and adds search-hijacker-backup to its filename so it can be recovered if necessary.
Keep Settings and Extensions synchronization disabled while testing Chrome. Do not enable every extension at once. Enable only the extensions you recognize, one at a time, and test Chrome after each one.
If the redirect returns after enabling a particular extension, remove that extension immediately.

Reset Firefox for Windows to default settings

We will now reset your Firefox browser settings to their default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.

Open the Firefox menu and click “Help and Report”

Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of Firefox to open the main menu, then select “Help and Report“.
Click “More troubleshooting information”

In the Help and Report menu, click “More troubleshooting information“.
Click “Refresh Firefox”

On the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the “Give Firefox a tune up” box in the top-right area of the page.
Confirm the refresh

In the confirmation window, click “Refresh Firefox” again. This removes extensions, themes, and customized settings — the usual hiding places for browser hijackers — while keeping your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords safe.
Click “Finish”

Firefox will close, reset itself to default settings, and reopen with a window listing the information that was restored. Click “Finish“. Then test Firefox before you add back any extensions.

About the “Old Firefox Data” folder: Firefox saves a copy of your old profile on your desktop. If something you need is missing after the reset, you can recover it from this folder. Otherwise, delete the folder — it contains sensitive data like passwords and cookies, and may also still hold the malicious files you just removed.

Reset Microsoft Edge to default settings

We will now reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings to their default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.

Updated for Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11 — July 2026.

Open the Edge menu and click “Settings”

Open Microsoft Edge. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot (…) icon, then click Settings.
Prevent the unwanted settings from returning through Edge Sync

If you are signed in to Microsoft Edge, a bad setting or extension may be stored in your Microsoft account and return after the reset.

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/profiles/sync
```
On the Sync page, turn off these two options:
- Settings
- Extensions
You can leave Favorites and Passwords turned on.

If Edge says that sync is already off, simply continue to the next step.

Important: Edge Sync settings are separate for each profile. If you use more than one Edge profile, switch to each affected profile and repeat this step.

You do not need to sign out of your Microsoft account or delete the Edge profile.
Open “Reset settings”

In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.

You can also open the reset page directly. Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/reset
```
Click “Restore settings to their default values”

Click Restore settings to their default values.
Confirm the reset

In the confirmation dialog, click Reset.

This resets the startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It also disables all extensions and clears temporary site data, such as cookies.

Don’t worry: your favorites, browsing history, and saved passwords will not be deleted.
Check your extensions before turning them back on

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://extensions
```
Remove any extension you do not recognize or no longer use. Pay particular attention to extensions related to search, coupons, shopping, PDF conversion, browser protection, new tabs, or video downloading.

Do not turn all extensions back on at the same time. Enable only the extensions you recognize and trust.
Select a trusted search engine

Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
```
edge://settings/searchEngines
```
Select Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, or another search provider you trust and make it the default. This address opens the list of search engines; the default is set one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar.

Remove any unknown search engines from the list, especially providers with strange names or addresses that you did not add yourself: click More actions (…) next to the engine and remove it.

Restart Edge and perform a search from the address bar. If searches are no longer redirected, you can stop here.

If the redirect remains, clean the corrupted search data without deleting the Edge profile

Use this additional step only if Edge continues to redirect searches after the normal reset.

This command cleans the search-engine database from every local Edge profile while keeping your favorites, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, and profiles.

Before continuing: save anything you are working on because the command will close Microsoft Edge.

Open the Windows Start menu.
Type PowerShell.
Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
Copy the entire command below.
Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.

$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss"
$root = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA "Microsoft\Edge\User Data"

Get-Process -Name msedge -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
    Stop-Process -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Start-Sleep -Seconds 2

if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $root)) {
    Write-Host "The Microsoft Edge profile folder was not found:"
    Write-Host $root
    return
}

$profiles = Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $root -Directory |
    Where-Object {
        $_.Name -eq "Default" -or
        $_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$"
    }

$movedFiles = 0

foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
    foreach ($name in @(
        "Web Data",
        "Web Data-journal",
        "Web Data-wal",
        "Web Data-shm"
    )) {
        $file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name

        if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $file) {
            $backup = "$file.search-reset-backup-$stamp"

            try {
                Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup -ErrorAction Stop
                Write-Host "Cleaned: $($profile.Name)\$name"
                $movedFiles++
            }
            catch {
                Write-Warning "Could not clean: $file"
            }
        }
    }
}

Write-Host ""

if ($movedFiles -gt 0) {
    Write-Host "Microsoft Edge search data has been cleaned." -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "You can now reopen Microsoft Edge."
}
else {
    Write-Host "No Edge search database files were found." -ForegroundColor Yellow
}

The command does not permanently delete the original files. It renames them as backup files, and Edge creates a clean search database when it starts again.

Note: this additional cleanup may also reset saved form-fill suggestions, saved addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and manually added search engines. It does not delete favorites, passwords, or browsing history.

Reopen Edge and test the browser

Open Microsoft Edge again, visit edge://settings/searchEngines, and select your preferred search engine (one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar).

Perform several searches from the address bar to confirm that the redirect is gone.

Keep synchronization for Settings and Extensions turned off until you are certain that the computer and extensions are clean. If you enable them again, turn them on one at a time and test Edge after each change.
If Edge still redirects your searches

Open edge://policy. If this is your personal computer and Edge displays unknown policies such as ExtensionInstallForcelist or DefaultSearchProvider, the hijacker may be installed outside the browser profile.

In that situation, continue with the next malware-removal steps and run a complete antivirus scan. If the computer belongs to a company or school, contact its IT administrator before changing any policies.

STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs

In this third step, we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your computer.

Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

Download Malwarebytes

Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.

Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Install Malwarebytes

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
- Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
- Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
- When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
- On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan

You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.

If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
1. On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
2. Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
3. Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
4. When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan

Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.

Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
Restart Your Computer

Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.

STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware

In this next step, we will scan the computer with HitmanPro to check for any other malicious programs that may be installed on your device.

HitmanPro is a second-opinion scanner — it’s designed to catch what your main antivirus might have missed. Instead of relying on a single detection engine, it checks the behavior of files in the locations where malware usually hides. Anything suspicious is checked online, where it’s analyzed by several antivirus engines in HitmanPro’s Scan Cloud.

Good news: scanning is completely free, with no limits. You only need a license when it’s time to remove what was found — and even then, you can activate a free one-time 30-day trial to remove what it finds at no cost. The trial works once per computer. After that, removal needs a paid license, and the purchase screen shows the current price.

Download HitmanPro

Click the button below to download HitmanPro. Remember — the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.

HitmanProSecond-opinion malware scanner from Sophos
Download HitmanProFree scan. Removing threats needs the free 30-day trial. Opens the official HitmanPro page in a new tab.
Install HitmanPro

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file “hitmanpro_x64.exe”. (On 32-bit Windows 10, the file is named “hitmanpro.exe”.)

If a User Account Control pop-up asks whether HitmanPro can make changes to your device, click “Yes” to continue.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts

On the HitmanPro start screen, click “Next” to begin the system scan. No lengthy setup required — it goes straight to work.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

HitmanPro will now check your computer for malicious programs. This usually takes just a few minutes thanks to its cloud-based scanning.
Review the Results and Click “Next”

When the scan is done, HitmanPro will show you everything it found. Click “Next” to remove the detected threats.
Click “Activate Free License”

To remove the malicious files, click the “Activate free license” button. This starts your free 30-day trial — no payment details needed — and unlocks the full cleanup.

When the removal is complete, HitmanPro will show a summary of everything it cleaned. Click Next, then click Reboot if prompted. If there’s no reboot prompt, click Close. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the HitmanPro log and ask for help in our forum.

STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies

In this final step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove the malicious browser policies that were set by browser hijackers on your computer and delete malicious browser extensions.

AdwCleaner is a free on-demand scanner that specializes in adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted toolbars — the exact threats that mainstream antivirus programs often miss. It also includes tools that repair the damage malware leaves behind, like hijacked browser settings and malicious policies. It’s a quick scan that’s well worth running.

Download AdwCleaner

Click the button below to download AdwCleaner — it’s free, portable, and requires no installation.

Malwarebytes AdwCleanerRemoves adware and unwanted programs at no cost
Download AdwCleanerOpens the official download page in a new tab.
Run AdwCleaner

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named “adwcleaner.exe“. There’s no installation — the program starts right away.

If Windows asks whether you want to allow AdwCleaner to run, click “Yes“. When the license agreement appears, click I agree to continue.
Leave “Reset Chrome policies” off unless you need it

AdwCleaner can reset Chrome policies, the settings that malware sometimes uses to lock your browser so you can’t change it back. This option removes every Chrome policy, including legitimate ones set by an employer, a school, or parental-control software, so leave it off for a normal scan.

AdwCleaner applies this option only if you run Basic Repair at the end of the cleanup. Malwarebytes advises running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to, and it also runs every other repair action that is turned on in the same list. If this is your own personal PC and chrome://policy in Chrome lists policies you didn’t set, ask for help in our forum instead. On a work or school computer, ask the IT administrator.
Start the Scan

Click “Dashboard” on the left side of the window, then click the “Scan Now” button.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

AdwCleaner will now check your computer for adware and other malware. This usually takes only a few minutes — it’s one of the fastest scanners around.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan finishes, AdwCleaner lists everything it found. Review the list and uncheck any program you installed on purpose and want to keep, then click Next. If AdwCleaner also found preinstalled software, it shows that list next. Review it the same way, then click “Quarantine“. Older versions show the Quarantine button on the first list, as in the image below.
Click “Continue” to Finish the Cleanup

Save any open work first — AdwCleaner needs to close your open programs before it can clean. When you’re ready, click the “Continue” button.

AdwCleaner will now move the selected items to quarantine. If it asks you to restart your PC, allow it. When you’re back in Windows, AdwCleaner may offer a Basic Repair. Click Skip Basic Repair. Malwarebytes recommends running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.

When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.

Keep your PC protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your antivirus let this threat through, it may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malware, ransomware, and malicious websites before they can infect your computer.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac

To remove unwanted apps and malware from your Mac, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Remove malicious profiles
STEP 2: Delete malicious apps
STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings
STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware

STEP 1: Remove malicious profiles

Profiles are used by IT admins in businesses to control the behavior of their Macs. These profiles can configure a Mac to do many different things, some of which are not otherwise possible.
When it comes to home users, adware and browser hijackers are using the configuration profile to prevent users from removing malicious programs from the computer. This also prevents the user from changing that behavior in the browser’s settings.

In this first step, we will check your computer to see if any configuration profiles are installed. To do this, follow the below steps:

Open “System Settings”

From the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen, select System Settings. (On macOS Monterey and earlier, this is called System Preferences.)
Look for “Profiles”

Where you find configuration profiles depends on your version of macOS:

macOS Sequoia (15) and later: click General in the sidebar, then click Device Management. You may need to scroll down.

macOS Ventura (13) and Sonoma (14): click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then click Profiles near the bottom.

macOS Monterey (12) and earlier: in System Preferences, click Profiles.

You can also type “Profiles” in the search box.

No profiles listed, or no Profiles section at all? That means no configuration profiles are installed on your Mac, which is completely normal. Skip ahead to the next step of this guide.
Remove the malicious profiles

Malware uses configuration profiles to lock your browser settings — forcing a fake search engine or homepage on you and preventing you from changing it back. If you see a profile you don’t recognize (and your Mac isn’t managed by your workplace or school), select it, press the − (minus) button, and click Remove to confirm.

STEP 2: Delete malicious apps

In this second step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious apps and files that might be installed on your computer. Sometimes redirects or adware programs can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these programs.

Quit the malicious programs

Check the Apple menu bar in the top-right corner of your screen. If you see an icon you don’t recognize, click it and select Quit. This stops the malware from running so it can’t interfere while we remove it.
Open “Finder”

Click the Finder icon in your dock.
Click on “Applications”

In the Finder sidebar, click “Applications“.
Find and remove the malicious app

Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — an app you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name. When you find it, right-click it and select “Move to Trash“.

Some known malicious programs to look for: SearchMine, TakeFresh, TopResults, FeedBack, ApplicationEvents, GeneralOpen, PowerLog, MessengerNow, ImagePrime, GeneralNetSearch, Reading Cursors, GlobalTechSearch, PDFOnline-express, See Scenic Elf, MatchKnowledge, Easy Speedtest, and WebDiscover. The names change constantly, though — so treat any app you can’t account for as suspect.
Empty the Trash

Before you empty the Trash, check that it doesn’t hold anything else you want to keep, because emptying it permanently deletes everything in it. Then right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select “Empty Trash“.
Check login items and background apps

Malware often sets itself to start automatically. Open the Apple menu > System Settings, click General, then click Login Items & Extensions (called Login Items in macOS Ventura and Sonoma). Look for apps you don’t recognize in the list of items that open at login and in the list of apps allowed to run in the background. Select an unwanted item and click the Remove (−) button, or turn off its switch.

This check doesn’t delete any files. Note the names you find, because they help you spot related files in the next step.
Find and remove the malicious files

Malware on Mac uses launch agents and launch daemons — small files that automatically restart the malware every time you boot your Mac. We’ll check the four folders where they hide:
1. Click the desktop to make sure you’re in Finder, then open the “Go” menu and click “Go to Folder“.
2. Copy and paste each of the paths below into the window, one at a time, then double-click the matching folder that appears:
  - /Library/LaunchAgents
  - ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  - /Library/Application Support
  - /Library/LaunchDaemons
3. In each folder, look for suspicious .plist files — typically named after the malware or with odd, random-looking names. Examples seen in past infections include “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, and “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”. A name alone is not proof. For example, “com.adobe.fpsaud.plist” belongs to Adobe’s own Flash Player updater. When you find a malicious file, move it to the Trash — then empty the Trash again when you’re done.
  Be careful: these folders also contain files belonging to legitimate apps — especially /Library/Application Support, where programs like Adobe, Google, and Microsoft store their data. Only delete files you’re confident are malicious. If you’re unsure about a file, search its exact name online first, or leave it in place and continue with the Malwarebytes scan later in this guide.

STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings

In this third step, we will remove spam push notifications and malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.

Remove malicious extensions and settings from Safari

To remove malware from Safari we will check if there are any malicious extensions installed on your browser and what settings have been changed by this malicious program.

Go to Safari’s “Settings”.

On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Settings”. In older versions of Safari, this menu item is called “Preferences”.
Check Homepage.

This will open a new window with your Safari settings, opened to the “General” tab. Some browser hijackers may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
Click “Extensions”

Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
Find and uninstall malicious extensions.

The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Look out for any suspicious browser extension that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine extension. By default, there are no extensions installed on Safari so it’s safe to remove an extension
Remove spam notifications ads

In Safari’s settings, click Websites, then click Notifications. Find the website that sends the spam notifications, then choose Deny from the menu next to it.

To stop other websites from asking, you can also deselect “Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications“. This only blocks new requests. It doesn’t turn off websites you already allowed, so deny those websites as well.

You can also turn off a website’s notifications in System Settings > Notifications. Under Application Notifications, click the website and turn off Allow Notifications.
Remove the data stored by the unwanted website.

In the Safari menu, choose “Settings…”, select “Privacy” at the top of the new window that appears, and then click the “Manage Website Data” button.

In the next dialog box, search for or select the website that showed the spam or redirects, then click “Remove“. Click Done when you’re finished.

Avoid “Remove All” unless you really need it. It deletes the data of every website and can sign you out of all of them.
Empty Safari Caches.

From your Safari menu bar, click Safari and select Settings, then select the Advanced tab. Enable the checkbox “Show features for web developers“. In older versions of Safari, this checkbox is called “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.

From the menu bar select Develop, then click on Empty Caches as seen in the image below.

Remove malware from Chrome for Mac

To remove malware from Chrome for Mac we will reset the browser settings to their defaults. This restores the default search engine, homepage, new tab page, and pinned tabs. It also resets site permissions, clears cookies and site data, and turns off your extensions and themes. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are not deleted. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the reset applies on all devices where you’re signed in.

Click on the three dots at the top right and go to Settings.
Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings, which will open the basic settings screen, as shown by the numbered box in the picture below.
In the left sidebar, click on the “Reset settings” option.
In the left sidebar, click on “Reset settings“.
Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Now click on “Restore settings to their original defaults” as shown in the image below.
Click “Reset settings” button.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset settings” button.
(Optional) Stop sync from bringing the problem back.
If a malicious extension or setting comes back after the reset, Chrome sync may be restoring it from your Google Account. Open Chrome Settings > You and Google. If you see Sync and Google services > Manage what you sync, choose Customize sync and turn off Settings and Extensions. In newer versions of Chrome, click your account name, then Choose what to save in your Google Account, and turn off the same two items. Then remove the unwanted extension again.
Don’t use the “Delete data” or “Clear data” option on your Google Account’s Chrome data page to fix this. It deletes the Chrome data saved in your Google Account, such as synced bookmarks, passwords, and history, and you don’t need it to remove an extension.

Remove malware from Firefox for Mac

To remove malware from Firefox for Mac we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.

Go to the “Help and Report” menu.

Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help and Report“.
Click “More troubleshooting information”.

Next click on the “More troubleshooting information” option. This opens the Troubleshooting Information page, as shown by the numbered box in the image below. You can also open it by typing about:support in the address bar.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the “Give Firefox a tune up” box in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
Confirm.

To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Click on “Finish”.

Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.

Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware

In this final step, we will scan the computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to find and remove any malicious programs that might be installed on your Mac.

Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac

Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

Malwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Open the Malwarebytes setup file

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.

When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.

Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”

Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
Start the Scan

Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
Restart Your Mac

Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.

When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.

Keep your Mac protectedStop the next infection before it starts

If your Mac got infected, its built-in protection may not be enough on its own. Malwarebytes Premium for Mac adds real-time protection that blocks malware and adware before they can infect your Mac.See Malwarebytes Premium

If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android

To remove unwanted apps and malware from your Android phone or tablet, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious apps
STEP 2: Stop spam notifications and redirects in your browser
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious apps

In this first step, we will check if any malicious apps are installed on your phone. Sometimes browser hijackers or adware apps can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these apps.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone. On Pixel and some other phones, tap “See all apps” next.
Find the malicious app.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the applications that are installed on your phone. Scroll through the list and look out for any suspicious app that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
Most often, cyber criminals hide malware inside video or photo editing apps, weather apps, and camera apps.
Uninstall the malicious app

When you find a suspicious or malicious app, tap on it to uninstall it. This won’t start the app but will open up the app details screen. If the app is currently running press the “Force stop” button, then tap on “Uninstall”.

A confirmation dialog should be displayed to confirm you want to uninstall the app, tap on “OK” to remove the malicious app from your phone.

Can’t uninstall an app? It may have device admin rights. Open Settings, search for Device admin apps, turn off the app there, and then uninstall it. Don’t remove an app that your work or school uses to manage the phone. Google Play Protect also checks your apps: in the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then tap Play Protect to see whether it found anything harmful.

STEP 2: Stop spam notifications and redirects in your browser

In this second step, we will stop spam notifications in your browser. If unwanted pages or redirects still appear after that, we will reset the browser by clearing its app storage. That is a last resort, because it can delete data that isn’t synced.

Android browsers don’t have a single “reset settings” button like browsers on a computer, but they do let you control what each website is allowed to do. Start with the least disruptive fix: block the spam site’s notifications in the browser’s settings. In Chrome, you can also delete cookies and site data: tap More (three dots) > Delete browsing data.

Clear the browser’s app storage only if unwanted pages or redirects keep coming back. It works like a full reset, but it also deletes data that isn’t synced, so treat it as a last resort.

Remove malware from Chrome for Android

First, block the spam site’s notifications:

Open Chrome, tap the More button (three dots) in the top-right corner, and tap Settings.
Tap Site settings, then tap Notifications.
Find the spam site in the list and turn off the switch next to it, or tap the site and block its notifications. To stop other sites from asking, you can also turn off the switch at the top.

If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Chrome’s storage (last resort):

Before you clear storage: this deletes everything Chrome has stored on your phone, including open tabs, website sign-ins, and settings. Bookmarks and passwords that are synced to your account come back when you sign in again, but anything that isn’t synced is lost. Skip this part if blocking the notifications fixed the problem.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Chrome.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Chrome app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.

When Chrome’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
Tap “Manage Space”.

Under the storage settings, tap “Manage space” (called “Manage storage” on some phones). Don’t tap “Clear cache”, because it doesn’t reset Chrome.
Tap “Clear all data”.

Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Chrome’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.

A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.

Remove malware from Firefox for Android

First, block the spam site’s notifications:

Open Firefox, tap the menu button (three dots), and tap Settings.
Tap Site permissions, then tap Exceptions.
Tap the spam site, then set Notification to Blocked.
Optional: to stop other sites from asking, go back to Site permissions, tap Notification, and choose Blocked.

If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Firefox’s storage (last resort):

Before you clear storage: this deletes everything Firefox has stored on your phone, including open tabs, website sign-ins, and settings. Bookmarks and passwords that are synced to your account come back when you sign in again, but anything that isn’t synced is lost. Skip this part if blocking the notifications fixed the problem.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Firefox.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Firefox app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.

When Firefox’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.

Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
Confirm by tapping “OK”.

A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Firefox again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.

Remove malware from the Opera browser

First, block the spam site’s notifications:

Open Opera, open the Opera menu, and tap Settings.
Tap Site settings, then tap Notifications.
Find the spam site and block it. Don’t just remove it from the list, because a removed site can ask again.

If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Opera’s storage (last resort):

Before you clear storage: this deletes everything Opera has stored on your phone, including open tabs, website sign-ins, and settings. Bookmarks and passwords that are synced to your account come back when you sign in again, but anything that isn’t synced is lost. Skip this part if blocking the notifications fixed the problem.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Opera.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Opera app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.

When Opera’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.

Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
Confirm by tapping “OK”.

A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Opera again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.

Remove malware from Samsung Internet

First, block the spam site’s notifications:

Open your phone’s Settings app and tap Notifications.
Tap App notifications, then tap Samsung Internet.
Under Sites, turn off the switch for the spam website.

If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Samsung Internet’s storage (last resort):

Before you clear storage: this deletes everything Samsung Internet has stored on your phone, including open tabs, website sign-ins, and settings. Bookmarks and passwords that are synced to your account come back when you sign in again, but anything that isn’t synced is lost. Skip this part if blocking the notifications fixed the problem.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Samsung Internet.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Samsung Internet app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.

When Samsung Internet’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.

Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
Confirm by tapping “OK”.

A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Samsung Internet again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.

Remove malware from Microsoft Edge for Android

First, block the spam site’s notifications:

Open Microsoft Edge, tap the menu button (three dots) at the bottom of the screen, and tap Settings.
Tap Site permissions, then tap Notifications. In some versions, Site permissions is inside Privacy and security.
Find the spam site in the list of allowed sites and switch it to Block.

If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Microsoft Edge’s storage (last resort):

Before you clear storage: this deletes everything Microsoft Edge has stored on your phone, including open tabs, website sign-ins, and settings. Bookmarks and passwords that are synced to your account come back when you sign in again, but anything that isn’t synced is lost. Skip this part if blocking the notifications fixed the problem.

Open the “Settings” menu.

Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.

When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Microsoft Edge.

The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Microsoft Edge app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.

When the Microsoft Edge’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.

Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
Confirm by tapping “OK”.

A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Microsoft Edge again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.

Can’t find the setting? Use your phone’s own notification controls. When the next spam notification appears, swipe it slightly to the side or press and hold it, then tap the settings icon and turn off notifications for that website. You can also open Settings > Notifications, choose your browser, and turn off the spam site under Sites if it’s listed there.

STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps

In this final step, we will install Malwarebytes for Android to scan and remove malicious apps from your phone or tablet.

Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.

Download Malwarebytes for Android.

You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.

Malwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for Android
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.

In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.

When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process

When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.

Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android

On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.

Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Remove the detected apps.

When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
Restart your phone.

When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.

When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.

Keep your phone protectedStop the next infection before it starts

Malwarebytes for Android Premium adds real-time protection that blocks malicious apps and scam links before they can harm your phone.See Malwarebytes for Android

If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:

Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.

A factory reset erases everything on your phone. Your apps, photos, files, and settings are deleted, so use it only if the problem continues after the steps above and after you’ve asked for help. Before you reset:

Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.

On a Google Pixel, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset. Menu names differ on other phones, so check your manufacturer’s support site.

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad

To remove unwanted apps and malware from your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Clean your browser
STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps

STEP 1: Clean your browser

First, we’ll clean Safari using the built-in “Clear History and Website Data” feature. This removes your browsing history, cookies, and cached data — including the stored data that scam sites use to keep showing you pop-ups and redirects. Don’t worry: this won’t delete your photos, apps, or saved passwords, but it will sign you out of websites. To keep other sites signed in, you can remove only the scam site’s data instead: go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, swipe left on the site, and tap Delete.

Don’t tap anything inside the scam page or pop-up — the buttons are designed to trick you. Instead, tap the tabs icon in the lower-right corner of Safari, as shown below.
Tap the X on the malicious tab (or swipe it up) to close it safely.
Open the Settings app.
Turn on Airplane Mode. This temporarily disconnects your iPhone from the internet, so the scam site can’t load anything while we clean up. We’ll turn it back off at the end.
Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Safari. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is listed directly in Settings.
Tap Clear History and Website Data.
If you’re asked to choose a timeframe, choose All history, then tap Clear History. On older iOS versions, tap “Clear History and Data” in the pop-up.
While you’re still in Safari settings, turn on Block Pop-ups and Fraudulent Website Warning. These two switches stop most scam pages before they can even load.
Tap Settings in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings menu.
Turn Airplane Mode back off to reconnect your iPhone to the internet.

STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps

Next, we’ll remove any suspicious apps from your iPhone. If a shady website redirected you to the App Store and you installed an app — or you spot an app you don’t remember downloading — delete it now:

On the home screen, tap and hold the unwanted app’s icon until the icons start to wiggle.
Tap the minus (–) badge in the corner of the app icon, then tap Delete App. (On older iOS versions, this badge appears as an “X”.)
Confirm by tapping “Delete“.

Now reopen Safari and check whether the pop-ups have stopped.

To stop these scam pages from coming back, we recommend installing an ad blocker like AdGuard. It blocks the malicious ads and redirects that cause these pop-ups in the first place.

Still having issues after completing these steps? Try one of the following:

Run a scan with Malwarebytes for iOS
Ask for help in our free Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum — our team will assist you personally.

When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the pop-ups or other problems have stopped.

The Bottom Line

The “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered” message is a scam designed to drive phone calls, not to protect your account. The “unauthorized transaction” story is a hook, and the phone number leads to fake tech support operators who push remote access tools like AnyDesk to steal money and personal information.

Do not call the number. Do not click links or follow instructions inside the alert description. If you are concerned about a real Microsoft or Azure issue, verify independently through your normal account access and official support channels, not through contact details provided in a scary email.

If you already engaged with the scammers, focus on two priorities: cut off remote access and protect your finances. Acting quickly and methodically can significantly reduce the damage.

FAQ

Is the “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered” email real?

In most cases, no. The message is designed to scare you into calling a phone number that routes to a fake tech support center. Even if the email looks like a legitimate Azure-style notification, the “billing department” text and the hotline number are not legitimate Microsoft support.

Why does the email look so official?

Scammers copy Microsoft Azure branding, formatting, and alert language because it increases trust. Some versions also include realistic-looking fields like “Alert rule,” “Rule ID,” and “Resource ID” to make it feel technical and authentic.

Does Microsoft Azure ever ask you to call a “fraud hotline” in an alert email?

Legitimate Azure Monitor alerts do not require you to call a random phone number embedded in an alert description to “verify” a transaction. That call-to-action is a major red flag.

I do not use Azure. Why did I get this?

Scammers send these emails in bulk. They do not need you to be an Azure customer. They just need you to panic and call.

What is the goal of the scam?

To get you on the phone with scammers who will:

Claim your device is infected, hacked, or compromised
Pressure you into installing remote access software (often AnyDesk or similar)
Steal personal and financial information
Push you into irreversible payments, often gift cards

What happens if I call the phone number?

You will likely reach a fake tech support call center. They will try to keep you on the line, escalate urgency, and guide you into actions that give them control, access, or money.

Why do they want remote access through AnyDesk or similar tools?

Remote access lets scammers:

Watch everything you do, including logging into your bank
Manipulate your device settings
Plant additional tools or create persistence
Pressure you into sending money while they “assist”

AnyDesk is legitimate software, but scammers abuse it.

Can they steal money just from remote access?

Remote access alone does not automatically empty your bank account, but it can enable theft by:

Watching you enter passwords and one-time codes
Redirecting you to fake banking pages
Initiating transfers while distracting you
Social-engineering you into approving payments

The bigger risk is what they convince you to do while they are connected.

Why do scammers ask for gift cards?

Gift cards are fast and hard to reverse. Once you read the codes to a scammer, the funds can be drained quickly and recovery is difficult.

I clicked “View Rule” or “View Resource.” Am I infected?

Not necessarily. Clicking a link does not always mean compromise, but it increases risk. If you clicked anything, do this:

Do not enter credentials on any page you reached from the email
Run a full malware scan
Change passwords if you entered them anywhere suspicious

I installed AnyDesk. What should I do right now?

Disconnect the device from the internet
Uninstall AnyDesk (and any other remote tools installed during the call)
Restart the device
Run a full security scan
Change passwords from a different, trusted device
Contact your bank if you logged in or made transactions during the remote session

They claimed they “refunded” me but it looks wrong. What is that?

That is often the fake refund technique. They try to convince you you received too much money, then pressure you to “send back” the difference via gift cards, wire, crypto, or another irreversible method. Treat it as fraud and contact your bank immediately.

What if I gave them my bank details or logged in while they were connected?

Assume your information may be compromised. Call your bank right away, explain it was a remote access scam, and ask them to:

Review recent activity
Secure the account
Issue new cards if needed
Add extra verification to prevent unauthorized transfers

Can I get my money back if I sent gift card codes?

Sometimes, but it is time-sensitive and not guaranteed. Keep the receipt and contact the gift card issuer immediately. Ask if they can freeze remaining balance or trace redemption.

Should I reply to the email or continue the conversation with the “agent”?

No. Do not reply, do not negotiate, and do not “verify” anything. Scammers use ongoing contact to apply more pressure and extract more information.

What are the biggest red flags that confirm it is a scam?

Common red flags include:

A “fraud hotline” number inside the email body
Threats of suspension or immediate fees unless you call now
Requests to install AnyDesk or similar tools
Requests for gift cards or unusual payment methods
Vague claims like “your device is infected” without verifiable evidence
Pressure to stay on the phone while you take actions

What should I do if this happened on a work computer?

Report it to your IT or security team immediately. Treat it as a security incident. Do not try to “handle it quietly,” because remote access scams can expose company systems and credentials.

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Join the discussion

8 comments

Share your experience or ask a question about this article.

R
Renee8 months ago
DATE: 03/22/2026
Just received this scam today. I do not have Azure. Thought I’d let people know it’s still out there.

Reply Report
1. StelianTeam8 months ago
  In reply to Renee
  Hi Renee, thank you for posting this.
  
  That is helpful to know. The fact that people who do not even use Azure are still receiving these messages shows exactly how broad this scam campaign is. These emails are designed to create panic first and get people to call the fake support number before they stop to think.
  
  Reply Report
N
No Name Given8 months ago
Variants: Two emails received from with the following Subjects:

||| Azure: Deactivated Severity: 3 MemorySpike-8xxxxxx-Axx
||| Azure: Activated Severity: 3 MemorySpike-8xxxxxx-Axx
||| Numbers are x’d-out here.

||| Text:
Alert rule description:
MICROSOFT CORPORATION BILLING AND ACCOUNT SECURITY NOTICE. Our system has detected a potentially unauthorized charge on your account. Transaction Details: Item name: Windows Defender. Transaction ID: PP456-997A-22B. Amount: 459.90 USD. Date: 03/18/2026. If you did NOT authorize this payment, contact our 24/7 Microsoft Account Security Support at +1 (843)330-2590. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your prompt response. Microsoft Account Security Team.

||| Originating address of the email is within the Microsoft range of addresses

||| The phone number comes back to Charleston area, SC.

Reply Report
1. StelianTeam8 months ago
  In reply to No Name Given
  Thank you for posting this. That is a very useful example.
  
  Scammers often abuse legitimate cloud services, email infrastructure, or alert-style subject lines to make the message look more technical and believable than it really is. The fake billing notice and the phone number are the real giveaway. A legitimate Microsoft security alert would not tell you to call a random number to dispute a made-up Windows Defender charge.
  
  Your details should help other readers spot the same trick faster.
  
  Reply Report
W
Wayne Knight8 months ago
This scam is very convincing, what gave it away for me were the phone number area codes. I ask if they were working from Microsoft’s offices in Redman, Washington, they answered yes, but the area codes they were calling from were not correct. Did have me going for a while, though.

Reply Report
1. StelianTeam8 months ago
  In reply to Wayne Knight
  Hi Wayne, thanks for sharing that.
  
  That is a smart catch. Small details like the wrong area codes, inconsistent locations, or numbers that do not match the company they claim to be from can reveal a scam very quickly. A lot of people only realize it after they have already been pulled in, so your comment is a helpful reminder to slow down and verify.
  
  Reply Report
K
Ken Stewart8 months ago
This is one of the best anti-scam articles I have seen in a while. Kudos to the author, Thomas Orsolya, whom I do not know. The advice is good and the recommendations for remediation are extensive. – Ken Stewart, Information Security.

Reply Report
1. StelianTeam8 months ago
  In reply to Ken Stewart
  Thank you very much, Ken. I appreciate that.
  
  It means a lot coming from someone with an information security background. I’m glad you found the advice practical and thorough.
  
  Reply Report

Microsoft Azure “Alert Was Triggered” Scam EXPOSED – Investigation

Scam Overview

Why this scam works so well

What the scam email often looks like

Important nuance: the email can look legitimate even when the scam is real

What the scam is trying to make you believe

Why the phone call is the danger point

How remote access becomes financial theft

Why gift cards show up in “Azure alert” scams

Who is targeted

The bottom truth

How The Scam Works

Step 1: The victim receives a scary “Azure Monitor” alert email

Step 2: The scammer pushes a false deadline

Step 3: The victim calls the phone number

Step 4: They claim your device is infected or your network is compromised

Step 5: They instruct you to install remote access software

Step 6: They stage “evidence” to convince you the threat is real

Step 7: They pivot into money extraction

Path A: The fake refund scam (very common)

Path B: Direct payment to “secure” your account

Path C: Gift card demand

Step 8: They attempt to harvest sensitive information

Step 9: They may lock you out or leave behind persistence

Step 10: Follow-up pressure and repeat attempts

What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam

1) Disconnect the affected device from the internet immediately

2) Uninstall any remote access tools you installed during the call

3) Run a full security scan

4) Change passwords from a clean device

5) Enable multi-factor authentication on key accounts

6) Contact your bank or card issuer right away

7) If you sent gift card codes, contact the gift card company immediately

8) Check your email account for suspicious rules and forwarding

9) Review your device for new accounts or changed settings

10) Document everything

11) Report the scam

12) Watch for “recovery scams”

How to Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows

STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings

Reset Chrome for Windows to default settings

Reset Firefox for Windows to default settings

Reset Microsoft Edge to default settings

STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs

STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware

STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac

STEP 1: Remove malicious profiles

STEP 2: Delete malicious apps

STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings

Remove malicious extensions and settings from Safari

Remove malware from Chrome for Mac

Remove malware from Firefox for Mac

STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android

STEP 1: Uninstall malicious apps

STEP 2: Stop spam notifications and redirects in your browser

Remove malware from Chrome for Android

Remove malware from Firefox for Android

Remove malware from the Opera browser

Remove malware from Samsung Internet

Remove malware from Microsoft Edge for Android

STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps

Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad

STEP 1: Clean your browser

STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps

The Bottom Line

FAQ

Is the “Your Azure Monitor alert was triggered” email real?

Why does the email look so official?

Does Microsoft Azure ever ask you to call a “fraud hotline” in an alert email?

I do not use Azure. Why did I get this?

What is the goal of the scam?

What happens if I call the phone number?

Why do they want remote access through AnyDesk or similar tools?

Can they steal money just from remote access?

Why do scammers ask for gift cards?

I clicked “View Rule” or “View Resource.” Am I infected?