When a sudden alert appears on your screen claiming that your system is locked and your device is infected with dangerous threats, it can trigger immediate panic. The message often looks urgent, official, and frightening. It might even include a phone number and instructions to call “Microsoft Support” for help.
This type of warning is a scam. The alert is fake, the message is fake, and the threat is not real. Yet thousands of people fall for this type of trick every day, and scammers profit from it by stealing money, personal information, and access to victims’ devices.
This article provides a complete, in depth explanation of the “Your System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” pop up scam, how it works, how scammers target victims, and what you should do if you have already fallen for it.
Scam Overview
The “Your System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” pop up scam is one of the most widespread tech support scams circulating online. Although it appears to come from Microsoft, Windows Defender, or another trusted company, it is created entirely by scammers who design fraudulent websites that impersonate legitimate brands. The alert is designed to frighten the user into calling a scam phone number or performing specific actions that ultimately benefit the scammers.
The pop up usually appears while browsing the internet. You may click a link, open a website, or be redirected through an advertisement, and suddenly a full screen warning takes over your browser. The message often states that your system is locked, your files are infected, your activity is suspicious, or your computer has been compromised by hackers. The goal is to create maximum urgency so you do not think critically and simply follow instructions.
This scare tactic relies on a few specific psychological triggers. The scammers know that most people fear losing access to their device or sensitive information. They know that when faced with a potential threat, many people want immediate help. By using the name “Microsoft Support” or “Windows Defender,” scammers build a false sense of legitimacy. Even users who are usually cautious may fall for this type of manipulation because the message appears to come from a trusted and well known company.
In reality, Microsoft never displays warnings through random browser pages. Microsoft does not lock your computer through a website and does not instruct users to call a phone number to remove threats. Furthermore, Microsoft does not request remote access unless a user is already communicating through an official support channel. Every part of this pop up is fabricated.
The scam is structured around redirection. The pop up aims to divert your attention from browsing the internet to contacting the scammers. Once you call the provided number, you are connected to fake technicians who pretend to be from Microsoft. These scammers follow a well practiced script. They speak confidently, they use technical terms, and they may even pretend to run diagnostic tools. Their goal is to convince you that your system is severely infected and that only they can fix it.
These scammers often pretend that your financial information is at risk. They may say that hackers accessed your accounts, that your bank is compromised, or that your identity is in danger. This sets the stage for the next step, which involves remote access. They instruct victims to install software like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or similar remote desktop tools. Once installed, these tools give scammers full control over the device. The victim believes the technician is using these tools to scan and clean the device. In truth, they are using them to explore personal files, access accounts, and prepare for theft.
During the remote session, scammers typically display fake scans and fabricated warnings. They may move quickly through the system, open files, and show random text to create the illusion of infection. They also distract the victim with explanations about malware, hackers, or firewall issues. Their performance is designed to keep the victim’s attention focused on the fake problem so they do not realize the true danger.
Money extraction is the core objective. Scammers attempt to charge a fee for the “repair service” or “security subscription.” They may ask for credit card information directly. In more elaborate schemes, they pretend to issue a refund and tell the victim that an error occurred, claiming that the victim was accidentally sent too much money. To fix the issue, scammers demand that victims return the excess funds by purchasing gift cards and providing the codes. This refund manipulation is a classic strategy used by tech support scammers worldwide.
The victims who reach this stage often feel pressured, overwhelmed, and confused. Scammers use aggressive tactics to create emotional urgency. They may claim that failing to follow instructions will result in permanent data loss, legal penalties, or immediate account suspension. The scam relies on emotional manipulation as much as technical deception.
The “Your System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” pop up scam is built on three pillars. First, fear. The pop up is intentionally frightening. Second, urgency. The message emphasizes immediate action. Third, impersonation. Scammers pretend to be reputable companies to gain trust. Together, these components form one of the most effective online scams currently active.
This scam continues to spread because it is profitable. Many victims do not report what happened. Others feel ashamed or blame themselves. Scammers take advantage of this silence. They operate call centers, purchase advertising space, and run large networks of fraudulent websites. Since the scam takes place across browsers and not through downloaded malware, it spreads quickly.
Although the pop up looks alarming, it does not mean your system is infected. The page itself cannot lock your computer or access your files. The only real danger comes if you interact with the scammers. Understanding how this scam functions is the first step in preventing harm.
How The Scam Works
The “Your System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” scam follows a clear sequence. Each stage is designed to guide the victim toward a specific action that benefits scammers. Below is a detailed breakdown of the process from start to finish.
Step 1. The Victim Encounters a Trigger
Most victims encounter the pop up while browsing the internet. A trigger can be a misleading advertisement, a compromised website, or a redirection from another page. In many cases, users visit streaming websites, freeware platforms, or unfamiliar pages that rely heavily on third party ads. One wrong click is enough to activate the scam.
The trigger redirects the browser to a fraudulent website that immediately displays a full screen pop up. The site often uses JavaScript to prevent users from closing the page easily. In some cases, persistent alert boxes appear repeatedly, making it seem like the computer is locked. This is a browser trap, not a system lockdown.
Step 2. A Fake Security Alert Appears
The main warning appears prominently. The message usually includes phrases such as “Your system is locked,” “Detected threats,” “Suspicious activity,” or “Your device is blocked.” It may contain fabricated details like an IP address, a geolocation, or a list of fake viruses. The language is intentionally alarming and urgent.
The alert impersonates official Microsoft branding. It may use the Windows Defender logo, colors similar to Microsoft’s design, or references to “Microsoft Support.” Scammers rely on familiarity to gain immediate trust. Many victims do not inspect the URL, which often reveals the site is unrelated to Microsoft.
In some versions, an audio message plays automatically. The recording warns users not to close the browser and insists that they must call a toll free number for assistance. This audio tactic adds pressure and distracts the user from analyzing the situation calmly.
Step 3. The Scam Phone Number is Displayed
The centerpiece of the scam is the phone number. The message instructs users to call a specific number for technical support, usually described as a Microsoft hotline or Windows Defender assistance line. This number connects directly to the scammers.
These scam call centers often operate with multiple agents, scripts, and timed procedures. They answer calls immediately to prevent victims from reconsidering. They greet callers professionally and may introduce themselves with common names to build rapport.
Some scammers ask victims to confirm their IP address or the “error code” shown on the screen. These details are fake, but they create the illusion of a genuine support interaction.
Step 4. The Fake Technician Builds Credibility
Once the victim is on the phone, the scammer begins building credibility. They speak confidently, use technical terms, and reference Windows system features. They may ask questions about the pop up to appear knowledgeable. Their tone is designed to sound helpful, calm, and professional.
Scammers often claim that the warning was triggered because of hackers, infected files, or unauthorized access. They reinforce the idea that the device is compromised. By framing themselves as the solution, scammers set up the victim for the next stage.
At this stage, the victim is often still unsure whether the threat is real. The scammer takes advantage of this uncertainty and repeats key phrases to reinforce trust.
Step 5. The Scammer Requests Remote Access
Remote access is central to the scam. The fake technician instructs the victim to install software such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or similar remote desktop programs. These tools are legitimate, but in the hands of scammers, they become vehicles for theft.
The scammer guides the victim step by step through the installation. They often remain calm and supportive because the victim’s cooperation is essential. Once remote access is established, the scammer can move the cursor, open settings, browse files, and view sensitive information.
At this stage, the victim believes they are receiving technical assistance. The scammer may display fake scans, open the task manager, or show system logs filled with normal entries the victim does not understand. They reinterpret ordinary system messages as evidence of malware or hacking.
Step 6. Manipulation and Fear Tactics
With remote access established, scammers escalate the pressure. They claim that the device is heavily infected, that hackers are watching, or that personal accounts are at risk. They often reference banking details, social media, or email accounts to heighten fear.
Some scammers pretend to run a scan and show fabricated results. Others open random files or processes and declare that they are viruses. These claims are false, but victims may feel overwhelmed by the technical language.
Scammers also claim that immediate action is required. They insist that the victim must not turn off the computer, disconnect the remote session, or close the pop up. The language becomes more urgent and demanding.
Step 7. Payment Extraction Begins
After building enough fear and trust, scammers proceed to extract money. They present themselves as offering a repair or security service. They may offer different plans such as one time fixes, yearly protection, or lifetime support.
Scammers ask for payment through various methods. They may request credit card information, ask victims to log into their bank account, or instruct them to purchase gift cards. Gift cards are popular among scammers because they are difficult to trace.
In more elaborate scenarios, scammers pretend that a refund has been issued. They instruct the victim to fill out a refund form and then manipulate the victim’s computer to make it appear as though an overpayment occurred. They claim that the victim must return the extra funds by purchasing gift cards and providing the codes.
The manipulation is carefully designed to make the victim feel responsible for an error that never occurred. Scammers may switch from polite to aggressive if victims hesitate.
Step 8. Removal of Evidence and Continued Access
Once the scammer receives payment, they often attempt to maintain remote access. Some scammers install additional software or change settings to linger on the victim’s device. Others quickly disconnect and end the call.
In many cases, scammers will call the victim later and pretend that new problems have been detected. They claim that another repair is needed, and the cycle continues. This repeated exploitation can continue for weeks or months if the victim does not realize what happened.
Step 9. Continued Threats or Blackmail (in some cases)
Although not common in every case, some scammers try to use fear to prevent victims from reporting the incident. They may claim that the victim will face legal trouble, that their device will be locked permanently, or that personal information will be leaked. These threats are empty, but victims who lack technical knowledge may take them seriously.
By this stage, the scammer has already collected whatever they wanted. The threats are used simply to intimidate victims into silence.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim To This Scam
If you interacted with this scam, do not panic. You can still protect yourself. Follow the steps below carefully and in order.
1. Disconnect your device from the internet
If the scammer still has remote access, disconnecting from the internet will immediately cut the connection. Disable Wi Fi or unplug the network cable. This stops scammers from continuing any unauthorized activity.
2. Remove remote access programs
Programs like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer must be removed immediately. Go to your system settings, locate the programs, and uninstall them. This prevents scammers from reconnecting.
3. Change all your passwords
Assume that scammers may have accessed your accounts. Change passwords for the following:
- Bank accounts
- Social media
- Online shopping accounts
- Cloud storage
Use strong and unique passwords for each account to minimize risk. Enable two factor authentication wherever possible.
4. Contact your bank or financial institution
If you provided payment information or the scammers accessed your banking accounts, contact your bank immediately. Explain what happened and request that they secure your account. Ask them to block unauthorized charges and guide you on next steps.
5. Monitor all financial accounts
Check bank statements, credit card charges, and online transactions regularly. Report anything suspicious to your financial institutions right away.
6. Report the scam to the appropriate authorities
Reporting the scam helps agencies track patterns and shut down fraudulent operations. File a report with the following:
- Your local law enforcement
- Your country’s cybercrime reporting center
- In the US, the FTC and IC3
- In other regions, national fraud reporting agencies
Even if the scammers cannot be found immediately, your report helps protect others.
7. Scan your device with legitimate security software
Run a full system scan using reputable antivirus or anti malware tools. Although the pop up itself does not install malware, scammers who gained remote access may have installed unwanted programs or changed system settings.
8. Restore your system if necessary
If you suspect deeper modifications, consider restoring your system to a previous point. A system restore can revert harmful changes. In more serious cases, reinstalling your operating system ensures a clean start.
9. Educate yourself to avoid future scams
Learn to recognize common online scams. Understanding how tech support scams operate reduces the chance of falling for them again. Share your experience with others to raise awareness.
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.
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.
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
- 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.
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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.
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Go to “Installed apps”
In the Settings window, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Installed apps“.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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:
- Open a new Chrome tab.
- Copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
chrome://settings/syncSetup/advanced - Under Manage what you sync, select Customize sync.
- Turn off Settings and Extensions.
- 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:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
- Copy the entire command shown below.
- Right-click inside the PowerShell window to paste the command, then press Enter.
- 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-backupto 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.
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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“.
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Click “More troubleshooting information”
In the Help and Report menu, click “More troubleshooting information“.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Open the Edge menu and click “Settings”
Open Microsoft Edge. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot (…) icon, then click Settings.
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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/syncOn 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.
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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
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Click “Restore settings to their default values”
Click Restore settings to their default values.
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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.
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Check your extensions before turning them back on
Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://extensionsRemove 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.
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Select a trusted search engine
Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://settings/searchEnginesSelect 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
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:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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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:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Download HitmanPro
Click the button below to download HitmanPro. Remember — the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.
Download HitmanProFree scan. Removing threats needs the free 30-day trial. Opens the official HitmanPro page in a new tab.
HitmanProSecond-opinion malware scanner from Sophos -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Download AdwCleanerOpens the official download page in a new tab.
Malwarebytes AdwCleanerRemoves adware and unwanted programs at no cost -
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.
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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.
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Start the Scan
Click “Dashboard” on the left side of the window, then click the “Scan Now” button.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
- 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:
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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Open “Finder”
Click the Finder icon in your dock.
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Click on “Applications”
In the Finder sidebar, click “Applications“.
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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.
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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:
- Click the desktop to make sure you’re in Finder, then open the “Go” menu and click “Go to Folder“.
- 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
- 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.
- Click the desktop to make sure you’re in Finder, then open the “Go” menu and click “Go to Folder“.
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.
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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”.
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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.
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Click “Extensions”
Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In the left sidebar, click on the “Reset settings” option.
In the left sidebar, click on “Reset settings“.
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Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Now click on “Restore settings to their original defaults” as shown in the image below.
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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.
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(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.
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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“.
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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.
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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.
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Confirm.
To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
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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“.
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.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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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.
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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.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
- 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.
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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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.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Chrome’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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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.
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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.
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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):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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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.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Firefox’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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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.
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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):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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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.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Opera’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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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.
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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):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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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.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Samsung Internet’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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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.
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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):
-
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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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.
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Tap “Storage”.
When the Microsoft Edge’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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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.
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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.
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.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
- 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.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad
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:
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On the home screen, tap and hold the unwanted app’s icon until the icons start to wiggle.
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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”.)
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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 System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” pop up scam is designed to frighten you into making fast decisions. Although it pretends to come from Microsoft, the warning is entirely fake. The scammers behind it want access to your device and your money. By learning how the scam works and understanding the tactics scammers use, you can protect yourself and help others stay safe. Stay informed, stay cautious, and always verify before taking action.
FAQ
Is the “Your System Is Locked Due To Detected Threats” alert real?
No. This alert is completely fake. It does not come from Microsoft, Windows Defender, or any legitimate security service. It is created by scammers to trick you into calling a fraudulent support number.
Can a website really lock my computer or block my system?
No. A website cannot lock your computer or block system functions. The browser may appear frozen because scammers use pop ups and alert loops, but your device is not actually locked.
Why does the alert look so convincing?
Scammers copy Microsoft logos, colors, and language to make the pop up look official. The design is intentional because it increases the chances that users will panic and follow the instructions.
What happens if I call the phone number in the pop up?
You will be connected to fake technicians operating from scam call centers. They will pretend that your device is infected and will instruct you to install remote access software so they can steal data or money.
What do scammers do once they have remote access to my device?
They explore your files, monitor your activity, and may access accounts or financial information. Some scammers attempt to charge you for fake repairs. Others try to manipulate you into buying gift cards and sending them the codes.
Can scammers steal my information even if I did not install anything?
If you only saw the pop up and did not call the number or install remote software, you are safe. The pop up alone cannot steal your data.
What should I do if I installed AnyDesk or TeamViewer for the scammer?
Disconnect from the internet immediately, uninstall the remote access program, and change your passwords. Contact your bank if you provided any financial information or accessed accounts during the remote session.
Do I need to wipe my computer after this scam?
Not always. If you granted remote access, a full scan with reputable security software is recommended. If you suspect deeper tampering, a system restore or clean installation can provide peace of mind.
How can I prevent this scam from appearing again?
Avoid suspicious websites, keep your browser updated, block pop ups, and use an ad blocker. Clearing your browser history and cache can remove malicious redirection scripts.
Does Microsoft ever ask users to call a phone number?
No. Microsoft does not use browser pop ups to deliver security warnings and does not ask users to call support lines for malware or system issues.
Should I report the scam even if I did not lose money?
Yes. Reporting helps authorities track scam operations and protect others. Even small details can support investigations.
Why do scammers want gift cards?
Gift cards are nearly impossible to trace. Scammers can redeem them quickly, making them a preferred method for extracting money from victims.
How can I teach others to avoid this scam?
Explain that real security alerts do not appear through random websites. Encourage others to close suspicious pages immediately and avoid calling unknown phone numbers presented in pop ups.
If you want, I can also create an extended FAQ, a troubleshooting section, or a quick reference checklist.
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