Remove “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” fake virus alert

The “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” alert is a fake virus warning that claims a “Windows system failure” has been detected and that you need to update your anti-virus using the provided link to restore normal computer operations. The fake pop-up is displayed on a random website, to which users are likely redirected when browsing ad-heavy sites. The contents of the virus alert are completely fake. The point of this scam is to trick users into clicking on the link, which will lead them to McAfee’s website. McAfee anti-virus has nothing to do with this scam, as malicious actors are merely misusing its affiliate program to trick users into buying McAfee subscriptions using their links. Malicious actors would get a percentage from every purchase made using their link.

 

 

Scams that falsely claim a computer is infected with viruses are very common, though they may have different goals. These fake virus alerts may be designed to deceive users into calling fake tech support, downloading suspicious software, or they are exploiting affiliate programs associated with legitimate anti-virus software. Users are very likely to encounter them while browsing ad-heavy websites or due to adware infections.

Fake virus alerts are primarily displayed on highly questionable websites, to which users may be redirected when browsing ad-heavy sites. Adware and similar infections can also cause redirects to sites that display these fake warnings. Upon being redirected, users are typically shown multiple fake pop-ups claiming that their computer is infected. These notifications often show fake virus scan results with several detected infections. This particular “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” pop-up doesn’t show a fake scan, but it does show a pop-up saying you need to take immediate action. This pop-up is made to appear like it’s shown by the system to further trick users.

The “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” claims that users need to update their anti-virus immediately to restore normal computer operations. An “Update Antivirus” button is provided, and if users were to click on it, they would be taken to the legitimate McAfee website. Anti-virus programs have affiliate programs that allow users to earn money from sales made using their unique links. The scammers behind this “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” fake virus alert are misusing McAfee’s affiliate program. If a user were to purchase a McAfee subscription via this fake alert, scammers would earn a percentage from this sale.

It is essential to remember that virus alerts displayed in browsers are never real. Browsers and websites are incapable of detecting malware or any other type of infection. Trust only anti-virus software for accurate information regarding the security of your computer.

What triggers redirects to “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” pop-up scams?

Users may be redirected to scam websites for several reasons. A common trigger is visiting ad-heavy websites without an adblocker installed. Sites with pirated or adult content are particularly notorious for triggering ads and redirects. Fortunately, installing an adblocker can often resolve this issue.

Frequent redirects may also indicate the presence of adware, which, though generally minor, can be intrusive. Adware is often installed through a method called software bundling, where it is bundled with popular free programs as optional extra offers. These offers, although labeled as optional, are typically pre-selected to install automatically unless the user explicitly deselects them.

To avoid unwanted installations, users should pay close attention when installing free programs and select the correct settings. Choosing Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default settings is important. While Default settings are often recommended by the installation windows, they result in the automatic installation of all bundled offers. Advanced settings, on the other hand, reveal additional offers and allow users to deselect them. It is advisable to reject all extra offers, as legitimate programs rarely use software bundling due to its questionable nature. Furthermore, many antivirus programs flag bundled software as potential threats. It is far easier to deselect a few checkboxes during installation than to remove fully installed adware later.

“SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” pop-up scam removal

Close the window to get rid of the “SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT” pop-up scam. Install an adblocker program to prevent these pop-ups and redirects in the future. Since redirects might be caused by adware, it’s a good idea to use WiperSoft to scan your system and check for any infections.