Windows Defender security warning scam is an online scam that people often fall prey to. The reason behind it is the lack of knowledge about the malware that can attack your system.
But, it all starts with the users accessing unauthorized websites that are unsafe. To help you better understand, we have collected all the information on the scam. So, let’s discuss what this scam is. You will also find solutions to remove it from your browser ahead of.
What Is Windows Defender Security Warning?
The Windows Defender security warning is a phishing scam. It tricks users into giving their credentials to scammers. For instance, the users fall victim to a technical scam and may lose a certain amount of money.
Usually, it starts with a warning message that flashes on the screen while you surf the internet. The message states that your system contains a virus. Things get worse when you click on the message. After that, the scammers brainwash the users by providing false information.
Also, they ask the users to contact them on their service provider’s number. Once the user does that, the scammers will charge them with unnecessary things. These things may include phone call charges, service charges, and software charges.
The process of scams differs depending upon the kind of software the scammers are using. Accessing some pages after an alert message might give remote access to your PC to scammers.
As a result, they get the information about everything that you have stored in your system. The information is further misused to extort money from the victims.
Sometimes people use the software “Potentially Unwanted Applications or Programs” on their system. Activating such software means that they can visit unsafe websites. Due to this reason, people visit websites that might contain the scams mentioned above.
Solutions For Windows Defender Scam
- Reset Your Browser’s Settings
- Uninstall Programs With Potential Malicious Activities
- Try Reinstalling The Browser
How To Remove Windows Defender Security Warning?
1. Reset Your Browser’s Settings
The source of the virus in your browser. If you fix the browser, the problem can stop. Resetting your browser to its default settings can end the ongoing activities. Thus, it’s the best and the quickest way to get rid of the Windows Defender security scam. To reset your browser’s settings to default, follow the given steps:
For Chrome Users:
- Go to Settings from the menu of your browser. You can open the menu by tapping on the three dots at the top right of Chrome’s page. A small drop-down bar will appear. Among the available options, click on “Settings.”
- Chrome’s settings page will open. Tap on “Advanced” to open the advanced settings.
- Choose the “Reset settings to their original defaults” option. You will find it under the section of Reset and Clean up.
- A dialogue box will appear, giving you details on the settings that you are going to restore. Tap on the “Reset settings” option to proceed with the reset.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
For Mozilla Firefox users:
- Click on the menu icon that looks like three horizontal lines.
- From the drop-down bar, open the Help option.
- Now choose the Troubleshooting Information option and click on the Refresh button.
- Tap the Refresh button again on the dialogue box to confirm the process.
- Disable the add-ons and click on the Restart icon.
- Again tap on Restart to proceed.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
For Opera Users:
- Go to Settings on the browser and tap on the Advanced section.
- Expanded options will display. Scroll down till you see the Reset Settings option.
- Select “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
- A confirmation dialogue box will display on the screen. Click on the Reset button to proceed.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
For Internet Explorer Users:
- Open the Tools option in your Internet Explorer.
- Select “Internet options.”
- Go to the Advanced tab and tap on it.
- Choose Reset internet explorer settings.
- A box will appear for confirmation. Click on Reset to reset the settings.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
Resetting the settings should stop the virus from invading your browser. If the error continues, you may have downloaded the malware file. To deal with this situation, you will need to follow the following method.
2. Uninstall Programs With Potential Malicious Activities
The virus may be hiding in your browser in the form of an extension. If this is the case, you can remove it without any hassle. All you need to do is go into the extension settings page and remove the extension which you can’t recognize. To do so, the following is the step-by-step guide:
For Chrome Users:
- Launch Google and click on the three dots on the top right side. Now from the drop-down bar, click on “Settings.” Or type chrome://extensions in the search box of your Chrome browser.
- On the left panel, you will find several options. Open the Extensions option.
- A list of all the extensions you are using on your browser will display. Check the list to find unrecognized extensions.
- At the bottom of each extension, there is a “Remove” option available.
- Tap on Remove on the extension that you fail to recognize. A dialogue box will appear. Again click on Remove to confirm.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
Relaunch Chrome to check if the message continues to pop up on the screen or not. If it does, then try out other solutions.
For Mozilla Firefox users:
- Tap on the menu icon, which is the three horizontal lines.
- Choose “Add-on” from the options.
- Take your mouse to the Extensions section.
- Next to each add-on, there is a Remove icon.
- Find the add-on you can’t recognize and tap on the Remove button to remove it.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
Restart your Mozilla Firefox browser.
For Opera Users:
- Open the extension manager by holding the keys: Shift, Ctrl, and E together on your keyboard.
- Search for the add-on that you are unable to recognize. To remove it, tap on the close button (X).
- Tap on the OK button to confirm.
Relaunch the browser. Check if the alert messages continue to appear.
For Internet Explorer Users:
- Open the Tools from the top-right side of the browser.
- Click on Manage add-ons.
- Select the All add-ons option under the heading Show.
- To remove the add-on that you can’t recognize, double-tap on it. On the new page, select “Remove.”
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
Close your browser and open it again. Check if the message continues to linger.
3. Try Reinstalling The Browser
If no solutions seem to work and uninstalling the browser will work for sure. After uninstalling the browser, you can again install it. Everything on the fresh version will be new.
So, there are low chances of encountering the Windows Defender security warning message. To re-install the browser, you need to uninstall it first. Follow these instructions to do that:
- Hold the X key and Windows key on your keyboard together.
- Open Programs and Features.
- Select your browser and Tap on uninstall.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
To install your browser again on Windows, follow these instructions:
- Tap on the Windows logo on your taskbar.
- Search Microsoft Store in the search field.
- Click on Microsoft Store to open it.
- Type your browser’s name like Firefox, Google Chrome, or Opera in the search bar.
- Tap on the Get icon to install the browser on your system.
- Now check if “Windows Defender Security Warning” is fixed or not.
Once you have downloaded the browser again, launch it and check if the problem is fixed.
Conclusion – Windows Defender Remove Malware Security Warning
Now you know everything about the Windows Defender security warning scam. So next time you see any pop-up on your screen, avoid it at all costs. The process of scamming might not be extensive. A mere click from your side can transfer your information into the wrong hands.
To avoid being in such situations in the first place, you can enable a virus program on your system. But, if you click on anything suspicious by mistake, immediately shut everything off. Not to mention, your internet connection should be the first thing you should turn off. Also, try not to activate PUAs on your browser or system.
