Persistent Popup Claiming Microsoft Defender Subscription is a Scam Won’t Disappear

Title: Troubleshooting a Persistent Microsoft Defender Subscription Scam Popup

In recent weeks, many users have reported encountering a vexing Microsoft Defender subscription scam popup that refuses to disappear from their systems. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you’re not alone—this issue has been a source of frustration for many.

Recently, one user shared their experience with an alarming popup that claims their Windows Defender antivirus has been upgraded to a “Pro plan” at a steep price of $299.00, set to charge their credit card soon. Despite knowing it’s a scam, they worried about potential security breaches on their device and sought solutions to eliminate this persistent nuisance.

To tackle this problem, the user took the essential first steps by running various scans with Microsoft Defender, including quick and full scans, as well as an offline scan. Unfortunately, none of these measures seemed to resolve the issue, and the popup continues to appear regularly.

A noteworthy detail that emerged during their investigations was the presence of a file named conhost.exe in the system32 folder. While a quick search revealed that conhost.exe is typically a legitimate Windows process, its unusual activity in conjunction with the popup raised concerns. Specifically, it seems to be launching through PowerShell every time the intrusive ad appears, which only adds to the unease.

So, what can you do if you are facing a similar issue? Here are some potential steps to consider:

Run a Complete malware Scan: In addition to Microsoft Defender, consider using trusted malware removal tools like Malwarebytes or AdwCleaner. These can help identify and clear up any hidden threats.
Update All Software: Ensure that your operating system and all security Software are up to date. This can help fix any vulnerabilities that might be exploited by malware.
Check Startup Programs: Review your list of startup applications in Task Manager. If anything seems unfamiliar or suspicious, you may want to disable it to see if that stops the popup.
Clear Browser Data: Although you’ve removed your browsers, make sure to clear any left-over data or profiles that might still be lingering on your device.
Consult Professional Help: If the problem persists, consider reaching out to a professional technician who can conduct a thorough analysis of your system.
Backup Important Data: Always ensure your essential files are backed up before proceeding with significant changes to your system.