Dealing with the Microsoft Defender Subscription Scam Popup: A Guide for Concerned Users
In recent times, many users have reported encountering a persistent popup on their Windows systems claiming that their Windows Defender antivirus has been upgraded to a Pro plan costing $299.00, with the payment supposedly set to be charged on August 26, 2024. This is clearly a scam designed to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
What’s Happening?
Upon seeing this popup, you may be understandably concerned about the security of your computer. You might have already tried various solutions, including uninstalling browsers and running several scans using Microsoft Defender, yet the popup reappears, often triggering PowerShell.
Is Your Computer Compromised?
It’s crucial to remain calm and assess the situation. The fact that the popup continues to reappear, despite your efforts to eliminate it, raises questions about your computer’s security. While many users express anxiety about potential compromises, it’s important to take systematic steps to diagnose and remedy the situation.
Steps to Take
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Disconnect from the Internet: Immediately disconnect your device from the internet to prevent any potential data breaches or further malicious activity.
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Scan Your System:
- Run a Quick Scan through Microsoft Defender again.
- Follow up with a Full Scan to check for any threats.
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Consider using an additional reputable antivirus program for a second opinion.
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Check for Unfamiliar Processes:
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Open Task Manager and look for processes that seem unfamiliar. One such name that has raised eyebrows is
conhost.exe, located in the System32 folder. While it is a legitimate Windows process, if you notice it popping up under PowerShell alongside the scam advertisement, it’s best to monitor its activities. -
Remove Suspicious Programs:
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Navigate to your Control Panel and review installed programs. Uninstall anything that appears out of the ordinary, especially software installed around the time the popups began.
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Reset Your Browsers:
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Instead of just deleting browsers, reset their settings to remove any lingering issues that may have resulted from unwanted extensions or redirects.
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Clear Your Cache and Cookies:
- Clear browser cache and cookies for additional security, which can sometimes resolve stubborn issues.
Consult the Experts
If after following these steps the popup continues to haunt your screen, it may be worthwhile to consult with a tech professional who can provide advanced assistance.
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Thank you for sharing this detailed guide. Dealing with persistent scam popups can be quite concerning, but your approach covers essential steps to mitigate the issue effectively. I would also recommend ensuring that your Windows operating system and all software are up to date, as updates often include security patches that can prevent such scams from exploiting vulnerabilities.
Additionally, you might want to consider running an offline or bootable antivirus scan, such as using Windows Defender Offline or specialized tools like Malwarebytes, to detect and remove stubborn malware that may not be caught during regular scans.
Always be cautious with suspicious processes; if you notice unfamiliar activity, consider researching the process name or icon before terminating or deleting it. Also, resetting your browsers and clearing cache are good measures to eliminate any residual redirects or malicious extensions linked to the popup.
If the problem persists despite these steps, consult a professional technician who can perform a comprehensive system review and assist with deeper cleaning or recovery options.