Persistent Microsoft Defender Subscription Fraud Popup Keeps Reappearing

Tackling the Microsoft Defender Subscription Scam Pop-Up: A Guide

In recent weeks, many users have reported encountering persistent pop-ups claiming that their Windows Defender antivirus has been upgraded to a paid Pro plan for $299.00. This intrusive notification typically states that payment for the upgrade will be charged to your credit card on a specific future date— in this case, August 26, 2024. If you’re facing a similar issue, you’re not alone, and it’s essential to address it swiftly.

Understanding the Threat

While it’s clear that these notifications are part of a scam designed to exploit unsuspecting users, the concern about potential system compromise is valid. If you notice that this pop-up appears frequently—even after removing your browsers—it’s crucial to verify the integrity of your computer.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Run Comprehensive Scans: Although you have conducted a quick scan, full scan, and offline scan with Microsoft Defender, consider using additional security tools. Malwarebytes or ESET Online Scanner can provide a different perspective on your system’s security, often detecting threats that standard antivirus software might miss.

2. Examine Running Processes: You mentioned noticing ‘conhost.exe’ in your system32 folder. While this file is part of Windows and is typically not malicious, its behavior can be suspicious if it consistently initiates subsequent actions like launching PowerShell when the pop-up appears. To investigate:

3. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).

4. Look for ‘conhost.exe’ and note its command line details. If it appears unusual, further investigation may be necessary.

5. Remove Unwanted Programs: Check your installed programs for any unfamiliar or suspicious applications. If anything looks out of place, uninstall it immediately.

6. Reset Your Browsers: Even if you have already deleted them, consider resetting or reinstalling your browsers to eliminate any lingering extensions or settings that may trigger the pop-ups.

7. Clear Your Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser’s cache can often help in removing residual data from previous sessions that may be keeping the pop-up alive.

8. Examine Startup Programs: Run msconfig to check your startup items and disable any suspicious entries that might be launching the unwanted pop-up.

Additional Tips

• Avoid Clicking on the Pop-Up: Interaction with these notifications can lead to further complications, including possible malware downloads.
• Change Your Passwords: If