Remove “TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” pop-up

“TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” pop-up is a fake virus alert that falsely claims your computer is infected with a virus because you’ve visited infected websites. The alert is hosted on a dubious website to which you may be redirected either by adware or by ad-heavy sites you browse. The alert claims that to remove the potential viruses, you must run a scan with an anti-virus program. The malicious actors behind this scam are misusing TotalAV anti-virus program’s affiliates programs by using deceptive methods to trick users into purchasing a subscription. For every purchased subscription, malicious actors get a percentage.

 

 

Scams that falsely claim a user’s computer is infected with a virus are extremely common, and most users will have encountered them while browsing ad-heavy websites or due to infections like adware. These deceptive virus alerts typically aim to mislead users into calling fake tech support numbers or downloading dubious software. They also exploit affiliate programs of anti-virus software, TotalAV in this case.

These fake virus alerts are hosted on dubious websites to which users are usually redirected when browsing ad-heavy websites. In some cases, an adware infection may trigger the redirect. Once redirected, users are bombarded with numerous overlapping pop-ups that mimic TotalAV virus alerts. These fake notifications show a fake virus scan, claiming multiple infections have been found. Additionally, a pop-up may appear saying “Your TotalAV subscription has expired!” and insist that users renew their subscription to protect their computers.

Depending on the type of scam, the “TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” alert could either attempt to steal credit card information, trick users into downloading questionable programs, or redirect them to a legitimate TotalAV website to exploit the affiliate program. If the goal is to acquire payment card details, the user may be directed to a fake TotalAV page requesting their information for a subscription purchase. Should the scam involve software installation, users may be taken to a site encouraging them to download a program. In the best-case scenario, this program could be a minor infection; in the worst case, it could be malware.

It’s important to note that virus alerts appearing in browsers are never legitimate. Browsers cannot detect malware infections. You should rely solely on your anti-virus program for accurate information about malware on your device.

What triggers redirects to “TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” pop-up scams?

There are various reasons users might find themselves redirected to scam websites. Typically, this occurs when users visit ad-heavy sites without having an adblocker installed on their devices. Certain types of websites, especially those featuring pirated or adult content, are designed to trigger ads and redirects regardless of what users click on, often leading to scam ads. Simply installing an adblocker can effectively resolve this issue.

If users get redirected all the time, it is likely due to adware on their computers. This is generally a minor issue that doesn’t cause significant harm. Adware typically installs through the software bundling method, which allows infections like adware to be added to free programs as additional offers. These offers, while optional, are set to install alongside the program without needing explicit consent from the user. To prevent the offers from installing, users need to manually deselect them when installing free programs. However, this is made difficult because the offers are hidden in settings users don’t usually use.

To avoid unwanted installations, users need to pay attention when installing free programs and choose the correct settings. Users need to choose Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default settings when prompted. While Default settings might be recommended, choosing them will lead to the installation of all bundled offers. Advanced settings, on the other hand, display all additional offers and provide users the option to deselect them. It’s always recommended to deselect all additional offers. No legitimate software will use software bundling as an installation method due to its controversial nature, and many anti-virus programs flag those that do as potential threats.

“TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” pop-up scam removal

You just need to close the window to remove “TotalAV – You Recently Visited Compromised Websites” pop-up scam. If the redirects are triggered by adware, it’s a good idea to run a scan with WiperSoft to remove it.