Remove “URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up alert

The “URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up is a fake virus alert that claims a critical threat has been detected on your device. These types of fake alerts are very common, and they usually promote tech support scams, try to trick users into downloading questionable programs, or misuse an anti-virus program’s affiliate program. This particular fake pop-up redirects to the TotalAV official website. The alerts’ contents are entirely fake and you can ignore it completely.

 

 

Scams that falsely alert users about viruses on their computers are incredibly common, and many people have likely encountered them while browsing ad-heavy websites or as a result of adware infections. These fake virus notifications typically aim to trick users into calling fake tech support or downloading questionable software. They also try to take advantage of anti-virus programs’ affiliate programs.

These deceptive virus alerts are typically found on unreliable websites, which users might be redirected to when browsing ad-heavy sites. Adware and similar infections could also trigger redirects to sites that display these fake alerts. Once users are redirected, they are shown several fake pop-ups that claim the computer is infected. These notifications often display fake virus scan reports, claiming that there are multiple infections. According to the “URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up alert, a critical malware infection is present. Supposedly, users’ identities are at risk because of it.

Depending on the scam, the “URGENT: Scan Your PC” fake alert might aim to steal credit card details, trick users into installing dubious programs, or lead them to a legitimate anti-virus website to exploit affiliate programs. If the scam targets payment information, users could be directed to a fake anti-virus page that asks for payment card information. If the scam is promoting questionable programs, users might be redirected to a site that would initiate the download. In the best-case scenario, this could lead to a minor issue, while the worst-case outcome could involve malware.

For future reference, keep in mind that virus alerts appearing in browsers are never legitimate. Browsers or websites do not have the ability to detect malware infections or any infections of any kind. Only trust your anti-virus software for accurate information about malware on your computer.

What triggers redirects to “URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up scams?

Users may find themselves redirected to scam websites for several reasons. One common trigger is visiting ad-heavy sites without an adblocker installed on their devices. Websites that have pirated or adult content are particularly notorious for triggering ads and redirects, regardless of what users click on. Installing any decent adblocker program can typically resolve this issue.

If the redirects are frequent, adware could be the issue. This issue is generally minor and does not usually cause significant harm. Adware often gets installed through a method called software bundling. The way it works is adware can be bundled with popular free programs as optional extra offers. Although these offers are supposed to be optional, they are set to install automatically alongside the program without the user’s explicit consent. To avoid this, users need to pay attention when installing free programs and make sure to uncheck any unwanted offers during the installation process.

To prevent unwanted installations, pay close attention when installing software and select the correct settings. Opting for Advanced (Custom) settings instead of Default settings is what you need to do. While Default settings may be recommended by the installation window, using them will result in the automatic installation of all bundled offers. Advanced settings, on the other hand, reveal additional offers and allow users to deselect them. It is a good idea to uncheck all extra offers, as legitimate programs typically do not use software bundling to install due to its questionable nature, and many anti-virus programs detect those that use it as potential threats. It’s much easier to uncheck a couple of boxes when installing programs than it is to remove fully installed adware infections.

“URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up scam removal

Simply close the window to remove “URGENT: Scan Your PC” pop-up scam. Install an adblocker program to block these pop-ups and redirects in the future. Because it’s possible redirects are caused by adware, it’s advisable to use WiperSoft to perform a scan and check for an infection.