![\"Fake](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/defender-security-warning-scam-example.png\" "\\"\\"")
Unfortunately, the notification looks like a legitimate Windows message, making it especially dangerous – many users may not even attempt to verify i= on Google. Scammers commonly make the pop-up as convincing as possible so that people don’t suspect anything is wrong. The provided phone number will likely connect you to a fraudulent call center. The agent may try to get you to install malware<\/a> to infect your computer, steal your personal information, or demand money for fake services.<\/p>\n
Why is the Windows Defender Security Warning False?<\/h2>\n
At first glance, you might mistake this for a legitimate warning from Windows Defender. However, if you’re familiar with Windows Defender, you’ll notice differences from a genuine notification. Therefore, please do not call the phone number provided in the window because it is not a real alert. Here’s why:<\/p>\n
- \n
- It\u2019s not the Windows Defender interface<\/strong>. Windows Defender, also known as Windows Security, is a built-in Windows application with a different interface. It will never display a browser pop-up or webpage; it uses system notifications instead.<\/li>\n
- Strange text and typos<\/strong>. A banner or page showing a Microsoft Defender alert often contains strange text designs and grammatical and stylistic errors, which sharply contrast with the short and informative Defender notifications.<\/li>\n
- Microsoft never provides contact numbers for users<\/strong>. Users can contact Microsoft support through the “Get Help” application if they encounter problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This Windows Defender security alert is flawed in both format and content. It’s often a low-level phishing scam<\/a> aiming to sell a rogue antivirus service, which can harm your computer. In some cases, you might not be able to close the alert or switch to other applications.<\/p>\n
Causes of the Windows Defender Security Warning<\/h2>\n
There are several reasons why you might see a Windows Defender security warning. Here are the most common ones:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You clicked on an ad that redirected you to a fake site.<\/li>\n
- You visited a hacked website that redirected you to a fraudulent page.<\/li>\n
- You have a malicious program installed on your device, often a result of adware activity<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are also many other ways you could be exposed to fraud, depending on various factors, such as the external devices you share with others. Simply closing the window may not solve the problem, especially if adware is causing it. The pop-up message may appear every time you open your browser.<\/p>\n
How to Remove the Windows Defender Security Warning<\/h2>\n
Since the Windows Defender security warning appears in your browser, most actions to get rid of it are related to your browser. These steps can help resolve the issue of Windows Defender security warning pop-ups:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Force close and reopen your browser.<\/li>\n
- If the problem with redirecting to a fraudulent page persists, reset your browser (instructions below) or reinstall the browser completely.<\/li>\n
- If this continues, you may have adware or a PUP (potentially unwanted program<\/a>) installed on your computer, and you need to remove it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you’re unsure which installed application is causing the pop-up notifications, install antivirus software<\/a> to detect and remove the infection from your computer.<\/p>\n
How to Clear the Browser from the Windows Defender Security Warning<\/h2>\n
Resetting your browser settings is one of the first steps to eliminate the Windows Defender security warning scam. Here are the instructions for different browsers:<\/p>\n
Remove the Windows Defender Scam from Chrome<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Click on the three vertical …<\/strong> in the top right corner and Select Settings<\/strong>.
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-settings.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n- Select Reset and Clean up<\/strong> and Restore settings to their originals defaults<\/strong>.
\n![\"Restore](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-restore.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n- Click Reset settings<\/strong>.
\n![\"Reset](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-reset-1.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nRemove the Windows Defender Scam from Firefox<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Click the three-line icon in the upper right corner and select Help<\/strong>
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-help.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n- Select More Troubleshooting Information<\/strong>
\n![\"Next](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-reset.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n- Select Refresh Firefox…<\/strong> then Refresh Firefox<\/strong>
\n![\"Refresh](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-refresh.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nRemove the Windows Defender Scam from Microsoft Edge<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Press the three dots
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-1.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n - Select Settings<\/strong>
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-2.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\n- Click Reset Settings<\/strong>, then Click Restore settings to their default vaues<\/strong>.
\n![\"Restore](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-reset-2-1.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/li>\nRemove the Windows Defender Scam from Safari<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Open the terminal (press \u2318 Command + Spacebar to open the spotlight, type “terminal” and press “Enter”)<\/li>\n
- Enter these commands one at a time. Execute each command by pressing “Enter” after copying it into the terminal:<\/li>\n
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Caches\/Metadata\/Safari;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Caches\/com.apple.Safari;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Caches\/com.apple.WebKit.PluginProcess;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/Apple\\ -\\ Safari\\ -\\ Safari\\ Extensions\\ Gallery
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.Safari.LSSharedFileList.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.Safari.RSS.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.Safari.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.WebFoundation.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.WebKit.PluginHost.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Preferences\/com.apple.WebKit.PluginProcess.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/PubSub\/Database;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Safari\/*;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Safari\/Bookmarks.plist;
\nrm -Rf ~\/Library\/Saved\\ Application\\ State\/com.apple.Safari.savedState;
\n<\/code>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWhat to Do if the Problem Persists?<\/h2>\n
If you have followed all the steps above and still see this warning every time you use a web browser, it is a clear sign that malware is still on your computer<\/a>. You can use professional antimalware software such as GridinSoft Anti-Malware<\/a> to scan your computer and remove any viruses or malware found. After taking such drastic measures, the antimalware software will remove and neutralize more dangerous cyber threats that could cause severe damage to your files.<\/p>\n
![\"GridinSoft](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-main.webp\" "\\"\\"")
\nDownload and install Anti-Malware by clicking the button below. After the installation, run a Full scan: this will check all the volumes present in the system, including hidden folders and system files. Scanning will take around 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
- Click Reset Settings<\/strong>, then Click Restore settings to their default vaues<\/strong>.
- Select More Troubleshooting Information<\/strong>
- Select Reset and Clean up<\/strong> and Restore settings to their originals defaults<\/strong>.
- Click on the three vertical …<\/strong> in the top right corner and Select Settings<\/strong>.
- Strange text and typos<\/strong>. A banner or page showing a Microsoft Defender alert often contains strange text designs and grammatical and stylistic errors, which sharply contrast with the short and informative Defender notifications.<\/li>\n
![\"Scan](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-result.webp\" "\\"\\"")
\n![\"Removal](\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-clean.webp\" "\\"\\"")
\n