An infection with malware distributed by the nasty Google Critical Security Alert scam could lead to serious security issues. Victims can restore and protect their computers by following our complete removal guide.
Remove Google Critical Security Alert Scam and Restore PC
Manual Removal Guide
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More Details of Google Critical Security Alert Scam
Fake email messages disguised as Google Critical Security Alert system has been spotted to scam online users into infecting their devices with malware. These scam messages may present a clickable button that could download and run malicious code directly on a target PC. But how could you recognize the legitimate emails sent by Google from the fake ones that attempt to deliver malware?
The distribution channel used by Google Critical Security Alert scam is the Gmail service as usually there you receive notifications when а new unknown device successfully logs in or attempts to log in your Google profile for the first time. Knowing about this practice of Google, malicious intenders started to launch email phishing campaigns that resemble a lot the official e-mail messages sent by the company giant. What hackers aim is to scam users into infecting their PCs with malware or steal their login credentials.
The fake messages associated with Google Critical Security Alert scam may present some of the following messages:
- ”Your Google Account was just signed in to form a new Windows device. You’re getting this email to make sure that it was you. [Check Activity] button
- “Someone just used your password to try to sign in to your account. Google blocked them, but you should check what happened”
- You received this email to let you know about important changes to your Google Account and services.
A click on the presented button could download malicious code directly on the computer without users noticing this event. Upon the download, hackers become able to execute the code and perform various malicious actions that could affect either the compromised device or the data stored on it. For example, if hackers set the button in the email to have the functionality to install a dropper on the PC then this dropper may establish a connection with a command and control server and download a Trojan, a ransomware, a spyware, or another kind of malware.
Mistakes happen so if you have recently received Google Critical Security Alert email notification and clicked the button you might have unintentionally installed malicious software on your PC. And for the sake of your security it is advisable to run a scan with an advanced anti-malware tool and ensure that your computer is malware free.
Actually, there is one more possible scenario that may be implemented by hackers and it is a phishing attack. In this case, hackers could distribute Google Critical Security Alert scam with the purpose to steal your credentials and then become able to distribute the scam to all people in your contact list. How this happens is with the help of cologne sign-in page that looks exactly as the one used by Google.
The first stage of the attack may again display a message that informs of an unauthorized sign-in attempt but the further instructions may urge you to enter your credentials in order to check the security of your profile instead of convincing you to click a presented link or button.
In case that you take the bait and enter your login credentials in the fields of the presented phishing page attackers gain access to your profile as well. The most reliable way to prevent further misuses of sensitive credentials of yours is to enter all registered profiles associated with the compromised email and change their profiles. But first, don’t forget to reset the password of your Gmail account with an extraordinarily strong one.
One way to recognize whether an email titled as Google Critical Security Alert is a scam or a legitimate one is to remember the last time you attempted to log in your profile. For sure the best choice is to ignore the instructions given in the email, log out your Google account and log in again. Once you complete these steps make sure to reset your password and navigate to the summary of your Google Account Login history.
Remove Google Critical Security Alert Scam and Restore PC
WARNING! Manual removal of the infection dropped by Google Critical Security Alert Scam requires being familiar with system files and registries. Removing important data by accident can lead to permanent system damage. If you don’t feel comfortable with manual instructions, download a powerful anti-malware tool that will scan your system for malware and clean it safely for you.
SpyHunter anti-malware tool will diagnose all current threats on the computer. By purchasing the full version, you will be able to remove all malware threats instantly. Additional information about SpyHunter / Help to uninstall SpyHunter
Google Critical Security Alert Scam Manual Removal Steps
Start the PC in Safe Mode with Network
This will isolate all files and objects created by the ransomware so they will be removed efficiently. The steps bellow are applicable to all Windows versions.
1. Hit the WIN Key + R
2. A Run window will appear. In it, write msconfig and then press Enter
3. A Configuration box shall appear. In it Choose the tab named Boot
4. Mark Safe Boot option and then go to Network under it to tick it too
5. Apply -> OK
Remove Google Critical Security Alert Scam from Windows
Here’s a way to remove the program. This method will work regardless if you’re on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP. Simply selecting the program and pressing delete won’t work, as it’ll leave a lot of small files. That’s bad because these leftovers can linger on and cause all sorts of problems. The best way to delete a program is to uninstall it. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Hold the “Windows” button (It’s between CTRL and Alt on most keyboards) and press “R”. You’ll see a pop-up window.
2. In the textbox, type “appwiz.cpl”, then press“ Enter ”.
3. The “Programs and features” menu should now appear. It’s a list of all the programs installed on the PC. Here you can find the program, select it, and press “Uninstall“.
Remove Google Critical Security Alert Scam Virus From Your Browser
Before resetting your browser’s settings, you should know that this action will wipe out all your recorded usernames, passwords, and other types of data. Make sure to save them in some way.
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1. Start Mozilla Firefox. In the upper right corner, click on the Open menu icon and select “Add-ons“.
2. Inside the Add-ons Manager select “Extensions“. Search the list of extensions for suspicious entries. If you find any, select them and click “Remove“.
3. Click again on the Open menu icon, then click “Options“.
4. In the Options window, under “General” tab, click “Restore to Default“.
5. Select “Search” in the left menu, mark the unknown search engine and press “Remove”.
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1. Start Google Chrome. On the upper-right corner, there a “Customize and Control” menu icon. Click on it, then click on “Settings“.
2. Click “Extensions” in the left menu. Then click on the trash bin icon to remove the suspicious extension.
3. Again in the left menu, under Chrome, Click on “Settings“. Go under “On Startup” and set a new page.
4. Afterward, scroll down to “Search“, click on “Manage search engines“.
5. In the default search settings list, find the unknown search engine and click on “X“. Then select your search engine of choice and click “Make default“. When you are ready click “Done” button in the right bottom corner.
2. In the “Manage add-ons” window, bellow “Add-on Types“, select “Toolbars and Extensions“. If you see a suspicious toolbar, select it and click “Remove“.
3. Then again in the “Manage Add-ons” window, in “Add-on Types“, Select “Search Providers“. Chose a search engine and click “Set as default“. Select the unknown search engine and click “Remove and Close”.
4. Open the Tools menu, select “Internet Options”.
5. In the “General” tab, in “Home page”, enter your preferred page. Click “Apply” and “OK”.
Repair Windows Registry
1. Again type simultaneously the WIN Key + R key combination
2. In the box, write regedit and hit Enter
3. Type the CTRL+ F and then write the malicious name in the search type field to locate the malicious executable
4. In case you have discovered registry keys and values related to the name, you should delete them, but be careful not to delete legitimate keys
Click for more information about Windows Registry and further repair help
