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OK Computer Geeks, I Need Some Help
nunn
Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,084 ******
Fairly new computer, Windows 11.
All of a sudden today, I start getting popup ads all over the place claiming to be from McAfee, stating that my computer is infected and I must renew my subscription.
I don't have a subscription.
I checked the security program that came with the computer and it ran a scan and found that all is well.
Pop up blocker is turned off.
I tried the hard reset and the popups came back.
I was using Google Chrome when this happened. I switched to Microsoft Edge, and no popups, but they're still there in Chrome.
Any ideas?
Comments
Scam, don't click on them. If you do a Google search for McAfee popup scam, the real McAfee actually has a warning about it and easy directions for getting rid of the problem. Bob
Around the same time my email inbox started filling up with spam mail.
Nothing easy about it for me. I'm firmly stuck in the 20th Century.
Condolences on using Windows.
Install the Brave browser (if Windows will let you) and then add in the uBlock Origin extension. Like magic, all ads will disappear. Brave has its own very good blocker, and combined with uBlock Origin NOTHING gets through.
If Windows won't let you - well, MS owns your computer, you don't.
Uninstall Chrome like I did last week, same thing. Went to DUCK DUCK GO. After I did uninstall Chrome mine went away.
David, that is why I changed my email.
BTW, using Windows and Chrome is like leaving your front door wide open when you leave on vacation.
I just reread your post and see where you said the popup blocker is off. If you click on the 3 little dots at the upper right on your screen and go to settings, you can turn the blocker back on. It might just be that simple. Good luck. Bob
Popup blocker is on.
Got instructions for removal from McAfee, but they don't compute with what I see. Supposed to find a customize link at the top right of the Google page. It isn't there.
Been using Microsoft Edge and it works, so I may remove Google Chrome.
Nunn, should be an oblong possible blue tinted icon just to the right of the smaller head and shoulder icon in the chrome browser window, it may say something like Relaunch to update and have 3 vertical dots.
They're not 'virus' related. They are really just fishing ads that imbed into your browser. Fairly easy fix: Open Task Manager, in the Processes tab, hover over each instance of your browser and right click and select 'end task'. This will completely close the browser. Then just restart the pc and the pop ups should be gone.
I use Firefox and Duck Duck Go for a search engine. Also have Malware Bytes.
In that list, what am I looking for? I see nothing referencing McAfee.
I am using Edge now. Can I just uninstall Chrome? If I do, will it take all the garbage with it?
nunn, see my post above about Brave and uBlock Origin. Using them won't cure all the problems with Windows, but they WILL stop ads and popups.
https://brave.com/
As I advised get rid of Chrome. It’s horrible and invasive as 10 million illegals. I am no expert at any level with the computer world but Chrome is as bad as you can get.
Free anti virus software is probably worth exactly what you paid for it. A Trend Micro subscription which covers 5 machines (phones and computers) is about $180/year but in the 10 or so years I've been using it I have had 0 issues. First thing I do with a new machine is ditch McAffee or whatever and put Trend Micro on it.
Neo, what you say is true, but…
nunn doesn't have McAfee, and this isn't a virus issue. He's having invasive pop-up ads.
Good point, but since I've started using Trend I can't remember having popup ads, either.
Anyone using Windows or Mac has limited options on what you can do to stop them spying on you or doing things you don't want. The User Agreement is quite clear that THEY control your computer; you don't. They ALLOW you to do certain things - for fees - but nothing that they don't like.
Linux is completely free and under nobody's control but yours. Simpler, safer, no spying, no Big Brother.
Off soap box
In Task Manager; Processes you are looking for your browser (Chrome or Edge). You will right click on the lines with Chrome or Edge then left click on 'End Task'.
You do not have an McAfee installed. The pop up is fishing bait.