Microsoft Edge scam. How to delete? (Removal tutorial)
Microsoft Edge virus is a fake message urging to contact the so-called support for help
Microsoft Edge is a virus which functions as a false alert that the computer is infected. The message looks convincing since the user is informed that his/her personal and sensitive data is at risk. Victims are encouraged to call (855) 404 3522 for help. However, such scam alerts are merely an attempt to swindle money from novice computer users or trick to infiltrate malware[1].
| Name | Microsoft Edge virus |
|---|---|
| Type | Technical Support Scam |
| Number used by the scammers | (855) 404 3522 |
| Distribution | Spreads as an adware program which is bundled with free software |
| Symptoms | Appears as a warning message on shady websites during browsing sessions |
| Dangers | Users can be lured to give remote access to scammers who either install malware or offer to purchase fake security software |
| Removal | NEVER trust such alerts and get a professional antivirus, like Reimage to uninstall Microsoft Edge virus immediately |
Usually, Microsoft Edge malware appears on the computers which are infected with adware[2] programs. Ad-supported software is designed to deliver a fake warning message during browsing sessions. Users should be aware that such potentially unwanted programs reach their systems in software-bundles with third-party applications.
When the adware software is on the system, it starts displaying Microsoft Edge warning continuously by redirecting users to shady pages. The fake alert urges to call Support at (855) 404 3522 since the following information is said to be at risk:
- Your credit card details and banking information.
- Your webcam could be accessed remotely by hackers.
- Your e-mail password and other passwords.
- Your Facebook, Skype and other chat logs.
- Your private photos and sensitive files.
To make the warning look even more convincing, they say that so-called technicians are standing by to provide help while removing the non-existent virus. Unfortunately, the only malware you must uninstall is Microsoft Edge virus and the adware program which supports it.
Note that scammers are highly advanced in human psychology and phishing techniques. So, if you call them, be prepared that they might trick you to permit to access your computer remotely or offer to get an over-priced antivirus. However, the worst case scenario would be additional malware installation to force you using their services.
Go to 'Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features' (if you are 'Windows XP' user, open 'Add/Remove Programs').
If you are 'Windows 10 / Windows 8' user, click on Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen to open 'Quick Access Menu'. Then click 'Control Panel' and select 'Uninstall a Program'.
Right-click every suspicious program and select 'Uninstall'
Click on 'Go' to open a drop-down menu and select 'Applications'.
Click on each malicious application and select 'Move to Trash'
Open browser menu and go to 'Manage add-ons'
To eliminate malicious applications, right-click on each of them and click 'Disable'
Delete suspicious URL, type in your preferable site name and click 'Apply' to save
In 'Advanced' tab, click 'Reset'. Then tick 'Delete personal settings' and click 'Reset'.
Open Settings and click on 'Choose what to clear' button
Click 'Clear'
Right-click the Start button again and choose 'Task Manager'
Right-click on 'Microsoft Edge' and choose 'Go to details' option
If 'Go to details' option does not show up, choose 'More details' instead
Locate all entries that relate to Microsoft Edge and click 'End Task'
Open Microsoft Edge folder on your PC, click every entry with the right mouse button and select 'Delete'
Locate where Windows PowerShell is, right-click on it and click on 'Run as administrator' option
Copy and then paste the necessary command and hit 'Enter'
Open browser menu and go to 'Add-ons'
Go to 'Extensions' and locate malicious browser add-ons. Hit 'Remove' button to delete each entry
Open menu by clicking on the indicated icon and on '?'. Then select 'Troubleshooting Information'.
Hit 'Reset Firefox' button a few times
Open browser's menu, then click 'Tools' and 'Extensions'
Find malicious extensions and click on the Trash bin icon to remove them
Once you open browser's 'Settings', click on 'Manage search engines...' button
Remove malicious search sites by clicking 'X'
When in 'Settings', click Show advanced settings and then find 'Reset browser settings' button. Click on it.
Click 'Reset' to finish the removal process.
Click on 'Safari' and then select 'Preferences'
Go to 'Extensions' and remove untrustworthy extensions
Click on 'Safari' and then select 'Reset Safari...'
Select all checkboxes and click 'Reset'
For all the reasons mentioned above, we suggest you remove Microsoft Edge scam from your system by running scanning your computer with Reimage or Malwarebytes Anti Malware instead of contacting the scammers. These antivirus systems are tested and recommended by our IT experts. Although, there is another way to eliminate this cyber threat as well.
Microsoft Edge virus removal can be completed manually by following the instructions given below. However, a manual procedure is highly complicated and requires time. So, we kindly advise you to rely on the automatic elimination of this potentially unwanted program.
Software-bundles: adware program spreads inside the installers of third-party software
Even though ad-supported programs are not highly dangerous, they put your computer's security at risk. Note that you might not even recognise one on your system since they stealthily infiltrate your system by coming as software-bundles[3]. Such distribution technique is completely legal.
However, users do not get a fair explanation that they will install an additional software together with the current application. This happens when people aim to finish the installation procedure faster, and they pick Quick or Recommended mode. These settings are programmed to skip optional components, and the user cannot decline them.
For this reason, we want to warn you to always choose Custom or Advanced settings. They will disclose the information about potentially unwanted programs, and you will be able to de-select their checkmarks. Although, we recommend you to avoid downloading software from unauthorised developers to protect your system from PUPs.
Get an antivirus to get rid of Microsoft Edge scam faster
As we have already mentioned, there are two ways to remove Microsoft Edge warning from your system. However, adware programs which deliver this fraudulent alert have extra elements all across your system. If you want to uninstall the malware, you must eliminate them all as well.
This is a challenging task for those who are not experienced with computers and operating systems. Note that any failure to perform Microsoft Edge virus removal can cause the PUP to reappear or even lead to permanent computer damage. Thus, automatic elimination is a better option.
You can uninstall Microsoft Edge scam by downloading a professional security software. Our recommended ones are listed below. However, feel free to use one of your choices as well — let it run a full system scan and delete the adware with all additional components.
After you get rid of Microsoft Edge virus, check the instructions below to reset the affected browser. The step-by-step guide is completely free. Although, you must follow it strictly. If you have any further questions, please, contact us directly for help.
Bonus steps to delete Microsoft Edge virus:
- Go to Task Manager and click on the tab called Processes;
- Search for Microsoft Edge process and end it by following Right-click > End Task;
- Afterward you must disconnect from the Internet by disabling the connection;
- Open C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_xxxxxxxxxxxxx\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default\Recovery\Active directory;
- Search for the last folder and delete it.
NOTE: “xxxxxxxxxxxxx” in the directory might differ for every user.
If you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge automatically, you can use one of these programs: Reimage, Plumbytes Anti-MalwareWebroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Malwarebytes Anti Malware Computer security experts recommend these programs because they can detect and remove potentially unwanted programs and viruses from your computer, including all dangerous and malicious components related to them. Besides, these programs guarantee immediate and ongoing system protection.
To remove Microsoft Edge virus, follow these steps:
Uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows systems
You should start malware removal by attentively searching for suspicious programs on your Windows operating system. You can get help by following the tutorial below:
-
Go to Start → Control Panel → Programs and Features (if you are Windows XP user, open Add/Remove Programs).
-
If you are Windows 10 / Windows 8 user, click on Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen to open Quick Access Menu. Then click Control Panel and select Uninstall a Program.
-
Remove Microsoft Edge and programs related to it
Now, take a look at the list of programs and find Microsoft Edge or other programs that you do not remember installing. -
Right-click on these programs and select "Uninstall." Then click OK to save changes.
Uninstall Microsoft Edge in Mac OS X system
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Users who use OS X should click on Go button, which can be found at the top left corner of the screen and select Applications.
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Wait until you see Applications folder and look for Microsoft Edge or any other suspicious programs on it. Now right click on every of such entries and select Move to Trash.
Delete Microsoft Edge from Internet Explorer (IE)
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Delete suspicious browser add-ons
Launch Internet Explorer, and then open IE by clicking on the Gear icon, which is located at the top right corner of the Internet browser. Then, click Manage Add-ons. -
Manage Add-ons window will appear on your screen. Now, search for Microsoft Edge and other questionable browser add-ons. Right-click them on each of them and select Disable.
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If virus altered your homepage, change it:
Click the Gear icon at the top right corner of the Internet browser and then click Internet Options. Stay in General section. -
Now, delete malicious URL and enter
-
Reset all Internet Explorer settings
Click on Gear icon and then opt for Internet options. Then go to Advanced section. - Click Reset.
-
A new window appears, and then you have to tick Delete personal settings and click Reset to finalise Microsoft Edge removal.
Eliminate Microsoft Edge virus from Microsoft Edge browser
Later, it is crucial to uninstall the adware-related extensions, plug-ins and add-ons from the system. Additionally, you must reset the browser settings after the procedure is completed, like shown below:
Reset settings in Microsoft Edge (Technique No.1):
- Open Microsoft Edge browser, then click on More button, which is situated at the top right edge of the screen
- Select Settings from the drop down menu.
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When the Settings panel appears, find Clear browsing data section and hit Choose what to clear button.
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Then mark all components that you wish to delete and after that hit Clear.
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Right-click the Start button (that has Windows logo on it) and choose Task Manager.
- Go to Processes tab and look for Microsoft Edge.
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Right-click on it and select Go to details. If there is no Go to details option, select More details and carry out previous instructions.
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Once Details tab appears, look for entries that contain Microsoft Edge name. Right-click on such individual entries and choose End Task option to terminate them.
Reset Microsoft Edge (Technique No.2):
In case the Technique No.1 did not help you to fix the problem, use advanced Edge reset option.
- Important: you must backup your files before you use these tips
- Locate this folder on your PC:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe. -
Select all items in this folder and right-click with your mouse. Select Delete.
- Click on the Start button (that has Windows Logo on it) and in Search my stuff field, type in window power.
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With the right button of your mouse, click on every entry and select Run as administrator.
- Once you get Admin's rights, Windows PowerShell window should show up shortly. Paste this line:
after PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> and hit Enter.Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml -Verbose}
After completing these steps, Microsoft Edge should be Microsoft Edge-free.
WindowsMac OS XInternet ExplorerMicrosoft EdgeFirefoxGoogle ChromeSafariDelete Microsoft Edge from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
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Delete suspicious browser extensions
Launch Mozilla Firefox, and then open menu (click a button at the top right corner). Then, go to Add-ons → Extensions. -
Now, locate Microsoft Edge and other suspicious extensions. Click Remove to eliminate them.
-
Reset all Mozilla Firefox settings
Click on the Firefox at the top left corner and then click the question mark. Then, select Troubleshooting Information. -
Reset Firefox to its default state message should appear then. You will see Reset Firefox button. Click this button a few times and finalise Microsoft Edge removal.
Delete Microsoft Edge from Google Chrome
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Remove malicious extensions
Launch Google Chrome, and then open menu (click a button at the top right corner). Then, go to Tools → Extensions. -
Now, look for Microsoft Edge and other suspicious extensions and then click the trash icon to remove them.
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Open Chrome menu and go to Settings → Manage Search engines under the Search section.
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In Search Engines..., configure default search engine settings. Remove untrustworthy ones. We advise you to leave only Google or another reputable website of your choice.
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Reset all Google Chrome settings
Open menu by clicking the button at the top right corner of Google Chrome, and go to Settings. -
Scroll down to find Reset browser settings button. Click on it.
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Click Reset to approve this action and finish Microsoft Edge removal.
Delete Microsoft Edge from Safari
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Delete suspicious browser extensions
Open Safari web browser and click on Safari in menu at the top left of the screen. Once you do this, select Preferences. -
Here, select Extensions and look for Microsoft Edge or other suspicious entries. Click on the Uninstall button to get rid each of them.
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Reset all Safari settings
Open Safari browser and click on Safari in menu section at the top left of the screen. Here, select Reset Safari.... -
Now you will see a detailed dialog window filled with reset options. All of those options are usually checked, but you can specify which of them you want to reset. Click the Reset button to complete Microsoft Edge removal process.
About the author
References
- ^ Danny Palmer. What is malware? Everything you need to know about viruses, trojans and malicious software. ZDNet. Technology News, Analysis, Comments and Product Reviews.
- ^ Adware. Techopedia. Where Information Technology and Business Meet.
- ^ Product Bundling. Wikipedia. The Free Encyclopedia.