Warning! pop-up...

[has]

I hope someone can advise in the simplest terms please...
I have just received a pop-up stating;

"Warning!" - Virus Detected.....
I clicked on "Remove All" button & it takes me to an "Activation Page", where I have to accept one of 3 packages to delete these viruses, the cheapest being $49.95 (dollars). The page is from Security Master AV.

Is this a scam in itself, advising me to sign up for one of these & then it will "clean" the PC?
How can I be sure that the PC IS NOT infected?

[sara3]

maybe not a scam, but a naughty ploy to make you feel you need their anti-virus programme.

do you have anti-virus? there are plenty of free options.

[carrot99]

http://download.cnet.com/windows/

this is a reputable site for free downloads - click on `most popular' and the top item is antivirus software

[bibblebub]

Security Master AV is a well-known malicious rogue antispyware application.

[bibblebub]

Do a search for 'Security Master AV' and you find several sites that tell you how to remove it but I'd don't know which of them is guaranteed to work.

[VHG]

It IS a scam. The "warning" that is coming up is the scam itself trying to frighten you into parting with your money. DONT be tempted, these people are CRIMINALS.

It is NOT a virus but something called Spyware or Malware (or even Scareware).

You need to run a malware detection program to get rid of it.

Try Malwarebytes. Download it, install it, UPDATE it, then run it with full scan.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

You probably have NOT got a virus, but it is best to install an anti virus product (if you have not got one) just to check.

I like AVAST which has a free version. See here (bottom left)

http://www.avast.com/...-software-home-office

[VHG]

NOTE: Some of these scarware product are VERY nasty, and not only do they put up these fake warnings, but they also try to block you from downloading proper security software.

They may also even block your google searches, or turn off your valid PC security (if you have any), and other nasty things.

If you are running Windows then go into the Security Centre (called the Action Centre in Windows 7) and see what security software Windows says you are running.

If possible you should try to run a full security suite like Norton, McAfee, Kapersky etc as this gives you full PC wide security (W H Smiths have a good offer on Norton at the moment).

Or you can run free individual security products like Zone Alarm Firewall (or the Windows firewall), anti virus like Avast or even Microsoft Security Essentials, and malware products like Malwarebytes.

(Some people may come on here and say Norton is rubbish, but they are going by Norton 3 years ago. It is now an excellent product and has won many awards recently.)

[ignys]

This is definitely a scam. Read Security Master AV review here and you will see why it's a scam http://www.2-spyware....curity-master-av.html

[mightyZ]

Additional information about this virus and how to remove it can be found here:
http://deletemalware....curity-master-av.html
http://www.bleepingco...ve-security-master-av
Good luck!