All devices connected to the Internet are vulnerable to viruses and scams. One of such scams is the Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center alert that appears randomly with a pop-up window having a phone number to call to resolve the issue. This phishing attack takes control of your computer and steals personal data. The good news is that you can quickly get rid of this malware attack and prevent more fraud. This article will discuss why people encounter these Windows Defender Security Center warnings and how to fix them.

What are Windows Defender security warnings?

The Windows Defender Security Alert is a phishing scam designed to trick people into infecting their devices or giving away personal information.

The pop-up appears to be a legitimate warning from Microsoft that your device may be infected with malware, typically a Trojan spyware, and directs you to a page that will help fix the security problem. Many users click blindly on the link and become victims of the malware.

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The page displays an error message and prompts you to contact customer support through a phone number to fix the issue. This phone number will put you in touch with a scammer who will either infect your device or ask you to pay a fee to resolve the problem.

A legitimate security warning from Microsoft will not ask for detailed information, and the email will come from Microsoft.

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Why am I getting this Windows Defender security warning?

Is Windows Defender good enough for their computer? Many users want to know the answer. There can be several reasons why you might see the Windows Defender Security Center warning. Let's look at a few to understand why:

    If you visit a hacked site, it can redirect you to a phishing window. Suspicious or fake ads can lead to an attack. Malicious hardware installed on your device could do the trick.

There are many other ways you can be duped, depending on the external devices you use to share or access information.

When you try to ignore or close it, you can't do that or switch to another app. Sometimes, the pop-up reappears on your screen.

The section below will discuss the removal methods of the Defender Security Alert scam to help you get rid of this phishing scam.

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How to Remove Windows Defender Security Alert Scam

It's likely that the fake security warning you're encountering is related to your browser. To address this issue, we need to resolve any problems with your browser. You can try the following remedies:

  1. Force close and reopen the browser
  2. Reset the browser to default settings
  3. Reinstall the web browser

[[force_close_and_reopen_browser#force_close_and_reopen_browser]] Force close and reopen the browser

If you can't close the window by clicking the Close button, you might need to force your browser to stop. Follow these steps to close the Windows Defender Security Center alert:

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon and select Task Manager.

Step 2: If you're using Windows 10, click “Show more options” to view more choices.

Step 3: Right-click on the program you want to close and select "End task".

Select the End Task button.

Step 4: Restart your computer.

If the problem persists, try resetting your browser settings to their defaults, in case a scam has taken hold.

Translating English to Chinese involves converting English text into Chinese. This can be done through manual translation, using translation software, or with online tools. For instance, the phrase "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." would be translated in Chinese as "那只敏捷的棕色狐狸跳过那只懒狗。"

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Reset the browser to its default settings

Let's discuss the steps to reset the settings of different browsers to default.

For Google Chrome:

Step 1: Open Google Chrome, then click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Go to “Settings” and tap “Advanced settings.”

Step 3: Click on “Reset and Clean Up,” then choose “Restore settings” to default on the right side.

Google Chrome reset

Step 4: Click “Reset Settings” in the window to complete the process.

For Microsoft Edge:

Step 1: Open the Microsoft Edge browser and click on the three dots located in the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 2: Go to the “Settings” menu and select “Reset Settings” on the right.

Step 3: Click on “Restore Defaults.”

Restore settings to default values

Step 4. Click “Reset” in the dialog box that appears to complete the process.

Reinstall the web browser

A faulty browser could also cause this security issue. Try uninstalling and reinstalling your browser to see if that helps. Many users have resolved the problem this way. The steps for uninstalling programs on your computer may vary depending on your operating system.

Steps to uninstall a program on Windows 11: 1. Open Settings: Click the Start menu on the taskbar (the Windows logo) or use the keyboard shortcut Win + I. 2. Go to Apps: In the Settings window, locate and click on the "Apps" option. 3. Find the program to uninstall: On the "Apps" page, scroll through the list of applications and locate the one you want to uninstall. 4. Select the program: Click on the program you want to uninstall; it will display a drop-down menu. 5. Uninstall the program: In the drop-down menu, click the "Uninstall" button. The system might ask for confirmation; follow the prompts. 6. Wait for the process to finish: The uninstallation may take some time; wait for your system to complete it. 7. Restart your computer (optional): Some programs might require a restart to fully complete the uninstallation process. If not prompted, decide whether to restart based on your needs. These are the basic steps, but keep in mind that certain programs might have their own unique uninstallation processes, especially those that use installers like Setup.exe or InstallShield. In those cases, you might need to uninstall them through the Control Panel or using an uninstall tool provided by the program itself.

Step 1: Press the "Windows + R" keys to open the "Run" app.

Run the application

Step 2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.

Uninstall Chrome

Step 3. Right-click on the browser and select “Uninstall.”

These fixes should resolve your issue. If the problem persists, you can use a professional third-party antivirus software like Norton or Avast to scan for malware on your device. You can also opt for the built-in Windows Security Center to scan and find solutions.

How to avoid scams like the Windows Defender security warning

It's not something you encounter every day, but if your device contains personal data, it can be damaging. Here are some precautions to avoid such scams:

    1. Keep your operating system and applications up to date. 2. Regularly scan your computer with antivirus software. 3. Avoid clicking on suspicious links. 4. Download apps only from official sources. 5. Browse the internet cautiously.

Final Award

The Microsoft Windows Defender security alert is a phishing scam designed to infiltrate your device and intimidate users into giving away their data or money. It pretends to be legitimate, but in reality, it's a dangerous malware. Hence, do not call any displayed phone numbers or click on any links provided. This threat can be quickly eliminated by resetting your browser settings or using antivirus software.

To avoid this happening to you, practice good cyber hygiene to protect yourself from scams. Regularly scan and use anti-malware tools to prevent problems before they occur.

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