Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR — FakeAlert Trojan Removal Guide

Any kind of malware exists with the only target – generate profits on you¹. And the developers of these things are not thinking about ethicality – they use all available methods. Stealing your private data, receiving the payments for the banners you watch for them, utilizing your system to mine cryptocurrencies – that is not the complete list of what they do. Do you like to be a riding equine? That is a rhetorical question.

What does the pop-up with Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR detection mean?

The Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR detection you can see in the lower right side is displayed to you by Microsoft Defender. That anti-malware software is good at scanning, but prone to be basically unreliable. It is defenseless to malware invasions, it has a glitchy user interface and problematic malware removal features. For this reason, the pop-up which states about the FakeAlert is simply a notification that Defender has identified it. To remove it, you will likely need to use another anti-malware program.

Microsoft Defender: “Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR”

The exact Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR infection is a very nasty thing. It is present into your computer disguised as a part of something benevolent, or as a part of the tool you downloaded from a forum. Therefore, it makes all possible steps to weaken your system. At the end of this “party”, it injects other malicious things – ones which are choosen by crooks who control this virus. Hence, it is likely impossible to predict the effects from FakeAlert actions. And the unpredictability is one of the baddest things when it comes to malware. That’s why it is better not to choose at all, and don’t let the malware to complete its task.

Threat Summary:

Is Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR dangerous?

As I have actually pointed out before, non-harmful malware does not exist. And Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR is not an exception. This virus changes the system configurations, alters the Group Policies and Windows registry. All of these things are vital for correct system functioning, even in case when we are not talking about PC security. Therefore, the malware which FakeAlert contains, or which it will inject later, will try to get maximum profit from you. Crooks can steal your data, and then sell it at the black market. Using adware and browser hijacker functions, embedded in Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR malware, they can make profit by showing you the advertisements. Each view gives them a penny, but 100 views per day = $1. 1000 victims who watch 100 banners per day – $1000. Easy math, but sad conclusions. It is a bad choice to be a donkey for crooks.

How did I get this virus?

It is difficult to trace the sources of malware on your computer. Nowadays, things are mixed, and spreading tactics utilized by adware 5 years ago can be utilized by spyware these days. But if we abstract from the exact spreading tactic and will think of why it works, the reply will be really basic – low level of cybersecurity understanding. People click on ads on odd websites, click the pop-ups they receive in their web browsers, call the “Microsoft tech support” assuming that the odd banner that states about malware is true. It is necessary to recognize what is legitimate – to prevent misunderstandings when attempting to identify a virus.

Microsoft tech support scam page

Nowadays, there are two of the most extensive methods of malware distribution – lure emails and also injection into a hacked program. While the first one is not so easy to stay away from – you must know a lot to understand a fake – the 2nd one is simple to address: just do not use cracked apps. Torrent-trackers and various other sources of “free” applications (which are, in fact, paid, but with a disabled license checking) are just a giveaway place of malware. And Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR is simply one of them.

How to remove the Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR from my PC?

Trojan:Win32/FakeAlert!MSR malware is very difficult to delete by hand. It places its files in a variety of locations throughout the disk, and can restore itself from one of the parts. Moreover, countless alterations in the windows registry, networking configurations and also Group Policies are quite hard to find and return to the original. It is far better to utilize a special app – exactly, an anti-malware tool. GridinSoft Anti-Malware will definitely fit the best for virus elimination goals.

Why GridinSoft Anti-Malware? It is very light-weight and has its detection databases updated practically every hour. Additionally, it does not have such bugs and vulnerabilities as Microsoft Defender does. The combination of these aspects makes GridinSoft Anti-Malware perfect for taking out malware of any form.

Remove the viruses with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

• Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. After the installation, you will be offered to perform the Standard Scan. Approve this action.
• Standard scan checks the logical disk where the system files are stored, together with the files of programs you have already installed. The scan lasts up to 6 minutes.
• When the scan is over, you may choose the action for each detected virus. For all files of FakeAlert the default option is “Delete”. Press “Apply” to finish the malware removal.

References

1. Read about malware types on GridinSoft Threat encyclopedia.