How do I remove pop-ups?

C

Crystal

New Member
Location
Southern USA
I have three pop-ups, all purporting to be McAfee and all wanting me to scan. A Malwarebytes scan removed 10 pop-ups (don't understand that), but not the three I can see. Does anyone know how to get rid of them?

Toshiba laptop, 10 years old
OS is Win8.1
Browser is MS Edge
Anti-Virus is Trend Micro
 

Have you ever had McAfee installed on your computer or do you think these are fake McAfee pop-ups and notifications?

While I don't think this will work for you, it might be worth a try ... Manage Edge Notifications

Something I do think might give better results but is a little more in depth and challenging ... Remove Virus Alert in Microsoft Edge

DISCLAIMER: I have not used Windows since XP in 2009 when I switched to Linux Mint.

GOOD LUCK !!!

EDIT: This is the web search (DuckDuckGo) I did to find the links above and you may find other solutions ... Fake McAfee pop-up in Microsoft Edge
I use DuckDuckGo as my search engine, but you might also try Google for other results perhaps.
 
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I suggest upgrading your O.S. to Win 10, get rid of all those third party anti malware programs and use only Windows Defender from now on. That is what I would do in your situation. Since Win 8 is no longer supported by Microsoft (or anyone else!), it is no longer a safe platform to be on.
Good luck to you and feel free to write back if I can be of further help. Regards, Steve H
 

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Just to add to the good suggestions of @sch404 ...
On a 10yr old laptop, you MAY find Win 10 will be r.e.a.l. slow
Were it me, I'd run Linux Mint, MATE version ... a very lightweight, safe and FREE operating system light on computer resources.
BUT, there is a learning curve to Linux and Linux will not run some programs you might frequently use on Microsoft platforms.
If you get the hang of Linux Mint, you will find older hardware operates swiftly and flawlessly with Linux Mint.
The bottom line is just remember there was a learning curve to Microsoft too.
 
Crystal said:
Thank you for your replies but since I'm computer stupid, I think I'd better take it to a computer guy!
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Most excellent idea Crystal !!!
I worked for 20yrs as a Data Systems Technician in the U.S. Navy and built my own personal computers, so there's that.
Best of luck to ya Ms Crystal !!!

But hopefully other's with the same experience will chime in with a simple solution for you !!! ... one can hope
 
The thing is, Crystal didn't even mention McAfee ever being installed on her laptop. She uses Trend Micro.
Makes me think the McAfee stuff might be some malware or something. On the other hand, it's possible that it's relics of bundled software that came with her computer although never used. I wonder how long she's had this problem? Although not used, could check to see if McAfee is listed in the list of installed programs and if so, uninstall it to see if that helps.

@Crystal ... I wonder if Trend Micro might have a user forum where you could post your experience and get advice on how to proceed. Or maybe contact Trend Micro directly. You tried Malwarebytes and that was my go to when anti-virus (I used ESET back in the day) didn't resolve a malware issue. But as I've said, it's been since 2009 and I'm out of the Microsoft loop and no anti-virus or anti-malware is necessary with Linux.
 
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Naturally said:
The thing is, Crystal didn't even mention McAfee ever being installed on her laptop. She uses Trend Micro.
Makes me think the McAfee stuff might be some malware or something.

@Crystal ... I wonder if Trend Micro might have a user forum where you could post your experience and get advice on how to proceed. Or maybe contact Trend Micro directly. You tried Malwarebytes and that was my go to when anti-virus (I used ESET back in the day) didn't resolve a malware issue. But as I've said, it's been since 2009 and I'm out of the Microsoft loop and no anti-virus or anti-malware is necessary with Linux.
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I bought a reconditioned laptop and it was pre-installed evidently.
 
Naturally said:
Most excellent idea Crystal !!!
I worked for 20yrs as a Data Systems Technician in the U.S. Navy and built my own personal computers, so there's that.
Best of luck to ya Ms Crystal !!!

But hopefully other's with the same experience will chime in with a simple solution for you !!! ... one can hope
Click to expand...
My main hobby has been building computers since about 2000. By 2004 got tired of the Windows world and began switching over to Linux.

I agree, the McAfee pop up might be a rement of bloatware installed by the OEM or retailer. Perhaps going to the Control Panel > Programs and if McAfee is listed just uninstall it.
 
Nathan said:
My main hobby has been building computers since about 2000. By 2004 got tired of the Windows world and began switching over to Linux.

I agree, the McAfee pop up might be a rement of bloatware installed by the OEM or retailer. Perhaps going to the Control Panel > Programs and if McAfee is listed just uninstall it.
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Maybe clear cache and/or cookies too?
 
@Crystal ... so to recap the fine suggestions others have kindly offered and are the first simplest steps ...
- Check to see if McAfee is listed as an installed program and uninstall it.
- Install an Ad Blocker to Microsoft Edge
- Clear Cache and Cookies ... but with one cavet, Make sure you have important site login names and passwords recorded as clearing cache and cookies may disable automatic logins or login prompts with names and passwords filled in ... unless names and passwords are otherwise saved in the browser of course. Just a (perhaps unnecessary) caution.
 
Naturally said:
@Crystal ... so to recap the fine suggestions others have kindly offered and are the first simplest steps ...
- Check to see if McAfee is listed as an installed program and uninstall it.
- Install an Ad Blocker to Microsoft Edge
- Clear Cache and Cookies ... but with one cavet, Make sure you have important site login names and passwords recorded as clearing cache and cookies may disable automatic logins or login prompts with names and passwords filled in ... unless names and passwords are otherwise saved in the browser of course. Just a (perhaps unnecessary) caution.
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Perfect.
 
Murrmurr said:
Maybe clear cache and/or cookies too?
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I'm on my other laptop now.

I've checked Programs and no McAfee but that laptop did come with another AV and was uninstalled, then Trend Micro was installed.

I can't tell if the pop-ups are ads or not. One says I have 5 viruses, the second one says my computer has been damaged and I don't remember what the third one says. All of them want me to scan in order to get rid of said problems.

As I said above, I'm computer stupid and don't know the first thing about clearing my cache or downloading an ad-blocker. Do you believe me now?:love:
 
Crystal said:
I'm on my other laptop now.

I've checked Programs and no McAfee but that laptop did come with another AV and was uninstalled, then Trend Micro was installed.

I can't tell if the pop-ups are ads or not. One says I have 5 viruses, the second one says my computer has been damaged and I don't remember what the third one says. All of them want me to scan in order to get rid of said problems.

As I said above, I'm computer stupid and don't know the first thing about clearing my cache or downloading an ad-blocker. Do you believe me now?:love:
Click to expand...

My opinion is that the pop-ups are fake and just fishing for personal information since McAfee isn't and never was installed on your computer. DO NOT click on or try to perform any operations associated with clicking on the pop-ups. If you did so, they likely would prompt you to install their nefarious software (more malware).

And I THINK it is malware of some sort that generates the fake pop-ups. I have offered a link that steps through a manual process to try and eliminate some baddies but I would contact Trend Micro and/or their supported user forum for suggestions too. At the end of the day, you may have to resort to having your computer guy take a look.

Clearing cache and cookies may help and installing an Ad Blocker wouldn't hurt as Murrmurr has suggested, but may not take care of an underlying problem you may have to have your computer guy help you with.

And please see @Nathan question above. I think I see where he is going with that and it is a very good question.

Now I'm just babbling on and will lurk. Sorry.
 
Nathan said:
@Crystal , so are you getting pop ups while you are using your web browser, or just when sitting at the desktop?
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The first thing I do after logging on is check my email. It takes 3 minutes for the first one to pop up, then another 3 minutes for the second, then another 3 minutes for the third. If I X them all out they all three appear every three minutes no matter where I am, which is usually here at SF.

BTW, I grew up in VV. Since you mentioned Hesperia one time, I believe that's close to you?
 
... last thing I'll add is to check your list of installed software and uninstall anything you suspect has nothing to do with Microsoft or programs that you use or need. If you feel the need to, list the suspected installed program(s) here for one of the guys to check out, before uninstalling. Good Luck ~~~
 
Crystal said:
The first thing I do after logging on is check my email. It takes 3 minutes for the first one to pop up, then another 3 minutes for the second, then another 3 minutes for the third. If I X them all out they all three appear every three minutes no matter where I am, which is usually here at SF.

BTW, I grew up in VV. Since you mentioned Hesperia one time, I believe that's close to you?
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Yes, I live about 10 miles west of hwy 395. Are you still living somewhere in the High Desert?
 
Nathan said:
Yes, I live about 10 miles west of hwy 395. Are you still living somewhere in the High Desert?
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No, I left there in 1958 as fast as my legs would carry me. I went back several times for HS reunions, but haven't been in probably 30 years or more. I just thought it was funny when you said if you can't get something on Amazon, you go down to VV or Hesperia. Hesperia wasn't exactly a shopping mecca the last time I saw it.

I have to log off now, but would appreciate it if you could tell me how to download an ad blocker and clear my cache. Google isn't helping me.
 

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