Windows 10: Possible fake Windows Defender pop-up says it's locked up our laptop. How can I ascertain...

A window claiming to be from Windows Defender has popped up in our laptop and has locked it up, saying that Trojanware has been installed. It's telling us to call 888-770-6848. Is this actually from Microsoft?

:)

 

Red pop up alert for RDN/Trojan.worm!055BCC2687428infection

This pop up is likely a fake alert by one of these nefarious tech support scams. If you are indeed concerned, do as suggested and run scans with both Windows Defender and the free version of the latest Malwarebytes. These fake alert pop ups are all over
the web. Did the alert provide a phone number to call? If not, then it is possible that you may have picked up some malware.

 

window defender

• • • 
      You will want to print these instructions for offline reference -
      

IMPORTANT => DON'T SKIP ANY STEP perform all Steps in one uninterrupted session - If a Step says to reboot
reboot.

Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1/10

Pləase let us know what fixes the problem or if the pяoblem remains.

• • • 
      `~`
      

 

Fake Java Update pop-up appearing on Windows 10.

Hello James,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.

Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• • • • 
        
• Did you download and install any program/application from the internet?
• When does the pop-up appear on the PC screen?
• Did you check if the pop-up appears when the PC is booted in Safe mode?
  • • • 
        

You may be facing the above issue due to the presence of any third party applications conflicting with Windows 10 operating system. When some of the programs are installed on the PC, additional programs that come along will disturb the normal performance
of the system. I suggest you to perform Safe mode and Clean boot procedures on the PC by following the steps below.

Step 1: I suggest you to boot your PC in Safe mode by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer with limited drivers necessary to run Windows. The words
Safe Mode appear at the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you are using.

Expand the options to boot into Safe Mode:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-10/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode



Reboot the PC to exit from Safe mode.

To know more about Safe mode, following is an article on
Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode) (Applies to Windows 10 also):

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-safe-mode

Step 2: If the issue persists, perform Clean boot on your PC by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

Putting your system in Clean Boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue.

I suggest you to perform clean boot by following the steps from the link below and check if the issue is resolved.

You can open the system configuration window in Windows 10:

a. Using run command.

• • Press Windows Key + R keys on the Keyboard.
  • Type msconfig.msc and press Enter.

b. Using Cortana.

• • Press Windows icon key on the keyboard and type msconfig.
    
  • Select the top most search result.
    

Follow the steps from 3 under How to perform a clean boot
for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 from the link below (The steps for clean boot suggested in the link below for
Windows 8/8.1 is applicable for Windows 10 as well):

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

Disclaimer: Start the computer in normal mode refer the section,
How to reset the computer to start normally after clean boot troubleshooting
from the link above.

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

Thank you.