How to remove Australian Federal Police virus (Removal Guide)
The Australian Federal Police virus a term used to identify ransomware or a deceptive advertisement that claims to be from the Australian Federal Police. The infection will usually block access to the device or computer system it infects with a lock-screen that claims to be from the Australian Federal Police. The screen contains a note or message that usually claims your IP address has been blocked for visiting illegal porn. The note will also claim that your data will be transmitted to the police if you do not follow their instructions.
In order to unlock your device or computer and avoid legal penalties the ransomware or deceptive advertisement claims you must follow their instructions, which might include to download a third-party application, such as Government Recommended Antivirus App, for your iphone, Android, or Windows machine.
The Australian Federal Police message is one of two things. It could be a real virus on your computer or device that is capable of encrypting your data and locking your machine, or it could be a deceptive advertisement that will be out of your way if you are able to close the browser window. If it is a deceptive advertisement then you really do not have much to worry about; However, you should avoid websites that use advertising platforms known to syndicate deceptive ads because these websites often contain malware and unwanted programs. If you visit these websites I recommend that you scan your mobile device or personal computer with reputable Antivirus and Anti-Malware software to ensure yourself that no one is spying on your, using your system resources, or using you as a marketing target.
The Australian Federal Police virus can affect mobile devices, tablets, and personal computers. It can contain different messages for each person infected with it. For example, a message that infects Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones claims that “Your Samsung Galaxy S5 visited illegal porn and infected with a serious virus.” This message has been detailed below:
AustralianFederalPolice WARNING! Your Samsung Galaxy S5 visited illegal porn and infected with a serious virus! Your IP address will be blocked a personal data and will be forwarded to the police for further investigation !! If you received this message in error, please read the following instructions to solve the problem! The data will be transmitted to the police by: 63 seconds. SOLVE THE PROBLEM How to solve the problem: Step 1: Press "SOLVE THE PROBLEM" button,On the next page,install the "Government Recommended Antivirus App."
Here’s another example of Australian Federal Police that was first released in 2013; However, this message is from a computer virus that infects computer running the Windows Operating System:
You have been violating Copyright and Related Rights Law (Video, Music, Software) and illegally using or distributing copyrighted content, thus infringing Article 128 or the Criminal Code of Australia. Article 128 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of 200 to 500 minimal wages or a deprivation of liberty for 2 to 8 years. You have been viewing or distributing prohibited Pornoographic content (Child Porn/Zoophilia and etc). Thus violating Article 202 of the Criminal Code of Australia. Article 202 of the Criminal Code provides deprivation of liverty for 4 to 12 years. Illegal access to computer data has been initiated from your PC, or you have been... Article 208 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of up to AUD $100,00 and/or a deprivation of 4 to 9 years. Illegal access has been initaed from your PC without your knowdelfge or consnet, your PC may be infected by malware, thus you are violating the law on Neglectful Use of Personal Computer. Article 210 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of AUD $2,000 to AUD $8,000. .... The amount of fine is AUD $100. YOu can pay a fine Ukash. When you pay the fine, your PC will get unlocked in 1 to 72 hours after the money is put into the State's account.
The purpose of Australian Federal Police ransomware or deceptive advertisement that claim to be from the Australian Federal Police is to get you to install a rogue application or program and trick you into paying a fee in order to decrypt your files or avoid legal penalties. If your issue is related to an advertisement they usually want you to install a rogue app or program and your personal files are safe. If this is a virus then they usually want to obtain a fee and your files may be compromised.
It is not recommended to pay ransomware authors to decrypt your files. Instead you can try to use programs like Shadow Explorer or Recuva to restore encrypted or deleted files. There is also decryption software detailed in the instructions below that can decrypt your files that have been encrypted by this virus.
How to remove Australian Federal Police virus
- Remove Australian Federal Police virus with Malwarebytes
- Perform a second-opinion scan with HitmanPro
- Cleanup junk and repair your settings with CCleaner
Remove Australian Federal Police virus with Malwarebytes
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Open Malwarebytes and click the Scan Now button – or go to the Scan tab and click the Start Scan button.
3. Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete click the Remove Selected button.
4. To finish the Malwarebytes scan and remove detected threats click the Finish button and restart your computer if promoted to do so.
Perform a second-opinion scan with HitmanPro
1. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright.
2. Open HitmanPro and click Next to start scanning your computer. *If you are using the free version you may chose to create a copy or perform a one-time scan.
3. Once the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
4. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
5. Click the Reboot button.
Cleanup junk and repair your settings with CCleaner
1. Download and Install CCleaner by Piriform.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the main Cleaner screen. Click the Analyze button. When the process is complete, click the Run Cleaner button on the bottom right of the program interface.
3. Go to Tools > Startup and search for suspicious entries in each tab starting from Windows all the way to Content Menu. If you find anything suspicious click it and click the Delete button to remove it.
4. Go to the Registry window and click the Scan for Issues button. When the scan is complete click the Fix selected issues… button and click Fix All Selected Issues.
How to stay protected against future infections
The key to staying protected against future infections is to follow common online guidelines and take advantage of reputable Antivirus and Anti-Malware security software with real-time protection.
Real-time security software
Security software like Malwarebytes and Norton Security have real-time features that can block malicious files before they spread across your computer. These programs bundled together can establish a wall between your computer and cyber criminals.
Common Online Guidelines
- Backup your computer and personal files to an external drive or online backup service
- Create a restore point on your computer in case you need to restore your computer to a date before infection
- Avoid downloading and installing apps, browser extensions, and programs you are not familiar with
- Avoid downloading and installing apps, browser extensions, and programs from websites you are not familiar with – some websites use their own download manager to bundle additional programs with the initial download
- If you plan to download and install freeware, open source software, or shareware make sure to be alert when you install the object and read all the instructions presented by the download manager
- Avoid torrents and P2P clients
- Do not open email messages from senders you do not know
Helpful Links
