How To Remove The ICE Virus -The ICE Cyber Crimes Center Virus Removal (Ransomware)
What is the ICE virus (ICE Cyber Crimes Center)?
The ICE virus, also referred to as The ICE Cyber Crimes Center virus, ICE Moneypak virus, or ICE scam, is dangerous malware (ICE malware) common in the United States, categorized as ransomware. The ICE virus, alike the FBI virus and other ransomware blocks access to the computer system and displays a full screen page or window that claims to be from a legitimate source that claims “YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN BLOCKED! The works on your computer has been suspended on the grounds of the violation of the Law of the United States”. In this case the ICE ransomware infection, or crypto-virus pretends to be The Cyber Crimes Center of the United States known as I.C.E. in order to scare individuals into paying an unnecessary fine of $400 using Green Dot Moneypak cards. Please note, The actual ICE Cyber Crimes Center is in no way associated with the ICE computer virus and paying the fine will NOT remove dangerous malware that may remain dormant on your computer system; including trojan horses and spyware that may take complete control of a computer and collect sensitive information used in crimes such as credit theft, extortion, and identity theft (*Information collected may be used in phishing-scam telephone calls/botcrawl.com).
Ransomware like the ICE virus is very popular, but extremely dangerous. If the ICE virus is not completely removed from your computer, you are likely to fall victim to severe forms of cyber crimes previously discussed, and your computer system may become unusable, as the ICE virus can cause a computer to lose complete functionality. The ICE virus may even cause legitimate Antivirus software used to eradicate it to terminate. Though The ICE Cyber Crimes Center virus is dangerous, it is important not to panic and to review some safety tips concerning the protection against and removal of the ICE virus.
Disconnect internet access
- The ICE virus and most forms of ransomware can not work if a computer is connected to the internet. To protect the invasion of personal computer files while infected, it may be necessary to disconnect your internet access.
User accounts
- In some cases you will be able to log into an account that is not infected with malware (with administrative rights) and perform a scan with reputable software to detect and remove malware.
- Another solution is to access a user account with administrator rights that is not infected with the ICE virus and delete the other infected user account from Windows. This will lose everything for the deleted user, including software, images, documents, settings but will remove ICE malware from your computer.
- Other options include creating a new user account to remove malware if only 1 Window’s user account is present on the computer system.
Deny flash
- Some variants of ransomware use flash and symptoms of the infection can be suspended by denying flash via Macromedia’s real-time options. To learn more and deny flash please visit: http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/help09.html
Troubleshoot internet/network issues
- Safe Mode With Networking can be used to access the Internet for updates, drivers, removal software, or other files if internet and network connectivity is compromised.
How to remove the ICE virus (ransomware)
- ICE virus removal software (Automatic removal) – Scan for and remove ICE virus
- System Restore – Restore PC to date and time before infection
1. ICE virus removal software (Automatic)
1. Install the free or paid version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software.
2. Once Malwarebytes is installed, open the Anti-Malware program. If you are using the free version of Malwarebytes you will be prompted to update the database, please do so.
3. On the first tab labeled “Scanner” select the Perform full scan option and click the Scan button to perform a full system scan (pictured below).
4. Malwarebytes will automatically detect the ICE virus and other malware on your computer. Once the scan is complete, Malwarebytes will prompt a message stating malicious objects were detected. Select (check) the malicious objects in the list and click the Remove Selected button to completely remove ICE malware from your computer once and for all!
2. System Restore
A System Restore is an easy solution to restore an infected computer to a date and time before it became infected with the ICE virus. To learn more please select a link below.