How to remove Critical System Failure (Virus Removal Guide)
A “Critical System Failure” alert notification is a tech support scam message caused by a trojan that displays a fake Windows alert in order to try and scare you into calling the listed remote tech support phone number. The Critical System Failure message is designed to trick you into believing your computer is infected with malware to persuade you to call the listed tech support phone number. Once the tech support number is called the scam artists will attempt to sell you unnecessary computer services and software. They may also attempt to make a remote connection to your computer.
Critical System Failure
Compromised Windows Security
Please Call Technical Support 855-616-6772
Computer ID:
Response Code:
Luckily, the Critical System Failure message is pretty simple to remove. You might notice that the Critical System Failure alert allows you to input a Response Code. The trojan actually has a hard coded password that you can enter to automatically terminate the program and uninstall it from your computer. If you enter 642358497351 into the Response Code field and press the Next button it should terminate and uninstall the malicious program; However, this will not remove threats that this trojan bundles with.
A major concern with the trojan is that it bundles along with potentially unwanted programs (PUPs), malware, and malicious trace files that can remain hidden on your computer system. Additional threats can cause different issues and remain on this system once this trojan is removed.
Removing the Critical System Failure trojan, computer viruses, malware, adware, spyware, and other threats that come along with it immediately from your computer or device is heavily advised. This trojan has a bad online reputation and may be the sign of a more serious computer infection. To completely remove Critical System Failure and other threats from your computer use the removal guide below.
How to remove Critical System Failure
- How to automatically remove Critical System Failure
- How to manually repair your browser settings
- How to manually uninstall programs
- How to stay protected against future infections
How to automatically remove Critical System Failure virus
1. Download and Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software to run a scan and remove malicious files from your computer.
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.
5. Download and Install HitmanPro by Surfright to perform a second-opinion scan and remove any remaining traces.
6. 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.
7. Once the HitmanPro scan is complete click the Next button.
8. To activate the free version of HitmanPro: enter your email address twice and click the Activate button.
9. Click the Reboot button.
How to manually repair your browser settings
- How to change your Google Chrome homepage
- How to change your Google Chrome search engine
- How to remove extensions from Chrome
- How to change your Mozilla Firefox homepage
- How to change your Mozilla Firefox search engine
- How to remove add-ons from Firefox
- How to change your Microsoft Internet Explorer homepage
- How to change your Microsoft Internet Explorer search engine
- How to remove add-ons from Internet Explorer
How to manually uninstall programs
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
- Avoid visiting fake “spyware removal” blogs and websites that promote “spyware removal software.” These are usually malicious websites designed to phish your personal information, infect your computer with a rogue program and trick you into paying for rogue “spyware removal software.”
- 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
