What is “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” scam? And how does it function?
“Your Computer Is In Blocked State” is nothing but a scam alert hell bent on making users believe that their PC is in a blocked state. This scam presents misleading information which is meant to scare users to force them into calling the tech support number provided in the alert.
These kinds of alerts are found on malicious websites which users get redirected inadvertently. According to researchers, these redirects are usually triggered by an adware program installed in the computer. Based on the scam alert, your computer is in a blocked state due to a “very critical infection”. Here’s the full context of the “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” scam:
“Your computer is in blocked state. SYSTEM WARNING: DO NOT PRESS ANY KEY UNTIL YOU KNOW SAFE SIDE INSTRUCTIONS.
For safety instructions immediately call on the support number, a Microsoft Super Technician is waiting to guide
you to safeguard your system. You must not avoid this warning, as this is a very critical infection, Microsoft Super
Technicians are level 9 technicians which are expertise in resolving these kind of issues. THIS CALL IS A TOLL FREE CALL.
Toll Free: 1-800-490-5352”
You shouldn’t fall for this scam’s trick and call the provided number for their so-called “technicians” as you might only end up paying for unnecessary service or worse provide them confidential information that might only put your computer at risk and jeopardize your privacy.
How does “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” scam circulate online?
Tech support scams like “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” are mostly caused by some ad-supported program or adware installed in your computer. Such programs often spread using software bundles. This kind of technique are used not only by adware programs but also unwanted programs, browser hijackers and even rogue applications.
You have to delete “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” scam from your computer, to do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: If your browser is forced to go into a full-screen mode, tap F11 on your keyboard so you can exit.
Step 2: After that, try to close the browser manually. If you’re unable to do so, close the browser through the Task Manager.
Step 3: Tap the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to launch the Task Manager.
Step 4: After opening the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab and look for the affected browser’s process and end its process by clicking End task.
Step 5: Close the Task Manager and tap the Win + R keys to open Run and then type in appwiz.cpl to open Control Panel to uninstall the adware program behind the tech support scam.
Step 6: Look for the adware program or any unfamiliar program under the list of installed programs. Once you’ve found it, uninstall it.
Step 7: Close the Control Panel and tap the Win + E keys to open File Explorer.
Step 8: Navigate to the following directories and look for the adware installer like the software bundle it came with as well as other suspicious files and delete them.
- %USERPROFILE%\Downloads
- %USERPROFILE%\Desktop
- %TEMP%
Step 9: Close the File Explorer and empty your Recycle Bin.
Step 10: Reset all your browsers to default.
Google Chrome
- Launch Google Chrome, press Alt + F, move to More tools, and click Extensions.
- Look for suspicious browser extensions or any unwanted add-on, click the Recycle Bin button, and choose Remove.
- Restart Google Chrome, then tap Alt + F, and select Settings.
- Navigate to the On Startup section at the bottom.
- Select “Open a specific page or set of pages”.
- Click the More actions button next to the hijacker and click Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open the browser and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
- In the Extensions menu Remove the unwanted extension.
- Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
- Select Options and then move to the General menu.
- Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.
Internet Explorer
- Launch Internet Explorer.
- Tap Alt + T and select Internet options.
- Click the General tab and then overwrite the URL under the homepage section.
- Click OK to save the changes.
To ensure the removal of “Your Computer Is In Blocked State” scam and the PUP or adware behind it, follow the advanced steps below:
Perform a full system scan using SpyRemover Pro. To do so, follow these steps:
- Turn on your computer. If it’s already on, you have to reboot
- After that, the BIOSscreen will be displayed, but if Windows pops up instead, reboot your computer and try again. Once you’re on the BIOS screen, repeat pressing F8, by doing so the Advanced Option shows up.
- To navigate the Advanced Optionuse the arrow keys and select Safe Mode with Networking then hit
- Windows will now load the SafeMode with Networking.
- Press and hold both R key and Windows key.
- If done correctly, the Windows Run Boxwill show up.
- Type in explorer http://www.fixmypcfree.com/install/spyremoverpro
A single space must be in between explorer and http. Click OK.
- A dialog box will be displayed by Internet Explorer. Click Run to begin downloading the program. Installation will start automatically once download is done.
- Click OK to launch it.
- Run SpyRemover Pro and perform a full system scan.
- After all the infections are identified, click REMOVE ALL.
- Register the program to protect your computer from future threats.