“Install Antivirus Now to Remove Threats and Protect Your PC” Browser Hijacker

If you’ve been greeted by a full-screen warning declaring “Install antivirus now to remove threats and protect your PC,” don’t panic. This isn’t Windows Defender; it’s adware posing as help, trying to scare you into installing bogus security software while quietly embedding itself deep in your system. Let’s break down what it’s doing and how to eradicate it for good.

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Threat Summary Table

Threat Type	Browser Hijacker / Adware
Associated Domain	(Typically none; crafted to mimic real security alerts)
Detection Names	“Install antivirus now to remove threats and protect your PC”
Symptoms	Full‑screen fake scan alerts, persistent pop‑ups urging fake antivirus download
Damage & Distribution	Alters startup behavior, hides in system folders, injects registry or scheduled tasks
Danger Level	Moderate–High—intrusive behavior and potential for further malware
Removal Tool →	SpyHunter

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What “Install Antivirus Now to Remove Threats and Protect Your PC” Changes in Your Browser

This adware hijacks your browsing experience with alarming pop-ups that imitate legitimate security alerts. You’ll see phony full-screen warnings urging you to download an antivirus that doesn’t exist. Under the surface, it may modify your browser settings or redirect traffic to dubious sites.

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How “Install Antivirus Now to Remove Threats and Protect Your PC” Hijacked Your System

Adware like this often sneaks into systems through drive-by downloads, deceptive site redirects, or bundled software installers. Once inside, it hides itself in places like the %AppData% or %ProgramData% folders, configures scheduled tasks to auto-launch, and may even add registry entries to survive reboots.

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Will “Install Antivirus Now to Remove Threats and Protect Your PC” Steal My Data?

While this rogue alert is mostly a scare tactic, it’s not harmless. It can degrade system performance, hijack your browsing, and trick you into installing additional unwanted software—some of which could be dangerous or steal personal info. Restoring normal functionality is essential.

Option 1: Manual Browser Hijacker Removal

Step 1: Uninstall Suspicious Software

For Windows:

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Look for recently installed or unknown software.
3. Select the suspicious program and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the uninstaller’s prompts.

For Mac:

1. Open Finder > Applications.
2. Locate any unfamiliar apps you didn’t intentionally install.
3. Drag them to the Trash.
4. Right-click the Trash and select Empty Trash.

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Step 2: Reset Each Web Browser Affected

Google Chrome:

1. Go to chrome://settings/reset.
2. Click Restore settings to their original defaults > Reset settings.
3. Then, visit chrome://extensions and remove any suspicious add-ons.
4. Change your search engine:
   Settings > Search Engine > Manage search engines — remove unwanted entries and set a trusted one like Google.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Click the menu icon (three lines) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
2. Click Refresh Firefox.
3. After reset, check Add-ons and Themes and remove unwanted extensions.
4. Navigate to Settings > Home/Search and revert changes to your preferred provider.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click menu (three dots) > Settings > Reset Settings > Restore settings to their default values.
2. Open edge://extensions and remove any unfamiliar plugins.
3. Reconfigure your homepage and search engine if needed.

Safari (Mac Only):

1. Open Safari > Click Safari in the top menu > Clear History (select All History).
2. Go to Preferences > Extensions, remove unknown entries.
3. Under General, set your homepage.
4. Under Search, revert to your preferred search provider.

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Step 3: Check and Clean Your Hosts File

On Windows:

1. Open Notepad as Administrator.
2. Go to:
   C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. Look for unknown IPs or domains — remove them.
4. Save changes and reboot.

On Mac:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run: sudo nano /etc/hosts
3. Identify and remove hijacker entries.
4. Press Control + O to save and Control + X to exit.

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Option 2: Automatic Removal Using SpyHunter

If you want a faster and safer solution — especially if the hijacker reinstalls after manual removal — use SpyHunter, a trusted anti-malware tool.

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

Visit the official download page: Download SpyHunter

Need help with the installation? Follow this page: SpyHunter Download Instructions

Step 2: Install and Launch the Program

1. Run the installer and follow the steps for your OS.
2. Open SpyHunter after installation.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Click Start Scan Now.
2. Wait while SpyHunter analyzes your computer for browser hijackers, malware, and other PUPs.
3. Once the scan completes, click Fix Threats to eliminate them.

Step 4: Reboot and Recheck Your Browser

After cleaning, restart your device. Open your browser and check if your homepage and search settings are restored. If not, perform a quick browser reset using the manual steps above.

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How to Prevent Future Infections

• Avoid downloading freeware from third-party sites.
• Use custom/advanced installation and deselect optional offers.
• Keep your browser and OS updated.
• Regularly scan your system with SpyHunter for proactive defense.
• Don’t click strange pop-ups or redirect links from unknown sources.

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Conclusion

The “Install antivirus now to remove threats and protect your PC” warning isn’t a legitimate system message—it’s adware in disguise. Manually hunting it down is tricky and risky if you’re unsure what to remove. Tools like SpyHunter offer a safer, streamlined removal that can clean up hidden files, registry entries, and startup tasks—all in a click.