How to get rid of McAfee pop-ups virus in 2024

Have you started seeing McAfee critical virus alert pop-ups, even though you don’t own the antivirus? While they might seem harmless, you should stay alert. McAfee scam popups are the first sign that you’ve got scareware on your device. It aims to steal your money and credit card details by tricking you with fear tactics.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help you. In this article, we’ll show you how to get rid of McAfee pop-ups. We’ll present 4 easy methods and some additional steps to keep your devices safe from malware and other online threats.

What is the McAfee pop up virus?

McAfee pop-up virus or the McAfee critical virus alert is a malicious scam. Users start seeing fake pop-up messages or alerts claiming to be from McAfee. They often appear while browsing the internet and may warn the user about a supposed virus infection on their computer.

It uses scare tactics like urgency, hard-to-ignore design, and fear to steal important information. For example, people put in their credit card details and lose a lot of money due to these scams. Or they install malicious software that collects sensitive data.

McAfee is a reputable antivirus software provider that typically won’t display pop-up messages or warnings on web browsers. So, be cautious when encountering such ads and verify whether they are legitimate. Plus, don’t click on suspicious links or provide personal information in response to unsolicited messages. Or you can get rid of them altogether with a robust antivirus.

How to remove McAfee pop-ups: step by step

McAfee spam popups are not only annoying but also highly malicious. Turning them off won’t work, as they will appear on other pages and websites. Therefore, you need to remove the source of the problem. To help you with that, the VPNpro team offers 4 effective steps to deal with McAfee Virus.

Step 1: Clear browsing data and reset your browser

Clearing out the browsing data is the first step you should take. It’s the easiest way to remove McAfee fake pop-ups. We’ll show you the whole process on the Chrome browser:

1. Go to Chrome settings and under “More tools” click “Clear browsing data”
2. In advance settings, select categories to delete some information. We recommend selecting everything, except for “Passwords and other sign-in data”
3. Select “All Time” if you don’t know when you caught the virus
4. Tap “Clear data” and wait till resets

Apart from that, you can also reset your browser to stop McAfee pop-ups:

1. Click on the three dots again and select “Settings” from the options. Resetting browsing settings
2. Select “Reset settings” from the left side of the window
3. Tap on the banner that reads “Restore settings to their original defaults”
   
4. Confirm your choice by pressing “Reset settings”

Now, the McAfee fake pop-ups should be gone. But if you still see them, you can take extra steps, which you’ll find below.

Step 2: Remove unknown extensions and apps

If McAfee keeps popping up, you might want to check and remove any suspicious browser add-ons, plug-ins, and applications. You’ll have to do that manually. In addition, the process will vary depending on your browser, but we’ll show you how to do it on Chrome:

1. Click on the Puzzle piece on your Chrome window and press manage extensions
2. Delete suspicious add-ons that you haven’t installed. Simply press remove
3. Now, delete any malicious looking apps from your device
4. If you’ve done everything right, there shouldn’t be any McAfee pop-ups!

Step 3: McAfee popup scam removal using antivirus

If you keep getting McAfee pop-ups, you might need some help from additional tools. A trustworthy antivirus will find and remove apps or files that might be the cause of the fake pop-ups. Check out the step-by-step guide below for the best results:

1. Get the highest-rated antivirus software. Our choice is TotalAV, now with a massive 80%
2. Install and set it up on your device
3. Run a full antivirus scan of your system once you have fully set up the app
4. Quarantine and remove viruses & other threats when the scan is finished
5. Perform regular scans to avoid McAfee fake pop-ups in the future!

Remove McAfee pop-ups with TotalAV

Step 4: Stop fake McAfee popup with ad-block

You can take an extra step to stop McAfee scam pop-ups. All you have to do is download a reliable ad blocker. Not only will it prevent McAfee fake ads, it will wipe out other distracting elements on your computer or mobile screen. Here’s how to prevent pop-ups, banners, and video ads:

1. Pick and download the best ad blocker. Our #1 choice is Total Adblock with 80% OFF
2. Launch the app or set up the extension on your browser
3. Tweak the settings to prevent pop-ups and other ads
4. Now you can browse the web freely!

Check out Total Adblock

How do I protect my computer against the virus?

Apart from the McAfee pop-up scam, plenty of other malicious ads, programs, and websites can cause all sorts of problems. There are a few simple things you can do to avoid viruses:

• Ignore fear-mongering. Most scams urge you to take quick action. Many people fall for it and pay the price. Therefore, you should avoid threats, stay calm, and make sure the pop-up is from a legitimate source.
• Don’t enter suspicious web pages. Torrenting, porn, unauthorized streaming, and some other sites are usually riddled with malicious ads. You shouldn’t visit them, but if you have to, then at least use a reliable VPN to protect your traffic.
• Download files from legitimate sites. Pirated programs and apps often contain malware that is a major threat to your data and devices. So, don’t be stingy and pay for legit and safe software.
• Clear out browser cookies and cache. Malicious websites or ads may exploit vulnerabilities in your browser’s cache or cookies to collect sensitive information. Clearing them can reduce the risk of security threats.
• Use an ad blocker. Malvertising can distribute malware or lead to phishing scams. The best ad blockers can mitigate these security risks by blocking potentially harmful ads.
• Don’t use outdated apps or devices. Updates are a great way to prevent threats. They usually contain security patches that will make your devices more resilient to malware.

However, you might need some extra help to stay fully protected online. Hence, we recommend running regular system scans with a reliable antivirus. It can find and eradicate the cause of annoying pop-ups and McAfee viruses.

Check out the best antivirus

Conclusion

You might be wondering why you’re getting the McAfee critical virus alert, even when you don’t have the app. That means your device has been infected with adware or potentially unwanted programs. They can wreak havoc on your computer, smartphone, or other devices. Luckily, there are a few simple solutions to remove them.

TotalAV offers the easiest way to get rid of the fake McAfee pop-ups. It will scan your devices, detect the root problem, and get rid of the malicious ads and pop-ups. That way, you won’t see or fall for McAfee virus. You can also try other, less effective methods, such as clearing out your browser’s history or deleting suspicious add-ons and apps.

Whichever method you choose to stop fake McAfee pop-ups, we hope that our 4 simple steps helped you solve the problem.

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FAQ

Is McAfee a virus?

The McAfee antivirus is not a virus itself, but the pop-ups you are getting are most likely malicious. If you're receiving pop-ups from McAfee but don't have the McAfee app installed on your device, it's possible that your device might be infected with adware or potentially unwanted programs. To stop them, you’ll need reliable antivirus software, such as TotalAV.

Why does McAfee keep popping up?

McAfee pop-ups can appear because your device may be infected with adware. They are designed to show you deceptive pop-ups or ads, including those that mimic legitimate security alerts from McAfee. You can get rid of them by clearing browsing data, deleting browser add-ons, or getting a reliable antivirus with ad-blocking capabilities, such as TotalAV.

How do I get rid of McAfee pop-ups on Windows 11?

The first thing you should do is carefully close the malicious McAfee pop-ups. After that, you should clear your browsing settings and delete any suspicious browser extensions. You can also try to block them with a reliable ad blocker. If that doesn’t help, consider getting a top-tier antivirus, such as TotalAV, to scan your device and instantly get rid of the scareware.

Is the McAfee virus warning fake?

Yes, in most cases, McAfee virus warnings are fake. They are designed to scare you and lure out sensitive information, such as your financial details. To prevent that, check out 4 easy steps to remove McAfee pop-ups.