How to Remove Hallmark eCard Tech Support Scam

Can’t Remove Hallmark eCard pop-ups?

Tech support frauds are quite popular online. They allow hackers to gain effortless profit by scamming gullible PC users. Hence, it comes as no surprise the Web is filled with scams. The Hallmark eCard Tech Support Scam pretty much follows the classic pattern. That means your computer has gotten infected. Yes, you have a virus on board. In many ways, this parasite resembles a Trojan horse. It is stealthy, works in silence and gets spread via a malicious email. You won’t even realize that your device is no longer infection-free. These parasites are immensely tricky and secretive. Obviously, that makes them super dangerous. Immediately after it lands on board, the virus makes a couple of modifications. All of them are unauthorized. Cyber infections don’t really tend to take into consideration your opinions. The virus firstly displays a fake screen that states it is an expired Hallmark eCard. This is a lie. It distracts you from the fact the infection is messing with your PC settings right now. As you could imagine, such a sneaky tactic is very troublesome. This pest’s real shenanigans start the next time you turn on the PC. That’s when the tech support scam could truly begin. The infection creates Critical System Failure pop-ups. Endless pop-ups. According to all of them, your Windows security has been compromised. The thing is, your security is perfectly fine. You should only be worried about the particular virus which displays these alerts. Have you had to deal with cyber scams so far? That’s how they operate. The scheme is very simple, actually. Step number one – your machine gets compromised. Step two – the parasite modifies your default settings and causes fake security pop-ups. Step three – you get tricked into calling a tech support number that, supposedly, will fix the issues. These are non-existent issues, though. Hackers’ one purpose is to steal your money. In order to succeed, they pretend to be offering various services and anti-malware programs. In reality, they are aiming directly at your bank account. Stay away from the phone number provided (855 518-8366). You will not contact a legitimate Microsoft team. You will contact hackers. All these security alerts and other messages are deceptive and fake. This is a fraud. Keep in mind that Microsoft has never used such intrusive and obsessive pop-ups.

How did I get infected with?

This infection indeed reminds us of a Trojan. It gets attached to bogus emails and waits for you to do all the work. Opening a corrupted email sets free the parasite behind it. That is how many PC users end up compromising their own machines. The messages you might receive in social media are just as unreliable as these emails. Especially if their senders are unknown. Beware what you click open and take care of your PC. One single moment of distraction might cause you a long battle with some nasty parasite. Our advice is to always keep an eye out for malware when it comes to email-attachments. Another rule of thumb is to avoid illegitimate websites. If you often download unverified software, you should know how risky that is. Crooks could attach all sorts of malware to a seemingly safe program bundle. Unless you check out the programs you install one by one, you end up downloading the virus too. Opt for the custom or advanced option in the Setup Wizard. This will let you be in control of the entire installation process. If you skip installation steps, you have nobody to blame later on. Don’t be naive and don’t underestimate hackers’ creativity.

Why are these ads dangerous?

Tech support scams could fool you into giving your money away. Of course, you should know better than to fall straight into crooks’ trap. However, the Critical System Failure pop-ups are quite convincing. As mentioned already, these alerts are about as fake as they get. Their one goal is to trick you into dialing one particular number. A number that will contact you with cyber criminals. In which parallel universe is it a good idea to negotiate with hackers? You’d be fighting a battle you can’t win. Crooks will try to sell you some worthless programs and/or services. They might also get access to your sensitive date and use it against you. Don’t even consider contacting the scammers and ignore their empty threats. Instead of falling victim to a fraud, simply delete this virus. The sooner, the better. To get rid of it manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

How Can I Remove Hallmark eCard Pop-ups?

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Uninstall suspicious software from your Add\Remove Programs

STEP 2: Delete unknown add-ons from Chrome, Firefox or IE

STEP 3: Permanently Remove Hallmark eCard from the windows registry.

STEP 1 : Uninstall unknown programs from Your Computer

Simultaneously press the Windows Logo Button and then “R” to open the Run Command

Type “Appwiz.cpl”

Locate the any unknown program and click on uninstall/change. To facilitate the search you can sort the programs by date. review the most recent installed programs first. In general you should remove all unknown programs.

STEP 2 : Remove add-ons and extensions from Chrome, Firefox or IE

Remove from Google Chrome

• In the Main Menu, select Tools—> Extensions
• Remove any unknown extension by clicking on the little recycle bin
• If you are not able to delete the extension then navigate to C:\Users\”computer name“\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions\and review the folders one by one.
• Reset Google Chrome by Deleting the current user to make sure nothing is left behind

• If you are using the latest chrome version you need to do the following
• go to settings – Add person

• choose a preferred name.

• then go back and remove person 1
• Chrome should be malware free now

Remove from Mozilla Firefox

• Open Firefox
• Press simultaneously Ctrl+Shift+A
• Disable and remove any unknown add on
• Open the Firefox’s Help Menu

• Then Troubleshoot information
• Click on Reset Firefox

Remove from Internet Explorer

• Open IE
• On the Upper Right Corner Click on the Gear Icon
• Go to Toolbars and Extensions
• Disable any suspicious extension.
• If the disable button is gray, you need to go to your Windows Registry and delete the corresponding CLSID
• On the Upper Right Corner of Internet Explorer Click on the Gear Icon.
• Click on Internet options

• Select the Advanced tab and click on Reset.

• Check the “Delete Personal Settings Tab” and then Reset

• Close IE

Permanently Remove Hallmark eCard Leftovers

To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify any registry leftovers or temporary files.