Malfunction popup/1-855-308-5221

Hi. I've gotten this pop-up twice when PC booted up. Can any one tell me how to get rid of it? (OS Vista)
(A serious malfunction has been detected with Windows Vista/Server 2008 and your IE9.0. Please call the toll-free number below for a certified technician to help you resolve the issue.)

Pretty sure this is a scam-ignore http://blog.removevirusnow.org/a-serious-malfunction-has-been-detected-removal/ try scanning with Malwarebytes to remove any popups.

I did a search and found instructions for removal here
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-a-serious-malfunction-has-been-detected-scam/

I usually go to the website Jenny links you to first for resolution of these scams. Malwaretips.com is a great resource.

Hi. Not sure if it's removed or not. I had done steps 1 & 2, now did step 4 but won't know if it's fixed for a couple of days. It may take a while for it to pop-up again, as it did before.
Thank you!

If it was removed, you shouldn't see it again. You might want to think about keeping this particular computer off the internet for awhile. End of support for Vista is in just 6 months anyway.

Nope it's back today, didn't get rid of it! Draclvr, if I keep it off the internet for a while, then what?

Do the steps in the Malwaretips link Jenny gave you - and make sure you don't skip any. It sounds to me like your MBR might be infected... that's your boot record. All I was saying about staying off the internet was that this infection came along with a download at some point in time and you just might want to keep it off for the time being. You will have to take it off the internet next spring anyway.

All the steps have been done but won't know for a while if it's removed. Leaving today for Central America so will check when I get back. Did Hitmanpro today and it showed traces but then said no threats, so not sure what that was about.
Thank you all so much for your help ( Jenny100, Upsydaisy and Draclvr) and pardon my rudeness for not saying it sooner, have had much on my mind. Just thinking, I've done this over several days, not all on the same day so hope that's still worked.
Take care.


MaG, just saw the new smilies, so cute!

Goodmorning. I got back to the US Thursday, booted up my old PC and guess what, that pop-up is still on here. I had done all the steps that Jenny posted, (not in that order though)and I still have it and it appears that I'm not going to get rid of it! I feel like dialing that number and give them a piece of my mind. Any other ideas?

And of course, you will NOT dial that number, right??!!

Do the steps listed at the Malwaretips site that Jenny linked you to - and this time, please do them in the order they list. There are reasons for the order as you may get reinfected if you don't follow through on each step.

Then let us know what happens. As I said, it's only a few months until you will have to take this computer off the internet anyway as Microsoft will stop all support for Vista then. It's pretty dicey to be using it already if there is anything of any value on the computer. And make sure you are NOT using IE on it.

It can certainly matter what order you do the steps in, or whether you leave days between the scans, because malware that spreads itself all over the computer can re-infect if you remove only part of it. Each part can have potential to download and install the missing parts.

You can only hope that you don't have something that can't be removed. If a tiny, undetectable bit is left behind, as often happens with polymorphic malware, it has potential to redownload and reinstall the rest of the malware suite.

I thought it was gone but when I booted up today it's back. If I go back 30 days and do a retore do you think that would remove it? Second thought is, has it put something on my PC or are they only hoping that I give them a call?
Drac. No don't think I would dial that number because it would not do anything for this PC, they would only get a piece of my mind assuming someone would actually answer. I don't need that!

Have you tried this 'HiJackThis' https://sourceforge.net/projects/hjt/ it does mean going through the registry for any references to '(A serious malfunction has been detected with Windows Vista/Server 2008 and your IE9.0' and deleting. It has worked for me in the past.

Hijack This is a very useful, but potentially tricky utility. You should not use it unless you are REALLY sure of what you're doing in the registry! If you followed the instructions that Jenny linked you to in the correct order and not missing any steps, then you might consider posting your issue someplace like bleepingcomputer.com. The malware techs there can walk you through what you need to do.

So either the malware left behind a piece that automatically reinfected you after 30 days or you were reinfected again while browsing the Internet.


Nope. If it were that easy, everyone would do it.
The people who create malware make sure it infects restore points.
One of the first recommendations for removing persistent malware is to delete all restore points, including those made before the infection.


Both. Calling them will only give them your phone number -- to be placed on a sucker list that is sold to companies that buy phone numbers to harass with ads and scams.

If following removal instructions EXACTLY doesn't remove the malware, you should probably either post to some place like bleepingcomputer.com forums that specializes in malware removal or hire a computer fix-it shop to remove it. Keep in mind that if the usual instructions for removal fail, many fix-it shops simply back up your personal files, reformat, and reinstall Windows because reinstalling takes significantly less time than trying to track down a stubborn infection.

Great minds and all that, Jenny!

Ok you two, keep patting one another on the back. You'all are quite a pair. Is it odd that the warning doesn't pop up everyday? I have done nothing with it so far, not posted anywhere else. The only thing I've noticed thus far is spam email, just junk. There's no telling what's on here that I've not realized as of yet.
I will continue to search for a solution. Meanwhile if you see Win7 OS on sale please let me know.
Thanks!

You asked for help and we tried to give it to you. When the solution Jenny linked you to didn't work, all we did was suggest you post your issue at a website such as bleepingcomputer.com that is dedicated to helping people get rid of malware. If you don't want to try that way to get rid of the problem, then I guess continuing to search elsewhere is all you can do. We tried.

I'm sorry you missed my point. I intend to go to bleeping computers but have not done so as of yet. I have a sick husband to take care of also, please don't think I'm being remiss. I hope you knew I was kidding about the first two lines, it was meant to be a joke, guess you found no humor, my apology. I do listen to what you and Jenny tell me and there have been times it's been over my head.
I do appreciate the help that I receive here on GameBoomers!
Thanks.

You're welcome!

Thanks Draclvr and Jenny!