You just got a fresh Windows 10 install, but your computer looks like it was hit by a bad website.
You just got a fresh Windows 10 install, but your computer looks like it was hit by a bad website.
Hello. You're about 20 minutes into a fresh Windows 10 setup. You've set up your main drive, performed a full reinstall, run updates, installed the mouse from the Bluetooth dongle, rebooted, checked for the "some settings are managed by your organisation" warning, downloaded a new keyboard, and watched some YouTube videos. The system just restarted again after another update. You have two Edge windows open—one on YouTube and one on the homepage with news articles. After clicking a news story from a UK newspaper, it redirected to another site that played an internal PC beep and displayed "WIN Erx03: Your system is heavily damaged." You closed all browser tabs and ran a virus scan, which came back clean. You think these sites might be scams, but you're seeking advice. What's the likelihood your computer is infected? Could it be more likely that the news page was compromised? I'm not sure if another Windows install would help right away. I recall in the past, Windows XP could get infected during installation if connected to the internet while it was running.
Did you interact with any links on the fraudulent site? Verify Task Manager for unusual processes or applications. Use Process Explorer if the scan reports no issues, then you're safe.
These locations are fake; I encounter them often too. It usually happens when I click on something suspicious. Likely the article contained an ad that redirected me. You don’t need to worry about infection—your virus scanner would have detected it. Consider using an adblocker (or block just that site if you prefer).
Process appears normal with no unusual activity detected. The site loaded only a few unformatted lines on a plain white background, and there were no images present. Concern about Windows' built-in antivirus protection is valid.
I understand the websites are fake and they’re attempting to scare people into installing their software or clicking their links to resolve the problem. I was concerned it might be an issue with my computer causing the redirection. Thank you for your guidance.
Np. Windows protection against malware works well for most users, but if you often browse suspicious sites searching for a game mod that guarantees victory, then upgrading your antivirus might be wise. Defender is a popular choice because many people struggle with installing one, making it a reliable option.
Windows built-in security tools are sufficient, but consider using Malwarebytes, HitmanPro, Emsisoft Emergency Kit, and ESET Online Scanner for extra protection. Some of these programs may silently install malware if you interact with certain web content. For added safety, use alt + f4 on suspicious pages.
I typically handle the first and second parts, but the third one is really worthwhile.
1. What browser do you suggest using?
2. How can I set up as a limited user without installation permissions?