How to Detect & Remove “Alert! You are receiving spam!”
What's “Alert! You are receiving spam!”?
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” is a fake security alert probably produced by a trojan pimping rogue anti-spyware software. Rogue — or fake — antispyware will popup fake critical system error messages saying:
“This means that your computer is infected with spyware! Scan your computer for spyware and adware now. Click here to visit security center web site for more information.”
That “Alert! You are receiving spam!” alert isn’t your real problem. Your real problem is that you’re infected with fake anti-spyware trying to scare you into wasting $20-50.
Unless you like getting ripped off, ignore that “Alert! You are receiving spam!” popup.
Help! Get Rid of “Alert! You are receiving spam!” Popup
You can search your computer manually, but it might take hours to find hidden files related to that “Alert! You are receiving spam!” message. To save time, I recommend you automatically scan your PC for “Alert! You are receiving spam!” and other spyware. Why not? It’s free.
Free “Alert! You are receiving spam!” Popup Scan, with SpyHunter
You can easily detect the files behind that “Alert! You are receiving spam!” popup with SpyHunter’s FREE spyware scanner. And if you’re really infected anything — maybe you’re not! — , you can buy the full version of SpyHunter to remove “Alert! You are receiving spam!”-related files and other spyware.
I’m a big fan of SpyHunter. Here’s why: SpyHunter offers live support on the phone, and if SpyHunter doesn’t automatically remove “Alert! You are receiving spam!”, you can get a custom fix for your computer.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” popup changed your homepage?
Click Windows Start menu > Control Panel > Internet Options. Next, under Home Page, select the General > Use Default. Type in the URL you want as your home page (e.g., “http://www.homepage.com”). Then select Apply > OK. You’ll want to open a fresh web page and make sure that your new default home page pops up.
Understanding “Alert! You are receiving spam!” Messages & Spyware
You should know what you’re fighting. I’ll explain some spyware definitions related to that annoying “Alert! You are receiving spam!” message.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” May Be a Trojan
What Are Trojans?
Trojans install themselves secretly onto your computer, most often through your downloading a simple email attachment (often .avi, .pif, .exe, and even .jpg files.) Most Trojans are able to gain complete control over your PC after installation. With this control, the Trojan and the hacker behind it may change your system settings, delete important files, steal your passwords, and watch your computer acitivity.
Some Trojans may also fall under the category of spyware. Spyware is any software or malware (”malicious software”) used to spy or track your computer activity. While some spyware is legitimately and intentionally installed by parents or employers to monitor Internet activity on a computer, spyware may be installed maliciously. Often spyware may come bundled with downloads of free software or come in the form of a cookie via a website, and this spyware may track your Internet activity or may steal secret account usernames and passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal and financial information.
Methods of “Alert! You are receiving spam!” and Other Trojans Infection
Most trojans infect your computer by tricking you into running an infected application. This infected application could disguised as a small file, such as a jpeg or other email attachment, or it might be downloaded via a website or FTP.
» Email: Your PC may be infected with a trojan when you download infected email attachments, or sometimes even when you simply open an email. Many trojans exploit security holes in Microsoft Outlook. You may be able to reduce your chances of getting infected by a Trojan by using a spam-blocking software.
» Websites: Your PC may be infected with a trojan when you visit a rogue site. Many trojans exploit security holes in Internet Explorer web browser so that by simply visiting a website you may unknowingly download a Trojan.
» Open ports: If your computer runs programs that provide file-sharing functions - such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and more - you may open your computer up to vulnerabilities. Using file sharing through these applications may create a network that gives attackers the opportunity to remotely access your computer.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” may have infected your PC by through one of those methods. Trojans are some of the most sophisticated and dangerous type of malware, capable of controlling your system. Because of this, it may be best if “Alert! You are receiving spam!” and Trojans are removed from your computer immediately.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” May Be Rogue Anti-Spyware
What’s Rogue Anti-Spyware?
Rogue anti-spyware - or suspect anti-spyware - refers to anti-spyware software of questionable value. Rogue anti-spyware may not be proven to protect your computer from spyware, may popup fake alerts or create many false positives about your PC being infected, or may use scare tactics to try to get you to purchase the application. Rogue anti-spyware software may be installed by a Trojan, come bundled with other software, or install itself through web browser security holes. While it is fairly rare, some rogue anti-spyware is created and distributed by known spyware or adware companies, and the rogue anti-spyware may install spyware or adware itself.
Often when you’re infected with rogue anti-spyware like “Alert! You are receiving spam!”, you’ll see a false popup security alert like this:
Rogue Anti-Spyware Tactics
Typically, rogue anti-spyware has one or more of the qualities listed below, which is why rogue anti-spyware is considered anti-spyware software of questionable value.
» False positives/fake alerts: Rogue anti-spyware may produce a large number of false positives or use fake alerts, noting that your computer is infected with spyware parasites or other threats that do not really exist.
» Copycat looks: Rogue anti-spyware may copy the look and feel of other legitimate or rogue anti-spyware applications. Often, rogue anti-spyware applications may appear as close clones of other rogue anti-spyware software.
» High pressure marketing: Rogue anti-spyware may use scare tactics or other aggressive advertising and marketing tactics to try to trick you into buying the rogue anti-spyware application. Often, rogue anti-spyware may produce false positives and fake alerts about your computer being infected.
» Poor detection/scan reporting: Rogue anti-spyware may produce poor reports when it scans your PC. For example, rogue anti-spyware may say your computer is infected 11 parasites, but not specify which spyware parasites or what type of parasites. Rogue anti-spyware may also report that your PC is infected with SafeAndClean, but not tell you which related files, DLLS, etc. were found on your computer.
» Weak scanning/detection: Rogue anti-spyware may not only poorly report on computer infection, but rogue antispyware may also poorly scan your PC. Rogue anti-spyware may skip over important folders and files of your computer that should be scanned to detect spyware.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” may use these tactics to trick or scare you into purchasing “Alert! You are receiving spam!”.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!”-Related Posts
“Alert! You are receiving spam!”'s Threat Level Explained
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Minor Pest 
The parasite isn't a real threat, but “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may track your Internet activities. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be easily removed with your Windows system "Add/Remove" function.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Pest 
The parasite might profile you web activities and may have installed itself onto your PC via a drive-by download. You can probably manually remove “Alert! You are receiving spam!” yourself.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Minor Threat 
The parasite might profile you and other users of your PC, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may send this data back to its parent server.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Medium Threat 
The parasite might profile you and other users of your PC, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may send this data back to its parent server. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be impossible to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Threat 
The parasite might profile you and other users of your PC, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may send this data back to its parent server. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may download and install more malware onto your PC, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be impossible to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Minor Danger 
The parasite may profile you, log every keystroke you make, and take snopshots of your computer activity. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may also be difficult to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Medium Danger 
The parasite may profile you, log every keystroke you make, and take snopshots of your computer activity. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may download more malware and also be very difficult to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Danger 
The parasite may profile you, log every keystroke you make, and take snopshots of your computer activity. These logs may be sent to anonymous attacker, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may download more malware. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be very difficult to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is a Major Danger 
The parasite may track all of your computer activity, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may allow a hacker to access your PC. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may pipe more malware into your computer, and may disable your anti-spyware or anti-virus software. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be very difficult to manually remove.
“Alert! You are receiving spam!” Is an Extreme Danger 
The parasite may track all of your computer activity, and “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may allow a hacker to control your computer. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may pipe more malware into your computer, and may disable your anti-spyware or anti-virus software and firewall, and block your access to anti-spyware sites. “Alert! You are receiving spam!” may be very difficult to manually remove.
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