My laptop is infected with the TotalAV virus. Their windows keep popping up and freezing my laptop. I have run the Norton Virus Protection program several times and it claims I am clean.
Hello @Deborah_Frandsen
TotalAV is a legitimate antivirus program, but it is often classified as a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) because it uses aggressive marketing, such as persistent pop-ups and fake virus alerts, to pressure users into buying subscriptions. Since Norton may not flag it as a traditional virus, you must remove it manually.
Force Close the Frozen Pop-ups
If your laptop is frozen, use these shortcuts to regain control:
- Close Active Window: Press Alt + F4 to forcefully close the pop-up window.
- Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find any “TotalAV” processes, right-click them, and select End Task.
Uninstall TotalAV Completely
Standard uninstallation often leaves behind files that continue to trigger pop-ups.
- Control Panel: Go to Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a program. Find TotalAV, right-click it, and select Uninstall.
- Settings Menu: Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Locate TotalAV and click Uninstall.
- Safe Mode: If the program won’t uninstall or keeps freezing, restart your computer in Safe Mode and try the uninstallation steps again.
- Advanced Tool: Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller to scan for and delete leftover registry entries and files that the standard uninstaller misses.
Check Browser Notifications and Extensions
If pop-ups only appear when using a browser (Chrome, Edge), they may be caused by notification permissions or extensions.
- Remove Extensions: Open your browser’s extensions menu and remove anything related to TotalAV, Total Adblock, or SafeBrowsing.
- Disable Notifications:
- Chrome: Go to
chrome://settings/content/notificationsand block any suspicious URLs. - Edge: Go to
edge://settings/content/notificationsand remove any sites listed under “Allow”.
- Chrome: Go to
Remove System Notifications
TotalAV may also be sending notifications through Windows itself.
- Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
- Scroll to “Notifications from apps and other senders” and turn off any switches for TotalAV or unknown security apps.
Final Deep Scan
Since Norton isn’t catching it, run a specialized adware scan to ensure all traces are gone:
- Run a scan with Malwarebytes, which is specifically designed to detect and remove PUPs like TotalAV.
- Use AdwCleaner to target browser-based adware.
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How To Remove TotalAV Pop-up Ads (Virus Removal Guide)
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-totalav-popup-ads/
Remove TotalAV Safety Warning Pop-ups [Virus Removal Guide]
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/totalav-safety-warning-pop-up/
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- Did you clear browser cookies n’ cache?
- Do you run browser sync?
- Did you recently install any program / browser extension?
- Did you recently allow push notifications?
- Did you recently change site permissions?
- Did you reset browser?
- Did you run Norton Full Scan?
- Did you run Malwarebytes Scan?
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Adware and PUPs families add push notifications as an attack vector
Browser push notifications: a feature asking to be abused
Resetting Google Chrome to clear unexpected issues
Web Browser Cleaning
Browser Push Notifications
Reset Chrome settings to default
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for example:
Push-notifications.top Virus: What Is It and How to Stop Pop-ups here
What is a Tech Support Scam and How to Remove Pop-ups here
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Note: AI sourced content may include mistakes
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Malwarebytes scan is a straightforward process whether you are using the free or premium version. Follow these steps to get your system protected:
- How to Install Malwarebytes
- Download the Installer: Visit the official Malwarebytes website and click the Free Download button to get the latest setup file (usually named
MBSetup.exe). - Run the Setup: Locate the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it. If Windows asks for permission (User Account Control), click Yes.
- Follow the Wizard:
- Click Install.
- Choose your device type: Personal (Me or my family) or Business.
- You may see an offer for “Browser Guard”—you can choose to Skip or install it based on your preference.
- Complete Setup: Once finished, click Open Malwarebytes. You will be asked to “Get Started,” where you can sign in to an existing account, start a 14-day premium trial, or just click Maybe Later to use the free version.
- How to Run a Scan
- Open the App: Launch Malwarebytes from your desktop or Start menu.
- Start the Scan: On the main dashboard, click the large Scan button. This initiates a Threat Scan, which is the recommended mode for checking common malware hiding spots.
- Wait for Completion: The scan typically takes between 5 and 20 minutes. You can continue using your computer, but it may run slightly slower during this time.
- Review & Clean:
- No Threats Found: Click Done.
- Threats Detected: A list of suspicious items will appear. Ensure the items you want to remove are checked and click Quarantine.
- Restart: If prompted, restart your computer to fully remove the detected threats.
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Malwarebytes AdwCleaner is a free, portable tool that removes adware, browser hijackers, and PUPs. Download it from the official Malwarebytes site, save the .exe file to your desktop, and run it as an administrator. Click “Scan Now,” review findings, and select “Clean & Repair” to remove threats.
Step-by-Step Installation & Scan Guide
- Download: Navigate to the official AdwCleaner page and click “Free Download” to save the executable file.
- Run: Locate the file (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click it to run, as it does not require a traditional installation process.
- Permissions: Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control (UAC) to allow changes.
- Accept Terms: Click “Agree” to the license agreement.
- Scan: Click the Scan Now button on the dashboard.
- Review and Clean: Once the scan finishes, review the list of detected threats, then click Clean & Repair.
- Restart: AdwCleaner will prompt you to close all programs and restart your computer to finalize the removal process.
Important Tips
- Close Programs: Ensure all browsers and applications are closed before running the scan.
- Pre-installed Apps: If you wish to keep pre-installed manufacturer applications, uncheck them in the scan results before clicking “Clean”.
- Log Files: A log file is generated after the scan, which can be reviewed to see exactly what was removed.
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Note: AI sourced content may include mistakes
Hello @Deborah_Frandsen
Hello @Deborah_Frandsen