My Faster PC program

Question

Last week, I had a virus/scam pop up on my computer. I googled Microsoft and inadvertently got in touch My Phone Support.com.  I told them that I had a red, full page, virus warning and to call a particular number. I knew not to call that number so I googled what I though was the 'real' Microsoft phone number as it said it was a 24 hour support number for Microsoft. 

They did get rid of the large red threat and then said that they were loading a program called My Faster PC. I told them I used Microsoft Defender but for some reason it hadn't caught the red scam/full page that had suddenly appeared on my computer.

I now see that My Faster PC is not compatible with my Windows Defender unless I make it compatible by giving them permission by 'allowing' the program. Can someone give me advice as to what to do with that program?  Is it a recognized program that works? Or doesn't?

What worries me is that...why didn't my Windows Defender catch that scam?

I don't care if I have to delete the program.

Answer 1

When the 14 days elapse, you will be switched to the free version. That's what I use. Just remember to manually do the scans regularly since the free version doesn't do it automatically. Just agree to the free version when asked. They will remind you that the paid version is always available to buy.

I hope you didn't pay the scammers anything or you would have been marked as a target. That red screen pops up a lot now and to get out of it all you have to do it open Task Manager and stop the frozen browser application.  Make sure to clean out your browser history to remove any leftovers. Never call anyone from a popup on the computer. 

I found help about removing that scam program and all the parts of it--

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/190733-removal-instructions-for-my-faster-pc/

Answer 2

MyFasterPC is one of those applications which generate false warning messages so that you get panicked and buy some products / services from them. You should trust applications only from Microsoft Store or from your own know sources.

You should uninstall this crap. Windows defender carches viruses, malwares, adwares etc. If you install a program with proper authorizations, many applications of these type do go through.

Do following to remove it -

1. Uninstall it

Type appwiz.cpl in Windows Start Search box (Cortana) > Click appwiz.cpl > Look if My Faster PC is here > If yes, uninstall

2. Run Antimalware

Malware Bytes - https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help. If above didn't work, I will supply more troubleshooting steps to solve this problem.

Disclaimer 1 - Using Third Party Software is completely at your own risk. This advice is in my personal capacity as a volunteer.

Disclaimer 2 - This post contains reference to non-Microsoft websites and there may be ads on the page for products & services including products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Product). Please thoroughly research any product / service advertised on the page before you decide to use them. Your discretion is very much advised.

Answer 3

Hi Beck, that full red page support page is a scam, it is not malware or a virus so it could not be picked up by Windows Defender, or even the dearest and best Anti-virus program out there!

They probably just cleared out your browser cache and cookies, that is all . . .

With regards to My Faster PC, It is basically a registry cleaner, and they are not required in Windows 10, in fact they do more harm than good - did you pay them $29.95 for that program?

Answer 4

Hey Becky,

"My Faster PC" is what's called a "potentially unwanted program" or PUP, for short. It is quite under the radar as limited information is provided. This does not work. It's similar to scams from Ascentive like FinallyFast.com (if you remember that) or of similar fare, it's nothing but snake oil, and potentially even dangerous.

Windows Defender scans files and directories that are stored on your computer, it does not have a feature where it does not scan websites. Usually, this task is delegated to web browsers.

Though most web browsers, most notably Google Chrome have this capability, newer scams have websites that don't get reported fast enough. Any popup that says you have to call a support number because something went wrong should be taken with a grain of salt, and should be closed immediately if possible. Microsoft never assumes the responsibility of telling you through a popup on a web browser that there is something wrong.

Next time you wish to contact Microsoft, here they are: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us

In short, don't install My Faster PC, or remove it if you haven't already. Though sometimes that even can be a difficult process, so if you believe you didn't get it uninstalled completely, let us know here.

I hope that helps. Source for Google Chrome and its unsafe web detection: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/99020?...

Answer 5

I have a question. I uninstalled the program that you  suggested I unstall. I downloaded Malware as you suggested and it removed 6 items. 

Is this a program I should purchase for my computer as a regular virus program in addition to Microsoft Defender? Or should I let the 14 day free package lapse. 

 I bought my Dell in Dec 2017.

thanks, Becky Daugherty