What can be done about these notifications?

FDa65rdk

Hello

My parents are getting the attached notifications of their desktop computer.

They have done a Malwarebytes scan and an Avast scan and everything seems to be fine.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Neil_Jones

If these are in the browser they are probably just pop-up windows or notifications on the web page, or may even just be "adverts".

Something like uBlock (or turn off notifications) may clear these in the short-term.

Brie

I've got this once or twice but only because I've clicked on something interesting.  Well it's click bait obviously for me so now I don't click on anything unless I know what it is.  Is this possibly the problem with your parent's PC, i.e. it's not the PC but actually your parents??    (not being nasty and accusing - we all fall for it occasionally!)

FDa65rdk

Neil_Jones said:

If these are in the browser they are probably just pop-up windows or notifications on the web page, or may even just be "adverts".

Something like uBlock (or turn off notifications) may clear these in the short-term.

Thanks. My impression is that it's some kind of scam where they are teling you there's a problem and they want you to click on a link but doing so WILL cause a problem.

Is there an option within the computer settings to turn off these notifications?

FDa65rdk

Brie said:

I've got this once or twice but only because I've clicked on something interesting.  Well it's click bait obviously for me so now I don't click on anything unless I know what it is.  Is this possibly the problem with your parent's PC, i.e. it's not the PC but actually your parents??    (not being nasty and accusing - we all fall for it occasionally!)

Do you mean that they may have clicked on a link to a scam and it has resulted in these notifications?

forgotmyname

No they are using websites that sell space to dodgy companies that resell the space or list scamming messages.

Tell them to stop using the websites that are giving them the messages. If it's a website they are subscribed to then
make sure they fill in the why are you cancelling form stating too many scam adverts.

Something needs to be done to hold the website owners liable not push the blame onto advertising companies for
selling the space to untrusted sources.

PHK

Just to clarify. 

Your parents have not been discriminating about what websites they visit. 

When on those websites they have accepted notifications. 

If you go into the browser settings you can turn off notifications. 

Perhaps spend half an hour discussing with your parents that they should only go to websites that are known and trusted, they should think before clicking and they should never click on adverts. 

If that doesn’t work then consider hiding the web browser from them and installing the apps or PWAs for the services they actually use. 

Vitor

Sounds like parents are not 100% savvy on using the web. To protect them I'd consider

i)  Setting the security features in the Edge browser (or whatever they use) to give maximum protection
ii) Set the DNS in their broadband router to a filtering DNS like Cloudflare on IP address 1.1.1.3 which blocks malware and adult content
iii) Install UBlock Origin ad-blocker on the brower
iv) Remove all bloatware like Norton, Avast etc. from their PC and instead ensure Windows Deferender is setup to offer maximum protection

Newcad

You say that you ran a Malwarebytes scan, which is good.

I suggest that you also run Malwarebytes AdwCleaner, which is more agressively targeted at any adware that has made it onto the device. (It's free BTW).
https://www.malwarebytes.com/adwcleaner

I run a Malwarebytes scan at least once a week, and then ADW every month or so.

You might also want to add Malwarebytes Browser Guard (also free) to the browser(s) that will block such scam 'notifications' in the browser itself
https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard

km1500

when are they getting these 'notifications'

are they just popping up on the desktop, in which case I would suspect on malicious app or program has been installed

or are they only appearing when they open their browser 

if so, which browser are they using

FDa65rdk

PHK said:

Just to clarify. 

Your parents have not been discriminating about what websites they visit.

Thanks but I'm not entirely sure what that means.

It sounds like it could be a euphemism.

If it is, I honestly don't mind if you say whatever is on your mind.

I won't take it personally