Winaero as malware - is this credible?

Okay so I don't know why you're getting those unless maybe you inadvertently installed a trial version of McAfee along with some program that you downloaded.

Maybe try running their removal tool?

Download McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) - MajorGeeks

It's known to install when installing some other programs if the user isn't paying too much attention or else doesn't choose the "custom install" option available when installing some programs.

Example:

Solved: WHY on earth is McAfee being installed when I atte... - Adobe Community - 11407968

Someone at the "PC App Store" appears to have their fingerprints all over these popups, as the name is in the fine print on all the popup pics I've posted, and is in at least one of the "Winaero Tweaker" download urls on the winaero.com website, and it's also shown under the button that activates that link.


- - - Updated - - -

Callender said:

Okay so I don't know why you're getting those unless maybe you inadvertently installed a trial version of McAfee along with some program that you downloaded.

Maybe try running their removal tool?

Download McAfee Removal Tool (MCPR) - MajorGeeks

I think the only connection McAfee may have with these popups is to pay a commission if a sale is made because of a fake McAfee alert popup. I found the follow info online....

"Scammers Profit from Affiliate Commissions.

Each time a purchase is completed through one of their affiliate links, the scammers will receive an affiliate commission from McAfee as “thanks” for referring the sale.

Affiliate rates vary based on the product but are often 30-40% of the total purchase price. On a $299 security suite, commissions could be $90+ per victim.

Scammers can generate hundreds or even thousands of dollars per day running this scheme at scale across various online pop-up and malware delivery channels. All the income is essentially “free money” since it comes entirely from deceiving innocent users.

By leveraging the trusted McAfee brand, scaring visitors with fabricated virus alerts, and hitting them repeatedly with affiliate links, the scammers can generate big profits quickly through sheer deception."

PM me a link to the problematic download.

All I see on the page is:

Winaero Tweaker

Maybe you clicked on a download link in an advert on the page.

This might not help but grab a copy of Geek Uninstaller Portable and run it. Sort detected installed programs by date and consider removing anything unfamiliar or unwanted on the same date that you installed the program.

Geek Uninstaller - Download

Link is:

Code:

https://geekuninstaller.com/geek.zip

I had to disable a ton of protection to even get to your link. Anyway it does seem that if you download PC App Store it might produce those pop ups so just uninstall it. Typing into a search engine gives these results based on popular searches.

Anyway go the suggestion in Post #35

Callender said:

Grab a copy of Geek Uninstaller Portable and run it. Sort detected installed programs by date and consider removing anything unfamiliar or unwanted on the same date that you installed the program.

Geek Uninstaller - Download

Link is:

Code:

https://geekuninstaller.com/geek.zip

If Pc App Store shows up in the list then click to remove and scan for leftovers. Check anything elsle that installed on the same date.

I don't see any such thing. Maybe there's an issue with your browser if it's serving up ads on that site.

Use another browser or another computer to visit the site to confirm this.