Unlock this Page – a scam seeking to scare its victims by locking their devices
Unlock this Page is a scam campaign that is using social engineering to redirect users to specific websites filled with surveys and fake offers. While you may think that the virus mimics ransomware[1] as it can lock your the web browser, it is a survey scam that has been spread by PUPs. To unlock the screen, you just need to cancel your locked web browser with the help of a Task manager. Alternatively, disable this screen locker by uninstalling all suspicious apps installed on your computer behind your back. Unlock this Page virus can also be found as one of the following scams:
- Complete 1 more offer(s) to unlock this page
- Complete 2 more offer(s) to unlock this page
- After completion this page will unlock!
- Choose 1 offer or install 1 app below
Keep in mind that each of these offers is fake and all you need to do is to ignore the fake warning message on your browser. After canceling it, carefully check your system for PUPs that typically spread in a bundle of freeware.
Name | Unlock this Page to Continue (Unlock this Page) |
---|---|
Type | PUP/scam/fake alert/fraud |
Danger level | High. By using social engineering, the virus can steal the victim’s money, personal data, etc. |
Distribution | Freeware, corrupted websites, fake links |
Main signs of infection |
|
Elimination process | You can delete the PUP responsible for showing Unlock this Page alert with the help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . |
Unlock this Page virus has mostly been targeting Windows OS; however, other versions of the operating system might be affected as well. Usually, crypto-malware[2] uses different algorithms to encode victims’ data and then demands money in exchange for unlocking it, however, even if this app might seem like one, it truly acts more like the PORNOGRAPHIC VIRUS ALERT FROM MICROSOFT scam and does not encrypt any documents or files.
Talking about the functionality of “Unlock this Page to Continue!” virus, it does not lock the entire computer. However, inexperienced computer users might be terrified while finding themselves disabled while trying to bypass the lock screen. They might start panicking and having thoughts that the computer system might experience severe damage while it is only a lie. Thus, terrified users follow hackers’ demands [3].
Unlock this Page has several variants of text that might be prompted on the affected computer’s screen. Typically, this cyber threat asks to complete a survey to unlock page. One such questionnaire earns a dollar or two for the crooks, hundreds and thousands of such locked computers collect quite a delicate amount of money. Nevertheless, personal information that is provided might be misused for carrying illegitimate actions and relate to identity theft.
Unlock This Page scam is a social engineering technique helping hackers to generate easy money by redirecting users to survey sites.
Unlock This Page scam is a social engineering technique helping hackers to generate easy money by redirecting users to survey sites.
Additionally, the scam might also redirect to unsafe websites, install various toolbars[4] or complete similar actions by claiming that “after completion this page will unlock!”, for instance:
Unlock this Page to Continue!
This page will immediately unlock and restore normal access upon your participation in an offer below. Please use valid information!
Your desktop was locked.
Complete an offer below to unlock your desktop.
(…)
Complete an offer to continue.
It might also tempt you into completing the survey by offering discount coupons:
Breakfast on Us with a Gift Card!
Receive FREE pair of Headphones!
Go on a shopping spree!
Get FREE Food Delivery!
Once you complete the survey or install some toolbar, you might receive another prompt asking to install 1 more app to unlock this page. Such awaiting messages will remain on the screen until crooks get what they want or the user finally performs the removal of the PUP responsible for such an activity.
To bypass the lock screen and remove Unlock this Page to Continue!, victims have to reboot your PC or at least cancel your web browser with the help of Task Manager. Then, make sure you reset the affected web browser. If closing the page filled with this scam does not prevent it from appearing again, you should continue with reputable software to eliminate malicious freeware from the system.
Alternatively, scan the system with a reputable anti-malware program, such as Reimage Reimage Cleaner to find rogue content injected in your system and web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Edge, and Safari. To sum up, Unlock this Page removal can be performed in two ways.
Unlock This Page to Continue is closely related to the PUP that you can download to your computer as an optional component of other software. Be careful with your choices!
Unlock This Page to Continue is closely related to the PUP that you can download to your computer as an optional component of other software. Be careful with your choices!
Scams similar to Unlock this Page to continue virus
Unlock this Page is a scam used to terrify users on the web. Beware that there are numerous types of the same scam spreading around that have been created and released to scare and convince people to complete some types of actions. The beforementioned scam app also relates to some other ones such as:
Complete 1 more offer(s) to unlock this page
Complete 1 more offer(s) to unlock this page is almost identical scam related to Unlock this Page. It appears to lock user’s computer screen or only a web browser. It might interrupt you either when you enter a suspicious third-party website or install a potentially unwanted program provoking the lock screen. The scam might offer to complete some steps, e.g. provide some personal details, in order to “unlock the page”. Please, ignore such offer to protect yourself from fraud.
Complete 2 more offer(s) to unlock this page
The Complete 2 more offer(s) to unlock this page scam is related to Potentially unwanted programs. After such program infiltrates the system, it modifies its settings and also alters the web browser to lock it down. As a result, the victim is interrupted by the fake message asking to complete a questionnaire or perform similar steps to unlock the locked page.
However, this information which is provided in Complete 2 more offer(s) to unlock this page alert is false and might only cause you problems if you decide to provide some details about yourself or your computer system. Do not fall for believing in things that it claims and be aware of redirects that might take you to malware-laden pages.
After completion this page will unlock!
After completion this page will unlock! is a survey scam which has mostly been appearing on iPhones. The scareware is also created to scam people into adding their personal information to the recommended survey. However, this is an easiest way to become a victim of identity theft.
To prevent this scam, install an adblocker. If your Chrome, Firefox or other web browser is locked, cancel its task via the Task manager. Don’t forget to remove the cause (potentially unwanted program, such as adware) from the system to forget about this survey scam in the future.
PUPs are responsible why lock screens and survey scams are appearing on your browser
Potentially unwanted programs are closely related to survey scams. Typically, they appear on the system through software packages. Because of that, don’t forget using Advanced/Custom installation settings instead of Quick/recommended. The latter method does not openly disclose about third-party apps that might be malicious or have other negative features. During advanced installation, you have to unmark ticks from all pre-selected entries.
According to technology experts from NoVirus.uk,[5] potentially unwanted content also can come injected into questionable-looking hyperlinks, advertising posts, and similar content. By keeping a distance from such directories, you will do a great job at increasing your computer’s security level and preventing various threats and PUPs from entering your computer system.
Thus, you have to pay attention even to the smallest details when enabling new content or to run an app. Additionally, restrain from visiting illegal or potentially insecure file-sharing domains. Last but not least, get a reliable anti-malware program which will provide full computer protection and display alerts when you try to enter an unsafe website.
Eliminate “Unlock this Page to Continue!” virus from your PC
The first “Unlock this Page to Continue!” removal step requires unlocking the computer. For that, you have to reboot PC to Safe Mode. Just restart your computer and, as soon as your PC becomes active, start tapping F8. Now choose Safe Mode with Networking option using your keyboard. Find explicit instructions below.
We do not recommend wasting your time with manual malware removal. There are few chances that you will succeed in eliminating all elements. It is wiser to remove “Unlock this Page to Continue!” virus automatically with Reimage Reimage Cleaner , SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes.
You may remove virus damage with a help of Reimage Reimage Cleaner . SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner and Malwarebytes are recommended to detect potentially unwanted programs and viruses with all their files and registry entries that are related to them.