How to remove ICSPA virus from PC

Complete removal guide to delete ICSPA virus immediately

ICSPA virus is described as a dubious threat that uses false law enforcement agency messages to scare people into paying the demanded amount. This threat based on extortion and that’s why it falls under the category of ransomware. This virus is almost identical to Ukash malware because it demands victims to pay the fine for false and illegal activities. ICSPA virus stands for International Cyber Security Protection Alliance. It can be spotted in many countries all over the world so that particular institutions that extort money differ from version to version. The main fact that the message asks you to pay fine through GreetDot, Moneypak, Ukash or other platforms that appears on the system when your device gets locked.

Further, this message blocks computer screens and demand payment of $300 fine by using Reloadit or MoneyGram for supposed law violations. It is identified as ransomware virus so you are advised not to trust. You should be aware about this message because it is not sent by legitimate authorities. Neither ICSPA virus nor any other authorities internationally use screen blocking messages to collect fines for any law violations. Cyber criminals responsible for this scam because they use the name of ICSPA and U.S. Department of Justice. If you observe such messages on your screen which states that your system has been blocked for security reasons, then you are dealing with ransomware virus. Don’t trust on such messages and pay the fine. The correct way to deal with this message it to remove it immediately from your system.

A fake message displayed by ICSPA virus:

ICSPA International Cyber Security Protection Alliance

U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs

 

ATTENTION! YOUR COMPUTER HAS BEEN LOCKED BY ICSPA. All activities of this computer have been recorded. The recent actions performed on this computer have been recorded and analysed. Due to evidence of illegal activity found on this computer (“Downloading and distribution of illegal content – illegal Pornography”), this computer has been locked. Read the Important Information below.

The penalty set (“$400 – US dollars”) must be paid within 48 hours of this notice. On expiration of the term, 48 hours that follow will be used for automatic collection of data on yourself and your misconduct, and criminal case will be opened against you.

 

You are accused of viewing/storage and/or dissemination of banned pornography (child pornography/zoophilia/rape etc.) You have violated World Declaration of non-proliferation of child pornography. You are accused of committing the crime envisaged by Article 161 of United States of America criminal law.

 

Article 161 of United States of America criminal law provides for the punishment of deprivation of liberty for terms from 5 to 11 years.

Also, your are suspected for violation of “Copyright and Related rights Law” (downloading of pirated music, video, warez) and of use and/or dissemination of copyrighted content. Thus, you are suspected of violation of Article 148 of United States of America criminal law.

Article 148 of United States of America criminal law provides for the punishment of deprivation of liberty for terms from 3 to 7 years or 150 to 550 basic amounts fine.

 

The illegal actions that have been recorded on this computer (“Downloading and distribution of illegal content – Illegal Pornography”) could have been actioned by yourself purposely, or without your knowledge and consent, provided your computer could have been affected by malware. Consequently , you are suspected – until the investigation is held – of innocent infringement of Article 215 of United States of America criminal law (“Law on negligent and reckless disregard of computers and computer aids”).

Please note, that personal identities of users who are suspected of committing the illegal actions on this computer have been identified and the evidential data has been recorded. The criminal case can be opened in course of 96 hours as of commission of crimes per above Articles. Criminal case can be submitted to court.

 

However, pursuant to Amendments to the United States of America criminal law dated January 14, 2015, and according to Declaration of Human Rights, you disregard of law may be interpreted as unintended (if you had no incidents before) and no arraignment will follow. However, it is a matter of whether you have paid the fine to the Treasury (to the effect of initiatives aimed at protection of cyberspace).

Current status: “Case can be classified as occasional/unmotivated, according to 17 (U.S Code) 512. Subject to a fine ($400 – US dollars).” – this case can be closed without prosecution. The computer will be unlocked automatically.

Ways to spread ICSPA virus:

ICSPA virus is distributed into your system by using “exploit kits” which proliferate into your PC using any security vulnerabilities found on the computer. These kits are implemented within spam email messages, suspicious websites and drive by downloads. Once such script installed on the system, the malware display bogus notification and states that system is blocked due to the content you visited or by suing other illegal activities. The best way to protect your computer is to use legitimate antivirus program and keep your installed software up to date.

How to remove ICSPA virus from computer?

It is important to research about content before downloading or installing it. Always use official or trustworthy websites as well as direct links to download or install any programs. Other untrustworthy software channels should be avoided because it likely contains rogue apps. While installing any program, always pay close attention and select custom or advance options as well as other similar settings. If your system is already infected with ICSPA virus, then you are recommended to use given below removal instructions to eliminate this scam.

Short summary

NAME: ICSPA virus

TYPE: Screen-locker, ransomware

SYMPTOMS: The screen gets locked and delivers a questionable notification from a law enforcement agency or other institution that claims that you have done something illegal. Therefore, you need to pay a particular fine. This message encourages people to pay using online payment platforms, or your device gets permanently blocked

DANGER: The extortion-based threat asks for money transfers, so people can lose huge amounts of money if they decide to pay up. Machines can get the damaged during the time when the screen is fully locked by the processes happening in the background

TACTICS: Scaring people into paying up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars with all the false claims of illegal actions

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the years of existence, this virus was distributed with the help of Trojans, other malware, malicious sites, hacked domains, and infected files attached to emails

ELIMINATION: ICSPA virus removal process should be quick and successful if you use proper anti-malware tools and terminate the malware automatically.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove ICSPA virus:

Remove the related items of ICSPA virus using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing ICSPA virus issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (ICSPA virus) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to ICSPA virus removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to ICSPA virus still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove ICSPA virus plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in ICSPA virus removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete ICSPA virus (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.