'Free up some memory urgently' scam removal instructions
In this this brief tutorial, I show two methods on how to resolve high memory usage in Windows 10.Windows 10 update problems have affected many users. Once we run the app, memory use in our Linux distro grows and so does our WSL 2 VM’s memory in Windows. Then we free the in-use memory, and the ‘vmmem’ process which powers your WSL 2 VM shrinks back down in size, meaning that freed memory is now back on your Windows host, and ready to be used in other applications!
What is the 'Free up some memory urgently' scam?
'Free up some memory urgently' is a scam run on deceptive websites. It promote the Kalox APP browser hijacker, however, the scheme might also promote different browser hijackers, adware and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). This scam could potentially also promote malware (e.g. ransomware, Trojans, etc.). Like the name suggests, the scheme claims that users' devices are overloaded and states that they must immediately free up memory. Note that no web page can detect issues or threats present in systems - any that make such claims are scams. Typically, users access these websites unintentionally - they are redirected to them by intrusive advertisements or PUAs already infiltrated into the device.
When a website running 'Free up some memory urgently' scam is accessed, a pop-up window is displayed. It states that the computer memory has reached its limit and urges users to create some space by freeing up memory. They are instructed to click the 'Free memory' button and follow the steps provided. The small print in the pop-up states that, by clicking the aforementioned button, users agree with the scam's terms. At the time of research, once the button is clicked, users are presented with the Kalox APP browser hijacker. Following the scheme's narrative, this software will supposedly free up system memory. Browser hijackers operate by reassigning the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Rogue search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Even if fake search engines can provide results, they tend to be inaccurate and/or promote untrusted and malicious sites. In the case of Kalox APP, it promotes s3redirect.com and gooogle.page - bogus search engines. Additionally, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to browser settings and reset any permitted changes made. Furthermore, most PUAs (browser hijackers included) can track data - they monitor browsing activity and gather sensitive details extracted from it. Information of interest includes URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, IP addresses, geolocations, personally identifiable details and other data. Furthermore, the gathered information is often shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, the presence of or download products promoted using these dubious techniques.
If a browser is force-opening websites such as those promoting 'Free up some memory urgently' scheme, it is most likely due to PUAs already installed on the system. These applications can cause redirects to untrusted/rogue, sale-oriented, deceptive/scam, compromised and malicious websites. Another type (browser hijacker) modifies browsers to promote bogus search engines. Adware-type apps run intrusive ad campaigns (i.e. deliver pop-ups, banners, coupons and other ads). When clicked, these advertisements redirect to various harmful sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Most PUAs can monitor users' browsing habits and collect private information. To ensure device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
| Name | 'Free up some memory urgently' pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Scam claims that the device's memory is overloaded. |
| Distributed Unwanted Apps | Kalox APP |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Malwarebytes. |
'A virus has been detected on your computer', 'VIRUS ALERT FROM Windows' and 'Windows firewall has blocked some features of this program' are some examples of scams making bogus claims relating to devices. There are many scam models, which attempt to trick users in different ways. For example, users may be encouraged to: download/install and/or purchase nonoperational, untrusted or malicious software; reveal personal information (e.g. names, addresses, telephone numbers, emails, banking account and/or credit card details, etc.); make bogus payments (e.g. for 'services rendered', registration, subscription, shipping, etc.); call fraudulent and expensive tech support lines, and so on. Regardless of what these schemes claim, offer, request or demand, the purpose is identical: to generate revenue to the scammers/cyber criminals behind them.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Some PUAs have 'official' download web pages, which are commonly promoted by deceptive/scam sites. These apps are often downloaded/installed with other products. 'Bundling' is the term used to describe this deceptive marketing method of packing normal software with unwanted or malicious additions. Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertent installation of bundled content. Intrusive ads proliferate this software as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without users' consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
All products should be researched before download/installation or purchase. Download from official and verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer dubious and bundled content. When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the 'Custom/Advanced' settings and opt-out of supplementary applications, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others). If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in the 'Free up some memory urgently' pop-up:
Attention!
Free up some memory urgently, your computer is overloaded!
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/83.0.4103.116 Safari/537.36
Click 'Free memory' button and follow the instructions.
By clicking 'Free memory' you agree with the terms
Free memory
The appearance of 'Free up some memory urgently' pop-up scam (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD MalwarebytesBy downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
How To Clean Ram
Windows XP users:
Click Start, choose Settings and click Control Panel. Locate and click Add or Remove Programs.
Windows 10 and Windows 8 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Mac OSX users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click 'Uninstall' or 'Remove'.
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Malwarebytes checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the 'gear' icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select 'Manage Add-ons'. Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click 'Remove'.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 'free up some memory urgently' pop-up, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select 'More tools' and click 'Extensions'. Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons (such as 'Kalox APP') and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 'free up some memory urgently' pop-up, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select 'Add-ons'. Click on 'Extensions', in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with 'free up some memory urgently' pop-up removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select 'Extensions'. Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click 'Remove' below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the 'free up some memory urgently' pop-up, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free. software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
Removal assistance:
If you are experiencing problems while trying to remove 'free up some memory urgently' pop-up from your computer, please ask for assistance in our malware support forum.
Post a comment:
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If your Windows 10 device is running low on storage, here are a few ways to free up some drive space.
Delete files with Storage sense
Free Up Standby Memory Windows 10
Open the Start menu and select Settings > System > Storage. Open Storage settings.
Turn on Storage sense to have Windows delete unneccesary files automatically.
To delete unnecessary files manually, select Change how we free up space automatically. Under Free up space now, select Clean now.
Uninstall apps you don't use anymore
Open the Start menu and select Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Open Apps & features settings.
Search for a specific app or sort them by size to see which ones are taking up the most space.
When you find an app you want to delete, select it from the list, and then select Uninstall.
Move files to another drive
How To Free Up Ram
Connect your removable media to your device.
Open File Explorer from the taskbar and find the files you want to move.
Select the files, go to the Home tab, and then select Move to > Choose location.
Select your removable media from the location list, and then select Move.