virus or glitch?

[PepperKatt]

HP support page keeps popping up, followed by multiple pop ups of an Access Denied page.  Virus?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @PepperKatt,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

That sounds alarming, and I completely understand why you’d suspect a virus unexpected pop-up can feel intrusive and unsafe. Let’s break this down and troubleshoot:

Why This Happens

• Not necessarily a virus: Often caused by: 
  • Corrupted HP Support Assistant installation.
  • Misconfigured browser settings or cached HP URLs.
  • Malware or adware (less common, but possible).
• The “Access Denied” page usually means the HP site is being called repeatedly, but blocked by permissions or network issues.

Step 1: Check HP Support Assistant

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
2. Find HP Support Assistant → Uninstall.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Download the latest version from HP: HP Support Assistant | HP® Support

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache

• Open your browser → Settings → Privacy → Clear browsing data.
• Remove cookies and cached files.

Step 3: Scan for Malware

Run Windows Security or a trusted antivirus:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection → Quick Scan.
• If you want extra assurance, use Malwarebytes Free for a second opinion.

Step 4: Disable Startup Pop-ups

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Startup tab.
• Disable any HP-related apps temporarily and reboot.

Step 5: Network Check

If “Access Denied” persists:

• Try another network or hotspot.
• Sometimes corporate or ISP firewalls block HP URLs.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat