Do not trust the CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1000000 scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000"?
"CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" is a scam promoted on various deceptive websites. This scheme congratulates the users for being the millionth visitor to access the site. And as part of their weekly promotion, the user has been selected to win a prize.
The goal of this scam is to trick users into providing personal and sensitive information. Furthermore, it must be emphasized that even if users follow the instructions provided by the scheme - they will not receive any prizes or rewards.
Untrustworthy websites are rarely accessed intentionally. Most users enter them via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by untrustworthy sites, intrusive advertisements, or PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) installed onto their systems.
"CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" scam in detail
The "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" states that every Monday, a hundred visitors are randomly selected to receive prizes. Allegedly, the visiting user may get ten thousand tokens (though the scam does not specify what the tokens are or how they could be used).
The scheme instructs users to select one of the treasure chests presented on the page to win a prize. There are three attempts to pick a lucky box. The scam urges users to register and receive ten thousand tokens for free. The scheme also claims that the prize can be a gift card worth 1500 EUR for the Apple Store, Amazon, and other stores.
It must be emphasized that all of the information provided by "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" is false, and users will not receive any of the promised rewards. These schemes typically operate as phishing scams.
They target usernames/passwords of various accounts (e.g., emails, social networking, social media, online banks, etc.), as well as personal information - names, addresses, occupations, marital statuses, telephone numbers, and so forth.
Additionally, these schemes often operate in tandem with other scams types. They commonly request users to pay registration, transaction, and other fake fees. Scammers can request the payments to be made via dubious payment gateways, which record data entered into them (e.g., banking account details, credit card numbers, etc.).
To summarize, by trusting "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" (or other scams), users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, significant financial losses, and even identity theft.
How do potentially unwanted applications operate?
As mentioned in the introduction, installed PUAs can force-open sale-oriented, untrustworthy, rogue, deceptive/scam, compromised, and malicious sites. However, unwanted applications can have varied functionalities, which can be in different combinations.
Adware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns. The ads displayed by adware promote unreliable and hazardous websites. What is more, some intrusive adverts can stealthily download/install software - when they are clicked on.
Browser hijackers are another type of PUAs. They modify browser settings and restrict/deny access to them - in order to promote fake search engines. The promoted search engines usually cannot provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate ones.
Furthermore, most PUAs have data tracking abilities. Information of interest includes - browsing and search engine histories, IP addresses, personally identifiable details, etc. The gathered data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
To ensure device integrity and user privacy, it is highly recommended to remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.
Name | CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000 pop-up |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Fake Claim | Scam claims users can win a prize |
Related Domains | regionalwinsite[.]com |
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 Combo Cleaner. |
Online scams in general
"SPIN FOR REWARD", "Chance To Win The Brand New Playstation 5", "You Are Our Winner Today!" are a few examples of schemes akin to "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000". The Internet is rife with misleading, deceptive, and malicious content.
Popular scam models include: fake prize giveaways and raffles, ludicrous offers and deals, alerts that an essential piece of software is outdated or missing, warnings that the system is infected or at risk, etc. Therefore, it is strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
PUAs are distributed via download/installation setups of other programs. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., ignored terms, skipped steps and sections, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Intrusive adverts are used to proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Select PUAs have "official" promotional webpages from which they can be downloaded and/or purchased.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software before download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, only official and verified download channels must be used. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer harmful and bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate; however, they redirect to questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-daring, etc.).
In case of encounters with such adverts and/or redirects, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" scam:
Hello, Pulpower@
*Anonymous account, token score will not be saved
Register for free and get 10.000 tokens!
I already have an account, Login
GET TOKENS EXCHANGE TOKENS
GAMES FREE SAMPLES
WINNERS FAQS NEWS CONTACT
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE
VISITOR NO. 1.000.000!
Monday, 12 July 2021 at 15:17:18
Like every Monday we randomly give 100 users fantastic prizes. The prize of today is: 10.000 Tokens! Only 100 lucky users who live in Philippines will be the winners!
To see if you are one of the lucky ones you will have to select the correct box.
You have three attempts. Good luck!
The prize is 1500€ voucher o gift card to spend on your favourite shops: Amazon, Apple Store, Curry's, Dixon's... The image of this gift card is just a sample. Pulpower is not organizer nor sponsor of this promotion.
The appearance of "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000" pop-up scam (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE THE VISITOR NO. 1.000.000"?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted applications:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 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.
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.
macOS (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.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the congratulations, you are the visitor no. 1.000.000 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 plugins 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 congratulations, you are the visitor no. 1.000.000 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 congratulations, you are the visitor no. 1.000.000 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pop-up scam?
Pop-up scams are deceptive content designed to entice or scare users into performing various actions. To elaborate, these schemes can trick victims into paying bogus fees, providing sensitive information, purchasing untrustworthy/harmful apps (e.g., fake anti-viruses, etc.), installing malware, etc.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
Pop-up scams are mainly designed to generate revenue. Cyber criminals can profit from deceptively acquired funds, by selling or abusing vulnerable data, promoting unreliable software, proliferating malware, and so on.
I have provided my personal information when tricked by a pop-up scam, what should I do?
If you have disclosed log-in credentials - immediately change the passwords of all compromised accounts and contact their official support. If you have provided other private data (e.g., ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) - contact the corresponding authorities without delay.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
Pop-ups scams are delivered by deceptive webpages. These sites are typically accessed via mistyped URLs or redirects caused by browser notifications/ intrusive ads or websites using rogue advertising networks. It is must be noted that untrustworthy software installed onto systems can force-open various scam pages.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning visited sites. It issues warnings when the websites are detected as deceptive/malicious, and Combo Cleaner can restrict access to them.
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