How to recognize scams like Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of scam is "Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!"?
"Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!" is a pop-up message displayed by a shady website that we have discovered while visiting pages that use shady advertising networks. After analyzing this shady page, we found that it is a technical-support scam designed to trick visitors into calling scammers using the provided number.
"Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!" in detail
While examining the page, we learned that it offers to Install McAfee to clean a computer and protect it from malware. After clicking the "START INSTANT CLEANUP" button, it asks to provide the phone number, full name, and email address. Once those details are provided, this page encourages visitors to call the +1(833)522-5566 number.
The purpose of this page is to trick visitors into believing that they should call the provided number to activate an antivirus subscription and remove detected virus infections. Scammers behind it likely seek to trick visitors into paying for fake (or unnecessary) software or services and (or) providing remote access to a computer.
Providing scammers remote access to a computer can lead to computer infections, monetary and (or) data loss, identity theft, loss of access to personal accounts, and other serious issues. Thus, websites encouraging to call a number to remove malware or fix other problems should never be trusted.
| Name | Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web! tech-support scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | A computer should be cleaned up and protected using the provided instructions |
| Disguise | Windows Security Recommendation |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | +1(833)522-5566 |
| Related Domain | bytemarkup[.]xyz, pcbaba[.]xyz |
| Detection Names (bytemarkup[.]xyz) | Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Netcraft (Malicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan. |
| Distribution methods | Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, 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. |
Scams of this type in general
Typically, tech-support scam pages display fake virus or other notifications claiming that visitors have to call the provided number immediately. Otherwise, they will lose sensitive information, files, or encounter other problems. Users do not visit such pages intentionally. Examples of similar scams are "Pornography Warning Error", "Firewall Error: #ST43400X", "Critical Framework Error".
How did I open a scam website
Typically, scam websites are promoted through other shady websites (for example, illegal streaming pages, torrent sites), and deceptive advertisements. In some cases, they get opened by installed adware or other questionable software, after clicking on fake "Download" buttons. Either way, it is very unlikely for such pages to be opened on purpose.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Download applications from legitimate websites and via direct links. Avoid visiting unofficial pages, pages offering to download videos from YouTube, torrent sites, and so on. Also, do not click on advertisements that appear on untrustworthy pages or notifications displayed by pages of this kind. If your computer is infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of "Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!" pop-up scam (GIF):
Text in the first page:
Windows Security Recommendation!
Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!
Please Note: Lots Of Junk Files Build Up Over Time On Windows Computers. It Is Recommended To Remove Them And Free Up Disk Space.
Solution: Install McAfee Internet Security, The All-In-One Windows Security That Includes:
Block Trojans & Backdoors
Block Annoying Pop-Ups
Secure Credit Card Info
Protect Your Privacy
[START INSTANT CLEANUP]
Text in the second page:
Register Your McAfee Antivirus to remove virus
Please fill the form below to register and get your 1 Year License nowPhone number
Your full name
Your email address
[SUBMIT]
Text in the third page:
Thanks! Your antivirus subscription has been registered
Next steps- Call +1(833)522-5566 to instantly activate your antivirus
+1(833)522-5566 Help
Call number above to instantly download and install your active subscription on your device. Remember your subscription covers multiple devices. We will install antivirus protection on multiple devices and get it running. 100% .Please note: You have to setup antivirus on your computer to block popups and delete virus infections.
For Assisted Installation (Recommended)
Our experienced techs can help you install antivirus and configure it as your your hardware and software configuration. Just call our toll free number now!+1(833)522-5566
Our expert technicians will access your computer 100% securely and activate your antivirus protection and remove detected virus infections for you. call us now at our toll free number +1(833)522-5566We will install Firewall and Antivirus protection and get it working 100% .
For manual installation (Not Recommended)
Download Mcafee Total Protection Setup
Install the program
Enter 25 Digit License key
And activate.
Sounds complicated?, Call+1(833)522-5566
Our expert technicians will access your computer 100% securely and activate your antivirus protection and remove detected virus infections for you. call us now at our toll free number +1(833)522-5566We will install Firewall and Antivirus protection and get it working 100%
Another example of "Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!" pop-up scam:
Text presented within:
Windows Security Recommendation !
Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!
Please Note: Lots Of Junk Files Build Up Over Time On Windows Computers. It Is Recommended To Remove Them And Free Up Disk Space.
Solution: Install McAfee Internet Security, The All-in-one Windows Security That Includes:
Block Trojans & Backdoors
Block Annoying Pop-ups
Secure Credit Card Info
Protect Your PrivacySTART INSTANT CLEANUP !
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By 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 Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web! tech-support scam?
- How to identify a pop-up scam?
- How do pop-up scams work?
- How to remove fake pop-ups?
- How to prevent fake pop-ups?
- What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
How to identify a pop-up scam?
Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.
While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.
Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:
- Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
- Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
- Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
- Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
- Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.
Example of a pop-up scam:
How do pop-up scams work?
Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.
Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.
How to remove fake pop-ups?
In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.
In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.
How to prevent fake pop-ups?
To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.
To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.
- If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
- If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
- If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
- Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pop-up scam?
A pop-up scam is a fake (deceptive) message (for example, a fake virus or error notification) designed to trick a user into performing certain actions.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
Usually, scammers use pop-up scams to trick users into providing remote access to computers, providing sensitive information, infecting computers with malware, purchasing fake software/services.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
Most pop-up scams are delivered by shady websites that are promoted through other sites that use rogue advertising networks. Sometimes, fake pop-ups can be displayed by untrustworthy software.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner can detect malicious websites and pages that deliver pop-up scams. It also can block access to untrustworthy websites and warn users when they try to access such pages.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion