Do not trust "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee" scam websites

What is "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee"?

During a routine inspection of deceptive websites, our researchers discovered "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee". After inspecting it, we determined that this content operates as a technical support scam with phishing elements. The former attempt to trick users into calling fake helplines and allowing the scammers to access their devices remotely. While the latter is designed to extract sensitive information from visitors.

It must be emphasized that this scam is in no way associated with the Microsoft Corporation, McAfee Corp., or any other legitimate entity.

"MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee" scam overview

When we accessed a website running "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee", the initial appeared relatively legitimate and bore a resemblance to McAfee's official site. This page informed visitors that they are using the Microsoft Windows operating system with pre-installed McAfee anti-virus.

This webpage urged users to press "START INSTANT CLEAN UP!". When we pressed this button, it redirected to the scam's second webpage. This page stated that users' McAfee anti-virus requires activation (and this message would be displayed regardless of whether this anti-virus is present on the device).

The webpage listed a fake activation key that was partially blocked ("UIU77O8C-REE4Y7L5-XXXXXXX"). The phishing scam was evident here - it requested users to provide their full name, telephone number, and email address - to download the activation key. This information is likely to be used in the technical support scam - to create the impression of legitimacy. However, the data can also be sold to third-parties.

After the form was completed and the "DOWNLOAD" button clicked, it redirected to the last page of "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee", which looked the least legitimate of all.

Typically, tech supports scams warn victims of various fake viruses present on their computers; however, this scheme made the misleading claim that anti-virus installation is complicated and encouraged users to call the provided support line to get aid with this process. This was an intentional choice, as users who do not know much about installing software - would be less likely to detect the scammers' deceit and see through their bogus technobabble.

Luring victims into permitting the cyber criminals access to their devices is a crucial step in technical support scams. In the case of "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee", the information obtained prior can serve to create a sense of authenticity - as though the victim is talking with support of a service that they have actually registered for.

These scams can vary drastically after remote access is established. Under the guise of "technical support", "expert technicians", or similar - the scammers can cause serious problems. For example, the criminals can uninstall genuine security tools, install fake anti-viruses, or even infiltrate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, etc.) into the system.

Tech support scams also target a wide variety of data, which can be extracted by tricking victims into disclosing it directly, writing it down into a text program (e.g., notepad) while the scammers claim to be incapable of seeing it, phishing webpages (e.g., disguised as log-in pages, etc.), with the use of information-stealing malware, and so on. In addition to personally identifiable details, cyber criminals tend to target online bank log-in credentials, banking account details, and credit card numbers.

These scams practically always include fraudulent fees (e.g., for software installation, malware removal, support service subscriptions, etc.).

Technical support schemes can incorporate refund scams in them as well. This type deceives the user into thinking that they have been refunded too much, and they are asked to return the excess (typically accompanied by a sob story about how the scammer will lose their job). The deceit can be accomplished by editing the bank account webpage's HTML - so that it will display a different amount but have no actual bearing on the stored funds.

Cyber criminals usually request the payments/returns to be made using difficult/impossible to trace methods - thereby lessening their chances of being prosecuted and preventing victims from returning their money. For example, scammers can ask to be paid in digital currencies (e.g., gift cards, pre-paid vouchers, cryptocurrencies, etc.) or in cash that is to be hidden in packages and shipped. Furthermore, successfully scammed victims are often targeted continuously.

To summarize, by trusting scams like "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee" - users can experience system infections, serious privacy issues, significant financial losses, and identity theft.

Should it be impossible to close a scam webpage, use the Windows Task Manager to end the browser's process. When opening the browser again - do not restore the previous browsing session since that will reopen the deceptive page.

And if you have allowed scammers to access your computer, first disconnect it from the Internet. Then uninstall the remote access software the criminals used (e.g., TeamViewer, AnyDesk, etc.) - since they may not need your permission to re-access the device. Lastly, scan your system with a reputable anti-virus and remove all detected threats.

Threat Summary:

Name	MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee tech support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Scam urges users to call the provided telephone number to get aid with installing and activating the McAfee anti-virus.
Disguise	McAfee support
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	1-(844) 211-5397
Related Domains	esoftwareshop[.]xyz, esoftwarehelp[.]com, eantivirussoftware[.]live
Detection Names (esoftwareshop[.]xyz)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (esoftwareshop[.]xyz)	3.110.16.205
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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner 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.

Technical support scam examples

We have analyzed countless tech support scams; "Cortana - It seems your PC is locked out", "Access to this PC has been blocked for due to illegal activities", "Clean Up Your Windows PC After Surfing The Web!" are just a couple of examples.

The Internet is rife with misleading, deceptive, and malicious content. Therefore, we strongly advise exercising caution when browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

Scam sites are usually entered inadvertently. Clicking on an intrusive advertisement or a spam browser notification can result in a redirect to such a page. Websites that use rogue advertising networks can also force-open scam webpages upon access or when users click ads, buttons, links, or other hosted content.

Mistyping the address of a website (URL) can also result in a redirect (or redirection chain) to a deceptive page. Additionally, adware can display advertisements promoting online scams or simply force-open their webpages.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Users typically enter scam websites via redirects caused by pages using rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive adverts, or adware.

Therefore, we advise against visiting sites offering pirated programs/media or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming and downloading, etc.) - as they are usually monetized via rogue advertising networks.

It is important to pay attention to website URLs. To avoid receiving scam-promoting browser notifications - do not permit dubious websites to deliver these ads (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Furthermore, we recommend downloading only from official/verified sources and approaching installation with care (e.g., read terms, inspect possible options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplements).

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Text presented in the "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee" scam:

Initial page:

McAfee
Together is power.

McAfee Antivirus 2022

YOU ARE USING MICROSOFT WINDOWS 10 HOME With Pre-installed Mcafee

 

Notice: Microsoft officially released Windows 11 on October 4, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. PT

 

Now it's easier to be free from viruses and annoying popups

 

If you are still getting unwanted pop-ups or viruses. Instant cleanup is required

START INSTANT CLEAN UP!

----------------------

 

Second page:

Your McAfee Antivirus Is Not Active

Your Antivirus Product Key Is Available Now: UIU77O8C-REE4Y7L5-XXXXXXX

 

Please fill the form to download your product key:

Phone number
Your full name
Your email address

DOWNLOAD

 

----------------------

 

Last page:

Your Mcafee Security License Is Ready Now

Next steps- Call 1-(844) 211-5397 to instantly  Activate Your McAfee License.

1-(844) 211-5397 Free 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% Free

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-(844) 211-5397

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-(844) 211-5397

We will install Firewall and Antivirus protection and get it working
100% Free

For manual installation (Not Recommended)

1. Download Mcafee Total Protection Setup
2. Install the program
3. Enter 25 Digit License key
4. And activate

Sounds complicated?, Call
1-(844) 211-5397

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-(844) 211-5397

We will install Firewall and Antivirus protection and get it working 100% free

The appearance of "MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee" 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:
▼ 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 MICROSOFT WINDOWS With Pre-installed Mcafee 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?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages intended to entice/scare users into performing various actions, e.g., calling fake support lines, allowing scammers remote access to their computers, disclosing private data, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing and/or purchasing software, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Scams are primarily used to generate revenue. Cyber criminals can profit by obtaining funds through deception, abusing or selling vulnerable information, promoting software, proliferating malware, and so forth.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are promoted on deceptive webpages, which users seldom access intentionally. Most enter them through redirects caused by mistyped URLs, sites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.

I cannot exit a scam page, how do I close it?

If you cannot close a scam webpage, use the Windows Task Manager to kill the browser's process. However, when opening it again - do not restore the previous browsing session as that will reopen the deceptive site, and the issue will repeat itself.

I have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access my computer, what should I do?

First, disconnect your device from the Internet. Afterward, uninstall the software used by the cyber criminals to remotely access the system (e.g., AnyDesk, TeamViewer, etc.). The last step is performing a full system scan, and if any threats are found - removing them immediately.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a pop-up scam, what should I do?

If you provided account credentials - change the passwords of all potentially exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. And if you disclosed other private data (e.g., ID card details, credit card numbers, etc.) - immediately contact the relevant authorities.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams and the malware they proliferate?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect deceptive/malicious pages. Additionally, it can block further access to such sites. Combo Cleaner can also scan devices and eliminate almost all known malware infections. It has to be stressed that running a full system scan is essential - since sophisticated malicious programs typically hide deep within systems.

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