How to recognize fake messages like "!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected"
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected"?
During our investigation of suspicious websites and associated advertisements, we came across a technical support scam site that displays a deceitful pop-up message falsely indicating that the Windows operating system is infected. Such pages are usually created with malicious intentions, aiming to acquire personal information, solicit funds, or promote potentially harmful software.
"!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected" scam in detail
One of the pop-ups displayed by this deceptive site claims that the Windows key on the user's machine is pirated. It further alleges that the computer has been infected with a Rootkit Malware that has compromised various data, including financial details, email logins, social networking information, pictures, and documents.
The warning asserts that immediate action is necessary to prevent the theft of passwords, financial login details, personal files, and pictures or documents. It urges the user to contact Microsoft Helpline urgently to receive assistance from their engineers for the removal process over the phone.
Another fake message states that access to the user's PC has been disabled for security reasons. It prompts the user to call the Microsoft Helpline at a specific phone number, +1-833-784-7223.
This is one of the technical support scams where scammers impersonate legitimate technical support representatives or companies to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Typically, these scams involve unsolicited phone calls, fake pop-up messages, or misleading websites.
The scammers often employ scare tactics, such as claiming that the victim's computer is infected with malware or facing critical issues. They aim to trick victims into providing personal information, granting remote access to their devices, or making payments for unnecessary services or software.
Two notable examples of scams utilized to deceive users into installing remote administration tools are the UltraViewer scam and the TeamViewer scam. With remote access to computers, scammers can engage in various malicious activities. They can potentially steal sensitive personal information, such as login credentials, financial data, or personal files.
Additionally, scammers can exploit the remote access to execute unauthorized actions on the compromised computer, including installing malware, hijacking the system for illegal activities, or using it as a launching pad for further attacks on other devices or networks.
| Name | !!Rootkit!! Malware Detected technical support scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | User's computer is infected |
| Disguise | Warning from Microsoft/Windows Defender |
| Tech Support Scammer Phone Number | +1-833-784-7223 |
| 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. |
Similar scams in general
Typically, such scams employ social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency or fear in the victim, compelling them to take immediate action. Scammers commonly impersonate well-known technology companies or trusted technical support representatives to gain the victim's trust. More often than not, technical support scams involve fake phone numbers.
Examples of similar scams are "Your version of Windows is out of date", "Threats Detected:Stuxnet", and "Windows Key Code Is Not Valid And Seems Pirated".
How did I open a scam website
Users may encounter scam pages through various channels. One common avenue is encountering malicious advertisements or pop-ups that redirect users to fraudulent websites displaying scam messages. These deceptive ads and pop-ups can appear on legitimate websites or result from adware installed on the user's device.
Also, users may end up on scam pages while visiting torrent sites, illegal movie streaming sites, and similar pages that use rogue advertising networks. Another method involves receiving phishing emails that contain links leading to deceptive (fake) pages.
These emails often masquerade as legitimate sources, such as well-known tech companies or trusted online retailers, and employ social engineering tactics to convince users to click the provided links.
How to avoid visiting scam pages?
Exercise caution when clicking on links, especially those received through unsolicited emails, social media messages, or unfamiliar websites. Avoid interacting with pop-up ads that appear unexpectedly. Utilize reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your device and keep it up to date.
Download apps and files from trustworthy sources such as official pages and stores. Do not agree to receive notifications from suspicious websites. If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
The appearance of "!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected" pop-up scam (GIF):
Text in one of the pop-ups:
Windows_Firewall_Alert !
Microsoft
!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected
Access To This PC Has Been Disabled For Security Reasons.
Call Microsoft Helpline: +1-833-784-7223
Threat_Detected - !!Rootkit!! Malware
App: keylogger.finance.exe
[Quick Support] [Back To Safety]
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 !!Rootkit!! Malware Detected technical 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 deceptive technique where fraudulent pop-up windows appear on a user's screen, usually while browsing the Internet. These pop-ups often contain misleading information or false claims with the intention of tricking users into taking certain actions that benefit the scammers.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
The ultimate goal of pop-up scams is typically to deceive users into providing personal information, making payments, downloading malicious software, or granting remote access to their devices.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
Pop-up scams are commonly spread through shady websites, although users typically do not intentionally visit such sites. Instead, they often get redirected to these sites either by malicious applications or when accessing websites that use dubious advertising networks.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner can conduct scans on all the websites you browse and identify and detect malicious websites, including those associated with pop-up scams. Combo Cleaner will provide a warning and restrict access if such a site is detected.
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