Avoid getting scammed by sites detecting "Clop Ransomware.dll" on your device

What kind of scam is "Clop Ransomware.dll"?

While investigating rogue websites, our research team discovered the "Clop Ransomware.dll" technical support scam. Presented as Microsoft/Windows, this scam falsely claims that users' computers are infected to trick them into calling fake support lines. Typically, these scams involve remote access to victims' devices and are associated with severe threats.

"Clop Ransomware.dll" scam overview

When we accessed a site running "Clop Ransomware.dll", it was disguised as Microsoft's official website. It then displayed a fake Microsoft Defender (referred in the scam by its former name – "Windows Defender"), which ran a likewise bogus system scan. The nonexistent threats mounted during the scan, and following its completion, several pop-up windows were displayed.

One pop-up ("Pornographics Alert - Security Warning") detailed the fake infections as a trojan, spyware, adware – and listed the potential threats. This window urged the visitor to call the listed helpline.

The topmost pop-up ("Windows Pornographic Security Notification") identified the threats as "Clop Ransomware.dll" and "ads.video.porn.dll uploading". Allegedly, due to these infections – the user's computer was blocked. The scheme once more encouraged to call "Microsoft Windows Support".

It must be stressed that all these claims are false, and this deceptive content is not associated with the actual Microsoft Corporation.

Once called, the scammers pretend to be expert technicians/support and typically ask victims to allow them to remotely access their devices. The connection can be established using legitimate software such as TeamViewer, AnyDesk, UltraViewer, or others. How the scam progresses from that point on can vary; mostly, regardless of what they do, the cyber criminals continue pretending to be specialists aiding the victims.

Scammers can disable/remove genuine security tools, install fake anti-viruses, extract private data, facilitate monetary transactions, and/or infect the system with malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, etc.).

Victims can be deceived into disclosing personal information over the phone or entering it into supposedly private websites/files. Alternatively, the data could be obtained using information-stealing malware.

Targeted data can include account log-in credentials (e.g., online banking, e-commerce, money transferring, cryptowallets, emails, social media/networking, etc.), personally identifiable details, and finance-related information (e.g., banking account details, credit card numbers, etc.).

Furthermore, the "services" provided by scammers tend to carry exorbitant fees. Criminals prefer difficult-to-trace money transfer methods, e.g., cryptocurrencies, gift cards, pre-paid vouchers, or cash hidden in innocuous-looking packages and shipped. It is worth mentioning that successfully-scammed victims are often targeted repeatedly.

To summarize, by trusting a scam like "Clop Ransomware.dll" – users can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Should you find it impossible to exit a scam webpage, end the browser's process using the Windows Task Manager. Note that when the browser is opened again, the previous browsing session must not be restored – so as not to reopen the deceptive page.

If you have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access your device – immediately disconnect it from the Internet. Afterward, remove the remote access program that the scammers used, as they may not need your permission to reconnect. Lastly, perform a full system scan using an anti-virus and eliminate all detected threats.

If you believe that your log-in credentials have been exposed – change the passwords of all possibly compromised accounts and inform their official support. And if your other private data has been obtained by scammers (e.g., ID card details, passport scans/photos, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Clop Ransomware.dll" technical support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Various threats are detected on user's computer, including Clop Ransomware.dll.
Disguise	Microsoft/Windows
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	(866)704 2289, +1-855-390-0742
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. ▼ 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.

Online scams in general

We have analyzed thousands of online scams; "!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected", "Virus Has Been Detected On Your Device", "!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected", and "Threats Detected:Stuxnet" are just some examples of tech support schemes.

The Internet is rife with deceptive and malicious content. Various scam models (e.g., technical support, virus/error alerts, refunds, giveaways, reward programs, lotteries, etc.) are used to gain and subsequently abuse victims' trust.

The goal of this deceptive content is to generate revenue by tricking users into performing specific actions, such as calling fake support lines, allowing cyber criminals to access devices remotely, making monetary transactions, disclosing private data, downloading/installing software, and others.

How did I open a scam website?

Webpages that use rogue advertising networks can force-open scam sites the moment they are accessed or when hosted content is clicked (e.g., text input fields, buttons, links, ads, etc.). Additionally, spam browser notifications and intrusive advertisements promote scams as well.

Mistyping a website's URLs can also result in a redirect (or a redirection chain leading) to a deceptive page. Adware is capable of displaying adverts that endorse scams and/or force-opening sites hosting this content.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

It is paramount to be vigilant when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. We advise against visiting websites that utilize rogue advertising networks, including pages that offer pirated software/media or other questionable services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.).

We recommend being careful when entering URLs and paying attention to them. To avoid receiving unwanted browser notifications – do not permit suspicious webpages to deliver them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification requests from such pages (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).

Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official/verified channels, and installation must be treated with caution (e.g., by reading terms, studying options, using "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of all additions) – to prevent bundled/dangerous content from infiltrating the system.

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 "Clop Ransomware.dll" scam's topmost pop-up:

Windows Pornographic Security Notification

App: Clop Ransomware.dll

Threat-Detected: ads.video.porn.dll uploading

Access to this PC has been blocked due to Pornographics Alert.

Contact Microsoft Windows Support: (866)704 2289

Windows [Deny] [Allow]

The appearance of "Clop Ransomware.dll" pop-up scam (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Clop Ransomware.dll" 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?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages intended to deceive users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be lured into calling fake support lines, allowing scammers to access devices remotely, disclosing private data, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, and so on.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are used for financial gain. Cyber criminals profit predominantly by obtaining funds through deception, selling or abusing sensitive data, promoting content, and proliferating malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are hosted on rogue or compromised webpages. Most visitors to these pages enter them through redirects caused by sites using rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware.

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

If you cannot exit a deceptive webpage, end the browser's process using Windows Task Manager. Furthermore, do not restore the previous browsing session when re-accessing the browser, as that would reopen the scam site.

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

If you have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access your computer – first, you must disconnect it from the Internet. Second, uninstall the remote access software that the criminals used (e.g., TeamViewer, UltraViewer, etc.). Last, run a full system scan with an anti-virus and remove all detected threats.

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

If you have provided account credentials – change the passwords of all potentially exposed accounts and contact their official support. And if you've disclosed other private data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the corresponding authorities.

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

Combo Cleaner is designed to detect and remove all manner of threats. It can scan visited websites for malicious content. It can also deny all further access to deceptive and dangerous pages. Combo Cleaner is capable of eliminating nearly all known malware infections. It must be stressed that performing a complete system scan is crucial – since sophisticated malicious software usually hides deep within systems.

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