How to recognize scams like "URGENT: Scan Your PC"

What kind of scam is "URGENT: Scan Your PC"?

While investigating spam browser notifications, we discovered the "URGENT: Scan Your PC" scam. It states that the website visitor's device is infected, and their identity is at risk of theft. The scam's purpose is to trick users into downloading/installing or purchasing the promoted software.

"URGENT: Scan Your PC" scam overview

When we accessed a webpage promoting this scam, we were presented with a pop-up. This window claimed that a critical threat was detected on the device. It was infected and the malware may lead to the user's identity being stolen.

The pop-up urged to scan the system and provided steps for carrying it out – i.e., click the "OK" button to open the anti-virus website, purchase its subscription, install the program, run a scan, and eliminate the malware.

It must be stressed that the claims in this scam are false, and it is not associated with any legitimate products, services, or entities.

What is more, no website can detect threats or issues on visitors' devices. At the time of research, "URGENT: Scan Your PC" ran as an affiliate scam. This is a type where scammers abuse the affiliate programs of a product or service to obtain illegitimate commissions for the promotion.

However, there are no guarantees that such a scam will continue redirecting to an official webpage rather than an imitator or a fake promotional site pushing suspicious, fraudulent, harmful, or even malicious software.

Scams of this kind can proliferate fake anti-viruses, PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications), adware, and browser hijackers. We have even discovered scams that use infection-themed lures to spread malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, etc.).

To summarize, by trusting a scam like "URGENT: Scan Your PC" – users may experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	"URGENT: Scan Your PC" pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Visitor's device is infected, and their identity is at risk.
Related Domains	clinicclear[.]site
Detection Names (clinicclear[.]site)	Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Lionic (Phishing), Webroot (Malicious), Yandex Safebrowsing (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (clinicclear[.]site)	104.21.32.1
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.

Similar scam examples

We have investigated countless online scams; "TotalAV - You Recently Visited Compromised Websites", "McAfee - Computer Infected With Potentially Critical Viruses", "Your Computer Has Corrupted Files" and "Your Norton Subscription Is Out Of Date" are merely a few of our latest articles on ones similar to "URGENT: Scan Your PC".

The Internet is rife with deceptive and dangerous content. Various lures are used to gain users' interest and trust, e.g., system infections, software updates, outdated subscriptions, shipping mishaps, giveaways, product promotions, lotteries, etc.

Due to how prevalent scams are on the Web and how well-made they can be – we highly recommend vigilance when browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

We found "URGENT: Scan Your PC" while inspecting browser notification spam. Other kinds of spam are also used in scam promotion, including emails, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, etc.

Scams are also endorsed via sites utilizing rogue advertising networks, malvertising (intrusive advertisements), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

We strongly advise caution when browsing. Therefore, be wary of websites, ads, messages, and calls warning of severe issues or making unbelievable promises. Take note of URLs and enter them carefully. Do not use sites offering pirated programs/media or dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually utilize rogue advertising networks.

Additionally, do not permit suspicious pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or block notification delivery. Treat incoming emails and messages with vigilance; do not open attachments or links found in questionable/irrelevant mail.

Download only from official/verified sources and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the device.

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 "URGENT: Scan Your PC" pop-up:

URGENT: Scan your PC

Critical threat detected: your device infected and at risk of identity theft.

Install the antivirus software recommended to you personally and scan PC now.

Here's how you can scan your PC:

 

Step 1: Click OK to redirect to the antivirus page.
Step 2: Complete the secure payment form to activate your antivirus subscription immediately.
Step 3: Install the application to scan your PC and remove malware.

OK
Cancel

The appearance of "URGENT: Scan Your PC" 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 "URGENT: Scan Your PC" pop-up?
• 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 designed to trick users into performing specific actions. For example, victims can be enticed/scared into downloading/installing programs, purchasing products, subscribing services, sending money to scammers, disclosing sensitive data, calling fake support lines, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams aim to generate revenue at victims' expense. Cyber criminals predominantly profit by endorsing content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), obtaining funds through deception, selling/abusing private data, and spreading malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are primarily promoted via spam (e.g., browser notifications, emails, PMs/DMs, etc.), websites using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting, malvertising, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, deceptive/scam, and malicious pages. It can also deny further access to sites hosting such content.

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