How to identify scams like "Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected"

What kind of scam is "Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected"?

We have inspected the site and determined that it hosts a pop-up scam. This scam involves a fraudulent message warning users about supposedly detected viruses or other threats. It is important to recognize and ignore such scams (close deceptive pages) to avoid potential issues.

"Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected" scam in detail

Upon visiting the site, a fake warning appears, falsely claiming that "3 viruses and 12 malware files have been detected on your PC". The page lists steps to supposedly clean a computer in just a few minutes. The first step encourages the user to click a "CLEAN" button. Next, the user is asked to fill out a payment form to activate the antivirus subscription immediately.

The final step promises a quick cleanup with a personalized discount. Clicking the "CLEAN" button leads to a legitimate website (Total AV site). This suggests that the scam is run by deceptive affiliates aiming to manipulate users into taking action. These affiliates earn commissions whenever someone falls for the scam and purchases the software through their affiliate link.

It is important to be aware that legitimate affiliate programs and companies do not manage or endorse sites that use deceptive tactics, such as scare tactics, to promote products or services. It is also important to note that the pop-up scam in question is often promoted through deceptive notifications sent by suspicious websites.

These fraudulent notifications are designed to trick users into clicking them. They pose as security notifications and claim that a PC might stop working if the "issue" is not addressed. It is highly advisable not to agree to receive notifications from dubious sites to avoid exposure to scams and other online threats.

Threat Summary:

Name	Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	3 viruses and 12 malware files have been detected
Disguise	Legitimate security warning
Related Domain	clinicclear[.]site
Detection Names (clinicclear[.]site)	Fortinet (Phishing), Kaspersky (Phishing), Lionic (Phishing), Sophos (Phishing), Webroot (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, 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 scams in general

These scam sites typically display fake warnings to pressure users into taking action, often claiming their device is infected. They are often used to trick users into paying for unnecessary software or services. These scams are usually run by deceptive affiliates who earn commissions when users fall for the scam and make a purchase.

Some examples of similar scams are "TotalAV - You Recently Visited Compromised Websites", "Norton Subscription Payment Has Failed", and "McAfee - Computer Is At Risk Of Virus Infection".

How did I open a scam website?

Users can land on scam sites through links sent by scammers via email or other messages or malicious ad networks commonly found on torrent sites, illegal streaming platforms, and similar sources. Deceptive notifications, misleading ads, pop-ups, and fake buttons on suspicious pages can also lead users to these fraudulent websites.

Additionally, scammers manipulate search engine results to push their scam sites to the top, increasing the likelihood of unsuspecting visitors landing on them. Overall, many users end up on these sites accidentally.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Use trusted search engines like Google and double-check website URLs to make sure they are legitimate. Only download apps from reliable sources, such as official app stores or verified websites. Do not permit suspicious websites to show notifications and do not click ads, pop-ups, or links encountered on untrustworthy pages.

Ensure your apps and operating system are always up to date, and perform regular security scans with a trusted antivirus program. 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 "Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected" pop-up scam (GIF):

Text presented in "Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected" pop-up:

3 viruses and 12 malware files have been detected on your PC

Steps to Clean Your PC in Just a Few Minutes:

Step 1. Click CLEAN to redirect to the antivirus page.
Step 2. Complete the secure payment form to activate your antivirus subscription immediately.
Step 3. Clean your PC.

You can clean your PC with a personalized discount within 2 minutes 29 seconds.

CANCEL
CLEAN

Notification promoting the "Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected" pop-up scam:

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 Viruses And Malware Files Have Been Detected 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?

These scams often include fake pop-up messages that appear on deceptive websites, trying to trick users into taking action. These pop-ups may cpntain false warnings, such as claiming that the user's computer is infected with viruses, or offer too-good-to-be-true deals or discounts.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Scammers' primary goal is to trick users into installing unwanted or malicious software, steal personal information, or steal money from victims.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Users often end up on scam sites through links in emails, malicious ads on torrent or illegal streaming sites, deceptive notifications, or misleading pop-ups on suspicious pages. Scammers also manipulate search engine results to rank their fraudulent sites higher, increasing the chances of unsuspecting visitors.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner can detect harmful websites, including those that display fake pop-up warnings and other misleading messages. If a site is flagged as dangerous, the app will alert you right away and block access to safeguard your device.

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