Beware of these antivirus scams to stay safe

Antivirus software is essential to protect your devices from malicious software that can steal your passwords, payment details and other sensitive information.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are aware of this and have devised ways to trick users into installing fake antivirus programs or responding to fraudulent emails posing as well-known security brands.

Here’s how to identify fake antivirus software and stay safe online.

What is fake antivirus software?

Many people look for free antivirus solutions, making them easy targets for scammers who create fake apps. These apps often perform fake scans and display alarming results that falsely indicate that your device is infected.

The goal is to scare you into paying for a service to remove these non-existent threats. If you do this, you will not only lose money, but you also risk having your payment details and other personal information exposed to criminals.

How fake antivirus software works

Fake antivirus software can work in different ways. Sometimes it bombards you with warnings about suspected viruses on your device, demanding payment to ‘clean’ your system. Other times it works quietly in the background, spying on you through your webcam or microphone and recording your keystrokes.

Some fake antivirus programs even charge subscription fees for services they never intend to provide. These deceptive apps may look convincing, with polished interfaces and even fake reviews, but they serve no real security purpose.

How fake antivirus software is installed

Fake antivirus programs can infiltrate your device in several ways:

• App Stores: Despite security checks, some fake apps end up on legitimate platforms like Google Play. These apps often have high ratings and rave reviews, which can be fake or manipulated to appear credible.
• Compromised or fake websites: You may unknowingly download fake antivirus software from a compromised website or from a fraudulent site that impersonates a legitimate site. These sites often display pop-up warnings claiming that your device is infected and asking you to download software that supposedly fixes the problem.
• Social media and pop-ups: Scammers also use social media platforms and pop-ups to distribute fake antivirus software. These may appear as advertisements or alerts, urging you to take immediate action to protect your device.

Furthermore, not all fake apps are free. The other way you can get scammed is by paying a subscription for a service that is not provided.

How to spot fake antivirus software

Recognizing fake antivirus software can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with the brand. Here are some signs that the antivirus app you installed may be fake:

• Unexpected pop-ups: If you continually see pop-ups warning that your device is infected and asking you to download software or make a payment, this is a clear warning sign.
• Requests for payment: Legitimate antivirus software does not charge money to remove threats after a scan. Be careful if an app insists on payment to clean your device.
• Poor performance: A sudden decrease in your device’s performance, such as slow speeds or unresponsiveness, after installing antivirus software could indicate a fake program running maliciously in the background.

Our advice is to choose from our round-up of the best antivirus software and make sure the website you download it from is genuine and not a fake.

How to avoid installing fake antivirus software

To avoid these scams, always download antivirus software from reliable sources. Here are some reliable websites of well-known antivirus brands:

Remember to always check the website URL and make sure it uses a secure connection (https://) before downloading anything.

You can also take a look at Wikipedia’s list of known rogue security software.

What is an antivirus email scam?

Scammers often use emails to trick people into believing that their antivirus software needs to be updated or that their device is infected. These emails can appear persuasive, using the names and logos of trusted brands such as Norton and McAfee.

How to identify a scam email

Be wary of emails that do not address you by name or include generic greetings such as “Dear Customer.” Legitimate companies usually include your name in their correspondence. Also look out for spelling and grammatical errors, which are common in scam emails.

Scam emails often use urgent language and ask you to act quickly by clicking a link or calling a customer service number. These tactics are designed to get you to respond impulsively without verifying the authenticity of the email.

If you receive such an email, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, visit your antivirus provider’s official website and log into your account to check for legitimate messages.

However, these scams are not limited to emails; they can also come through phone calls or text messages. Regardless of the medium, the goal is the same: to trick you into disclosing personal information or making a payment.

How to avoid getting scammed via email

Follow these guidelines to protect yourself from fake antivirus software and scams:

1. Use reputable software: Stick to well-known antivirus brands and download them only from their official websites. Avoid free antivirus software unless you are confident of its legitimacy.
2. Be careful with pop-ups: If a pop-up appears claiming that your device is infected, do not click on it. Instead, run a scan with your trusted antivirus software.
3. Verify emails and messages: If you receive an email or message about your antivirus subscription, go directly to the company’s official website and log into your account to verify the information.
4. Keep software up to date: Make sure your antivirus software and operating system are always up to date. This helps protect against the latest threats.

By following these tips you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fake antivirus fraud. To stay safe, we recommend that you follow these 10 tips to avoid all types of scams, including fake antivirus programs.

And if you don’t have the money to spend on software right now, here is the best free antivirus that will help protect you.