Last updated: 10/10/2025
This Privacy Policy explains how MalwareTips (also referred to as “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information when you visit or interact with malwaretips.com (the “Site”), including our blog, scam exposure content, malware removal guides, and related pages.
1) Who we are
Data Controller: MalwareTips
Contact email: contact@malwaretips.com
If you have questions about privacy, you can contact us using the details above.
2) What information we collect
We collect information in a few ways: information you provide, information collected automatically, and information collected by third parties we use (for example, analytics, ads, and comments).
A) Information you provide to us
Depending on how you use the Site, you may provide:
- Contact information (for example, name, email) when you contact us or submit a form
- Message content you send us (for example, scam reports, screenshots, URLs, descriptions of what happened)
- Comment information if you post comments through Disqus (for example, comment text, username, profile details depending on your Disqus settings)
We recommend you do not submit sensitive personal information in public comments. If you report a scam, only include what is necessary.
B) Information collected automatically
When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect:
- Device and browser information (browser type, operating system, device identifiers)
- Usage data (pages viewed, time on page, clicks, scrolling, referring pages)
- Approximate location (derived from IP address, typically city or region level)
- Log data (IP address, timestamps, error logs, request details)
This data helps us operate the Site, prevent abuse, measure performance, and understand how content is used.
C) Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies (pixels, local storage, tags) for:
- Site functionality (for example, remembering preferences)
- Analytics (Google Analytics)
- Advertising (Google AdSense)
- Comment functionality (Disqus)
- Affiliate tracking (affiliate links)
You can control cookies using browser settings and, where available, our cookie consent choices.
3) How we use information
We use information to:
- Operate and maintain the Site
- Publish and improve content, including scam warnings and malware removal guides
- Respond to requests and messages you send us
- Detect, prevent, and investigate security incidents, abuse, fraud, and malicious activity
- Measure performance and usage using analytics
- Show advertisements (including contextual or interest-based ads where permitted)
- Track affiliate referrals when you click affiliate links
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms and policies
4) Legal bases for processing
If you are in the EEA, UK, or another region with similar laws, we process personal data under these legal bases:
- Consent (for example, non-essential cookies like analytics and personalized ads where required)
- Legitimate interests (for example, site security, fraud prevention, basic analytics, and improving content, balanced against your rights)
- Contract (for example, providing a service you request, such as responding to a contact form)
- Legal obligation (for example, responding to lawful requests)
Where consent is required, you can withdraw it at any time through cookie settings (if available) or browser controls.
5) Advertising
We use Google AdSense to display ads on the Site. Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies to:
- deliver ads
- measure ad performance
- show personalized ads (depending on your location, consent choices, and Google settings)
Your choices for ads
- You can manage ad personalization through your Google account ad settings.
- You can also use industry opt-out tools (for example, for interest-based advertising), depending on your region.
- If you are in the EEA/UK, we will request consent for certain ad cookies where required by law.
Important: Even if you opt out of personalized ads, you may still see ads, but they may be less relevant.
6) Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how people use the Site (for example, which pages are visited, traffic sources, and engagement). Google Analytics may collect information such as:
- pages visited and actions taken
- approximate location
- device and browser information
- IP address (handled by Google, and may be reduced or masked depending on configuration and region)
Your choices for analytics
- You can block analytics cookies via browser settings or consent tools (where available).
- Google also provides an opt-out browser add-on for Google Analytics in many regions.
7) Comments
We use Disqus to power blog comments. If you comment, Disqus may collect and process information under its own privacy policy, which can include:
- your Disqus account details (if you use one)
- comment text and metadata
- device and usage information
- cookies for functionality and moderation features
We receive and display the comment content you submit. Disqus is a third-party service and may act as a separate controller for some processing.
8) Affiliate links and referral tracking
Some links on the Site are affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link, the merchant or affiliate network may set cookies or use similar tracking to attribute a purchase or action to our referral.
This tracking may include:
- the fact that you clicked a link
- the pages you visited on the merchant’s site
- a purchase or conversion event (typically not your full payment details)
We do not receive your full payment card information from merchants. The merchant’s privacy policy applies to their processing.
9) Embedded content and third-party features
Articles may include embedded content (for example, videos, social posts, widgets). Embedded content from other websites behaves like you visited that website directly. Those third parties may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of third-party sites you interact with.
10) Who we share information with
We may share information in these situations:
A) Service providers
We use vendors to run the Site (for example, hosting, security, analytics, advertising, commenting). They may process information on our behalf under contractual obligations.
B) Advertising and analytics partners
Partners like Google may collect data through cookies and tags to provide ads and analytics.
C) Legal and safety reasons
We may disclose information if we believe it is necessary to:
- comply with law, regulation, legal process, or lawful government requests
- enforce our terms or policies
- protect the rights, property, and safety of MalwareTips, users, or others
- investigate fraud, security, or technical issues
D) Business transfers
If MalwareTips is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
11) International data transfers
Your information may be processed in countries other than your own, including the United States, where privacy laws may differ. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards (for example, contractual protections) for cross-border transfers.
12) Data retention
We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy, including:
- maintaining Site operations
- security and fraud prevention
- legal compliance and dispute handling
Retention periods depend on the type of data:
- Server logs are typically retained for a limited period for security and troubleshooting.
- Contact requests may be retained to respond and keep records of communications.
- Disqus comments are retained according to Disqus settings and policies.
If you want deletion of specific items you submitted to us, contact us and we will evaluate the request under applicable laws and operational constraints.
13) Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
14) Your privacy rights
Your rights depend on where you live.
A) EEA/UK (GDPR) rights
You may have the right to:
- access your personal data
- correct inaccurate data
- delete data
- restrict or object to processing
- data portability
- withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)
- lodge a complaint with your data protection authority
B) US state privacy rights (including California)
Depending on your state, you may have rights to:
- know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
- access or delete personal information
- correct inaccuracies
- opt out of targeted advertising or certain sharing
“Sale” or “Share” of personal information
We do not sell personal information for money. However, some advertising and analytics activities may be considered “sharing” for targeted advertising under certain laws (for example, CPRA). You can opt out by rejecting non-essential cookies where available, using browser controls, or contacting us with a request.
How to submit a request
Send your request to: contact@malwaretips.com
Include: your name, your country/state, what you are requesting, and the email you used when contacting us (if applicable). We may need to verify your request.
15) Cookie controls and Do Not Track
Cookie controls
You can:
- adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies
- use consent settings on the Site (where presented)
- use opt-out tools offered by advertising providers
Blocking some cookies may affect Site functionality.
Do Not Track
Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” signals. Because there is no consistent industry standard, we may not respond uniformly to these signals.
16) Children’s privacy
The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child provided personal data, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.
17) Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date reflects the latest revision. Continued use of the Site after changes means you accept the updated policy.
18) Contact
For privacy questions or requests, contact:
Email: contact@malwaretips.com