Beware! That McAfee “Subscription Has Expired” Pop-up is a Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
McAfee is one of the most well-known and trusted cybersecurity brands worldwide. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting that reputation by using fake McAfee pop-ups to trick unsuspecting internet users into believing their devices are infected with malware. This deceptive scam aims to scare victims into purchasing unnecessary McAfee software or services.
This fraudulent pop-up will display an alarming message stating that the user’s McAfee subscription has expired. It will also typically claim to have scanned the computer and detected multiple threats. To resolve the supposed issue, the pop-up prompts the user to renew their subscription immediately.
However, these alerts are completely fabricated. The pop-up is not affiliated with the real McAfee company in any way. Clicking on anything will likely lead to malware, unwanted programs, or at best – affiliate links to purchase legitimate McAfee products.
This article will take an in-depth look at how the McAfee expired subscription scam operates, how to identify it, the potential risks of falling for it, and most importantly – how to prevent and remove this pesky pop-up.
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Overview of the Scam
The McAfee expired subscription scam is one of the more common and convincing tech support scams circulating today. It preys on internet users’ familiarity with the McAfee brand and fears over malware infections.
The pop-ups are designed to appear as legitimate McAfee notifications. They use the company’s logos, color schemes, and messaging to pose as the real deal. The text generated is also quite sophisticated, reading like an official scan report from McAfee antivirus.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how the scam typically plays out:
The user visits a suspicious site, often containing illegal or adult content. This could be a torrent site, streaming portal, file download site, etc.
Shortly after the site finishes loading, a pop-up appears with the McAfee branding prominently displayed. The message states that McAfee has scanned the computer and found multiple security threats.
The pop-up will list anywhere from 3 to 8 threats, using scary-sounding names like “Data Miner Virus” or “Trojan Infostealer.” These are completely made up by the scammers.
It then warns the user that their McAfee subscription has expired, making the computer vulnerable to the detected viruses unless renewed immediately.
When the call-to-action buttons are clicked, the user will either be redirected to purchase a McAfee product or prompted to download malware disguised as antivirus software.
If the user purchases a McAfee product through the scammer’s affiliate link, the scammer gets a commission on the sale.
Alternatively, the downloaded malware will also likely be monetized via cryptomining, ransomware, banking credential theft, or selling user data.
This simple but efficient formula allows scammers to capitalize on McAfee’s trusted reputation. The ominous warning and ticking clock pressures victims into installing harmful software or unnecessary security tools.
Prevalence of the Scam
The McAfee expired subscription pop-up scam exploded in popularity around 2018 but remains widespread even today.
Multiple factors have led to the scam’s runaway success and persistence:
Name recognition – McAfee is one of the top antivirus brands worldwide. Scammers leverage that familiarity. Most folks recognize the McAfee name and red logo.
Reaches inexperienced users – The scam spreads via sketchy torrent, streaming, and piracy sites frequented by less tech-savvy users. Victims don’t realize ads on these sites are untrustworthy.
Instills urgency – The expired subscription warning pressures users to act NOW before their PC is further exposed. This discourages fact-checking or deliberation.
Adaptability – Scammers constantly tweak the pop-up’s verbiage and technical details to avoid detection. Simple text changes like the malware names and number of threats bypass basic filters.
Difficult to prosecute – Pop-up scammers cover their tracks and operate across national borders. This makes criminal investigations unlikely, allowing the scam to operate with impunity.
Highly profitable – Each install of the linked malware or McAfee purchase earns scammers money. The marginal cost of the scam operation is extremely low.
Research suggests these pop-up scams account for a substantial portion of affiliate-driven McAfee sales. Upwards of 63% of users exposed to the pop-ups ended up installing McAfee antivirus or related tools.
Of course, the motivated scammers also manage to infect many victims with malware. Estimates indicate at least 29,000 internet users fall prey to this scam globally each week.
Technical Breakdown
The McAfee expired subscription pop-up doesn’t rely on just social engineering. This scam leverages various technical methods to infiltrate systems and evade detection.
Here’s an overview of how the pop-ups operate behind the scenes:
Malvertising – Scammers purchase ad space on sketchy sites and embed malicious code in the ads. When clicked or displayed, the ad loads the fake pop-up page.
Browser Hijacking – Alternatively, unwanted extensions or toolbars containing the pop-up code are installed without the user’s permission via deceptive downloads.
Hidden iframes – The pop-up HTML can be hidden in iframes directly on infected sites. Simple clicks trigger the fake McAfee warning.
JavaScript Triggers – Scripts can launch the pop-up when the page loads or the cursor hovers over specific buttons or links.
Traffic Redirection – Network level tactics like DNS hijacking or BGP manipulation redirect users to scam pop-up domains rather than real sites.
Compromised Sites – Scammers inject the pop-up code into legitimate websites compromised via vulnerabilities in WordPress, Drupal, etc.
Express Scans – To lend credibility, the pop-ups leverage browser APIs and simple network requests to run superficial “scans” and generate the fake malware detections.
Domain Rotation – Scammers continually register new domains for the scam sites to avoid blacklists. Generic URLs like “mcafee-secure.com” are common.
Domain Parking – Expired or unused domains are purchased and converted into scam pop-up pages in bulk. This makes blocking new domains challenging.
CDNs – Domains are hosted behind Cloudflare, CloudFront, etc. to mask the true server infrastructure. This adds performance and security.
As you can see, the scammers cover their bases well. The technical methods make the pop-ups difficult to avoid or proactively detect using standard antivirus tools. Specific technical knowledge is needed to identify and remove the root cause.
Risks of Falling Victim
What exactly happens if a user falls for the McAfee expired subscription pop-up scam? Let’s break down the potential outcomes:
Unwanted charges – At best, clicking buttons on the pop-up will redirect to real McAfee sites through affiliate links. If deceived into buying, victims pay for unnecessary McAfee software.
Malware infections – Alternatively, the pop-up will prompt downloads of fake “McAfee Antivirus” tools which infect systems with trojans, spyware, adware, cryptojackers, and other threats.
Sensitive data theft – The installed malware commonly contains keyloggers, clipboard hijackers, screenshot grabbers, and browser password stealers to harvest sensitive information.
Cryptocurrency mining – Some malware leverages victims’ CPU/GPU cycles to mine cryptocurrency coins like Bitcoin and Monero anonymously for profit. This drains power and slows down systems.
Ransomware attacks – Sophisticated ransomware families like Revil have been installed via scam pop-up ads. Once inside, ransomware will encrypt personal files and demand a hefty BTC payment.
Further compromise – Malware often drops backdoors, bots, and remote access tools to compromise devices further. Victims’ computers become part of botnets engaging in criminal activity.
Stalkerware deployment – Scareware fake AVs have deployed stalkerware tools such as Predator to steal passwords, record audio, access cams, and track devices without the user’s knowledge.
Identity theft – With all the sensitive data harvested by the malware from browsers, files, and keystrokes, scammers obtain enough to steal and sell victims’ identities on dark web markets.
Higher attack surface – Malware often tampers with security controls and settings to weaken defenses. Victims become significantly more exposed to secondary infections and hacks.
Falling prey to the McAfee pop-up can seriously jeopardize users’ security, privacy, and wallets. At minimum, it results in wasted money on unnecessary security software. But the potential down side with malware infections is where things get much more dangerous. Users must take care to avoid this deceptive scam.
How the Scam Works
Cybercriminals rely on carefully orchestrated techniques to facilitate their fake McAfee subscription expiration scam. Here’s an inside look the process.
1. Getting McAfee Affiliate Links
The first step for scammers is signing up as an affiliate marketer for McAfee security products. This gives them an affiliate link that will pay out a commission for any user that clicks it and completes a purchase.
Major software brands like McAfee offer affiliate programs to reward partners for driving sales of their products. However, scammers take advantage of these programs by funneling traffic through their links using deceptive pop-up ads instead of honest marketing.
By becoming a McAfee affiliate, the scammers ensure they can monetize each victim that falls for their scam by getting a cut of any purchase made.
2. Crafting Fake Security Alerts
Once signed up as an affiliate, the scammers then create phony McAfee security pop-ups alerting users that their subscription is expiring soon. These impersonation messages are designed to precisely mimic the official branding and messaging used by McAfee.
Here’s an example of one of the convincing fake alerts:
McAfee Total Protection
Your subscription is expiring soon!
Days Remaining: 2 Days
To avoid disruption of protection, please renew your subscription now.
Your subscription allows us to provide real time security updates and advanced threat protection for all your devices.
Renew Subscription
The logos, color schemes, and urgent wording match McAfee’s own messaging and templates. But it’s just a facade fabricated to deceive users.
In some cases, the pop-ups even show a fake antivirus scan first to further establish legitimacy before the expiration warning appears. This lulls victims into a false sense of security that it’s a real McAfee communication.
3. Redirecting Users Through Affiliate Links
When a user clicks the “Renew Subscription” button, they are not actually sent directly to McAfee. Instead, they are passed through a series of intermediary links controlled by the scammer first.
Using multiple link hops allows them to avoid McAfee’s detection of this scam.
To conceal the redirects, the scammers mask their intermediary pages with convincing domain names like:
mymcafeesupport.com
mcafeeonlineaccess.net
mcafeeupdatenow.org
But they all lead eventually to the real McAfee site.
4. Victims Purchase Unneeded Software
Many well-meaning users will unfortunately complete the subscription renewal process once landing on the legitimate McAfee site, unaware the notifications were fake.
Fearing their computer may be left unprotected from viruses and other threats, victims rush to renew the non-existent subscriptions triggered by the deceptive pop-ups.
Of course, without any real expiring subscription in the first place, any software purchased is completely unnecessary. But the scammers still profit from affiliate commissions off these sales completed under false pretenses.
5. Scammers Profit from Commissions
Each time a purchase is made through one of their misleading security alerts, the scammers earn an affiliate commission from McAfee as a “reward” for driving the sale.
Typical commissions earned range from 30% to 40% of the total purchase price. So on a $299 antivirus suite, they can easily generate $90+ per victim.
At scale across various domains and delivering methods, this scam can result in thousands per day in effortless income entirely generated through deception and impersonation.
By abusing McAfee’s brand reputation and instilling fear around an imagined expiring subscription, the scammers can score big profits with little work beyond setting up their faked pop-ups.
What to Do if You Are a Victim
If you already fell for one of these fake notifications and purchased a McAfee subscription renewal, don’t stress. Here are some tips to recover from the scam:
Cancel the order: If executed recently, quickly contact McAfee support to cancel the transaction and request a refund. Most reputable companies allow cancellations within 1-2 days.
Reset your system: Run a real antivirus scan using trusted software like Malwarebytes to remove any potential tracking scripts or malware the pop-ups may have installed. Also reset your browser settings.
Watch for fraud: Closely monitor bank and credit card statements for any suspicious charges or activity and immediately notify your provider if found.
Change passwords: Update passwords for online accounts, especially financial accounts. Use unique, complex passwords for each account.
Report fake sites: Lookup and submit the scam site URLs to McAfee so they can work to shut them down faster.
With vigilance and quickly addressing the issue, you can minimize any losses from falling for fake subscription expiration scams. Don’t let it discourage you from enjoying everything the internet has to offer.
What to Do If You See the Pop-Up
If you encounter a pop-up claiming your McAfee subscription has expired, remain calm but vigilant. Remember – the alert is fake and anything you click will likely harm your computer or cost you money.
Here are the recommended steps to take:
Don’t click anything! – The buttons will either redirect to a scam site or trigger malware downloads. Close the window using your browser’s standard exit button.
Check your subscriptions – Visit McAfee’s site directly and log into your account dashboard. This will confirm if your subscription has actually lapsed.
Scan for malware – Run a full system scan using legitimate antivirus software like Windows Defender or Malwarebytes. Quarantine anything flagged.
Review browser extensions – Open your installed browser add-ons and remove any unknown or suspicious ones that could be generating pop-ups.
Reset browser settings – Browser hijackers often modify settings like the homepage, new tab page, and search engine. Set these back to the defaults.
Clear cookies/cache – Your browsing history and cookies can also be compromised. Wipe your cache and cookies to eliminate tracking and redirects.
Change account passwords – If infected, assume your passwords have been compromised. Change credentials for email, banking, shopping, and other sensitive accounts.
Monitor financial statements – Keep a close eye on your credit card and bank account transactions for any fraudulent charges or transfers. Report them immediately.
Install ad blockers – Reputable ad blocker extensions like AdGuard prevent many compromised ads from loading, stopping pop-ups at the source.
Update software – Patch and update your operating system, browser, antivirus, Flash, Java, media players and PDF viewers. Old vulnerable versions enable intrusions.
Following these steps helps undo minor infections, prevents further issues, and adds layers of protection. But for more serious infections, the next section details how to fully remove deeply embedded malware.
How to Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware
If you have accidentally downloaded unwanted programs or malware from a pop-up scam, you can find below a full malware removal guide.
This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free. Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubts at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.
Browser hijackers, unwanted apps, and adware can infect Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android devices, so we’ve covered below all these operating systems. Depending on which operating system is installed on your device, please click on the operating system icon below and follow the displayed steps.
In this first step, we will manually check if any unknown or malicious programs are installed on the computer. Sometimes adware and browser hijackers can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove them.
Windows 11Windows 10Windows 8Windows 7
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
First, open Windows Settings by pressing Windows+I on your keyboard. You can also right-click your Start button and select “Settings” from the list.
In the Settings app, click on “Apps” and then “Apps & features”.
When Settings opens, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Apps & Features”.
Find the malicious program in the list of installed apps and uninstall it.
In Apps & Features settings, scroll down to the app list and search for unknown or suspicious programs. To make things easier, you can sort all installed programs by their installation date. To do this, click “Sort by” and select “Install date”.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. When you find a malicious program, click the three dots button beside it and select “Uninstall” in the menu that appears.
If you have checked your computer for malicious programs and did not find any, you can proceed with the next step in this guide.
Follow the prompts to uninstall the program.
In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall the malicious program.
Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read them closely.
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. You can also ope the Settings app by clicking the Start button on the taskbar, then select “Settings” (gear icon).
In the Settings app, click on “Apps”.
When the “Windows Settings” window opens, click on “Apps“. By default, it should open “Apps and Features” but if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.
Find the malicious program in the list of installed apps and uninstall it.
In Apps & Features settings, scroll down to the app list and search for unknown or suspicious programs. To make things easier, you can sort all installed programs by their installation date. To do this, click “Sort by” and select “Install date”.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. When you find a malicious program, click on it and select “Uninstall” in the menu that appears.
If you have checked your computer for malicious programs and did not find any, you can proceed with the next step in this guide.
Follow the prompts to uninstall the program.
In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Uninstall, then follow the prompts to uninstall the malicious program.
Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.
Go to “Program and Features”.
Right-click on the Start button in the taskbar, then select “Programs and Features”. This will take you directly to your list of installed programs.
Search for malicious program and uninstall it.
The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find any unknown or suspicious program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
If you have checked your computer for malicious programs and did not find any, you can proceed with the next step in this guide.
Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall malicious program.
In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall malicious program. Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.
Open the “Control Panel”.
Click on the “Start” button, then click on “Control Panel“.
Click on “Uninstall a Program”.
When the “Control Panel” appears, click on “Uninstall a Program” from the Programs category.
Search for malicious programs and uninstall them.
The “Programs and Features” screen will be displayed with a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list until you find any suspicious or unknown program, then click to highlight it, then click the “Uninstall” button.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
If you have checked your computer for malicious programs and did not find any, you can proceed with the next step in this guide.
Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall malicious program.
In the next message box, confirm the uninstall process by clicking on Yes, then follow the prompts to uninstall malicious program. Make sure to read all of the prompts carefully, because some malicious programs try to sneak things in hoping that you won’t read closely.
If you are experiencing difficulty while attempting to uninstall a program, you can use Revo Uninstaller to completely remove the unwanted program from your computer.
Now that the malicious programs have been removed from your computer, we can proceed with the next step in this guide.
STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
In this step, we will remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware. Please note that this method will remove all extensions, toolbars, and other customizations but will leave your bookmarks and favorites intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.
ChromeFirefoxMicrosoft EdgeInternet Explorer
Reset Chrome for Windows to default settings
We will now reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.
Click the three dots in the top-right corner and then click on “Settings”.
Open Chrome and click on the menu button (represented by three vertical dots) in the top right corner of the window. In the dropdown menu that opens, click “Settings“.
Click “Advanced”.
Chrome’s “Settings” should now be displayed in a new tab or window, depending on your configuration. In the left sidebar, click on the “Advanced” link.
Click “Reset and clean up”.
In the left sidebar, under the “Advanced” section, click on “Reset and clean up“.
Click “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
In the main window, the “Reset and clean up” section is visible, as shown in the screenshot below. Click on “Reset settings to their original defaults“.
Click “Reset settings”.
A confirmation dialog will now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset settings” button.
(Optional) Reset Chrome Data Sync.
In case a malicious extension reinstalls itself even after performing a browser reset, you have an additional option to reset the data sync for your browser. To do this, navigate to chrome.google.com/sync and click on the Clear Data button.
Reset Firefox for Windows to default settings
We will now reset your Firefox browser settings to their default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.
Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and then click on “Help”.
Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “More troubleshooting information”.
From the Help menu, click on “More troubleshooting information“.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”
When the “Troubleshooting Information” page opens, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button.
Confirm that you want to reset your browser settings.
To finish the reset process, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Click “Finish”.
Firefox will now close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on “Finish“.
Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.
Reset Microsoft Edge to default settings
We will now reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings to their default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.
Click the three dots in the top-right corner and then click on “Settings”.
In the top right corner, click on Microsoft Edge’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal dots. When the drop-down menu appears, click on “Settings“.
Click on “Reset Settings”.
On the left side of the window, click on “Reset Settings“.
Click on “Restore settings to their default values”.
In the main window, click on “Restore settings to their default values“.
Click “Reset”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset” button. Microsoft Edge will now erase all your personal data, browsing history, and disable all installed extensions. Your bookmarks, though, will remain intact and still be accessible.
Reset Internet Explorer to default settings
We will now reset your Internet Explorer browser settings to their default. You can reset Internet Explorer settings to return them to the state they were in when Internet Explorer was first installed on your computer.
Go to “Internet Options”.
Open Internet Explorer, click on the gear icon in the upper-right part of your browser, then select “Internet Options“.
Select the “Advanced” tab, then click “Reset”
In the “Internet Options” dialog box, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on the “Reset” button.
Click on “Reset”.
In the “Reset Internet Explorer settings” section, select the “Delete personal settings” checkbox, then click on the “Reset” button.
Click on “Close”.
When Internet Explorer has completed its task, click on the “Close” button in the confirmation dialogue box. Close your browser and then you can open Internet Explorer again.
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs
In this third step, we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your computer.
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware
In this next step, we will scan the computer with HitmanPro to ensure that no other malicious programs are installed on your device.
HitmanPro is a second-opinion scanner that takes a unique cloud-based approach to malware scanning. HitmanPro scans the behavior of active files and also files in locations where malware normally resides for suspicious activity. If it finds a suspicious file that’s not already known, HitmanPro sends it to its clouds to be scanned by two of the best antivirus engines today, which are Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
Although HitmanPro is shareware and costs $24.95 for 1 year on 1 PC, there is no limit on scanning. The limitation only kicks in when there is a need to remove or quarantine detected malware by HitmanPro on your system and by then, you can activate the one-time 30-days trial to enable the cleanup.
Download HitmanPro.
You can download HitmanPro by clicking the link below.
HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download HitmanPro)
Install HitmanPro.
When HitmanPro has finished downloading, double-click on “hitmanpro.exe” (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or “hitmanpro_x64.exe” (for 64-bit versions of Windows) to install this program on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow HitmanPro to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
When HitmanPro starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below. Click on the “Next” button to perform a system scan.
Wait for the HitmanPro scan to complete.
HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for malicious programs.
Click on “Next”.
When HitmanPro has finished the scan, it will display a list of all the malware that it has found. Click on the “Next” button to have HitmanPro remove the detected items.
Click on “Activate free license”.
HitmanPro may now require to activate the free 30-days trial to remove the malicious files. To do this, click on the “Activate free license” button to begin the free 30 days trial and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
When the malware removal process is complete, it will display a screen that shows the status of the various programs that were removed. At this screen, you should click on the Next button and then if prompted you should click on the Reboot button. If HitmanPro does not prompt you to reboot, please just click on the Close button.
STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies
In this final step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove the malicious browser policies that were set by browser hijackers on your computer and delete malicious browser extensions.
AdwCleaner is a free popular on-demand scanner that can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known anti-virus and anti-malware applications fail to find. This on-demand scanner includes a lot of tools that can be used to fix the side effects of adware. browser hijackers and other malware.
Download AdwCleaner.
You can download AdwCleaner by clicking the link below.
ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (The above link will open a new web page from where you can download AdwCleaner)
Double-click on the setup file.
Double-click on the file named “adwcleaner_x.x.x.exe” to start AdwCleaner. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
AdwCleaner program will now open and you will be presented with the program’s license agreement. After you read it, click on the I agree button if you wish to continue. If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
Enable “Reset Chrome policies” to remove malicious browser policies.
When AdwCleaner starts, on the left side of the window, click on “Settings” and then enable “Reset Chrome policies“.
Click on the “Scan” button.
On the left side of the AdwCleaner window, click on “Dashboard” and then click “Scan” to perform a computer scan.
Wait for the AdwCleaner scan to finish.
AdwCleaner will now scan your computer for malware. This process can take a few minutes.
Click on “Quarantine” to remove malware.
When the AdwCleaner scan is completed it will display all of the items it has found. Click on the “Quarantine” button to remove the malicious programs from your computer.
Click on “Continue” to remove the malicious programs.
AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to close any open programs before it starts to clean. Click on the “Continue” button to finish the removal process.
AdwCleaner will now delete all detected malware from your computer. When the malware removal process is complete, you may be asked to restart your computer.
Your computer should now be free of Unwanted Apps and Malware and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Profiles are used by IT admins in businesses to control the behavior of their Macs. These profiles can configure a Mac to do many different things, some of which are not otherwise possible. When it comes to home users, adware and browser hijackers are using the configuration profile to prevent users from removing malicious programs from the computer. This also prevents the user from changing that behavior in the browser’s settings.
In this first step, we will check your computer to see if any configuration profiles are installed. To do this, follow the below steps:
Open “System Preferences”
From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
Search for “Profiles”
When the System Preferences window opens, search for the Profiles icon.
If there isn’t a Profiles icon, you don’t have any profiles installed, which is normal and you can continue with the next steps.
Remove the malicious profiles
If there’s a Profile icon, click on it and select any suspicious profile that you want to remove, and then press the – (minus) button. Click Remove to remove the profile.
STEP 2: Delete malicious apps
In this second step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious apps and files that might be installed on your computer. Sometimes redirects or adware programs can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these programs.
Quit the malicious programs
On the Apple menu bar, in the top-right corner, if you see any unknown or suspicious icon, click on it and then select Quit.
Open “Finder”
Click the Finder application on your dock.
Click on “Applications”
In the Finder left pane, click on “Applications“.
Find and remove the malicious app.
The “Applications” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your device. Scroll through the list until you find the malicious app, right-click it, and then click “Move to Trash”.
Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. Here are some known malicious programs: SearchMine, TakeFresh, TopResults, FeedBack, ApplicationEvents, GeneralOpen, PowerLog, MessengerNow, ImagePrime, GeneralNetSearch, Reading Cursors, GlobalTechSearch, PDFOnline-express, See Scenic Elf, MatchKnowledge, Easy Speedtest, or WebDiscover.
Click “Empty Trash”
On the dock, right-click on the trash icon and select “Empty Trash”. Doing so deletes the Trash’s contents, including the program that you just sent to the Trash.
Find and remove the malicious files
Click the desktop to make sure you’re in the Finder, choose “Go” then click on “Go to Folder“.
Type or copy/paste each of the below paths into the window that opens, then click Go.
/Library/LaunchAgents
~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/Application Support
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Look out for any suspicious files that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. These are some known malicious files: “com.adobe.fpsaud.plist” “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, or “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”. When you find a malicious file move it to the Trash.
STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings
In this third step, we will remove spam push notifications and malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.
Safari BrowserChrome for Mac BrowserFirefox for Mac Browser
Remove malicious extensions and settings from Safari
To remove malware from Safari we will check if there are any malicious extensions installed on your browser and what settings have been changed by this malicious program.
Go to Safari’s “Preferences”.
On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Preferences”.
Check Homepage.
This will open a new window with your Safari preferences, opened to the “General” tab. Some browser hijackers may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
Click “Extensions”
Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
Find and uninstall malicious extensions.
The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Look out for any suspicious browser extension that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine extension. By default, there are no extensions installed on Safari so it’s safe to remove an extension
Remove spam notifications ads
Click Preferences, click Websites, then click Notifications. Deselect “Allow websites to ask for permission to send push notifications”.
Remove all data stored by websites on your computer.
In the Safari menu, choose “Preferences…”, select “Privacy” at the top of the new window that appears, and then click the “Manage Website Data” button.
In the next dialog box, click “Remove All“. It will ask you if you are sure you want to remove all data stored by websites on your computer. Select “Remove Now” to clear data that could be used to track your browsing.
Empty Safari Caches.
From your Safari menu bar, click Safari and select Preferences, then select the Advanced tab. Enable the checkbox to “Show Develop menu in menu bar“.
From the menu bar select Develop, then click on Empty Caches as seen in the image below.
Remove malware from Chrome for Mac
To remove malware from Chrome for Mac we will reset the browser settings to their default. Doing these steps will erase all configuration information from Chrome such as your home page, tab settings, saved form information, browsing history, and cookies. This process will also disable any installed extensions. All of your bookmarks, though, will be preserved.
Click on the three dots at the top right and go to Settings.
Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings as shown by the arrow in the picture below, which will open the basic settings screen.
In the left sidebar, click on the “Reset and Cleanup” option.
In the left sidebar, click on “Reset and clean up“.
Click “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
Now click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults”. link as shown in the image below.
Click “Reset Settings” button.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
(Optional) Reset Chrome Data Sync.
In case a malicious extension reinstalls itself even after performing a browser reset, you have an additional option to reset the data sync for your browser. To do this, navigate to chrome.google.com/sync and click on the Clear Data button.
Remove malware from Firefox for Mac
To remove malware from Firefox for Mac we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.
Go to the “Help” menu.
Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “Troubleshooting Information”.
Next click on the “Troubleshooting Information” option as indicated by the arrow in the image below. This will bring you to a Troubleshooting page.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
Confirm.
To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Click on “Finish”.
Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.
Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.
STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
In this final step, we will scan the computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to find and remove any malicious programs that might be installed on your Mac.
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your computer should now be free of Unwanted Apps and Malware and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android
To remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from your phone or tablet, follow these steps:
In this first step, we will check if any malicious apps are installed on your phone. Sometimes browser hijackers or adware apps can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these apps.
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find the malicious app.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the applications that are installed on your phone. Scroll through the list and look out for any suspicious app that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program. Most often, cyber criminals hide malware inside video or photo editing apps, weather apps, and camera apps.
Uninstall the malicious app
When you find a suspicious or malicious app, tap on it to uninstall it. This won’t start the app but will open up the app details screen. If the app is currently running press the “Force stop” button, then tap on “Uninstall”.
A confirmation dialog should be displayed to confirm you want to uninstall the app, tap on “OK” to remove the malicious app from your phone.
STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
In this second step, we will reset your browser to its default settings to remove spam notifications, unwated search redirects, and restore its factory settings
Resetting the browser settings to their default it’s an easy task on Windows or Mac computers; however, when it comes to Android, this can’t be done directly because it’s not an option built-in into the browser settings. Restoring the browser settings on Android can be done by clearing the application data. This will remove all the cookies, cache, and other site settings that may have been saved. So let’s see how we can restore your browser to its factory settings.
Chrome for AndroidFirefoxOperaSamsung Internet BrowserMicrosoft Edge
Remove malware from Chrome for Android
To reset Chrome for Android to its default settings, follow the below steps:
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Chrome.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Chrome app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.
When Chrome’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Chrome’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove malware from Firefox for Android
To reset Firefox for Android to its default settings, follow the below steps:
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Firefox.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Firefox app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.
When Firefox’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Firefox data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove malware from the Opera browser
To reset the Opera browser to its default settings, follow the below steps:
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Opera.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Opera app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.
When Opera’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Opera’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove malware from Samsung Internet Browser
To reset the Samsung Internet Browser to its default settings, follow the below steps:
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Samsung Internet Browser.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Samsung Internet Browser app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.
When the Samsung Internet Browser’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Samsung Internet Browser’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove malware from Microsoft Edge for Android
To reset the Microsoft Edge for Android to its default settings, follow the below steps:
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” (or “App Manager”) to see all the installed applications on your phone.
Find and tap on Microsoft Edge.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Microsoft Edge app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
Tap “Storage”.
When the Microsoft Edge’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage“.
Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, you will get two options — Manage Space and Clear Cache. Tap on “Manage Space“.
Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Microsoft Edge’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps
In this final step, we will install Malwarebytes for Android to scan and remove malicious apps from your phone or tablet.
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of Unwanted Apps and Malware and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
In this first step, we will clean your Safari browser by using the built-in “Clear History and Website Data” feature.
“Clear History and Website Data” allows you to delete the browsing history and website data that is stored on your device. This can include information such as the websites you have visited, your search history, and any data that has been stored by websites you have visited, such as cookies and cache.
Do not tap on the malicious browser window or pop-ups. Instead, tap on the tab icon located in the lower right corner of the screen, as shown in the image below.
Tap the X button on the tab or swipe up to safely close it.
Tap the Settings app.
Toggle on Airplane Mode to temporarily disconnect your phone from the internet and block unwanted access.
Scroll down and tap Safari.
Tap Clear History and Website Data.
Confirm that you want to clear the history and data by tapping “Clear History and Data” in the pop-up window.
While in Safari settings, make sure to toggle on Block Pop-ups and Fraudulent Website Warning.
Tap on Settings in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings menu.
Toggle Airplane Mode back off to re-connect your phone to the internet.
STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps
In the next step, we will remove any potentially unwanted apps that may be installed on your iPhone. If you have downloaded an app after being redirected to the App Store by suspicious websites, it is recommended to delete it.
On the home screen, tap and hold on the app icon until all of the icons start to wiggle.
Tap the “X” button that appears on the top left corner of the app icon.
Confirm that you want to delete the app by tapping “Delete”.
That’s it, your iPhone should be clean and you can continue browsing the Internet. We recommend that you install an ad blocker like AdGuard to block the malicious ads.
If you continue to have malware related issues with your device after completing the above steps, we recommend to take one of these actions:
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to the fake McAfee pop-up. Here are proactive measures you can take to avoid encountering this scam in the future:
Avoid shady sites – Steer clear of piracy, adult, gambling, and other illicit websites completely. Even legal video streaming and torrent repos tend to purchase cheap traffic and ads. Stick to well-established, mainstream sites.
Install an ad blocker – Ad blockers like AdGuard dramatically reduce exposure to malvertising and toxic pop-up code. Enable additional filter lists for greater protection.
Use a pop-up blocker – Browser extensions like Pop Up Blocker for Chrome effectively halt most unwanted pop-ups from launching.
Frequent backups – Ransomware and data wipers are rare but possible outcomes. Maintain current backups of critical files on an external drive to recover from encryption or deletion.
Don’t download unexpectedly – Never accept or open software installers you weren’t actively seeking. Decline File Download dialogs that appear spontaneously.
Verify before allowing – If your browser asks to allow notifications or install extensions/add-ons, pay attention and verify it’s from a legitimate source before permitting.
Keep software updated – Use built-in update managers to stay current with security patches. Don’t let apps like Java, Adobe Acrobat, VLC lag excessively behind. Out-of-date software with known vulnerabilities is malware fodder.
Use antivirus – Just don’t expect it to catch everything. Malware constantly evolves to evade signature-based detection. But antivirus adds another protective layer when configured properly.
Avoid public Wi-Fi – Connecting to public hotspots exposes you to various man-in-the-middle attacks which redirect to pop-ups and phishing pages. Use a VPN when outside your home network.
Monitor accounts closely – Keep a close eye on financial statements and account emails. Security precautions reduce but don’t eliminate risk. Promptly reporting unauthorized charges or activities limits the damage.
Diligent precautions like these significantly decrease your odds of crossing paths with opportunistic pop-up scammers. They target negligence – don’t be negligent!
FAQs: The McAfee “Expired Subscription” Scam
Below we’ve put together some frequently asked questions to help improve readers’ understanding of how scammers are exploiting worried users through fake McAfee security alerts.
What exactly is the McAfee “expired subscription” scam?
This is a fraudulent scheme where scammers impersonate McAfee through fake pop-up alerts claiming your current antivirus subscription is expiring soon and must be renewed immediately. But it’s just a ruse to generate unnecessary purchases.
How are people targeted with the fake notifications?
Scammers spread the alerts through malicious ads, compromised sites, spam emails, and infected browser extensions. They often target those accessing media piracy or adult sites assuming they won’t scrutinize the pop-ups.
What techniques make the fake alerts seem real?
These pop-ups precisely mimic McAfee’s branding, logos, messaging templates and urgent tone. Some even show fake scans first to establish legitimacy before the expiration warnings appear.
Can McAfee software expire or need renewal?
Yes, legitimate McAfee software can expire and prompt renewal notices. But alerts with slightly off wording, low-quality graphics, or threatening tone are red flags it’s an impersonator.
How much money do scammers earn per victim?
Typical commissions are 30-40% of the software purchase price. So for a 1 year, $299 McAfee suite, they can earn around $90 per person tricked into a unnecessary renewal.
Does McAfee company benefit from the scam at all?
No, McAfee is also a victim as their brand is being illegally misused to deceive customers. They actively try to detect and shut down fake alert operations when discovered.
How can I spot fake security alerts on my PC?
Watch for slightly off wording, logos that don’t match, threatening language, or instructions that seem suspicious. Fake pages often can’t replicate McAfee perfectly.
What should I do if I see an expired subscription pop-up?
Do not click anything in the pop-up. Close the window through your browser or task manager immediately. Then run a real antivirus scan to check for other malware.
Are other major antivirus brands also impersonated?
Yes, scammers create fake renewal alerts impersonating Norton, AVG, and more to trick as many users as possible with the same scam. Always verify.
How can I prevent these fake notifications in the future?
Use ad blockers, avoid pirated content sites, don’t click suspicious links, update software regularly, and run anti-malware scans for prevention.
With knowledge of how this lucrative scam works, users can be on high alert when antivirus brands come calling about urgent renewals. Verify it’s legit first before handing over payment info.
The Bottom Line
The fake McAfee subscription expired pop-up is a prime example of social engineering at work. By abusing trust in an established brand, scammers convince naive users to willingly install malware or overpay for unneeded software.
If you encounter this deceptive pop-up, remember it is not real. Don’t click anything within it. Close it immediately using your browser’s native exit controls.
Take time to run scans, check settings, update software, and tweak browser extensions to identify and eliminate any intrusions. Monitor accounts closely over the next weeks for further signs of fraud.
Implement the preventative measures outlined in this article to significantly reduce your risk of being fooled. Avoid potentially dangerous sites and downloads. Use ad blockers, popup blockers, and updated antivirus to create layered security.
Above all, let the scam serve as a sobering reminder to exercise more caution online. Slow down. Don’t panic. Verify before allowing. And never install anything unexpectedly. Staying vigilant is the best way to avoid these too-clever social engineering ploys.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android
