'Total AV Security - Your Smartphone Is Infected' Pop-Up Scam

During our exploration of suspicious online platforms, our team of researchers came across a website actively promoting the "Total AV Security - Your Smartphone Is Infected" hoax. This deceptive webpage alleges that the mobile device of the user visiting the site has fallen victim to a number of viruses. It's crucial to emphasize that this fraudulent scheme bears no connection whatsoever to the legitimate antivirus solution whose name and branding are used in the scam.

Upon entering a webpage hosting the "Total AV Security - Your Smartphone Is Infected" content, a fake virus scan is performed. Subsequently, a pop-up window materializes, presenting a similarly fake threat assessment.

The pop-up notification declares that the visitor's smartphone has a number of viruses on it. The scam further claims that devices lacking proper protection are a staggering 93% more prone to infections. It then falsely indicates that the subscription for "Total AV Security" had expired and strongly recommended the visitor to renew it urgently.

It is important to once again make it clear that all assertions made within this scam are entirely false, and this deceptive practice holds no affiliation with the authentic antivirus solution. Furthermore, it's important to recognize that no website possesses the capability to initiate system scans or identify threats or issues on the devices of its visitors.

In the majority of cases, scams of this nature serve as platforms to endorse unreliable and potentially harmful software, ranging from counterfeit anti-virus programs to adware, browser hijackers, and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

Why Should You Not Trust Virus Warnings on Websites?

Not all virus warnings on websites are fake, but a significant portion of them are indeed deceptive or malicious. Here's why many virus warnings encountered on websites tend to be fake:

• Social Engineering and Scare Tactics: Many fake virus warnings use scare tactics to trick users into taking action. They claim that the user's device is infected with a virus or malware, and they must take immediate action to fix it. This urgency creates pressure, leading users to follow the suggested steps without properly evaluating the legitimacy of the warning.
• Malicious Intent: Fake virus warnings often aim to deceive users into downloading malicious software. These warnings might suggest that users need to install a certain tool or antivirus program to remove the supposed virus. However, the software being promoted could be malware itself, designed to compromise the user's system or steal personal information.
• Unscrupulous Marketing: Some websites use fake virus warnings as a form of aggressive marketing for dubious security products. They might falsely claim that your device is infected and then prompt you to purchase or download their product to "fix" the issue.
• Phishing Attempts: Fake virus warnings might also be part of phishing attempts. The warning could lead users to a fake login page or ask for personal information under the guise of fixing the supposed virus issue.
• Adware and Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs): Some fake virus warnings are generated by adware or potentially unwanted programs. These programs might inject misleading pop-ups or banners into web pages to promote their services or products.
• Browser Hijacking: In certain cases, browser hijackers might modify browser settings to display fake virus warnings. This is done to create an atmosphere of urgency and compel users to take actions that benefit the attackers.