'TROJAN_2022 And Other Viruses Detected' Scam
We uncovered a scam known as the "TROJAN_2022 And Other Viruses Detected" while inspecting sites that promote rogue advertising networks. This fake content claims that the visitor's device is infected with multiple viruses. It is important to note that these claims are false and have no connection to any legitimate antivirus developer.
The scam consists of several pop-ups, the first of which appears to be an antivirus application interface. The second pretends to be a quick system scan, which quickly finds infections on the device and displays a fake threat report claiming it is infected with "TROJAN_2022", spyware, and adware.
According to the scam, the spyware is designed to extract usernames, passwords, and banking information. The adware supposedly alters Internet search results by inserting fake and deceptive content into them, while the trojan will supposedly wipe hard drives and cause permanent data loss.
It must be emphasized again that this information is completely false and has no connection to any legitimate antivirus product maker it is spoofing. No website can detect threats on visitors' devices, so any that make such claims are scams. At the time of examining the domain, "TROJAN_2022 And Other Viruses Detected" redirected to the official website of the antivirus product it was spoofing via an affiliate link. This is a common tactic used by scammers to collect illegitimate commissions by promoting genuine content.
To protect yourself from this scam, it is important to be aware of the signs. If you see a pop-up claiming that your device is infected with viruses, do not click on any links or buttons and immediately close the window. Additionally, make sure to only download antivirus software from trusted sources and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrustworthy websites.
