Destruction Shaped As Protection: Fake Antivirus Scams

Antivirus software has been with us for quite some time now. You could argue that it’s been there almost forever (at least since the times when computers became a household item and the Internet was the Wild West.) Nowadays, such software comes integrated in most cases, yet, there are loads of destructive apps that masquerade as antivirus software. Knowing what they look like and what methods the threat actors use to lure you in is the way to stay safe, and we are here to teach you all about it.

What Is A Fake Antivirus Software?

Fake antivirus software, also known as rogue antivirus or rogue security software, is an antivirus scam designed to wreak havoc on your device instead of actually providing safety and security against viruses. It acts like a legitimate antivirus software, but instead infects your device with malware and other nasty stuff.

Malicious actors use a variety of scare tactics to scare you into downloading their fake antivirus software and infecting your device. These scare tactics include using a fake antivirus pop-up window that tells you your device is infected with either real or fake virus names. If you are tech-savvy, you may think that you are safe from such nonsense, but trust us, some of these warnings can get pretty realistic.

Now, if they reel you in, a few things could happen. Under the false pretense of your device being infected, this malicious software could force you into buying the “premium” version or something similar in order to fix the issues. Of course, knowing that it is a fake antivirus software, you will be paying for nothing.

In other cases, it might ask you to download the software at hand under the same pretense, yet, it will infect your device with malware. Some are nastier than the others, but the risk is surely not worth it. Especially if it infects your computer with ransomware and asks for, well, ransom, to decrypt your files or steal your sensitive information via keylogging.

It is also possible that it would be a combination of two – luring you into buying the software, and infecting your device after the installation. In this case you are essentially paying to get your device infected, and it would be hard to find a person in any place on Earth or even the whole Universe that would say that is a good thing.

In short, fake antivirus software promises security, but it is fake security since it does the opposite thing – infects your device. And with these infections, they can steal your important data, such as bank account details.

How Can I Protect Myself Against Fake Antiviruses?

Now that you know what is a fake antivirus software, it’s time to learn how to protect against them.

Use the Real Deal

The first thing to consider is using the real deal. By real deal, we mean using reputable and legitimate antivirus software. If you are a Windows user, you can stay relatively calm since newer versions of Windows come with antivirus software built-in right into the system. It works relatively well, is updated frequently, and should protect your computer from most of the usual threats, including fake antivirus software.

If you are using Linux-based operating systems (Ubuntu, Mint, or other distributions), generally, there is no need for additional antivirus software. Linux systems are protected with meticulously engineered permission systems that generally prevent malicious software from running. It is also worth noting that (yes, there are exceptions, but let’s generalize here) due to lower market share, there are not many malicious software created for Linux-based systems, especially when it comes to targeting individuals (as would be the case with fake antivirus). It is simply not worth it to invest time into creating a sophisticated fake antivirus software that would target a small number of people since the work/payoff balance is so low.

The case is similar to macOS devices. Apple devices are generally safe as they are. Of course, there is malicious software for macOS devices, too, but in general, you should be safe. One notable example of a rogue antivirus was Mac Defender. It acted as a fake antivirus software for macOS devices, but was indeed malware.

Just to ensure maximum protection from data leakages and those freak cases where your super-protected device is attacked somehow, a VPN would be a great solution. If data theft is the key purpose of infection, this data is being sent to the central command via the internet, and if a VPN is enabled, all this data is unreadable due to encryption.

By the way, if you are using an antivirus software, keep it updated regardless of what operating system or what antivirus you are using. Staying up to date is a simple yet effective way to keep your devices safe.

Check What You Download

Do you download a lot of things daily? Better double-check them. Whether it be software or any other file type, viruses could be hiding there somewhat easily. In this regard, make sure to download any files, especially executables, from official and well-trusted websites. Avoid the ones that take you through seventy-five redirects and show a large, full-page green DOWNLOAD button. If you download that file and run in – good luck, you are in quite a bit of trouble (most very likely.)

If the website seems sketchy, but you are somewhat sure that it is the real deal, do a simple search. Check for other mentions of this source website, and look for forum posts, reviews, and all that. If there are mentions that this is indeed the real deal, go ahead. It’s always about vigilance and research when it comes to your and, frankly, the safety of others. Infections can be nasty and spread further, such as through email. 

When it comes to files, though, your best best is running the file through VirusTotal before you run it.

Look For Fake Antivirus Signs

Now this may be the main way how they get you. You are surfing the web and a pop-up appears telling you that you are infected. It looks like just any other warning message that your device may display, tricking you into a click. Once you are there, a window may appear with a fake virus scan, telling you that you have a billion and a half viruses on your device, thus, you have to buy some software to fix it all. Are there fake virus warnings? Yes, and you just encountered one.

Be familiar with the actual messages that your device shows when there is an issue. In Windows, for example, an infection warning will appear to pop-out out of your system clock, and it will be there in the notifications center. If it pops up in some other way or does not appear in the notifications center, it means that the thing is fake. The same tactics are used in other operating systems – faking actual messages. Don’t fall for them. It’s better to check your protection software to see if there are any actual threats there.

Other potential signs include an overly aggressive approach to force a purchase or download, poorly written text, loads of redirects, and similar out-of-the-ordinary things.

Be Cautious of Free Offers

Don’t get us wrong – there is loads of great and legit free software. However, you should be aware of those who claim just a bit too much. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. If some free antivirus software claims that it will physically protect your device and will turn your PC into a powerhouse that space engineers use – it’s fake. Of course, these are some made-up radical examples, but keep your eyes peeled. If some paid software does not offer some extraordinary features, it surely means that a free one can’t offer it either in most cases.

All in all, it’s not cool when something that claims protection actually does the opposite. But hey, the Internet is a wild place, and it comes as no surprise that someone will try to exploit safety. With all these tips in mind and signs to look for, the answer to “how can I protect myself against fake antiviruses?” should no longer bother you.