How to spot scams like "!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected"

What kind of scam is "!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected"?

During our examination of this page, we discovered that it hosts a technical support scam, displaying deceptive pop-up messages to mislead visitors into thinking their computers are infected. It is crucial to avoid interacting with such sites as they are designed to deceive users. Usually, users access these websites unintentionally.

"!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected" scam in detail

The fake message displayed on the page appears to be a deceptive "Windows Firewall Alert". It claims that malware named "Dridex007" has been detected on the user's PC, leading to the disabling of access for security reasons. The message urges the user to call a specific Windows Helpline number (+1-888-969-8559), suggesting the presence of a threat named "keylogger.finance.exe".

This entire message is a part of a technical support scam to trick users into contacting the given number (contacting scammers). Scammers behind technical support scams aim to exploit users' fear and lack of technical knowledge to deceive them into believing that their computers are infected with malware or facing critical issues.

The ultimate goal is to trick users into contacting a supposed "tech support" number, where scammers impersonate legitimate technicians. During the call, they may attempt extract personal information or gain remote access to computers, ostensibly to resolve the fictitious problems, but in reality, they seek unauthorized access to sensitive information, financial data, or login credentials.

Also, they may execute malware (e.g., ransomware) on computers. In some cases, scammers may also persuade victims to purchase unnecessary software or services. A couple of examples of scams where scammers use remote administration tools to lure visitors into providing remote access to their computers are TeamViewer and UltraViewer scams.

Threat Summary:

Name	!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected technical support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	A computer is infected with Dridex007
Disguise	Legitimate warning from Windows Firewall
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	+1-888-969-8559, +1(877)524-9012, +1(833)781-8403, +1(872)666-9494
Symptoms	Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.
Distribution methods	Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Similar scams in general

These sites typically display alarming pop-up messages or fake system alerts, claiming that the user's computer is infected with malware or experiencing critical issues. They use scare tactics to create a sense of urgency, urging users to call a specific helpline number immediately.

Additionally, these scam sites may employ sophisticated designs and logos to appear legitimate, making it difficult for unsuspecting users to distinguish them from genuine tech support services. Examples of similar scams are "Virus Has Been Detected On Your Device", "!!Rootkit!! Malware Detected" and "Threats Detected:Stuxnet".

How did I open a scam website

Users can inadvertently open scam websites through malicious advertisements (including notifications from shady websites) or pop-up windows that redirect users to these sites. Scammers may also send phishing emails containing links to scam websites, tricking users into clicking on them. Adware can also be used to promote technical support and other scams.

In other cases, users open scam sites via pages that use rogue advertising networks, such as illegal movie streaming pages, torrent sites, adult websites, etc.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Do not open links in suspicious (e.g., irrelevant or unsolicited) emails or trust ads on questionable websites. Avoid allowing shady pages to send notifications. Regularly scan your computer for adware and other unwanted software. Avoid visiting pages that may employ rogue advertising networks. Download apps from official pages and stores.

If your computer is already infected with unwanted apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

The appearance of "!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected" pop-up scam (GIF):

Text in the deceptive pop-up:

Windows Firewall Alert !

!!Dridex007!! Malware Detected

Access To This PC Has Been Disabled For Security Reasons.

Call Windows Helpline: +1-888-969-8559 (USA Tollfree)

Windows

Threat-Detected - !!Dridex007!! Malware
App: keylogger.finance.exe

[Quick Support] [Back To Safety]

Instant automatic malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is !!Dridex007!! Malware Detected technical support scam?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

A pop-up scam is a deceptive tactic where fraudulent pop-up messages appear on a user's screen, often claiming that a computer is infected with malware or facing other issues. Scammers use such scams to trick users into performing certain actions.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Scammers aim to trick users into calling the provided phone number or clicking on malicious links, leading to further exploitation, financial scams, or the installation of malware on their systems.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Users encounter pop-up scams due to installed malicious applications or when visiting websites that utilize questionable networks or malicious sites. Notifications from shady websites are also used to promote scams.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is equipped to scan all the websites you visit, including malicious ones, and can detect sites designed to deliver pop-up scams. If you encounter such a site, Combo Cleaner will promptly issue a warning and restrict access to protect you from scams.

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