You Are Our Winner Today! POP-UP Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
What is You Are Our Winner Today!?
"You Are Our Winner Today!" is a deceptive pop-up message displayed by various rogue sites. Research shows that, in most cases, users visit these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by various PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) and intrusive ads delivered by other sites.
Furthermore, potentially unwanted programs typically infiltrate systems without permission, deliver intrusive ads, and record sensitive information.
The "You Are Our Winner Today!" message states that the user is "Today's lucky visitor" and has a chance to win an iPhone X, Playstation 4, or Samsung Galaxy S8. The user must simply complete a survey of three questions. This is a scam. Criminals generate revenue by tricking users into completing various surveys.
Furthermore, after completing the survey, users are presented with a window stating that they have won. To claim the prize, the victim must enter personal data (name, surname, address, email address, etc.) Developers can then misuse this information, thereby causing serious privacy issues.
Therefore, ignore the "You Are Our Winner Today!" message and leave the site immediately. Some rogue sites use scripts that prevent users from closing their browsing tabs/windows.
In these cases, terminate the browser using Task Manager or simply reboot the system. After re-running the browser, do not restore the previous session, otherwise you will end up returning to the malicious site/s.
As mentioned above, potentially unwanted programs are designed to gather information. The list of collected data types typically includes (but it is not limited to) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, queries entered into search engines, and keystrokes.
This information also includes personal details that are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who also misuse private data to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of information-tracking apps can lead to identity theft. PUPs are also notorious for delivering intrusive advertisements.
To achieve this, developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, coupons, banners, pop-ups, and other delivered ads often conceal underlying website content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.
In addition, intrusive ads can lead to malicious sites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install malware. Therefore, even a single accidental click might result in high-risk computer infections. For these reasons, all PUPs must be eliminated immediately.
| Name | "You are our winner today!" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of one's computer. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
There are dozens of deceptive pop-ups similar to "You Are Our Winner Today!". For example, ERROR 268d3x8938, Microsoft Alert Your Data Is At High Risk, Attention Your Computer Has Been Infected, and Your Computer Might Be Infected By Trojans.
The main difference is that, unlike "You Are Our Winner Today!", these messages do not offer any prizes. They claim that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, etc.) and encourages users to download a system repair/anti-spyware tool (in-app purchases) or contact fake 'tech support' (paid services).
In any case, all have an identical purpose - to generate revenue for the developers. All potentially unwanted programs are very similar.
By offering a wide range of "useful features", they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, they cause unwanted redirects, gather sensitive information, and deliver intrusive ads, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
Some PUPs have official download websites, however, due to the lack of knowledge and careless behavior of many users, PUPs often infiltrate systems without permission, since developers promote them using intrusive advertisements, and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" (stealth installation of third party apps with regular software).
Developers do not properly disclose installation of "bundled" PUPs. They are hidden within various sections (typically "Custom/Advanced" settings) of the download/installation processes.
Furthermore, many users are very likely to click advertisements and skip download/installation steps - behavior that often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
The key to computer safety is caution. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software.
Developers invest many resources into intrusive ad design, and thus most seem legitimate. Once clicked, however, they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar).
If you experience these redirects, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs.
Cancel offers to download/install third party apps and decline offers to download/install them. You are advised to avoid using third party download/installation tools, since developers monetize them by promoting PUPs (the "bundling" method).
Apps should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. If your computer is already infected with PUPs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "You Are Our Winner Today!" pop-up:
Google Membership Rewards
Congratulations Privax LTD User, your Desktop has won (1) gift from Google!
Every Monday we select 10 lucky Desktop users randomly (once a day), to receive a free gift (prize guaranteed!) from our sponsor - Privax LTD. This free gift is only for clients of Privax LTD! This is simply our way to thank you for continued support for our products and services (product name: Desktop).
You have been selected by Privax LTD to win a free gift of up to $1149 if you answer the next 3 questions correctly.
Note: ACT NOW! 8 Desktop users have received this invitation and there are only 2 prizes to be won.
You have 1 minute and 22 seconds to answer the following questions before we give the prizes to another lucky user! Good luck!/p>
Page displayed after the user completes the survey:
The appearance of "You Are Our Winner Today!" pop-up (GIF):
Another variant ("Congratulations! device User!") of this pop-up scam:
Text presented within this scam:
Initial pop-up:
Congratulations! device user!
You are selected by Google to be among the first few persons to win a Apple iPhone 11 Pro or other Google prizes! This gift is exclusively for loyal users in *****.
Website:
Congratulations! device User! Your IP has Won (1) Google Gift!
January 21
Every Tuesday we randomly select 10 lucky device users, once a day to receive a gift (Prize Guaranteed!) from Google. This gift is exclusively and ONLY for ******** users in ***** ! This is just our way to thank you for your continuous support of our product and services.You have been selected to win a gift worth up to 1,159$ if you answer the next 4 questions correctly.
ACT NOW! 9 other users have received this invitation with only 5 prizes available to win.
You have a limited time to answer the questions before someone else takes over your spot. Good luck!
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 You Are Our Winner Today!?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted programs:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove rogue extensions from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you are our winner today!" virus, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you are our winner today!" virus, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with "you are our winner today!" virus removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the "you are our winner today!" virus, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Outstanding!
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