Avoid logging in to Spotify via fake websites
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
Spotify email scam removal guide
What is Spotify email scam?
In most cases, cyber criminals/scammers behind phishing emails contact potential victims via email, text message or telephone. They attempt to trick people into providing sensitive information such as credit card details and passwords. In this particular case, scammers send emails disguised as messages from Spotify asking recipients to update their payment methods via a fake Spotify website. Their main goal is to steal Spotify accounts. Never trust this email, or similar.
Scammers behind this phishing scam send emails claiming that Spotify could not bill the recipient due to a problem with the preferred payment method. To fix this problem, the recipient must supposedly log in to Spotify via a provided website link (a fake Spotify website). On this website, the recipient is asked to log in with Facebook or using Spotify account login credentials (email address or username and password). Therefore, anyone who attempts to log in to Spotify via this deceptive website provides scammers their Facebook and/or Spotify login credentials. Scammers could use stolen accounts to steal identities, trick other people (e.g., people in the victim's contact list) into providing sensitive information, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, sell stolen accounts to third parties (other cyber criminals), etc. Commonly, people use identical login credentials for multiple accounts, and thus scammers can try to compromise them as well. Therefore, be sure that any visited login website is legitimate and official (e.g., by checking its URL address) and never provide any information on dubious, unofficial pages.
| Name | Spotify Email Scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Problem with the preferred payment method. |
| Disguise | Message from Spotify. |
| Fake Spotify Website Address | ashyanabuilders[.]com |
| Serving IP Address (ashyanabuilders[.]com) | 173.231.196.154 |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the 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 Malwarebytes. |
Some more examples of similar scams are "POLÍCIA SEGURANÇA PÚBLICA Email Scam", "Xerox Scanned Document Email Scam" and "SendGrid Email Scam". Typically, scammers behind emails of this type attempt to trick recipients into providing sensitive information, which could be misused to generate revenue in various ways. Note that emails are used to trick recipients into installing malware through attached malicious files or website links. Examples of malware that cyber criminals distribute via malspam campaigns include TrickBot, Adwind, Agent Tesla, and CoronaCrypt0r.
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
Typically, users infect computers via email when they open/execute a malicious file that is attached to an email sent by cyber criminals. Installation of malware can also be caused via email, when people open a file downloaded via a malicious website link contained within the message. Usually, cyber criminals attach malicious PDF, Microsoft Office documents, JavaScript files, executable files such as .exe, and archive files such as ZIP, RAR. Note that malicious MS Office documents cannot infect computers unless they receive permission to enable macros commands (editing/content), however, this does not apply to documents opened with MS Office versions released before MS Office 2010, since older versions do not include "Protected View" mode, which prevents malicious documents form installing malware automatically.
How to avoid installation of malware
You are strongly advised not to open files attached to irrelevant emails and/or emails that are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. The same applies to website links - opening them could cause download of files designed to install malicious software. All software and files should be downloaded from trustworthy, official websites and via direct download links. All other sources (Peer-to-Peer networks, third party downloaders, unofficial pages, free file hosting pages) should not be used. Third party installers should not be used to install software. Furthermore, it is important to update and activate installed software with tools or implemented functions that are designed by the official developers. Third party, unofficial activation and updating tools often proliferate and install malware. Furthermore, it is illegal to use unofficial ('cracking') tools to activate licensed software. Regularly scan the computer for threats with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software, and keep this up to date. If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the Spotify email scam:
Subject: Please update your payment method
We're unable to bill you.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news , but there's a problem with your preferred payment method.
Follow these steps to help us fix the problem.
CONFIRM ACCOUNT
Get Spotiify for: iPhone iPad Android Other
This message was sent to -. If you have questions or complaints, please contact us.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyContact Us
Notification AB, Regeringsgatan 19, 111 53, Stockholm, Sweden
Screenshot of the fake Spotify login website (ashyanabuilders[.]com):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Malwarebytes
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 Malwarebytes. 14 days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is Spotify email scam?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of possible malware infections.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Malwarebytes for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs. These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Malwarebytes for Windows.
Outstanding!
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