Do not trust sites claiming that your Android device is heavily damaged
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Your System Is Heavily Damaged"?
Our researchers discovered the "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam during a routine investigation of deceptive websites. There are several variants of this Android device targeting scheme. The versions we have inspected claim that the visitor's device is infected and urge them to download the recommended app immediately. However, all these claims are fake; furthermore, no website can detect threats/issues present on systems.
"Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam overview
Both variants of the "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam contain practically identical text. They warn the site's visitor that their Android device is infected with two viruses, which have supposedly caused "28.1%" damage to it. The scam attempts to further scare the user by claiming that the nonexistent threats will corrupt the device's SIM card, contacts, photos, apps, and other data.
The visitor is then instructed to download and run the recommended application. In most cases, scams of this kind use this deception to promote fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and various PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications). We have even noted instances of such schemes pushing trojans, ransomware, and other malware.
Hence, by trusting a scam like "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" - victims can experience system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Android device is infected and must be fixed with the recommended software. |
| Related Domains | virtlserv[.]com |
| Detection Names (virtlserv[.]com) | N/A (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (virtlserv[.]com) | 138.201.18.153 |
| 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 | Stolen personal information (private messages, logins/passwords, etc.), decreased device performance, battery is drained quickly, decreased Internet speed, huge data losses, monetary losses, stolen identity (malicious apps might abuse communication apps). |
| Malware Removal (Android) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your mobile device with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Online scams in general
We have analyzed thousands of online scams. Popular models include virus/hacker warnings, error alerts, outdated software messages, lotteries, reward programs, giveaways, undelivered package notifications, and so forth. This deceptive content often mentions genuine products, companies, organizations, service providers, and other entities - thus attempting to create an impression of legitimacy.
"Phone Update Recommended", "YOUR GOOGLE HAS (4) CRITICAL VULNERABILITIES!", "Your Device Has Been Compromised", and "Cleaner Update" are merely some examples of scams that target Android users.
How did I open a scam website?
Deceptive websites are most commonly accessed via redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, misspelled URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive ads, or installed adware.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Rogue advertising networks are known to promote deceptive/malicious material. Therefore, we advise against visiting sites that use them, e.g., ones offering pirated programs/media or other suspicious services (Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.).
We recommend paying attention to URLs and being careful when typing them - in order to avoid fake mirror websites and redirects to dangerous pages. Furthermore, be vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually looks ordinary and harmless.
To avoid receiving unwanted browser notifications, do not permit dubious sites to deliver them (i.e., do not click "Allow", "Allow Notifications", etc.). Instead, ignore or deny notification delivery requests presented by such webpages (i.e., select "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.).
Another recommendation is to download only from official/verified sources and approach installation with caution (e.g., read terms, explore options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt-out of all additions, etc.) - to prevent bundled/harmful software from infiltrating the system.
Text presented in a variant of "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam:
Your system is heavily damaged by Two viruses!
We detect that your [device_model] is 28.1% DAMAGED because of Two harmful viruses from recent adult sites. Soon it will damage your phone's SIM card and will corrupt your contacts, photos, data, applications , etc.
If you do not remove the virus now , it will cause severe damage to your phone . Here's what you NEED to do (step by step ):
Step 1: Tap the button and install App for free!
Step 2: Open the App to speed up and fix your browser now!
REPAIR FAST NOW
Appearance of an alternative variant of "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam:
Appearance of an application promoted by "Your System Is Heavily Damaged" scam:
Quick menu:
- Introduction
- How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
- How to reset the Chrome web browser?
- How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
- How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
- How to reset the Firefox web browser?
- How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
- How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
- How to check the battery usage of various applications?
- How to check the data usage of various applications?
- How to install the latest software updates?
- How to reset the system to its default state?
- How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?
Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".
Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Notifications" option and tap it.
Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications. However, once you visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you for the permission).
Reset the Chrome web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:
Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.
Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".
Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:
Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".
In the opened pop-up opt-in the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".
Reset the Firefox web browser:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.
Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.
Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".
Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":
The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent users you from doing so when the device is running "normally").
Push the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you'll be able run it by restarting the device.
Check the battery usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.
Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use as low energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may indicate that the application is malicious.
Check the data usage of various applications:
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. This means that huge data usage may indicate presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.
If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.
Install the latest software updates:
Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice when it comes to device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cyber criminals. An outdated system is way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's software is up-to-date.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.
Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and/or install it automatically.
Reset the system to its default state:
Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep in mind that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal state.
You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;
Disable applications that have administrator privileges:
If a malicious application gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.
Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.
Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".
Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pop-up scam?
Basically, pop-up scams are messages designed to lure/scare users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be tricked into downloading/installing software, purchasing products or services, revealing private information, making monetary transactions, and so forth.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
Scams are usually used for the sole purpose of profiting at victims' expense. Cyber criminals can generate revenue by obtaining funds via deception, promoting software/products/services, abusing or selling private data, spreading malware, etc.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
Pop-up scams are promoted on rogue webpages that are rarely accessed intentionally. Most users enter them through redirects caused by sites that use rogue advertising networks, mistyped URLs, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware.
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