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How to spot scam emails used to trick recipients into installing ScreenConnect?

Also Known As: ConnectWise remote control phishing
Damage level: Severe

What is ScreenConnect (ConnectWise) Client scam?

Fraudsters use all kinds of ways to extract information or money from people and distribute malicious programs via emails. This article describes cases where fraudsters use emails to trick recipients into installing ConnectWise (formerly known as ScreenConnect). This software allows threat actors to perform malicious activities on computers. The method of using legitimate remote access tools (such as TeamViewer, UltraViewer and similar) to control victim's computers is rather common among scammers, as it is easy to trick people into installing legitimate and recognizable software.

ScreenConnect (ConnectWise) Client scam email

More about ScreenConnect (ConnectWise) client and how scammers misuse it

ConnectWise is legitimate software, an IT service management tool that allows users to control and access computers or servers. Fraudsters have been observed using emails to trick recipients into downloading and installing ConnectWise on their computers. Some scammers may use the name ScreenConnect instead of ConnectWise in their scams.

An example of the email used to trick users into installing ConnectWise is "Geek Squad Email Scam". These emails usually claim that a subscription has been renewed to trick recipients into calling the provided numbers. Once scammers are called, they instruct people to download and install ConnectWise.

Additionally, scammers behind these emails may be asking to provide personal information (e.g., credit card details or ID card information).

Once the ConnectWise software is installed on computers and the session is joined, crooks can start performing malicious activities. Usually, they try to obtain sensitive information or download malware (e.g., ransomware or crypto-mining malware) on computers. It is known that ConnectWise is or was used to distribute ZEPPELIN ransomware.

It is also possible that threat actors may use the ConnectWise (or ScreenConnect) software name to disguise their malware. They may distribute malware by disguising it as installers of the legitimate software.

Threat Summary:
Name ScreenConnect (ConnectWise) Client Scam
Threat Type Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim Subscribtion has been renewed
Disguise Letter from Geek Squad or other legitimate company
Symptoms Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer.
Distribution methods Deceptive emails and websites (e.g., technical support scam pages).
Damage Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Malware Removal (Windows)

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Other scams used to gain remote access to computers

Pop-up scams are also used to trick users into providing remote access to their computers. In these cases, scammers use deceptive websites claiming that a computer is infected or there is another problem that must be fixed immediately. Typically, these pages display fake virus warnings, error alerts, and other messages, and provide fake technical support numbers.

Examples of emails and websites used to trick users into calling scammers are "Norton Subscription Will Renew Today", "Norton Cloud Subscription Activated Email Scam", "Your Windows Got Corrupted Due To Virus POP-UP Scam", and "Pirated Windows Software Detected In This Computer POP-UP Scam".

Threat actors can also use emails to lure visitors into infecting computers without installing remote administration software.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Emails used to deliver malware contain malicious attachments or links. Threat actors behind them aim to lure recipients into opening malicious pages or files. In most cases, users infect computers via malicious MS Office, PDF documents, executables, JavaScript files, archives like ZIP or RAR, and ISO files.

It is worth mentioning that users infect computers via malicious MS Office documents by enabling macros commands (editing or content). MS Office 2010 and other versions released after include the "Protected View" mode that prevents malicious documents from infecting computers right after they are opened.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Download software (and files) from official web pages. Avoid downloads from P2P networks, third-party downloaders, shady websites, free file hosting sites, etc. Be careful with emails containing malicious links or attachments. Do not open their contents without being sure it is safe, especially when they are not relevant and sent from unknown addresses.

Use reputed antivirus software for computer protection and run system scans with it regularly. Keep the operating system and installed software updated. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

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:
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Quick menu:

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing email icon Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Email-virus icon Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion email icon Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

  • Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
  • Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
  • Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
  • Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows

Example of a spam email:

Example of an email spam

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

  • If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
  • If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
  • If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
  • If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
  • Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Scammers sent the same letter to all recipients. Usually, emails of this kind are not personal (they are non-targeted).

What is the purpose of this scam?

Scammers use such emails and deceptive pages to trick recipients into calling them and installing remote administration software on their computers.

What can scammers do while having remote access to my computer?

They can obtain sensitive information, hijack online accounts, make fraudulent purchases, infect computers with malware, delete files, and perform other malicious activities.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware. A full system scan should be performed in order to detect (and remove) high-end malware. Usually, malware of this kind hides deep in the operating system.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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