How to avoid scams like "This Software Must Be Installed To Avoid Problems"

What kind of scam is "This Software Must Be Installed To Avoid Problems"?

Our analysis shows that it is a pop-up scam, a type of scheme where a fake warning is displayed on a deceptive website. This scam uses a scare tactic to trick visitors into taking the specified action. Falling for this scam can expose users to potentially malicious downloads or other issues. Thus, if this scam site is encountered, it should be ignored and closed.

"This Software Must Be Installed To Avoid Problems" scam in detail

The deceptive warning poses as a User Account Control prompt, claiming that software must be installed to avoid problems. It instructs the user to download a file ("Defender Security Update v2.1") and includes a misleading note that it comes from a verified publisher. The dialog box presents two options: "Download" and "More info".

Clicking "Download" leads to another deceptive site where the user is instructed to click on the downloaded file in the top-right corner of the browser's download menu. They are then prompted to run the installer to activate protection. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, they are told to click "Yes" to grant permission for the installation.

This scam website downloads a file named "Defender_Update_Setup _843257.zip". The contents of this file may include adware that floods the user with unwanted advertisements or redirects them to shady websites. It could also contain browser hijackers that modify homepage settings, search engines, or inject fake alerts to push more scams.

Moreover, the file may contain malware such as ransomware, which can encrypt files and demand payment for their decryption, or information stealers, which harvest sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, cryptocurrency wallet keys, etc. Downloading and running this file can lead to system instability, financial loss, identity theft, data losses, security breaches, and more.

Therefore, unofficial websites that display warnings, alerts, offers, or similar messages should not be trusted and should be closed immediately if encountered.

Similar scams in general

Websites that use deceptive tactics, such as fake security warnings, urgent download prompts, and impersonated system messages, are often designed to trick users into taking harmful actions. These scams can lead to serious consequences, including malware infections, data theft, and financial loss.

Users should avoid interacting with suspicious sites and never download or run files from untrusted sources. More examples of scams involving deceptive messages (pop-ups) are "7 Viruses Detected On Your PC Device", "Upgrade Your Windows Antivirus Software", and "Error_Code: GUI45WGV0001".

How did I open a scam website?

Scammers can trick users into opening scam websites via deceptive emails containing links (or files) and fake or compromised social media accounts (by sending fraudulent messages to users). Users can also land on scam pages after visiting sites offering pirated content, free software cracks, adult material, or similar platforms that often rely on rogue ad networks.

Another common method for spreading scams involves deceptive ads, pop-up windows, or fake system alerts on shady websites, and notifications from web pages of this kind. Overall, users often end up on scam websites through manipulative techniques used by scammers.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Be careful with emails or messages from unknown sources (addresses or people). Do not open unexpected attachments or click on suspicious links included in such messages. Always download software and files only from official websites or reputable app stores. Keep your operating system and applications up to date.

Also, use trusted antivirus or security tools to scan your system regularly, do not trust advertisements, pop-ups, or other content on dubious websites, and never allow these sites to send you notifications. 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 "This Software Must Be Installed To Avoid Problems" scam (GIF):

Text in the fake warning:

User Account Control

This software must be installed to avoid problems

Download Defender Security Update v2.1

Verified publisher

[Download] [More info]

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is This Software Must Be Installed To Avoid Problems fake warning?
• 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?

This scam usually involves fake alerts that mimic legitimate antivirus warnings or system notifications to trick users into taking quick action.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

These scams are often used to deceive users into clicking a link, downloading harmful software, disclosing personal information, or sending money to scammers.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Shady pop-ups, misleading ads, and fake notifications from untrustworthy pages often lead users to scam websites. These sites are also reached through deceptive emails or links shared by hacked or fake social media accounts. Additionally, visiting unreliable platforms like torrent or adult sites that rely on rogue ad networks can lead users to fraudulent pages.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner actively scans websites and spots harmful sites that display fake pop-ups or host other scams. When it finds a threat, it quickly warns the user and prevents access to safeguard the device.