How to identify fake "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" sites

What kind of scam is "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure"?

While investigating suspicious websites, our researchers discovered the "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" scam. It imitates a Cloudflare CAPTCHA verification page. Upon examination, we determined that it operates as a ClickFix scam, attempting to trick victims into infecting their devices with malware.

"Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" scam overview

This scam is presented as a Cloudflare page that states – "Checking if the site connection is secure". It must be mentioned that this scam is not associated with Cloudflare or any other legitimate services or entities.

Firstly, users are presented with a checkbox-type CAPTCHA test. Yet the following steps are unrelated to any legitimate CAPTCHA verification. Users are instructed to press the Windows Key and R combination, followed by CTRL and V, and lastly – the Enter key.

The scam webpage copies a malicious script to the visitor's clipboard, and the first step – Win + R – is the combo for Run command. The second – CTRL and V – is the combination for pasting from the clipboard, which contains the script copied by the deceptive page. Thus, the first steps are used to paste the malicious script into Run command, and pressing the Enter key executes the script.

ClickFix scams like "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" are used to proliferate malware. These scams spread all kinds of malicious programs, including ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, and various types of trojans.

In summary, by trusting a ClickFix scam – users can experience system infections that may lead to permanent data loss, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you believe that your system is already infected – perform a complete system scan with an antivirus and eliminate all threats without delay.

ClickFix scam examples

We have investigated countless online scams; "AI-POWERED IQ TEST", "1 Year Free Premium NordVPN", "7 Viruses Detected On Your PC Device", and "Verify You Are A Human (CAPTCHA)" are just some examples of ClickFix scams.

Aside from downloading/installing malware, scams may seek to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive information, sending money to scammers, purchasing products, calling fake support lines, or performing other actions.

Regardless of the differences in their aims and appearance, the end goal of all scams is the same – to generate revenue at their victims' expense. Therefore, we highly recommend vigilance when browsing online.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are mainly endorsed via websites using rogue advertising networks (redirects), malvertising (intrusive ads), spam (e.g., browser notifications, emails, forum/ social media posts, PMs/DMs, cold calls, robocalls, SMSes, etc.), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware (advertisements or redirects).

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is paramount to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be wary of websites, ads, and messages that urge you to take action against imminent threats or make unbelievable promises.

Do not use sites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming, downloading, torrenting, etc.), as these webpages usually employ rogue advertising networks. Do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant communications (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, etc.).

Ignore or block browser notification requests from dubious websites. Download from official/verified sources and be attentive during installation (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of supplementary apps, extensions, tools, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (such as adware) from infiltrating the device.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Text presented in the "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" scam:

dash.cloudflare.com
Check if the site connection is secure

Cloudflare
Security by Cloudflare

Let us know you're human, please complete steps:

1 Press [Win] + [R]

2 Press [Ctrl] + [V]

3 Press [Enter] For Verification

You will observe and agree:

I am not a robot - Cloudflare Verification ID:
#9823.475_2387

[VERIFY]

dash.cloudflare.com needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

Appearance of the "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" pop-up scam (GIF):

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:

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.

Quick menu:

• What is "Cloudflare Checking If The Site Connection Is Secure" ClickFix scam?
• 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?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages designed to trick users into performing specific actions. To elaborate, victims can be lured/scared into downloading/installing software, disclosing private data, making monetary transactions, calling fake helplines, buying products, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

The purpose of pop-up scams is to generate revenue for scammers. These cyber criminals primarily profit by proliferating malware, endorsing content (e.g., websites, products, services, etc.), obtaining funds through deception, and abusing/selling sensitive information.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are primarily encountered via webpages using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, browser notifications, PMs/DMs, social media posts, etc.), intrusive adverts, misspelled URLs, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan every website that you visit for deceptive and malicious content. Additionally, it can deny all further access to such webpages.