How to avoid getting scammed by fake "Critical Security Alert" websites

What kind of scam is "Critical Security Alert"?

Our researchers discovered the "Critical Security Alert" scam while inspecting spam emails. This is an affiliate scam that aims to deceive users into downloading or purchasing software by claiming their phones are infected and that their private data is being sent to unknown servers.

"Critical Security Alert" scam overview

When a visitor enters a page hosting this scam, they are presented with a "CRITICAL SECURITY ALERT" pop-up stating that their phone is at great risk and immediate action is required. After the "Continue" button is clicked, the pop-up is closed, and the background page comes into the foreground.

The site has a "Windows Security" tagline. It states that two viruses have been detected on the user's device. The security protection is disabled, and the smartphone was infected by recently visited malicious websites. The nonexistent malware is supposedly sending the visitor's contact lists, photos, videos, passwords, and other sensitive data to unknown servers by using either Wi-Fi networks or mobile data. Antivirus protection must be enabled to prevent the phone from being locked as a security measure.

It must be emphasized that all these claims are false, and this scam is not associated with Windows or any other legitimate products, services, or entities.

At the time of research, "Critical Security Alert" operated as an affiliate scam. This type of scam promotes genuine products or services by abusing their affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

However, there are no guarantees that an affiliate scam will continue redirecting to the official sites of legitimate software. Instead, victims could be led to imitator pages spreading fraudulent or malicious programs.

Scams that use virus-themed lures commonly proliferate fake antivirus tools, adware, PUAs, browser hijackers, trojans, ransomware, and other software. Similar scams promote phishing webpages that record entered data, such as account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, and credit/debit card numbers.

To summarize, victims of scams like "Critical Security Alert" can experience system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Affiliate scam examples

We have investigated numerous online scams; "Critical Payment Failed", "Renew Your Antivirus", "Security Checkup In Progress", and "SYSTEM SECURITY ALERT" are merely some of our latest articles on affiliate scams.

The Internet is full of deceptive and malicious content. Online scams take many forms and employ various tactics, yet their end goal is the same – to generate revenue at the expense of their victims. These scams can also be competently put together and even believably disguised as content associated with legitimate entities. Therefore, we strongly advise exercising caution when browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

The "Critical Security Alert" scam was promoted through fake McAfee emails. These messages warn recipients that their photos and videos have been detected on the dark web and urge them to remove this personal content. Other promotional techniques are not unlikely.

Online scams are most commonly endorsed via various types of spam (e.g., emails, browser notifications, forum/ social media posts, DMs/PMs, robocalls, cold calls, SMSes, etc.), webpages employing rogue advertising networks (redirects), malvertising (intrusive adverts), typosquatting (mistyped URLs), and adware (ads/redirects).

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is key to ensuring your online safety. Therefore, be wary of sites, advertisements, and messages that urge immediate action against severe threats or make unbelievable promises. Take note of URLs and type them with care. Do not use websites offering pirated content or other questionable services (e.g., illegal streaming, downloading, torrenting, etc.), as these webpages are typically monetized via rogue advertising networks.

Ignore or block browser notification delivery requests from dubious sites. Do not open attachments or links found in suspicious/irrelevant communications (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, etc.).

Download only 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, etc.) – to prevent bundled/dangerous software (like 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 "Critical Security Alert" scam:

Pop-up:

CRITICAL SECURITY ALERT
Your phone is at a high security risk.
Immediate action is required.

Continue

------------
Background page:

Windows Security
January 19, 2026

(2) Viruses are detected. Your personal data is leaking!

The security protection is not enabled on your phone, and your phone has been infected with viruses from the recent high-risk sites that you browsed.

The viruses have hidden on the system files, and they are automatically sending your photos, videos, contacts, passwords and personal data to multiple unknown servers via cellular and Wi-fi.

We are about to lock your phone soon. The antivirus and security protection is required to avoid being locked.

How to fix the data leakage:
Step 1: Tap the 'Enable Protection' button below.

Step 2: Subscribe and activate the antivirus & privacy service by paying $2.50 per month to stop the data leakage and protect your phone.

02 : 47 : 10
Enable Protection

Screenshot of "Critical Security Alert" scam's background page:

Appearance of the "Critical Security Alert" pop-up scam (GIF):

Screenshot of a spam email promoting the "Critical Security Alert" scam:

Text presented in this email:

Subject: URGENT: Private Content Found on the Dark Web

McAfee

Dark Web REPORT

Your Photos & Videos Found on the Dark Web

275 Photos Leaked
19 Videos Leaked

Act Now to Remove Your Media Before It's Too Late!

[REMOVE YOUR MEDIA]

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 "Critical Security Alert" pop-up?
• 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. For example, victims can be enticed/scared into downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, calling fake helplines, allowing scammers to access devices remotely, making monetary transactions, disclosing sensitive information, and so forth.

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 promoting content (e.g., websites, software, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private data, acquiring funds through deception, and distributing malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

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

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan every single webpage that you visit for deceptive and malicious content. It is also capable of denying all further access to such websites.