How to spot scams like "Your Google Account Was Hacked"

What kind of scam is "Your Google Account Was Hacked"?

We have inspected the site and found that it is a scam involving multiple fake messages. The purpose of this scam site is to scare visitors into following the provided instructions to "protect" their devices. Users should recognize such scams to avoid potential risks (e.g., monetary loss or data theft).

"Your Google Account Was Hacked" scam in detail

Once visited, the site displays a fake security alert claiming that the user's Google account has been hacked. It states that someone from India has accessed the account and instructs the user to scan their PC for viruses to restore access and identify the cause of the breach.

The message urges the user to tap a button labeled "Scan now". Upon interaction, the site displays another message claiming that restoring access to the user's Google account requires checking the PC for viruses. It presents a fake "Google Security Scan" window that encourages the user to start a deep virus scan.

The site states that the scan will analyze active processes, system files, installed applications, startup items, and browser components to detect potential threats. After running the "scan", a third deceptive message appears. This message claims that the user's PC is compromised by 214 viruses.

It mentions serious threats such as account-stealing trojans, remote-access backdoors, ransomware encryptors, keylogging spyware, and credential-harvesting malware. It also warns that these threats may compromise personal files, monitor activity, steal saved passwords, and allow unauthorized remote control of the computer.

The fake warning states that restoring the Google account requires cleaning the PC using a Google-approved McAfee antivirus. It is important to note that McAfee is a legitimate security tool and its developer does not control or own this scam website. The goal of this scam is to redirect visitors to a legitimate McAfee website that contains an affiliate ID in the URL.

If the visitor purchases a subscription or product after arriving through that link, the scammer earns a commission. In this scheme, the fake virus warnings and account compromise messages are used as scare tactics to pressure users into clicking the link. The scammers profit from sales generated through their link, even though the security threats shown on the page are fake.

Notification request

In addition to displaying fake messages, the scam site wants to show notifications. If permitted, it may deliver additional warnings and other deceptive messages. Agreeing to receive notifications from unreliable websites can lead to unwanted downloads, computer infections, monetary loss, identity theft, or other issues. Users should never click "Allow" or a similar option when a visited shady website asks permission to show notifications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this scam uses fake security alerts and fabricated virus scan results to trick users into believing their Google account and computer are severely compromised. The threats displayed on the site are entirely fake and are designed only to generate affiliate commissions for the scammers when users purchase security software.

Examples of similar scams are "McAfee - Threats Detected. Action Required!", "Critical Security Alert", and "McAfee - Your PC Is Transmitting Malicious Files".

How did I open a scam website?

Users can end up on scam websites after interacting with misleading advertisements or other elements on dubious websites, or through notifications from such sites. Also, scams can be encountered via links shared using fake or stolen social media accounts on platforms like Facebook.

Additionally, scammers use deceptive emails containing links or rogue advertising networks to promote scams. Those networks are commonly used on torrent sites, adult pages, sites offering illegal movie streaming, and other questionable platforms.

How to avoid visiting scam pages?

Use trustworthy security software and perform regular system scans to identify potential threats. Keep your operating system and all installed programs up to date. Only download applications and files from official websites or reputable app stores.

Be careful when receiving unexpected, irrelevant emails or messages, particularly those containing links or attachments. Refrain from interacting with suspicious ads, pop-ups, or links on unreliable websites, and do not permit questionable sites to display browser 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 "Your Google Account Was Hacked" pop-up scam (GIF):

Text in the first fake warning:

Security
Your Google (1) account was hacked
Someone from India has hacked your account.
To restore your account and find the cause of the breach, you need to scan your PC for viruses.
Tap a button to continue
Scan now Details

Text in the second fake warning:

Google Security Scan
Your Google account has been hacked
To restore your account, you need to check your PC for viruses.
VIRUSES 0
Recommended • 15-second audit
Safe & fast
Start deep virus scan
The scan will analyze active processes, system files, installed applications, startup items, and browser components to detect potential security threats.
Your personal files will not be modified during this process.
Tap to begin. Keep this page open during scanning
The Google account cannot be restored without a virus check

Text in the third fake warning:

Security
Google Security Scan
LIVE SCAN
Your PC is compromised by (214) viruses
Account-stealing trojans, remote-access backdoors, ransomware encryptors, keylogging spyware, and credential-harvesting malware have been found on your system. These threats may compromise your personal files, monitor your activity, steal saved passwords, and allow unauthorized remote control of your computer.
VIRUSES 214
Critical viruses detected on your PC.
To restore your Google account, you must first clean your PC of viruses using the Google-approved McAfee antivirus.
Scan: 100% Files: 5,247 Risk: CRITICAL Time: 00:00

Remove 214 viruses with McAfee
The button will redirect you to the official McAfee website, approved by Google security standards.

Website used to earn commissions (legitimate McAfee site with scammer's affiliate ID):

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 Your Google Account Was Hacked fake message?
• 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?

A pop-up scam uses fake warning messages that appear in a browser window. These messages often claim that a device is infected, hacked, or at risk to scare the user.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Scammers use these scams to steal sensitive information (e.g., passwords or credit card details) or money. In some cases, they use them to distribute unwanted apps or malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Users may encounter scam websites after clicking misleading ads or notifications from untrustworthy pages. Scams are also spread through links shared by fake or compromised social media accounts, deceptive emails, and rogue advertising networks often found on torrent, adult, illegal streaming, and other questionable sites.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner scans the websites a user visits and can identify harmful sites. It also detects pages that show pop-up scams, giving a warning and blocking access right away.