Are virus warnings real? The main types of fake warnings and effective countermeasures
When using a smartphone or computer, a warning such as “This device is infected with a virus” may appear on the screen. Some people may be at a loss as to what to do when this warning appears.
In conclusion, most virus warnings are fake, so closing the browser or app will solve the problem in most cases. However, if you follow the warning instructions, you will be exposed to various risks, such as hacking and expensive billing, so you should be careful.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics and types of fake warnings, the risks involved in following them, and how to deal with them. In order to avoid becoming a victim of fake warnings, it is important to understand the correct way to deal with them in advance.
Is the virus warning real?
When using a smartphone or computer, a warning such as “Your computer is infected with a virus” may appear on the screen. However, most of these warnings are fake alerts, and in most cases, your computer is not actually infected with a virus.
In particular, warnings that force users to take action are likely to be fake, and following the instructions can lead to various risks, such as receiving expensive bills or having your device hacked. To prevent these risks, it is important to remain calm and not panic if a virus warning appears on the screen.
Furthermore, the iPhone’s high security makes it nearly impossible for a third party to run malicious programs, so the device rarely detects real viruses.
Characteristics of fake virus alerts
When a virus warning appears, you need to distinguish between real and fake. Understanding the following four characteristics of fake alerts will help you make a more accurate judgment.
It is displayed with a fake URL
You are asked to enter personal information to remove the virus
Suddenly the countdown begins
Excessive emphasis on urgency
You are asked to enter personal information to remove the virus
If you are asked to enter personal information to remove a virus, the website is definitely a fake warning, because real warnings may recommend security updates but would never ask for personal information.
▼An example of a warning message requesting the input of personal information
Please enter your name and phone number to remove the virus
Your account has been suspended. Please reset your password to unblock it.
If you see any of these warnings, they are definitely fake alerts. Any alerts trying to get you to click on buttons or links are also likely fake, so don’t follow the instructions.
Suddenly the countdown begins
One example of a false alarm is when a countdown suddenly starts. If you see a countdown accompanied by a message such as “Your device will be locked in 30 seconds!”, it’s a good idea to be suspicious of the possibility of a fake alert.
These fake alerts are designed to make users feel anxious and take away their time to think – real virus warnings don’t have this kind of pointless countdown.
Excessive emphasis on urgency
Another characteristic of fake alerts is that they overly emphasize the urgency of the situation. Be wary of messages with urgency or threatening content, such as the following:
▼An example of a warning message that emphasizes urgency
Click now to remove the virus
Change your password immediately or you’ll be hacked
If you don’t pay the ransom, the police will arrest you.
The purpose of this is to create a sense of urgency in the user so that they take action immediately, without having to think about it. A genuine warning would not incite a sense of urgency.
Types of fake virus alerts
There are several types of fake virus warnings. The following are the three most typical types:
Security Alert Scam
In security alert scams, notifications are displayed that appear to be from the security center, and they ask you to register personal information or call a specified number. Another characteristic of security alerts is that they sound an unpleasant alarm.
Messages such as “A virus has been detected. Please contact the Security Center” and “You must register your personal information to unblock the device” will appear on the screen. If you comply with these requests, you may be charged tens of thousands of yen or gift cards.
Security system corruption
In some cases, they pretend to have a corrupted security system and force you to click the update or continue button. A message such as “Windows Security has detected that your system is corrupted” is displayed, and a countdown suddenly begins.
If you follow the instructions and download fraudulent apps or software, you run the risk of being infected with a virus or malware. As a result of infection, it is necessary to be careful as it could lead to the leakage of personal information or hacking.
Update scam
In update scams, a pop-up appears requesting an iOS or Android update, urging the user to take a specific action. The scammers force users to update by threatening them with statements such as “Your personal information may be stolen” or “You will be hacked if you do not update.”
Even if you follow the instructions, the OS will not actually be updated, but you will be directed to download fake security software or apps. Be careful as there is a risk of infection with viruses and malware.
The risks of following fake virus warnings
Following fake virus warnings and installing software or apps can result in various risks. We will explain the specific risks in the following three cases.
You receive a high bill
Your device is hacked
Your deposits are withdrawn without your consent
Let’s take a closer look at each risk one by one.
You receive a high bill
If you follow the instructions in the fake warning and end up using an app or service, you run the risk of receiving a large bill. In addition, even if the app is free to install, you may be charged for a recurring subscription.
Be especially careful when you are asked to enter payment information from a fake virus warning, as there is a high possibility that you will receive a high-cost bill. Typical instances of this are “antivirus apps” and “VPN apps.”
Your device is hacked
The second risk is that your device may be hacked. Pages that display fake warnings may contain malware, which can lead to your device being hacked.
Hacking generally refers to malicious hijacking or vandalism. It is important to be careful because there is a risk of personal information and confidential company information being stolen through hacking or remote control.
Your deposits are withdrawn without your consent
If you are fooled by a fake alert and enter your personal information, you run the risk of your online bank being used fraudulently and your savings being withdrawn without your consent. Even if you are threatened with “You will be hacked if you do not enter your personal information,” you should never enter your personal or company information.
Also, if you enter your credit card information, there is a risk that your credit card will be fraudulently used and you will receive a large bill.
What to do if you see a fake virus warning
When a fake virus warning appears, it is important to remain calm and deal with the situation calmly. Here are four effective ways to deal with the problem.
Ignore and close the popup
Check the URL
Uninstall the app
Introducing security services
Let’s look at each approach in turn.
Ignore and close the popup
The most effective way to deal with a fake warning is to ignore it and close it immediately. If you close the pop-up immediately, there is basically no harm done.
In that case, you should absolutely avoid opening any links in the message or following any instructions. The fake warning message is only displayed temporarily, so you will be safe if you simply close your browser or app.
Check the URL
In most cases, fake warnings display a fake URL, so you can prevent the risk by checking the URL and determining that it is a fake alert. When a pop-up appears, be sure to check the URL listed.
If the URL is not SSL-enabled, it is likely to be a fake website. Since it generally costs money to enable SSL, fake websites often have URLs that start with “http.”
Uninstall the app
If you have installed any suspicious apps, try to remove them as soon as possible, as they may be causing the problem, especially if you are getting fake virus warnings while using the app.
▼Main characteristics of fraudulent apps
Fake alerts appear frequently
The app has a very low rating
Developer/provider unknown
First, do a web search for the app name to see if it is related to fake alerts. If you have any suspicions, go to the corresponding app store and uninstall it immediately.
Introducing security services
One effective way to protect your devices from false virus alerts is to use a security service that can instantly detect fake alerts and take action to prevent risk.
To use apps and services safely, it is essential to introduce a reliable security service. If you want to prevent the risk of cyber attacks, including fake alerts, choose a reliable security service.
summary
In this article, we explain the characteristics and types of fake warnings, the risks of following them, and how to deal with them.
Most virus warnings that appear on smartphone and computer screens are fake (fake alerts). Following the instructions in a fake warning carries various risks, such as receiving expensive bills and having your device hacked.
If a fake warning message appears on your screen, do not follow the instructions and deal with the situation calmly. If you want to thoroughly protect yourself against cyber attacks, including fake warning messages, we recommend that you install a reliable security service.
Please refer to ” GMO Cyber Security by Yerae”” enables you to effectively deal with all kinds of cyber attacks, including fake virus warnings, hacking, and phishing scams. If you want to stay safe on the Internet, please consider introducing this service.