Introduction
I have gotten a lot of questions lately from individuals concerned with emerging scams related to antivirus software for personal and commercial use. As we all know, antivirus software is essential for safeguarding our personal and commercial devices from the seemingly overwhelming and ever-increasing threats emerging from cyberspace. These software platforms intend to ensure protection from various malware, phishing, or virtually any other form of electronic cybercrime. The dependency on these platforms, however, offers a perfect opportunity for nefarious actors to leverage our growing trust in such platforms for reasons unbecoming of the original intent, ultimately giving rise to risks associated with the legitimacy of these platforms in providing the expected protection outcomes.
Quite to the point, not all software claiming adequate protections for our devices is trustworthy. Some so-called antivirus programs are malicious, designed to deceive users and exploit their fears. This type of malicious software is known as fake antivirus or Scareware.
Allow me to explore the world of fake antivirus software, how it operates, the consequences it can have, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
What is Fake Antivirus Software?
Scareware, a name by which we coin fake antivirus software, is malware that believably masquerades as legitimate antivirus software and is very difficult to differentiate from the real thing. Unlike genuine antivirus programs that promise detection and removal of malware, illegitimate antivirus programs are very good at deceiving the unsuspecting user into believing a device is currently infected, often by displaying prominent and alarming pop-ups or fake system scans that require immediate action. The scam is complete when the user responds to a believable prompt and executes a purchase of the "full version" of the antivirus software to remove these fake threats.
These programs offer no natural protection. On the contrary, they often install additional malware, steal personal information, or charge users for completely ineffective services. According to a study by Symantec, at its peak, Scareware was responsible for up to 40% of all malicious software attacks, highlighting just how widespread the problem became (Symantec, 2020).
How Fake Antivirus Software Works
The mechanics behind fake antivirus software rely heavily on social engineering tactics designed to manipulate users into making hasty, fear-driven decisions. An essential depiction of the Scareware workflow unfolds through social alarming and prompting, an invalid display of a viable and automated solution, and a call to action by the socially engineered user to deliver the exploit's payload.
The workflow starts with triggering the alarm. Fake antivirus software often begins with a pop-up ad or alert that appears while a user is browsing the web. This pop-up claims the user's computer is infected with multiple viruses or malware. These alerts are crafted to look like legitimate system notifications and often use urgent language like "Critical system error!" or "Your PC is at risk!" (McAfee, 2019). The alarm-triggering response is usually followed up with a fake system scan, which is executed through a prompt to the user to click a link to "scan" their system for viruses. This scan is entirely fake, but it will always return results that show numerous infections, further playing into the user's fear (Kaspersky Lab, 2021). The scan may appear professional and legitimate, making it harder to recognize as fraudulent.
Perhaps the most detrimental element is the prompted call to action in which a 'solution' is offered. After the fake scan, the Scareware informs the user that their system can only be cleaned by purchasing a full version of the antivirus software. Some fake antivirus programs might even offer a trial version that purports to remove certain infections but encourages users to pay for complete protection. In many cases, the trial version will be ineffective or deliberately leave "threats" behind to coerce the user into buying the full version (Symantec, 2020). The final step in the compromise workflow occurs when the payload is delivered. Once the user executes a prompted action that ultimately grants elevated access to install and run the fake antivirus software, the compromised device can be exploited by those nefarious actors to steal personal or financial information (McAfee, 2019), install additional malware such as keyloggers or ransomware, prevent legitimate antivirus programs and other embedded system protection mechanisms from functioning to isolate or remove the fake software, or potentially most alarming, to demand continuous payments to "maintain" system protection. Phony antivirus software is dangerous because of the financial loss and damage it can do to a user's system and data.
Real-World Examples of Fake Antivirus Software
To demonstrate the pervasiveness of Scareware exploits and social engineering tactics, it is critical to understand some real-world examples of how these mechanisms are employed. The rise of fake antivirus software has been accompanied by several large-scale campaigns that have targeted millions of users worldwide. One of the most notable Scareware families was "Antivirus 2009" and "Antivirus 2010". These fake antivirus programs became notorious for their aggressive and deceptive tactics. Users would encounter pop-up warnings about supposed malware infections and were then directed to purchase the fraudulent software (Symantec, 2020). Similarly, "Security Essentials 2010" was distributed via malicious websites that pretended to offer free online virus scans. The software was indistinguishable from legitimate antivirus products in appearance, but once installed, it locked down the system and demanded payment to remove non-existent threats (McAfee, 2019).
The Importance of Recognizing Potential Scareware Exploits
The repercussions of installing fake antivirus software can be severe. Beyond the financial loss of paying for a product that doesn't work, users may experience a host of additional issues, including but not limited to financial fraud, malware infection, and data theft, to name a few.
One of the primary goals of Scareware is to extract payment from users. Once you enter your credit card information, cybercriminals can charge you not only for the fake software but potentially make unauthorized transactions or sell your financial details on the black market. Secondly, fake antivirus software often doubles as a vehicle for other types of malware. This might include keyloggers that track everything you type (including passwords), spyware that monitors your online activities, or ransomware that locks your files and demands payment for their release. Perhaps the most damaging and scary implication of failing to recognize fake software appropriately is that phony antivirus software is designed to steal personal information, such as login credentials, bank account details, or sensitive files stored on the user's system. This can lead to identity theft, unauthorized account access, and long-term financial damage.
How to Spot Fake Antivirus Software
So, the question I get asked the most in protecting our personal or commercial assets from fraudulent attacks masquerading as legitimate cybersecurity benefits is how to detect Scareware and how to do about it should you experience it. It is worth noting again that detecting fake antivirus software can be challenging because it often looks and behaves like a legitimate product. There are warning signs that you can familiarize yourself with to more closely scrutinize, detect, and mitigate potential infections of malicious software.
Evidence of unexpected pop-ups is a classic yet tell-tale sign of a potential effort to employ a socially engineered exploit. Unexpected, sudden, and overly recurring and demanding pop-up alerts or other notifications not typically seen in your device's daily operations quickly indicate a fake warning of security threats. If alerts appear while browsing, especially on new or unfamiliar websites, they are likely fake. The most legitimate antivirus platforms typically operate in the background and perform remediation functions automatically and without notice (Kaspersky Lab, 2021).
Another sure sign of a potential exploitation effort is if sudden prompts offer unsolicited scan requests after receiving an alert from a website. This should naturally raise a significant red flag. Legitimate antivirus programs don't initiate scans without the user's consent, and no website should be able to perform system scans without proper software installed on your device because scanning over the unprotected Internet would, in most cases, be blocked by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or by your local system firewall.
Like most scams conducted today, the undue pressure to act immediately is also a sign of a potential exploit. The reason we coin the term Scareware is inherent in its name. Fake antivirus programs often use scare tactics to make users act impulsively and immediately to limit the damage to personal or commercial system devices. Messages like "Act now to prevent damage!" or "Your system will be compromised if you don't buy this software immediately!" are clear indicators of Scareware. As I stated, modern legitimate computer and personal device protection mechanisms work primarily in the background without user engagement or prompting.
Finally, a sudden and unexpected prompt to take action suggests a lack of credibility on the part of the fake platform. If you're unsure whether an antivirus product is legitimate, research its reputation. Established names like Norton, Kaspersky, McAfee, and Bitdefender are widely trusted in cybersecurity. Be wary of lesser-known or suspiciously named products.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Antivirus Software
Now that we have explored how to spot potential exploitative activities indicative of Scareware platforms and social engineering tactics, you may ask what you can do to protect your personal or commercial computing device and, more importantly, your personal information or corporate intellectual capital. The best defense against fake antivirus software is awareness and prevention. Here are my recommendations for how to do this quickly and effectively.
Always use reputable antivirus software from well-known companies. Products like Norton, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky have earned a strong reputation for reliable protection. Avoid unknown or suspicious programs, especially those you encounter via unsolicited ads or pop-ups. If you receive unsolicited prompts from software platforms outside these leading enterprise products, you know they are illegitimate.
Always ensure that your operating system and security software are current. All legitimate commercially available enterprise security platforms include auto-update features to provide the latest protection from exploitable vulnerabilities. They are often no-touch, limiting interaction with the system's user. Cybercriminals usually exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so regular updates are essential for protection.
As mentioned several times above, be very cognizant, vigilant, or otherwise aware and wary of pop-up notifications from suspect or unfamiliar sources, and know what to do if you encounter one. Should you experience a pop-up claiming that your system is infected, don't click on it. Close the browser tab or window immediately, and run a scan using your legitimate antivirus software to ensure your system is clean.
Perhaps the easiest and most effective strategy for limiting these exploits is to refrain from downloading software from untrusted sources, platforms, or repositories. For computers, only download software from official websites. For personal mobile communications devices such as Android or iOS, use trusted platforms such as Google Play or Apple App Stores. Avoid downloading programs from pop-ups, email links, or unfamiliar websites.
Conclusion
Fake antivirus software is a pervasive and dangerous form of malware that preys on users' fears and lack of cybersecurity knowledge. By understanding how these scams operate and recognizing the warning signs, you can better protect yourself from falling victim. Remember to always verify the legitimacy of any software before installing it and stay informed about the latest threats in the digital world. You can avoid Scareware and keep your devices and personal information secure with the proper precautions.
References
Kaspersky Lab. (2021). How to identify fake antivirus software. Retrieved from https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/fake-antivirus
McAfee. (2019). Spotting fake antivirus software. Retrieved from https://www.mcafee.com/consumer/en-us/security-news/articles/fake-antivirus.html
Symantec. (2020). Fake antivirus and scareware: Understanding the threat. Retrieved from https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/fake-antivirus-scareware
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