'Clop Ransomware.dll' POP-UP Scam

In the course of their investigations, researchers have come across a fraudulent technical support tactic known as the 'Clop Ransomware.dll.' This particular tactic adopts the guise of being associated with Microsoft or Windows in an attempt to create a façade of legitimacy. However, the reality is that this scheme employs scare tactics by falsely asserting that users' computers have been compromised. The goal is to push the unsuspecting victims into calling the phony numbers presented as supposed support lines. These tactics are intended to take advantage of users' concerns about their computer security.

The 'Clop Ransomware.dll' POP-UP Scam Shows Victims Numerous Fake Security Alerts

Websites propagating the 'Clop Ransomware.dll' scam are masquerading as Microsoft's official site. Upon landing on these sites, a fabricated Microsoft Defender interface, wrongly referred to in the scam by its previous name, 'Windows Defender,' is presented to visitors. The site then pretends to run a system scan of the user's device. Throughout this simulated scan, numerous malware threats are supposedly detected, and once the fake scanning process is completed, it results in multiple pop-up windows being generated.

One of these pop-ups is titled 'Pornographics Alert - Security Warning,' it outlines the counterfeit infections, labeling them as Trojans, spyware, and adware. The pop-up urges visitors to dial the provided helpline for assistance.

The most prominent pop-up is the 'Windows Pornographic Security Notification.' It claims to have identified the alleged threats as the 'Clop Ransomware.dll' and 'ads.video.porn.dll uploading.' Supposedly, these infections have led to the computer being locked. The scheme reiterates the encouragement toward users to reach out to 'Microsoft Windows Support.'

It is essential to emphasize that all of these security alerts and claims are inaccurate and completely fabricated. The shown content is in no way linked to the authentic Microsoft Corporation. The deceptive nature of these pop-ups simply seeks to exploit users' trust in Microsoft's name for fraudulent purposes.

The Consequences of Falling for the 'Clop Ransomware.dll' POP-UP Scam could be Extremely Serious

Once victims reach out to the provided phone numbers, the fraudsters assume the guise of skilled technicians or support personnel, commonly requesting victims grant them remote access to their devices. They could achieve this remote connection by utilizing authentic software applications like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, UltraViewer, or similar platforms. The ensuing course of the scam can vary, but generally, the cybercriminals continue their charade of being experts who are aiding the victims in cleaning their devices from threats.

Upon gaining remote access, scammers possess a range of malicious actions at their disposal. These include disabling or removing legitimate security tools, introducing counterfeit anti-malware software, extracting sensitive personal data, facilitating unauthorized financial transactions, and even infecting the system with various forms of malware, such as trojans, ransomware, or cryptocurrency miners.

The methods employed by these scammers to gather private information could be multifaceted. Victims might be manipulated into sharing personal details over the phone or asked to input them into seemingly secure websites or files. Alternatively, the perpetrators could deploy information-stealing malware to acquire this data surreptitiously.

The type of data targeted in these scams encompasses a spectrum of critical information. This may include account login credentials for various platforms like online banking, e-commerce sites, money transfer services, cryptocurrency wallets, emails, and social media networks. Personally identifiable information and finance-related data, including banking account particulars and credit card numbers, are also high-value targets.

Adding to the malicious nature of these scams, the 'services' offered by the scammers often come with steep fees. Criminals favor money transfer methods that are challenging to trace, such as cryptocurrencies, gift cards, pre-paid vouchers, etc. Notably, victims who have fallen prey to such tactics are frequently subjected to repeated targeting by these criminal elements.