'Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date' Scam
The "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" scam has been targeting users computer users lately. The scam typically involves a pop-up or email message claiming that the user's McAfee subscription has expired and urging them to renew immediately or risk losing protection against viruses and other threatening software.
Unfortunately, the message is almost always fake and designed to trick users into paying for a subscription they don't need, or worse yet, to install malware or give up personal information. In this post, we'll take a closer look at this scheme, including how it works, how to recognize it, and what to do if you encounter it.
How Does the "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" Scam Work?
The "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" scam typically starts with a pop-up message or email claiming that the user's McAfee subscription has expired, and they need to renew it immediately to avoid losing protection against viruses and other harmful software. The message may look convincing, featuring the McAfee logo and official-sounding language.
However, if the user clicks on the link provided in the message or follows the instructions to renew their subscription, they will likely be taken to a fake website that looks like the real McAfee site. Here, they will be asked to enter their personal and financial information, which the fraudsters will use to steal their identity or drain their bank account.
Alternatively, the link in the message may download malware onto the user's computer, giving the scammers access to their personal information, files, and other sensitive data. In some cases, the fraudsters also may demand a ransom to restore the user's files or to prevent them from being released publicly.
How to Recognize the "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" Scam
The "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" scam can be difficult to spot, as the message and website may look legitimate. However, there are certain signs that can help you recognize this scheme and avoid falling for it:
- Unsolicited messages: If you receive a pop-up or email message claiming that your McAfee subscription has expired, but you don't remember signing up for McAfee or don't recall receiving any previous notifications, it's likely a scheme.
- Urgent language: Con artists often use urgent or threatening language to pressure users into taking action quickly. If the message urges you to renew your subscription immediately or risk losing protection, it's likely a scheme.
- Suspicious links: If the message contains a link to a website where you can renew your subscription, hover your mouse over the link (without clicking on it) to see if the URL looks legitimate. If the URL is long and contains random characters, or if it doesn't match the official McAfee website, it's likely a scheme.
- Requests for personal information: If the website prompts you to enter your personal or financial information, it's likely a scheme. McAfee and other reputable companies will never ask you to enter this information on an unsecured website.
What to do if You Encounter the "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" Scam
If you encounter the "Your McAfee Subscription Is Out Of Date" scam, the first thing you should do is close the pop-up or delete the email message. Do not enter any personal information or click on any links.
Next, run a malware scan on your computer using a reputable anti-malware program. This will help to uncover and remove any malware that may have been downloaded onto your system.
Finally, report the scheme to the appropriate authorities. If you received an email, report it to your email provider. If you encounter a pop-up, report it to your browser provider. You also can report the scheme to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). By reporting the tactic, you can help prevent others from falling victim to it.
