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Tech Support Scams
Analysis: McAfee 'Your PC is Infected' Pop-up Scam
Risk Score: 94/100 (Dangerous)
Example of the Scam
[Pop-up Window on a website] **McAfee Total Protection** CRITICAL ALERT: Your PC is infected with 5 viruses! Your financial data and personal photos are at risk. IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED. Call our security helpline now to remove them: 1-877-FAKE-MCAFEE Do not close this window.
AI Analysis from Shield
Explanation
This is a classic tech support scam that uses a fake browser pop-up to impersonate McAfee. It creates panic to make you call a fraudulent phone number. The 'technicians' will then try to get you to pay for useless services or install actual malware on your computer.
Highlighted Content
CRITICAL ALERT: Your PC is infected with 5 viruses!
Call our security helpline now to remove them: 1-877-FAKE-MCAFEE
Key Red Flags
- Aggressive browser pop-up with audio
- Claims to be from a known brand
- Asks to call a phone number
How to Protect Yourself
- Legitimate antivirus software will show alerts within its own application window, not as a pop-up in your web browser.
- Never call a phone number that appears in a pop-up alert.
- You can safely close the pop-up by closing the browser tab or using your system's Task Manager/Force Quit function.