I was visiting a website the other day when this “alert” popped up and took over my screen. It claimed my McAfee subscription had expired and that my PC was unprotected. It displayed an authentic-looking serial number and gave me a button to click to renew immediately. Well, I don’t have McAfee installed on my computer. I never have.
Naturally, I assumed this was just a phishing scam. I was interested in tracing where it came from, so I right-clicked on the button and copied the address it would lead you to, then pasted it in my Notepad.
This is where it takes you.
A page where you can purchase your “renewal.”
Ready for a surprise? This is not a phishing site. This is the actual checkout page for people who purchase McAfee security. An allegedly legitimate security company is using a deceptive technique to get people to sign up for their service.
I have always considered McAfee to be one of the better security programs. But this tactic makes me think twice about them. Ever since I checked out their page, fake renewal notices have been following me around the Internet.
Not cool. Not cool at all.
If it is all right with you, I shall forward your article to my many computer friends
I had the same thing happen to me. I just x ed out on the pop up message.
If you are a subscriber to Mafee, as I am,, then there are other tricks they employ as well, only one of which is constant annoying pop-ups to renew.
Whats another good anti-virus package? I’m considering Norton, which I’ve had previously.
I’ll just stay with my Emisisoft. It’s done a darn good job keeping me safe now for over 5 years or more.
I wonder why you thought it was legitimate. I tried putting the website in my address bar and it said you don’t have permission to access this server. The 2nd time, it said the requested url not found on this server.
I compared it to the actual purchase page when you click buy on their legit website. Exact same address.