ANDROID users have been warned about fraudulent notifications that claim their devices have a virus.
Fraudulent pop-ups have been appearing on Android users’ devices telling them they need to clean their software.
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This can happen when a user is browsing the internet and stumbles upon a malware-laden website.
Because of this, it is possible to get bombarded with fake virus alerts or pop-ups.
Such pop-ups will falsely insist that your device is infected and require you to take action.
This type of activity is known as “scareware” and consists of advertisements that are meant to steal your information.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN?
If you fall victim to a scareware attack, a number of things can happen.
You could end up downloading malware that attacks your device and steals your data.
Other times, it could lead to a more intricate cyberattack that could take control of your device.
WHY DO PEOPLE FALL FOR THIS?
Oftentimes, victims are unaware of the fact that there is no way for these web pages to determine the status of their mobile device.
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Scareware developers are also savvy in their own right, and design ads that look legitimate.
The text further urges users to act fast, so they don’t have time to think about the harm they could cause with each click.
For these reasons, many people feel compelled to click on scareware advertisements.
WHAT CAN I DO?
There are a few ways to mitigate your risk of scareware attacks.
First, be aware that a website cannot possibly know if your device is infected with a virus.
Second, don’t click on strange pop-ups, even if they look legitimate – you could also go a step further and close the webpage.
In the event that you cannot close the web page or the pop-up persists, you will need to clear the cache of the web browser.
To do so, go to Settings on your device > tap Apps, Applications, or Application manager.
Select All or Installed tab > select your web browser in the list > tap on Clear Cache.
Repeat these for all the web browsers installed on your Android device.
