McAfee's website warns: 'We recommend logging on to McAfee.com directly.' Photograph: Louisa Svensson/Alamy
'Your devices could be at risk': how antivirus scams trade on fear
Urgent renewal emails and huge discount figures are used to pressure people into handing over their personal and financial data. If you have McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop, you might receive an email claiming your protection is about to expire, offering an 89% 'renewal discount' if you pay immediately. The email warns: 'Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats.' However, this is a fake email sent by criminals, not by McAfee itself.
How the scam works
Cybercriminals employ various tactics to impersonate McAfee and are becoming more sophisticated with advances in artificial intelligence. According to McAfee, the company will never ask you to call a phone number in an email or text. If you receive a subscription or renewal notice, you should log on to McAfee.com directly to confirm your status. Scammers use false notifications to trick people into revealing their financial details.
What the fake emails look like
These fraudulent emails often create a sense of urgency, a common fraud tactic. Examples include: 'Your devices could be at risk. Get antivirus protection now,' or 'An unprotected computer can be exposed to viruses and other malware. 100% guarantee removed viruses or your money back.' Some emails claim your protection is about to expire, while others offer an 89% discount for same-day payment. Inconsistent grammar and punctuation are red flags. The sender's email address is usually obscure and unconnected to McAfee.
If you click a link in the email, you may be directed to a fake site designed to steal your data. Sometimes scammers include links to the real McAfee site to lend credibility, but malicious links are also present. A McAfee spokesperson explained: 'There may be other links in the email, such as unsubscribe links or others, that can lead to fake websites where people are tricked into entering personal or financial information.'
What to do if you receive such an email
If you receive a renewal email, pause and think before acting. Report fraudulent emails using the McAfee brand to the company and to your email provider using built-in spam and phishing tools. McAfee also provides a list of valid email addresses from which it sends messages. If you have been scammed, report it to your bank and to Report Fraud.
