‘Your devices could be at risk’: how antivirus scams trade on fear

Y ou have had McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop for years after becoming fearful that your computer would be infected. So when an email arrives to say your protection is about to expire, you are not surprised. Better still, there is a “renewal discount” of 89% if you pay on the same day. “Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats,” the email warns. It is, however, a fake email sent not by the company that has become synonymous with anti-virus software, but by criminals who are hoping to harvest your financial details. Criminals use a variety of tactics to convince people that they are from McAfee and are becoming more sophisticated with advances in artificial intelligence, according to the company. “McAfee will never ask you to call a phone number in an email or text, and if you receive a subscription or renewal notice, we recommend logging on to McAfee.com directly to confirm your subscription and renewal status as cybercriminals also use false notifications to scam people,” it said in a statement. What it looks like The fake emails come in different forms but are often framed with a sense of urgency to encourage the victim to act quickly, a common tactic in fraud. “Your devices could be at risk. Get antivirus protection now,” says one. “An unprotected computer can be exposed to viruses and other malware. …