Home Malware Programs Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) PCPrivacyProtect

PCPrivacyProtect

Posted: September 4, 2017

Threat Metric

Threat Level: 8/10
Infected PCs: 68
First Seen: September 5, 2017
Last Seen: October 18, 2020
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PCPrivacyProtect is a fake computer application, which may be launched under the name 'PCPrivacyProtect.exe.' As the name suggests, this program is likely to be promoted as a tool that can help users protect their online privacy, as well as stay away from potentially harmful Web destinations. However, the truth about PCPrivacyProtect is that this program may not be helpful at all! In fact, users who download and run it may find out that PCPrivacyProtect is guaranteed to bother them non-stop, by attempting to convince them to call a technical support phone line, which is supposed to help them fix a pending computer problem.

The behavior PCPrivacyProtect exhibits is typical for technical support tactics, and we are inclined to believe that the end goal of the PCPrivacyProtect technical support tactic is to collect information, payment details, and money from its victims. When PCPrivacyProtect is launched, it may display a fake scanning process, which might take several minutes to complete. The result is always the same – the program claims that the user's privacy might be at risk, and their credentials might be exposed to cyber crooks. The solution PCPrivacyProtect proposes appears to be rather simply – call 888 222 4747 and someone will take care of the problem for you. However, the truth is that this phone number is not linked to a credible support staff and, instead, it appears to be owned by a group of crooks who specialize in technical support hoaxes.

Calling this number is guaranteed to get you into trouble since the con artists will end up telling you all sorts of lies to scare you into thinking that your privacy and money are in danger. The solution they propose is unlikely to be free since tactics like these usually work by asking their victims to pay money for services or products that are unreliable, to say the least. If you see an offer to call 888 222 4747 or you have PCPrivacyProtect on your computer, then the advice is to run an anti-malware scanner to eliminate the nagging application immediately.

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