The delivered ads diminish the browsing experience and are dangerous. Other PUAs classified as adware operate by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Some can force-open misleading, deceptive/scam, and malicious websites (e.g., ones running "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update"). Fake anti-virus tools are prime examples of this - they require activation (i.e., purchase) to perform the advertised functions, yet following activation, they remain nonoperational.įurthermore, unwanted apps can have harmful capabilities. You are strongly advised against downloading/installing and/or purchasing content endorsed through this scam.Īs mentioned, PUAs are often promoted through scams. These applications may seem legitimate and offer "useful" features, which are seldom operational. Note that "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" cannot be trusted. The scheme falsely claims that it is an ad from an " independent affiliate of Norton". The "small print" on the page states that it is not a security warning but an advertisement.
To install the update supposedly does not require a system restart. The scam urges users to clean and improve their computer system operation immediately. The scheme alerts users that devices without installed protection tools are at risk of system infections and poor performance. The "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" scam claims that Norton has released an update in response to recent malware/virus reports. In some cases, schemes of this kind have been observed being used to proliferate malware (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptocurrency miners, etc.).ĭeceptive sites are typically accessed inadvertently via mistyped URLs, redirects caused by intrusive advertisements, and installed PUAs. It is especially rare for scams to promote legitimate tools, they are mostly used to distribute untrusted and possibly malicious software, most notably scams like "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" promote fake anti-viruses, adware, browser hijackers, and other Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs). The purpose of these schemes is to endorse various products. The "small print" even states that it is an " Advertisement by an independent affiliate of Norton", though the claim of affiliation is untrue.
Note that "Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" is not a genuine message from NortonLifeLock, the software developers of Norton AntiVirus. The scheme is presented an alert concerning a new update to the Norton anti-virus, which users are urged to install. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners."Norton Antivirus 2021 Update" refers to a scam run on various untrusted web pages.
The Android robot is reproduced or modified from work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. Microsoft and the Window logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S.
Alexa and all related logos are trademarks of, Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S.
Android, Google Chrome, Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, LLC. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries. NortonLifeLock, the NortonLifeLock Logo, the Checkmark Logo, Norton, LifeLock, and the LockMan Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NortonLifeLock Inc. LifeLock identity theft protection is not available in all countries.Ĭopyright © 2022 NortonLifeLock Inc. The Norton and LifeLock Brands are part of NortonLifeLock Inc.