February 03, 2021
2515
0How to Avoid the National Consumer Center Scam
Let me guess – many of you read the headline and thought: does an organization with a worldwide reputation deceive internet users daily?
Well, let’s take a slow breath in and out. This article will tell you about the non-existent organization, the National Consumer Center, which distributes fake information about possibly winning a free prize on the internet. If you click on the link, you will most likely find out later that scammers have stolen your personal information or money.
Follow these simple and useful cybersecurity tips for 2021.
The National Consumer Center is a fictitious name that is used by scammers to conduct various online surveys, the main prize of which can be, for example, an iPhone. However, this is just an advertisement, the purpose of which is to get your personal information from you.
Such scams are designed for Mac users. However, recently users of the Windows operating system have also complained about pop-up ads of a similar type. Such ads come from the address hxxp://electronicpromotionscenter.com/.
Previously, we’ve talked about the other online scams connected with users’ emails.
However, what is really behind the National Consumer Center scam and how can you avoid it on your own computer?
What is the National Consumer Center?
The National Consumer Center scam is identified as a kind of PUP or potentially unwanted program. This is an adware that secretly enters a computer and causes a lot of nasty trouble. A group of cyber hackers developed it with nefarious intent. If you are the victim of this unpleasant threat, you have to face problems such as sluggish and unresponsive PC performance, the appearance of false warning messages, etc. It can offer you to participate in online quizzes, and play online games for a chance to win attractive prizes.
Even a gift card can be traced. Be careful with online and offline gifts.
This scam is a malware that can damage a computer system and add to the screen lots of unnecessary ads and pop-ups such as discounts, coupons, offers, etc. It creates duplicates files or folders that affect the whole computer system’s functioning. Furthermore, it can disable firewall settings and block security sites that are important for the computer’s smooth and proper operation.
Here, we’ve listed some distinctive features of the scam:
- It connects to the internet without your permission.
- It distributes via pay-per-install or bundled with third-party software.
- It integrates in the web via the browser extension.
- It steals or uses your sensitive data.
- It slows down the internet connection.
- It deactivates the installed software.
- It changes the user’s Home page.
- It redirects the browser to infected pages.
- It shows commercial ads.
- It changes the desktop and browser settings.
- It installs itself without permission.
How does the scam appear on your device?
There are several ways to this scam to appear.
1. You visited a site that is very poorly regulated and does not moderate content. There are a lot of hidden ads on it, which puts internet users at risk, and can cause unpleasant consequences on users’ devices.
2. You’ve been attacked by adware that violates the security system of your device.
To understand the exactly reason for the appearance of the ad, it is quite simple. If the scam appears when you visit a particular website, then the reason is number 1. If the ad appears in the browser regardless of which web page the user is on, then it is reason number 2.
Regardless of the reasons, this scam can cause serious harm to the user. After all, if you fill in the notification form that appears with private data, then various malware types will attack your email address.
The whole list of malware types is provided here.
Pop-ups attempt to suggest a user to download some components that may harm his device. The user doesn’t know that such a component may be harmful programs or virus. He clicks on the link and starts to download the harmful program.
If this unpleasant threat remains for a long time, it tends to cause situations such as computer fails, OS bugs, disappearance of important data from the device, etc. The worst impact of this threat is the potential tracking of all your saved data on the browser such as bank login details, IP addresses, social site passwords, and more, can be given for third parties.
How does the scam work?
The principle of operation of this scam is simple. The developers of the malicious ad make a lucrative offer, for example to win an iPhone or Mac, or $100, from the comfort of your home. However, to get the prize, you need to answer a few questions, which will include your personal information, email address, etc. Then, emails will be sent to your address, with various malware and adware.
There are so many email bombs you should avoid. Read this article and protect yourself.
In addition, the emails may contain a link to a third-party fraudulent website, by clicking on which, your bank cards will be canceled.
How to remove National Consumer Center scam
Removal guide for Windows
Step 1: Open the main panel and find Programs option.
Step 2: Choose the uninstall program option and try to find apps with the name National Consumer Center.
Step 3: Choose such a program and click on the Uninstall button.
Removal guide for Mac
Step 1: Find the main menu and choose the Applications option.
Step 2: Select any app with the name National Consumer Center.
Step 3: Choose the Move to Trash option.
Step 4: Confirm the action and click on Empty Trash.
Removal guide for Google Chrome
Step 1: Open your browser.
Step 2: Choose Menu and click on More Tools and then Extensions.
Step 3: Here, you can see all your installed extensions and plugins. Uninstall any suspicious ones by choosing the Remove option.
Step 4: Find a cache and clear it.
If this method didn’t work with you, you can try another one:
Step 1: Choose Settings from the main menu.
Step 2: Find the Advanced features.
Step 3: Find the section of cleaning up.
Step 4: Choose the option of restoring the original setting.
Step 5: Choose the confirmation button and complete the action.
Read our checklist of necessary measures on the internet and protect your online space.
