The Placer County Sheriff's Office has issued a warning about an increase in malvertising scams targeting unsuspecting internet users. These deceptive practices, shared in a recent social media post, aim to infect devices with malware, pilfer sensitive information, or extort money for fake technical support and software.
One common tactic, as stated by the Sheriff's Office, involves scam tech support ads that present alarming pop-ups claiming your device is "infected" and prompting you to call for help. Upon doing so, scammers may attempt to take remote control of your device and demand payment. The advice is clear: "Do NOT call. Do NOT pay." Similarly, fake software installers pose as legitimate applications only to unleash malicious software on your device. The Placer County Sheriff's Office advises internet users to only download software from reputable, official sources.
Drive-by downloads represent another level of cyber treachery, where simply loading a webpage containing a malicious ad can result in a silent device infection. No clicking is necessary for this invasive approach to wreak its havoc. To combat this, the Sheriff's Office recommends keeping browsers and operating systems up-to-date to minimize vulnerabilities.
If confronted with demands for payment during any of these scams, the Placer Sheriff's steadfast advice is to firmly resist: "Never give credit card or banking information," "Do not allow remote access to your device," and "Do not trust unsolicited pop-ups or support calls." Should you find yourself on the receiving end of a suspect scam the office implores residents to contact local law enforcement immediately, providing them with preserved evidence such as screenshots, phone numbers, or emails used by the perpetrators.
Protecting oneself from the sinister reaches of malvertising scams requires vigilance and an adherence to safe browsing practices. As the Sheriff's Office succinctly puts it, "We’re not cool with our residents being targeted, we will investigate." For those living in unincorporated Placer County facing this kind of cybercrime, calling (530) 886-5375 for assistance is recommended.
