44 Viruses Scam: How to Avoid It on Your Phone

iPhone users have reported a notification popping up on their screens, alerting them that they have 44 viruses on their phone. The alert urges you to download and install a virus removal app and then run it to remove all viruses from your device.

The truth is, your phone is not riddled with viruses, but if you download the suggested app, you’ll actually be installing malware designed to steal your personal data.

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While this is currently a popular virus scam targeting iPhone users, similar scams pop up all the time, regardless of the type of device you use.

Can iPhones Get Viruses?

Many people believe that smartphones aren’t susceptible to viruses, but that isn’t true. While they’re less vulnerable to viruses than computers due to how tightly Apple controls the iOS ecosystem, malicious files can still affect your device if downloaded.

Signs that your phone may be infected with a virus include:

Unusually slow function
Pop-up ads and notification
Apps crashing regularly or acting strangely
Apps you don’t recognize appearing on your device
Rapid battery drain
Unusual data usage

Depending on how you receive the 44 viruses scam notification, your phone might already have something that shouldn’t be there. But the last thing you should do is download the suggested app.

What to Do When Your Receive a 44 Viruses Scam Notification?

If you receive a 44 viruses scam notification, ignore it and don’t click on any links or buttons. They could lead to malicious sites or trigger unwanted downloads that leaves your device vulnerable. Most importantly, don’t purchase any software they might try to sell you to fix your device, as this is almost certainly a scam designed to steal your payment information.

If the alert came through your browser, close the browser and clear your browser data. This is the most common form of the 44 viruses scam because scammers don’t need existing access to your device to create the pop up.

Look through your device for any suspicious extensions or apps. It can help to look at the most recently installed items as they’re the most likely cause of a new problem.

Using a reputable program, scan your device for malware and viruses. Some of the best for detecting malicious software on iPhones include Norton Mobile Security and BitDefender Mobile Security.

How to Keep Your iPhone Safe From Scams?

iPhones are among the most secure devices thanks to Apple’s tightly managed ecosystem, but simple mistakes can still leave your device vulnerable. Protect your phone from viruses and scams by doing the following:

Keep your device updated with the latest version of iOS
Only download apps from the official Apple App Store
Be wary of suspicious links
Enable two-factor authentication
Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added security

While technology is enabling new types of scams, the underlying tactics scammers use remain the same. Fraudsters create urgency to pressure victims into acting without fully considering the consequences. Common sense is your best defense.

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