Internet scams are different types of fraud carried out by cybercriminals online. They can happen through email, social media, text messages, fake technical-support calls, mobile apps, calendar invitations, shopping platforms, and other channels.
Scammers may try to steal payment information, account credentials, passwords, or other personal information. They often create urgency or fear to make you act before you have time to verify the message.
Email scams
In a technical-support scam, criminals pretend to represent Avira or another technology company. They may claim that your device has a virus, a performance problem, or an urgent security issue.
The scammer may try to persuade you to:
- Call a phone number
- Install remote-access software
- Download an untrusted application
- Pay for unnecessary services
- Share passwords or payment information
- Allow access to your computer or device
- Do not provide access or information to unsolicited callers or messages.
Never click links or open attachments in suspicious emails. Forward suspicious Avira emails as an attachment to spam@avira.com. For approved sender domains, see Verify that an email you receive from Avira is legitimate.
Be cautious of unexpected charges, offers that appear too good to be true, and messages containing spelling or grammatical mistakes.
A common email scam involves a message claiming that you have been charged for an Avira subscription, renewal, or purchase. The message may include a fake invoice and a phone number to call to cancel the charge or request a refund.
These messages are designed to make you call the scammer or share personal and payment information. Do not call the number, click links, open attachments, or reply to the message.
If you are concerned about a charge, check your order details or bank statement directly using an official website or app. Contact your financial institution immediately if you find an unauthorized transaction.
Some legitimate Avira purchase or order communications may involve Cleverbridge. If you are unsure whether a payment message is legitimate, verify it through verify it through the Avira Account or contact Avira Support
Technical-support scams
In a technical-support scam, criminals pretend to represent Avira or another technology company. They may claim that your device has a virus, a performance problem, or an urgent security issue.
The scammer may try to persuade you to:
- Call a phone number
- Install remote-access software
- Download an untrusted application
- Pay for unnecessary services
- Share passwords or payment information
- Allow access to your computer or device
Do not provide access or information to unsolicited callers or messages.
Social media scams
Social media scams may appear as posts, advertisements, direct messages, or comments. They may promote fake Avira support, fake discounts, product downloads, or product assistance.
Do not click suspicious links or share sensitive information through social media. Verify offers before taking action.
Mobile app and text-message scams
Mobile scams may use fake apps, SMS messages, or text messages to spread malware or direct you to phishing websites.
Do not install apps from suspicious sources or click links in unexpected text messages.
Calendar invitation scams
Scammers may send fake calendar invitations claiming that an Avira subscription is expiring, a payment is pending, or an order requires attention.
These invitations may include urgent renewal notices, fake transaction details, and phone numbers to call. Do not click links, call numbers, or respond to unexpected calendar invitations. Delete the event.
Shopping-platform scams
Scammers may use shopping platforms or applications to create fake order notifications that appear to show an Avira purchase or charge.
The notification may contain a fake order confirmation, an unfamiliar charge, or a phone number for “customer support.” Do not call the numbers listed in the notification or share personal or payment information. Verify the order through the Avira Account or contact official Avira Support.
Tips and best practices to avoid cyber scams
- Do not open emails, click links, or download attachments from questionable sources.
- Do not act on tempting offers without verifying them.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication where available.
- Keep your operating system, browser, and security software up to date.
- Do not respond to requests for passwords or personal information.
- Reject unsolicited technical-support offers or other unexpected assistance.
- Download Avira products only from official sources.
- Use official websites and apps instead of links or phone numbers provided in suspicious messages.
What to do if you need help
If you are unsure about an email, call, link, attachment, calendar invitation, purchase notification, or download page, do not use the contact details included in it.
If it claims to be from Avira, contact Avira through the official Avira Support.
If it claims to be from another company, visit that company’s official website to verify or report it.
If the message appears to be an Avira scam, forward it as an attachment to spam@avira.com and report it to your email provider.
What to do if you have already responded to a scam
If you clicked a link, opened an attachment, replied, installed software, shared information, or made a payment:
- Disconnect your device from the internet if you suspect malware or unauthorized access.
- Change any potentially exposed passwords from a trusted device.
- Enable two-factor authentication where available.
- Run a full security scan on your device.
- Contact your financial institution if you shared payment information or lost money.
- Report the message to your email provider and the relevant authorities.
- Forward the suspicious message as an attachment to spam@avira.com.
- Warn your contacts if your email account may have been compromised.
When in doubt, stop, verify the request through an official channel, and do not share sensitive information.