14 DAY TRIAL // With the Internet abuzz with news about Windows 10 and the release of the Technical Preview, crooks have not remained impassive and take advantage of the frenzy by promising fake activation tools that lead to potentially unwanted applications (PUA), online surveys and other types of risks.
YouTube has been assaulted with videos showing how the next Windows can be activated permanently; and the utility that can achieve this feat is conveniently made available in the description of the video post.
Windows 10 Gamer Edition spotted
Searching for “Windows 10 activation” on Google’s video sharing platform is bound to reveal several entries whose sole purpose is to take the visitor to dubious-looking websites that offer PUAs for download or redirect to risky locations.
The set of scams perpetrated by cybercriminals wanting to make a quick buck also includes online surveys, as seen by Christopher Boyd from Malwarebytes. The researcher also encountered a “Windows 10 Gamer Edition” being advertised on YouTube; obviously, such an edition does not exist.
In some of the most fortunate cases, users will be directed to different programs, in an attempt to drive more traffic to the developer’s website. However, the affiliate marketing scam is very common and an unsuspecting user could end up installing programs that trigger the download and installation of other programs.
Thus, the crook gains money for each installation while the victim’s computer gets a huge performance hit, and possibly malware.
No need to look for activation tools, Microsoft provides the product key
We also noticed online locations that promoted OS activators and asked for an email address in order to deliver a program hosted on a file sharing website.
Looking for Windows 10 activation keys is far from being a good idea, and in the best case scenario users would simply get a tool that eliminates the “Technical Preview” watermark superimposed by Microsoft on Windows 10’s desktop; on the other hand, this endeavor could prove to be a costly one for the average Joe who cannot spot a deceit.
Windows 10 is available for the public as part of Microsoft’s testing stage for the operating system. The build is intended for professionals and fans to have an early look and know what to expect.
Microsoft provides the ISO for installing Windows 10 Technical Preview, 32 and 64-bit, as well as a product key that allows its activation. The consumer release is scheduled for the following months.
