PayPal warning over terrifying ‘double scam’ that locks your computer AND steals your money
This dangerous scam could leave you completely broke
A DANGEROUS new “double scam” that locks your computer and empties your PayPal account is circulating online.
Cybersecurity experts are now warning about the dangerous attack – and reveal how you can avoid becoming a victim.
The attack – first spotted by security boffs at – begins with something called “ransomware”.
This involves hackers tricking you into downloading a file that will encrypt everything on your computer.
Once that’s happened, everything on your PC will become inaccessible – because the data will be scrambled, and only the hackers have the key to unlock it.
To avoid this, always beware of unexpected links sent over email, or strange links out on the wider web.
This type of attack is called “ransomware” because it effectively holds you to ransom – only digitally.
Attackers will contact you and offer to unlock your PC if you pay a certain fee.
Security experts now say a new type of ransomware adds a second attack at this stage.
One of the payment options to unlock the ransomware involves paying by PayPal.
But the link actually takes you to a fake PayPal page, where you’ll inadvertently hand over your login details – and quickly lose all of your money.
The fake PayPal page is highly convincing, and could lead to you having a locked computer and an empty PayPal balance.
“As you can see, ransomware developers and criminals are utilising trickier and smarter methods to steal money from their victims,” explains cybersecurity expert and blogger Lawrence Abrams, of .
“It is important to always analyse any web pages that you visit before you enter your login credentials.
“If the address looks strange or does not match its content, do not enter your credentials and leave the page immediately.”
Mobile phone users were recently warned about a major Android malware problem that affected 9million users.
And we recently warned about an iPhone Safari scam that’s almost impossible to spot.
Watch out for the infamous WhatsApp Gold virus doing the rounds too.
Have you spotted any online scams recently? Let us know in the comments!
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