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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Shane Hickey

‘Your devices could be at risk’: how McAfee antivirus scams trade on fear

The McAfee logo on their website
McAfee’s website. ‘We recommend logging on to McAfee.com directly,’ the company says. Photograph: Louisa Svensson/Alamy

You have had McAfee antivirus software installed on your laptop for years after becoming fearful that your computer would be infected. So when an email arrives to say your protection is about to expire, you are not surprised. Better still, there is a “renewal discount” of 89% if you pay on the same day.

“Once the expiration date has passed, your computer becomes susceptible to many different virus threats,” the email warns.

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