VPN ads use aggressive marketing tactics stating ‘Your device is infected’ or ‘Your device may be tracked’

• VPN affiliates are promoting scam ads that state your mobile device is infected or has been hacked or is being tracked in order to threaten visitors into purchasing a VPN subscription.
• Security experts recommend users to never install any apps that are promoted by scam ads.

What is the issue - VPN affiliates are promoting scam ads that state your mobile device is infected or has been hacked or is being tracked in order to threaten visitors into purchasing a VPN subscription.

The big picture

VPN affiliates promote VPN ads and refer users to a VPN’s site for purchasing a VPN subscription. If the referred user purchases a VPN subscription then the affiliate earns a commission.

However, in order to earn a commission, VPN affiliates are leveraging aggressive marketing such as scare tactics, outright lies, and scams to persuade users into purchasing a subscription.

Worth noting - BleepingComputer analyzed VPN ads that leverage aggressive marketing tactics and found out that these ads usually come under three categories.

• Your mobile device is infected
• Your mobile device has been hacked
• Your mobile device is being tracked

“Your Apple iPhone Is Infected By (6) Viruses.

Immediate action is required to prevent it from spreading and infecting sensitive data like your Facebook account, Whatsapp messages and private applications. Download Innet VPN and follow instructions to clean your device. Clean Device,” VPN ad read, BleepingComputer reported.

“Notice: Your iPhone May Be Tracked. Read Below To Disable.

Some big corporations might track your search and browsing history to build a detailed profile of you. This sensitive information can be linked to you and used to spy on you and your family.

We highly recommend you to follow this three steps to stop tracking:

1: Click "Install Innet VPN" button below;

2: You will be redirected to AppStore;

3: Install VPN, open it and tap shield button,” a VPN ad that says your device is being tracked.

What should you do to stay protected?

• Security experts recommend users to never install any apps that are promoted by scam ads.
• In case if you are redirected to a site that states your device is infected or hacked, then it is best to close the page.
• If you are unable to close the page, then simply close the browser.