Scammers are using AI to generate phishing pages that impersonate antivirus products, according to Malwarebytes.
“During our scam-hunting activity, we saw one renewal scam site impersonating Avast, aimed at users in Belgium,” the researchers write. “It was noticeably more polished than most scam sites and contained several signs that it had been produced with the help of AI. The page tells you that your Avast Premium Security subscription has renewed for €129.99, that it covers five devices, and that it will renew again the following February. There is a green tick, a status badge reading Active, and a tidy summary table laying out the amount, the payment method, and the dates. None of it is real. There is no subscription and no charge, and the page has no connection to Avast, whose branding is being used without permission.”
The phishing page asks the user to enter their personal information and phone number, which is the first step in the scam. A threat actor will then call the user, posing as support staff, and trick the user into installing malware or handing over financial information.
Malwarebytes offers the following advice to help users avoid falling for these attacks:
- “Check the subscription through the official app or website. Don’t click the link in the message. Open the company’s app or website independently and sign in. Your account will show whether you have an active subscription and when your next payment is due.
- Be wary of a cancellation form that mainly wants your phone number. Legitimate cancellations usually happen inside your account, and a company you already pay knows how to reach you.
- Treat the follow-up call as the real danger. If you have filled in a form like this, you may receive a scam call next. You are under no obligation to answer or engage.
- Don’t install remote access software for someone who called you. It gives them control of your device and could put your accounts, passwords, and money at risk.”
Malwarebytes has the story: https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/threat-intel/2026/09/ai-helps-scammers-build-convincing-antivirus-renewal-pages
