Phishing Alert: Beware of Malicious Windows 10 Upgrade Emails

As has been reported in the past, malware authors and cyber criminals are very quick to mine trending topics over the Internet in order to trick people and infect their machines. Windows 10 has been making waves over the web off late with every Windows user curious to see what the fuss is all about. And inevitably, malware authors have jumped on the bandwagon too and are coming up with ways to take advantage of unsuspecting users to infect their machines.

phishing windows 10

Windows 10 was officially released on July 29th 2015 but there were several people who had to wait in ‘line’ to get their updated OS version. This led to a lot of impatience and a few cases where victims fell for malicious emails that claimed to offer the Windows 10 update immediately.

The trick used by malware authors is very simple. They just create a fake email that looks and sounds as though it’s coming from Microsoft. The subject line of these emails is something like – “Get Your Windows 10 Update” or “Windows 10 Update For FREE”. These mails target people who are either waiting for their Windows OS to be upgraded, or people who have not signed up for the upgrade at all.

The emails contain some convincing information about upgrading to Windows 10 and invite victims to click on a link which supposedly initiates the download. Unfortunately, the link simply downloads and installs some form of malware on the machine and this leads to further complications for the unsuspecting victim. The downloaded malware can be strains of ransomware that lock the system and demand payment, or spyware that collects and sends information or any other form of unwanted software on the system.

We urge our users to be aware and cautious about such emails (and other forms of communication like SMS’s or social media posts) regarding Windows 10. It is also crucial to remember that Windows 10 is free only for those who are using licensed versions of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. For more information on Windows 10 and how to upgrade to it, this official FAQs page from Microsoft is the most reliable source for information.

We would also like to remind our users that Quick Heal products are compatible with the Windows 10 OS. If your Quick Heal product is updated to the latest version and the virus database is updated as well, then the product will work with Windows 10. In case of any help regarding this upgrade, you can also visit our Support Center.

Rahul Thadani

Rahul Thadani

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93 Comments

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  1. Avatar deji obatayo • August 5, 2015 at 5:27 PM

    Many thanks for this publication.

    I am a victim of this already as Quick heal is detecting the ransomware already .

    What can i do now please ,i have noticed that my computer have been very slow and have been having issues opening some files.

    Please come to my aid.

    regards deji

    Reply
  2. Avatar mukesh jha • August 5, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    i m ready this works

    Reply
  3. Avatar saurabh singh • August 5, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    like it

    Reply
  4. Avatar @nnrahbar • August 5, 2015 at 6:44 PM

    Thanks a lot for you dear Rahul Thadani. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Avatar sudhansu • August 5, 2015 at 7:31 PM

    how could we know that
    Whether that mail is originally from microsoft or any other.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 6, 2015 at 10:23 AM

      Hi Sudhansu,

      In all likelihood, that mail will not be from Microsoft. The only way to upgrade to Windows 10 is if you get the icon in the bottom-right corner of your system tray, or if you purchase the OS outright from a store or Microsoft’s online marketplace.

      Regards.

      Reply
  7. Avatar Anand nabum • August 5, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    not good

    Reply
  8. Avatar Nargish Parvin • August 5, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    need update windows 10

    Reply
  9. Avatar Nargish Parvin • August 5, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    ok very good

    Reply
  10. Avatar vikas • August 5, 2015 at 8:35 PM

    VERY GOOOD

    Reply
  11. Avatar doyel ghosh • August 5, 2015 at 9:56 PM

    i want to upgrat 10

    Reply
  12. Avatar anjay shukla • August 5, 2015 at 10:01 PM

    good

    Reply
  13. Avatar Shibaram Bar • August 5, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    good

    Reply
  14. Avatar BIJOY GHOSH • August 6, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    My quick heal virus database is up to 4th august 2015. Will my OS windows 8.1 will be upgraded to windows 10 without any problem.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 6, 2015 at 10:32 AM

      Hi Bijoy,

      If you update your Windows 8.1 OS to Windows 10, then Quick Heal will work on it normally without any problems.

      Regards.

      Reply
  15. Avatar Ashok Patil • August 6, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Dear Sir,

    Thanks for the useful & important information.

    Yesterday I have reserved the updation through the mail & after reading the FAQ,
    I want to know whether it was the real Microsoft mail of any false mail I do not know.
    Also I want to update the Quick heal software to suit Windows 10 ,Advice me regarding updation of Quick Heal.

    Thanks & kind Regards
    Ashok Patil

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 6, 2015 at 10:37 AM

      Hi Ashok,

      To make your Quick Heal product compatible with Windows 10, you need to upgrade to the latest version – v16.00 and also install the latest updates through the product dashboard. Regarding the mail you got, you can always check if your machine is applicable for the Windows 10 free upgrade by looking for the Windows 10 icon in the bottom right corner of your screen – i.e. in the System Tray.

      Regards.

      Reply
  16. Avatar b.subbarao • August 6, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    good

    Reply
  17. Avatar b.subbarao • August 6, 2015 at 10:35 AM

    very good

    Reply
  18. Avatar Nagaraj • August 6, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    A very useful information .

    Reply
  19. Avatar PRANIT PRADHAN • August 6, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    I’ve reserved Windows 10 version as I got ‘Get Win 10’ icon on my PCs system tray and then after I downloaded all the stuffs as I was notified but till now my PC isn’t upgraded with the latest Win 10 version and running with the same Win 8.1 version and now it keep asking to restart and update my PC every time as I done it for many times but still nothing happened. Any suggestion please…. Thank You……….

    Reply
  20. Avatar SANTOSH KUMAR SINGH • August 6, 2015 at 11:15 AM

    thanks a lot

    Reply
  21. Avatar Reyaz Ahmad • August 6, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Sir,
    I have installed quickheal in April 2015. But my system has made some duplicate files. what to do now.

    yours etc

    Reyaz

    Reply
  22. Avatar pratik • August 6, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    dear sir
    how can i get windows 10 updates

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 6, 2015 at 3:57 PM

      Hi Pratik,

      If you have received a Windows 10 notification at the bottom-right System Tray on your PC, then you can get the Windows 10 upgrade. Please visit Microsoft’s official Windows 10 site for detailed information. Moreover, if you upgrade Quick Heal to the latest version i.e. v16.00 and install the daily updates for the virus signature database, then your Quick Heal product will be compatible with Windows 10.

      Regards.

      Reply
  23. Avatar naresh vaidya • August 6, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    presently i am running window 7 ultimate. i have got an icon for windows 10 upgrade and waiting for their notification. after upgrading from windows 7 to 10; will quick heal work on my laptop. i am daily getting quickheal auto updates.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 6, 2015 at 3:58 PM

      Hi Naresh,

      If you upgrade to the latest version of Quick Heal i.e. v16.00 and install the daily updates, then your Quick Heal product will be compatible with Windows 10.

      Regards.

      Reply
  24. Avatar poshiya mitul • August 6, 2015 at 2:55 PM

    i like it
    very good
    thanks ….

    Reply
  25. Avatar P K RAJAN • August 6, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    Hi,

    I am a user of your Guardian Anti Virus Software to my Computer at Home.

    Recently I have installed Automatic Backup Software from http://www.skyvault360.com when I have seen their advertisement in Facebook. Now it is one month free and afterwards they will charge me around $50 for One year use. Please let me know whether this Software is a valid one and risk-free.

    Thanks & Regards.

    P K Rajan

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 11, 2015 at 10:50 AM

      Hi P K Rajan,

      We have analyzed this site and would advise you to not sign up for this service or share your card details here. In case you wish to use online backup services you can use trusted sites like Google Drive, Dropbox or One Drive. All of them are free up to certain limits and require payment beyond that.

      Regards.

      Reply
  26. Avatar Joy Ch Boruah • August 6, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    Hi,,

    I reserved Get windows 10 by using Icon Get windows 10, and after some day’s my Laptop OS was Recovery installed then hide the Icon , how can i find the upgrade information?

    Reply
  27. Avatar Vivek Hattangadi • August 7, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    Thank you – we are grateful for this caution

    Reply
  28. Avatar RAMESH KUMAR RAMAN • August 7, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    MY COMPUTER IS ALSO SLOW

    Reply
  29. Avatar rahul kumar • August 7, 2015 at 2:35 PM

    please tell me that my windows will be upgread

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 7, 2015 at 3:59 PM

      Hi Rahul,

      If you have a valid license of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, you can get a free upgrade to Windows 10. Else, you will need to purchase a license from Microsoft. Please visit the Windows 10 site to see if your PC has the minimum system requirements needed for this new OS.

      Regards.

      Reply
  30. Avatar Mr.Komal Singh • August 7, 2015 at 4:22 PM

    very very good

    Reply
  31. Avatar Kamil Solanki • August 7, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    how can i update windows 10
    i want to know details more about windows 10
    please advise me on my E-mail

    Reply
  32. Avatar Jit Biswas • August 8, 2015 at 3:14 AM

    Many many thanks for this post

    Reply
  33. Avatar Madan • August 8, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    I have Quick heal Internet secuirity 14.00 in my machine kindly advise how to upgrade it to version 16.00

    Reply
  34. Avatar Pradeep • August 8, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    Hi

    Please help me to remove recycle.bin & system volume information folder from my PC, Pen-drive & Hard-disk.

    regards

    Reply
  35. Avatar jay • August 8, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    sometimes my laptop automatic types (****************************)without touching the keyboard also,why this is happening and how to solve this.
    Plz help.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM

      Hi Jay,

      This may be because of a hardware issue with the keyboard. Please get it looked at by a computer repair store to check if it is working properly.

      Regards.

      Reply
  36. Avatar BHAGIRATH SINGH • August 8, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PUBLISHING THIS IMPORTANT NEWS.

    Reply
  37. Avatar Naba Gopal Sinha • August 8, 2015 at 10:58 PM

    I got windows 10 to be installed but something obstructs that leads to non-installation.What I am to do tel pl.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 10, 2015 at 11:33 AM

      Hi Naba,

      Please contact the Windows 10 support team in order to resolve this. It may be an issue of conflict with your system configuration or some other issue.

      Regards.

      Reply
  38. Avatar Ar. Manish G. • August 9, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    Hi,
    There is a missing point in above article about knowing the genuine process of knowing the system of receiving notification.
    I have registered for Windows 10 quite before, but didn’t go the notification yet. So, please tell us how to know whether the notification has come from Windows people.
    Shall it blink beside windows registration icon? Because Windows 10 doesn’t know our e-mail ID..!

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 11, 2015 at 10:52 AM

      Hi Manish,

      The Get Windows 10 notification appears on all machines that are running valid licenses of Windows OS on them. In case you are facing some issue with the update to Windows 10, we strongly recommend that you contact the support team of Windows 10 as they will be the best people to guide you with this process.

      Regards.

      Reply
  39. Avatar Naba Gopal Sinha • August 9, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    My time has come to download windows 10 in my PC windows 7 ultimate but whenever I try to install it something behind obstructs that leads to non-installation.Help me pl.in downloading the same through providing your updated software.

    Reply
  40. Avatar Abhishek Yadav • August 9, 2015 at 3:22 PM

    Dear sir,
    My self Abhishek , wannat to help of your on my computer become very slow since two weeeks though i have already installed Guardian Antivirus on my computer HP G4.

    Reply
  41. Avatar TS Yadav • August 9, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    sir

    after upgradation from window 8 to window 10, should i unisntall my anti virus and again reinstall it.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 10, 2015 at 2:13 PM

      Hi,

      No, you do not need to uninstall Quick Heal for this purpose. Before upgrading to Windows 10, ensure that you have the latest version of Quick Heal i.e. v16.00 installed.

      Regards.

      Reply
  42. Avatar Ehsan • August 9, 2015 at 10:40 PM

    Hello

    sir

    Those people who have previous windows genuine will only get windows 10 free updates.

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 10, 2015 at 2:11 PM

      Hi Ehsan,

      Yes, that is correct. The free Windows 10 upgrade is only for those people who already have a valid license of Windows. Others will have to purchase Windows 10.

      Regards.

      Reply
  43. Avatar Tomichen Mathew • August 10, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    Thankyou

    Reply
  44. Avatar pritam kumar • August 10, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    GooD

    Reply
  45. Avatar shivam sahu • August 11, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    ok

    Reply
  46. Avatar akki • August 11, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    i like it

    Reply
  47. Avatar pralayankar goswami • August 11, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    I just installed windows 10 in my laptop. but there is a problems to opening some setup files. Now What can I do to open those files. Kindly help me.

    Reply
  48. Avatar jyotvardhini • August 11, 2015 at 5:02 PM

    I am nt able to delete dltemp kind of file from my memory card using quick heal anti virus total security.
    help:(

    Reply
  49. Avatar SAYEED AHMAD • August 12, 2015 at 1:01 AM

    Hi

    Please help me to remove recycle.bin & system volume information folder from my PC, Pen-drive & Hard-disk.

    regards
    SAYEED AHMAD

    Reply
  50. Avatar vijay • August 12, 2015 at 1:45 PM

    my quickheal pro antivirus are not going to update

    Reply
  51. Avatar Izzwan • August 12, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    Hi, after I upgrade to windows 10. should I ask Microsoft to give me the license?

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 13, 2015 at 12:24 PM

      Hi Izzwan,

      If you have successfully upgraded to Windows 10, then you already have a valid license.

      Regards.

      Reply
  52. Avatar sunil • August 12, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    how can i upgrade my window 8.1 into window 10.pls give step.

    Reply
  53. Avatar Mr.Kishoredutt • August 13, 2015 at 11:14 PM

    Dear Mr.Rahul,

    Thanks for the imp info.

    Regards
    Kishoredutt

    Reply
  54. Avatar Izzwan • August 15, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    How can i check if i already have a valid license in my laptop/windows ?

    Reply
    • Rahul Thadani Rahul Thadani • August 17, 2015 at 11:49 AM

      Hi Izzwan,

      Right-click on My Computer and click on Properties. At the bottom of the screen you will see Windows activation and there you will know whether you have a valid Windows license or not.

      Regards.

      Reply
  55. Avatar Izzwan • August 19, 2015 at 8:38 AM

    I already click button “Get Reserved”. But i still dont get the confirmation to download windows 10 file. What is the problem? Not enough space? Or anything else

    Reply
  56. Avatar TRINAYAN GOGOI • August 25, 2015 at 12:08 PM

    best

    Reply
  57. Avatar TRINAYAN GOGOI • August 25, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    NICE

    Reply
  58. Avatar Deven P.Maheshwari • August 31, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    Nicely …..

    Reply
  59. Rajiv Singha Rajiv Singha • January 8, 2016 at 3:04 PM

    Hi Lalmani,

    Thanks for writing in. Our support engineers would gladly help you with this issue. Please visit https://bit.ly/QHSupport and click ‘Chat with Us’. You can also raise a ticket at https://bit.ly/Askus and we will get back to you at the earliest.

    Regards,

    Reply

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