Protect: protection against Internet fraud

Fraud is often encountered on the Internet. This happens when a user responds to an interesting offer by sending a payment to scammers or giving them access to their personal information. Yandex Browser monitors and blocks potentially fraudulent sites within the Protect integrated security system.

Blocking suspicious sites

Yandex tracks phishing sites and resources that may be used by scammers. The addresses of such sites are stored in a special database. If you're trying to visit a site that may be linked to internet fraud, Yandex Browser blocks the potentially dangerous page and informs you about it. You'll see a message in the Yandex Browser window and the    icon in the SmartBox.

Examples of internet fraud

The situations described below may occur on fraudulent or infected sites, or due to malware on your computer. Fraudulent websites may look very similar to real ones, but a resource that was safe yesterday may be infected today.

They promise that you will make money online

1. They offer large pay-outs on the Internet and promise big rewards for viewing websites and videos, reading ads, filling in questionnaires and tests or writing comments on forums.
2. You agree, you work for a while, your earnings are displayed on the screen and they keep growing.
3. Soon you are offered to get the money you earned, but it turns out that you have to pay something before you can receive your earnings. For example, to cover registration, personal income tax, VAT, or power-of-attorney fees so that someone can retrieve your funds from a distant location. Usually, the request is for less than RUB 400.
4. After making the payment though, you don't receive the money and your payment info is sent to hackers.

They suggest installing a program that will earn money

1. They suggest that you install a program that will automatically earn money for you on a device.
2. You install the program, but it does nothing except notify you that it needs to be updated. Usually it costs 200–400 rubles.
3. Such programs often come with malware that can hijack your personal information.

They suggest participating in a lottery or getting financial assistance

1. They suggest playing a lottery or going to a site where they hand out money to anyone who needs it.
2. You start playing and win a lot of money, or you send a request for financial assistance and get a positive response.
3. They inform you that to claim your winnings or financial assistance, you need to pay a small amount (about 400 rubles) as a foreign exchange fee, VAT, income tax, and so on.
4. After making the payment though, you don't receive the money and your payment info is sent to hackers.

Additional security measures

The Protect system's database of infected and suspicious websites contains more than 80,000 websites. However, some fraudulent resources might not be included in the database if there have been no complaints about them yet. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from hackers:

• Do not install software from unverified sources.
• Do not enter personal information and electronic payment data (bank card numbers, PIN numbers, and so on) on websites, unless this is actually required.
• Check the addresses of web pages where payments are made. The page address may show that you’ve entered a phishing site.

Disabling protection

To disable internet fraud protection:

1. Press  → Settings.

2. Go to the Security tab at the top of the page.

3. In the Protection from malicious files and websites section, uncheck the box labeled Run security checks on websites and downloaded files.

Use the same sequence of actions to re-enable Internet fraud protection.

If Yandex blocks your website

If you believe that your website has been mistakenly included in the list of websites suspected of internet fraud, please write to us.

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