But what causes scareware is all the same - scare tactics.Īlso known as deception software, rogue scanner software, or fraudware, scareware generally works like this: As with all malware, it can be delivered in a few different ways. If you’re still wondering “what is scareware” the answer also lies in the question “is scareware a malware attack?” And the answer is yes.
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In 2006, Microsoft and the Washington state attorney general filed a joint lawsuit against the software vendor Secure Computer, alleging it peddled Spyware Cleaner to Microsoft users that was scareware.
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And they do this using a few common techniques, like virus removal scams, clickjacking, peddling fake antivirus, and tech support scams.įor perspective, here are some of the earliest real-world scareware examples: There’s a reason why cybercriminals turn to scareware so often: It’s an effective way for them to steal your credit card information, trick you out of your money, and gain access to your computer.
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Thankfully, there is less need to fear over this cyberattack if you know just what is scareware, how to spot it, and scareware removal tactics - and that’s what we cover here. As the name suggests, it scares users into handing over their confidential data to what they believe is a legitimate solution to their cybersecurity problem.Īnd the consequence of downloading scareware can vary and can include credit card fraud or identity theft. In simpler terms, scareware is a scam, one that reveals itself in the form of pop-up ads encouraging users to act fast to address an alleged cybersecurity problem. Scareware is a type of malware that leverages pop-up ads and social engineering tactics to manipulate online users into believing they need to buy or download software that’s indeed useless or malicious.