what is scareware

Scareware is a type of malware that uses social engineering to manipulate users into buying unwanted software or visiting spoofed or infected websites. Scareware is designed to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat to scare users into taking action. Scareware can come in the form of pop-up ads from rogue security providers that may sound legitimate but are fake. Scammers use scareware to frighten computer users into paying for fake software or to further infect a computer system. Scareware typically follows a specific pattern where pop-ups suddenly warn users of dangerous files or porn that have been found on their computer and will continue to pop up until they click on buttons that "remove all threats" or register for antivirus software. Scareware can be used to download malicious software, including ransomware, which denies access to a users data. To prevent scareware, users should stick with known, tested, and up-to-date software.