Scareware: fake threats, real risks

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Scareware is malware that scares users into doing something risky. Here’s how it works.
 
Imagine: you’re calmly working away on your computer, when suddenly a scary message appears on the screen: “Your computer is infected with viruses! Install an antivirus immediately!” or “Your data is at risk! Clean your system immediately!” Panic? That’s what the scammers are hoping for.

This post explains what scareware is and why this threat is dangerous. We also give tips for avoiding falling for scarewarers’ tricks, and protecting you and your family from such attacks.

What is scareware?Scareware is a type of digital fraud that weaponizes users’ fears. The aim is to frighten the victim into visiting a malicious site and downloading something they shouldn’t. Scareware usually mimics antiviruses, system optimizers, registry cleaners, and the like. But other, more exotic types also exist.



The user is not so subtly informed that no fewer than five viruses have been found on their computer. However, the window header contains a small misprint: “Threaths detected” Source

To display their alarming messages, scammers tend to deploy browser pop-up windows and notifications, banner ads, and on occasion even good-old email.
Scareware creators use a variety of social engineering tricks to instill a sense of danger in the user. Often, threatening messages appear at the most unexpected moment — catching the victim off guard.

And scammers frequently hurry the victim into taking rash actions — not giving them time to think things over. Then, when the target has been properly prepared (that is, put into a state of panic), the attackers offer a simple solution to the problem: just install such-and-such software and all your troubles will be gone.

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