“You’ve been hacked” or “Warning! Your computer may be infected!!!”
Have you ever been startled by these annoying pop-ups that suddenly claim your computer is overrun with viruses? Or have you ever come face-to-face with a sudden and alarming message claiming your device is under attack? If you have, then you’ve encountered the dreaded scareware attack, designed to deceive people into visiting dangerous websites or purchasing bogus security software.
The likely best course of action: Ignore it.
A scareware virus is a cyberattack scam where hackers prey on our fears, tricking us into taking actions that can lead to disastrous consequences.
Scareware operates under the guise of antivirus warnings, exploiting social engineering techniques to create a sense of urgency. They cunningly convince us that our devices are infected with malware, coercing us into immediate action to rectify the supposed issue. However, the truth is far more sinister. That’s not all, scareware viruses aren’t restricted to just computer systems but also our smartphones’ operating systems can get infected with scareware viruses, giving full control to cybercriminals.
What is scareware?
Imagine this: you’re innocently browsing the web when suddenly, a terrifying message pops up on your screen, warning you of a catastrophic virus attack. Panic sets in, and you’re left with only one thought: you must act quickly to protect your computer. But hold on! Before you rush to click that suspicious link or purchase that seemingly lifesaving software, you need to know about the dark world of scareware.
Scareware is more than just an annoying ad or message. It’s a cleverly constructed cyber scheme designed to exploit your fears and manipulate your actions. This form of social engineering preys on our natural instinct to protect ourselves and our devices. In the blink of an eye, we find ourselves caught in a web of deceit, contemplating unnecessary downloads or falling victim to malicious software.
Read more: What is Social Engineering? Examples of attacks and prevention tips
The sneaky tactic
Picture this: a seemingly harmless pop-up appears on your screen, warning of a dire cyber attack. You’re urged to take immediate action to safeguard your device. But here’s the catch: what if this scare tactic is just the beginning of a much larger scheme, one that puts your credit card details, personal information, and even your precious files at risk?
Scareware virus – it’s not just about fake tools and empty promises anymore. In its darkest form, scareware can pave the way for ransomware, the ultimate digital hostage-taker. These cybercriminals hold your valuable data captive, demanding a hefty payout in return for its release.
Thinking scareware attacks are limited to flashy pop-ups? Think again. Cybercriminals are crafty, and they’ve expanded their scareware arsenal to include a variety of tactics. One such method is through the deceptive distribution of spam mail, designed to lure unsuspecting victims into a web of deceit.
Like most types of malware, scareware usually infects a device after an unsuspecting user has either visited a deceptive website, clicked a bogus online ad, or opened a malicious email attachment. Once infected, the scareware will get to work by displaying unwanted desktop ads, bogus system error messages, and fake antivirus alerts.
How to know if you have a fake virus (scareware virus)?
The first indication of a scareware virus is a barrage of notifications or banners appearing on your screen. These notifications and flashy banners along with alarming pop-ups in all-caps scream about imminent security breaches, leaving you in a state of panic. The hackers use excessive exclamation points, bold text, and a sense of urgency to incite fear.
Besides the barrage of pop-up notifications, scareware attack tends to leave the following signs:
- Your system experiences a decrease in performance.
- New programs and features appear at random.
- An inability to access programs or files.
- Your settings have been altered.
Scareware examples
Scareware attacks often disguise themselves as urgent messages from trusted sources like antivirus programs, firewall applications, or even your Windows operating system. They play on your fears, claiming that your computer is infected with malware and demanding that you purchase an anti-malware program to save the day. But here’s the harsh truth: it’s all an elaborate ruse.
In early 2010, website visitors to the Minneapolis Star Tribune were served Best Western ads that were part of a malvertising campaign. In March 2019, Office Depot and its tech support vendor, Support.com, agreed to pay the FTC a $35 million settlement after allegedly deceiving customers into downloading a free “PC Health Check Program.” However, in this scareware example, the scareware virus was only being used to drive sales and not to install malicious software.
Falling victim to a scareware attack can lead to two possible outcomes, both equally troubling.
In the best-case scenario, you’ll lose your hard-earned money on a useless program that does absolutely nothing. But in the worst-case scenario, the program you download could cause devastation on your computer, stealing your valuable information.
Let’s take a look at other most common scareware examples:
- SpySheriff
- WinAntivirus
- Personal Antivirus
- TheSpyBot
- ErrorSafe
- WinFixer
- DriveCleaner
- Spylocked
- Antivirus360
- PC Protector
- Mac Defender
- XPAntivirus/AntivirusXP
How to protect yourself from scareware attacks
When it comes to scareware viruses, trust is a fragile thing. Even if a notification or product offering appears genuine, it’s vital to take a moment and verify its authenticity. Before you click that enticing link or download that seemingly helpful software, pause and perform a quick web search. A few seconds of caution can save you from falling into the scareware trap.
But what if you do find yourself entangled in the scareware virus’s deceptive web? Don’t panic. After clicking on a fake link or installing malicious software, you may encounter a barrage of even more pop-ups. The key is to act swiftly and decisively in order to remove scareware. Even if you realize it’s a scareware attack, don’t delay—immediately download a legitimate remove scareware virus tool. Every passing minute increases your vulnerability to further threats.
You see, scareware apps are not just harmless annoyances. They disguise themselves as legitimate software while secretly planting computer viruses and spyware on your machine. These malicious entities corrupt your files, leaving you exposed to the nightmarish scenarios of credit card fraud and identity theft.
For protection against all kinds of malicious malware use PureVPN, for more information, read more: Does a VPN protect you from viruses & malware? Find out!
PurePrivacy – an all-in-one solution
When it comes to scareware attacks, prevention is key. By familiarizing yourself with the telltale signs of a scareware scam, you can effectively sidestep these digital traps and protect yourself from cyber threats.
Also, take advantage of PurePrivacy, that safeguards your digital footprint including social media channels, online applications, google chrome and many others. It audits your all accounts and recommends the most simple and best solution while showing how your personal data is being shared. PurePrivacy helps erase your search history so you can browse on your terms without being constantly tracked. It also helps you save time by archiving or deleting all your social media posts at once.
One crucial rule to remember: legitimate cybersecurity companies don’t resort to invasive fear-mongering tactics. They won’t bombard you with dramatic and persistent alerts. So, the more outrageous the claims, the more likely it’s a scareware attack.
