scareware
9 ResultsDictionary
scareware
A warning message that pops up from a Web site that claims the user's computer is currently contaminated or not running properly. Also called "fake antivirus" and "rogue antivirus," scareware is...
Dictionary
Definition: scareware
A warning message that pops up from a Web site that claims the user's computer is currently contaminated or not running properly. Also called "fake antivirus" and "rogue antivirus," scareware is a dishonest attempt to cause a user to purchase antivirus, registry cleaner or some other software that repairs problems or enhances performance.
Worse yet, scareware may be used to entice the user to install phony software that implants a real virus or some other malware. In either case, the dire warning frightens people into taking action. See spyware and wares.
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Vishing attack on Skype pushing scareware
Multiple users are reporting on an ongoing vishing attack at Skype, attempting to social engineer users into thinking they're infected with malware.
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Fake antivirus for mobile platform spotted
Security researchers from CA have spotted a bogus mobile antivirus scanner using the Kaspersky brand.
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Spamvertised "Reqest Rejected" campaign leads to scareware
A currently spamertised campaign is enticing end users into downloading and executing a malicious attachment.
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10 things you didn't know about the Koobface gang
The intensive multitasking on behalf of the Koobface gang, next to the fact that the Koobface botnet is the tip of the iceberg for their malicious operations, prompts the publishing of this top 12...
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Rogue security programs are 'ongoing threat'
Symantec's report on rogue security software noted that 250 rogue security programs launched some 43 million attempts to prompt user installation between July 2008 and June 2009.
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The ultimate guide to scareware protection
Taking into consideration the fact that 99% of ongoing scareware campaigns rely on "visual social engineering", this gallery presents some of the most popular templates used by cybercrime gangs in...
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Scareware goes Green
Malicious pseudo-environmentalists have come up with a new social engineering tactic aiming to improve the profit margins of their fake antivirus software releases - by promising to donate $2 from...
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Fake "Conficker Infection Alert" spam campaign circulating
Researchers at Marshal8e6's TRACElabs have intercepted a spam campaign that's issuing bogus "Conficker Infection Alerts" and redirecting users to rogue security software upon clicking on the...
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Scareware meets ransomware: "Buy our fake product and we'll decrypt the files"
A newly pushed scareware called File Fix Professional 2009 (FileFix Pro 2009), has the potential to influence the way in which spreaders of rogue security software optimize their revenue in the...
Additional Results
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Adobe's latest critical security update pushes scareware
Adobe just released a critical Flash Player security update. Good news: it includes a new automatic updater for Windows. Bad news: Adobe's download page pushes a misleading "system optimizer"...
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Symantec accused of using 'scareware' tactics to sell full-version products
Anti-virus maker Symantec is charged in a lawsuit with misleading users into purchasing full versions of its software by peddling 'scareware' tactics.
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Android users hit by scareware scam
Security researchers from Kaspersky Labs have intercepted a scareware variant targeting Android users.
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FTC issues refunds to scareware victims
The US Federal Trade Commission announced that it plans to issue refunds to scareware victims, following a settlement with Innovative Marketing.
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Microsoft kills botnet that hosted MacDefender scareware
The botnet contained about 41,000 computers worldwide and was capable of sending 3.8 billion spam e-mails per day.
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uTorrent.com hacked, serving scareware
The popular file sharing web sites were compromised for a brief period of a few hours.
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Spamvertised bank statements serving scareware
Security researchers from BitDefender are reporting on a currently spreading malware campaign using bogus bank statements as a social engineering element of the campaign.
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'McDonald's Free Dinner Day' emails lead to scareware
Researchers from BitDefender have intercepted a currently ongoing spamvertised campaign impersonating McDonald's.
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Spamvertised United Parcel Service emails lead to scareware
A currently ongoing malware campaign is impersonating the United Parcel Service.
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'You visit illegal websites' FBI-themed emails lead to scareware
Multiple vendors are reporting on a currently ongoing spamvertised scareware-serving campaign, that's brand-jacking the FBI.
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New MAC OS X scareware delivered through blackhat SEO
Researchers from Intego have intercepted a new scareware sample targeting the MAC OS X.
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