Scareware - it sounds scary, but what is it?

Last week I wrote an article about Ransomware, and only a few days later, another person shared an example of how their university was experiencing a ransomware attack. But, this time I would like to write about a different concept when it comes to online security and hacking, and it is scareware.

what is scareware.jpg
Source: Pixabay

Scareware might not be as well-known as ransomware, but you are more likely to have met it. In fact, you might know what it is, you just didn't know that it is called scareware. So, let's get to it - what is scareware?

What is scareware?

Have you ever visited a website and seen a pop-up message telling you that your computer has been affected by a virus? Or maybe the popup tells you that your computer is at risk and you need to take quick action. What should you do?

The pop-up window, which is designed to look very similar to a message from either your virus program or your operating system, will encourage you to install some program or pay money to fix the trouble. If you install the recommended software, that is when the real problem will actually start. The same is true if you pay for some "wannabe" solution. When you install programs, actual malicious software, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and who knows what might be installed on your computer. If you give them your payment details, your money might be at risk.

In other words, scareware is only something that is supposed to make you scared. And when you get scared, you do stupid things... like clicking on the banners, paying for spyware, malware, and other apps harmful to your device.

How do the pop-ups come up in the first place?

You might wonder how the pop-ups show up? Google is frequently looking for such harmful ads, and that is why I have actually received warnings from Google Webmaster Tools when my sites have been infected with similar things. In my case, it wasn't about scareware, but about automatic redirects valid for mobile users and so on.

But, hackers are good at adding code to websites, and by doing so, they can make pop-ups show up at sites you would normally trust and not worry about. This is important! Scareware can actually show up at sites you trust if they have been attacked. And the worst thing is, they might not even know about it themselves.

scareware.jpg
Example of scareware - Source

Articles can also be a kind of scareware

So far I have only written about scareware presented to you as pop-ups. That is, by far, the most dangerous version. But, it can also be important to understand that articles can be used to make you scared.

Did you feel pain in your stomach today?
You do a quick Google search to find out what might be wrong, and you end up finding a website telling you that you for sure have a problem due to drinking too much coffee, and the only solution is to buy this super-pill RIGHT NOW... if not, you will for sure die soon!

The example might be an exaggeration, but it is also a kind of scareware. It is carrying you into taking stupid actions that might harm your device or your wallet.

When you are scared, you do irrational things... like paying for stupid software and clicking links you shouldn't click. That is why scareware is efficient and something most of us have met once or many times.

What to do when you get scared?

Have you seen a scary pop-up? Are you afraid that your computer might be infected? Don't click the pop-ups... NEVER EVER! Go to your normal antivirus program and do a scan of your device. Use a spyware/malware detector if you have such a program installed. But, do not under any circumstances click the banners and install programs or pay for a solution. That is only going to make things worse!


I hope this article will help you stay alert in the future if you should be threatened by some scareware. Stay calm, and remember this article!


If you have questions, or maybe have some experience with scareware that you would like to share, write a comment below. If you haven't been to this platform before, register a user (it might seem a bit complicated at first), and write your first comment. It is super-cool, and you can actually earn money publishing your own content and commenting on the platform. Sound cool, doesn't it?

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This is an original article written by me for Project Hope! First published on Steemit



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Hey nice info here about computer security, im just seeing scareware for the first time actually lol.

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I know the expression might be unknown to many, but the concept is well-known! :) No matter what, it is always good to be prepared!

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Wow. This is totally understandable. I have come in contact on what of those pop up ads before saying my device has so so number of virus. I just already don't mind it.

It was really interesting reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

Your post has been submitted to be manually curated by @gitplait community account because this is the kind of publications we like to see in our community.

Join our Community on Hive and Chat with us on Discord.

[Gitplait-Team]

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Thanks for the curation, and it is easy for those with some experience to forget about those ads. But, when they look like your operating system or your antivirus program, it is easy to be tricked!

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i have never ever trusted any of the add and you are right that are always making us scare that we have viruses in our computer and that's attention taking things .

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It is good not to trust them here, but once again... those with little experience are often scared, and suddenly do stupid things in order to stay safe (which is exactly the wrong steps in such situations).

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Ways of stealing our information or our money are advancing all the time. This is a very silly thing to do, but the damage they can do to our PCs is great.

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Truly is so, the "evil" is so creative at getting access to other's money, and that is why it is important to keep antivirus data and programs up to date, and to be careful when surfing in general.

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Thank you very much for the information, it's very good! Many people don't know about it and as you say they get scared and make mistakes.

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Thankyou for making such an informative post and maming us aware kf acareware.
Hacking nowadays is a big tgreat even to the bigger organizations.
I hope everyone stays safe.

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So do I, and I do hope this article will help people stay safe as well.

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@unbiasedwriter first of all very nice and informative article. I don't know about this term and you have let my eyes open regarding the same. We have seen we are surrounded by hackers we need to be safe in all terms.

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Glad to be at your service and to have given you some new and useful information.

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