Scareware

Also known as “fake anti-virus”, Scareware software issue a pop-up alert that aims to frighten unsuspecting internet users into purchasing worthless security software. Scareware can also take the form of “system optimisation” software. Many scareware applications are vectors for malware that connects your PC to a botnet. In many instances, scareware can be removed from an infected system without paying the attacker. For this reason, many cyberspace miscreants now propagate more profitable ransomware instead.