Scareware: When The Fake Alarm Causes Panic | Antivirus

The security provider Sophos warned against scareware at the end of last year: With ready-made kits, cybercriminals would ensure that panic-inducing warnings were also distributed on German websites. Although scareware has become quieter overall in recent years, the topic is becoming more important again in the age of the home office. In today's post, we will show you what scareware actually is and how you can take care of your security to protect yourself from scareware.

Scareware - Digital Fear Makers

Scareware is a form of malware that works with users' fear of malware, which is then actually installed in the next step. Internet users should therefore be misled. While surfing, pop-up windows or messages suddenly open that can be mistaken for system messages. On closer inspection, however, these turn out to report that is submitted via the accessed website.

As a rule, these notices, which are also referred to as fake alerts, indicate serious exceptions or attacks. The user is advised to counteract this with specific products such as anti-spy software or cleaner. If users click on these supposed solutions, malware is downloaded at the same time and the computer is infected. This malware can be any imaginable malware, including ransomware, which then encrypts data.

Alleged Helpers as A Danger

What is actually supposed to help the user - namely downloaded tools that supposedly ensure that the errors mentioned no longer occur - is precisely the risk that users want to avoid. Because, as described above, scareware can not only act as an independent program - it would not cause any great damage. It only arises afterward because scareware is usually just the beginning.

Sometimes scareware and fake phone calls from allegedly reputable agencies are coupled in order to stir up the fear of the victims even more. Cybercriminals like to make supposed support calls from Microsoft employees here - we reported on the Microsoft Tech Support Scam in our article “ Microsoft Fraud: Spit Turned - Fraudsters Hacked ”.

As the security provider Sophos reported at the end of last year, attackers are now using ready-made kits so that panic-mongering with fake alerts can also be found on German websites. The security researchers at Sophos stated that ad networks are ideal agents for cybercriminals. There was also an increasing abuse of scareware in app stores - this is called malvertising with scareware.

Fake Alerts - Tips & Notes for Your Safety

If you receive security-relevant messages on your computer, it is important to keep calm first. Do not panic or take action and look carefully at the security message. After that, you can decide how to act. The following applies when dealing with scareware:

Do not rely on alleged security messages from websites! Check your virus scanner - messages from your antivirus are usually linked to options for action. Do not trust reports from websites about viruses or system errors.

If the child has already fallen into the well with you and you have listened to such a fake message, you now need to remove the installed programs. It is advisable to check your computer afterward to avoid further infection with downloaded malware.