Scareware facts for kids

Scareware is a tricky type of computer program that tries to scare you! It uses clever tricks to make you think your computer has a big problem, like a virus. Then, it tries to get you to buy fake software to fix it. This fake software usually doesn't work, or it might even be harmful itself. Think of it like a scam that uses fear to get your money.

What is Scareware?

Scareware is a type of malware, which means it's software designed to cause harm or trick you. It uses something called social engineering. This is when someone tries to trick you into doing something by playing on your feelings, like fear or worry. Scareware makes you feel worried that your computer is in danger. It then tries to convince you to buy software that you don't need, or that is fake.

In the past, many scareware programs appeared. For example, in 2008 and 2009, there was a big increase in these types of programs trying to trick people.

How Scareware Tries to Trick You

Scareware often looks like real security software. It might show you pop-up messages or banners on websites. These messages often say things like: "Your computer might have harmful programs!" or "You need to fix this right away!" They want to make you feel scared so you click on their links.

Sometimes, these pop-ups look exactly like messages from your computer's operating system. But they are actually just part of a website trying to trick you. Even if you try to close the message, you might accidentally download the scareware.

Big companies like Google have found many websites that host this fake software. This shows how common and tricky scareware can be. For example, a program called Smart Fortress would scare people into thinking they had many viruses. Then, it would ask them to pay for a fake "professional service."

Spyware and Scareware

Some types of spyware can also act like scareware. Spyware is software that secretly collects information about you. These programs might change your computer's background or put fake icons on your screen. They will claim that your computer is infected with spyware. Then, they offer to "help" you remove the infection with their own fake software.

For instance, a program called SpySheriff pretended to remove spyware. But it was actually spyware itself! It would often come with other harmful programs.

Protecting Your Computer from Scareware

One very sneaky trick scareware uses is trying to make you turn off your real antivirus programs. Your computer's security software, like Microsoft Security Essentials, is designed to protect you. It also stops other programs from turning it off. So, scareware tries to trick you into disabling your real protection yourself. It uses those scary messages to convince you to do it. Always be careful if a message asks you to turn off your security software!

What Happens to Scareware Makers?

Because scareware tries to trick people, it is against the law. Companies that create and spread scareware can face legal action. For example, in the past, some companies that made scareware like "Spyware Cleaner" or "Registry Cleaner XP" were stopped. The government wants to stop these companies from tricking people and making them buy fake software.

Scareware for Fun?

Not all scareware is about tricking you into buying things. Some programs are just designed to scare you for fun! These are often called "prank software." They might show shocking images, play loud sounds, or display scary videos when you least expect it.

• For example, an old program called NightMare would wait quietly on your computer. Then, suddenly, it would fill your screen with a skull image and play a loud, scary shriek!
• Another prank might show a message like "Erase everything on hard drive?" with two "OK" buttons. No matter which button you click, nothing is actually deleted. It's just a joke to make you panic!
• There was even an advertisement for a game called Virus: The Game that used this trick. It would show your computer screen and then pretend to delete important files. After a scary moment, a message would appear saying, "Thank God this is only a game." No harm was done, but it definitely got people's attention!

How Experts Find Scareware

Experts are always working to find new ways to detect scareware. They look at the images and messages that scareware uses to trick people. This helps them identify these programs, even when the attackers try to hide them. This research helps keep your computers safer.

See also

• Computer security
• Ransomware
• Rogue security software

Images for kids

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  An example of a scareware pop-up message.