Scareware

Scareware refers to a type of malware that exploits social engineering to instill fear, anxiety, or shock in a target, compelling them to purchase unnecessary software. It commonly takes the form of rogue security software or ransomware, misleading users into believing that their devices are infected with a virus. The scareware’s urgent warnings prompt users to buy additional software to remove the supposed threat. Unfortunately, the downloaded program often turns out to be a malicious virus or a useless subscription-based service that drains resources.