The term ‘scareware’ is used to define a class of scam software that either has no or limited benefits. In order to push this scam software, an unethical sales strategy is used which scares a computer user into buying their product immediately by suggesting that his or her PC has been infected with a deadly virus or has critical errors that need to be fixed. Normally, the price of this ‘fix’ is displayed using the scareware ad, and after the users pay the money, it is downloaded from the web on to their computer for installation. The catch here is that these fixes are an illusion created but will act as though it has taken care of these so-called errors or viruses. However, other fixes work as spyware that victimizes users.

Scareware ads might pop up while a user browses the Web, and will look exactly like a Microsoft window that misleads the user into believing that the message is being displayed from their Windows operating system. When the user hits OK, they will be redirected to a download site where they would need to pay and download the fix.

The best way to avoid scareware is to enable the Pop-up blocker option that is available on most browsers today. Disabling Windows Messenger and upgrading to SP2 for XP will help, as they are key entry points for harmful script among which scareware ads are one of them. Another way to prevent these ads is by enabling the Windows Automatic Update that would inform one of any new patches from Microsoft that can be downloaded free of cost.

It is important to remember that a Windows message will only inform you of a virus infection and will not offer a fix. Anything else that does offer a fix is a part of this dubious strategy to shove useless software down and uninformed user’s throat. Another way to prevent scareware ads and offers is to scan your PC regularly with authentic anti-virus software.