Security Experts Advise ‘Caution’ Regarding Scareware

According to reports obtained, scareware suppliers have started implanting triggers in the most unexpected places on the Internet. Accordingly, scareware can be found in advertisements posted on mainstream media sites, among results from search engines like Yahoo, Windows Live and Google; beside comments on YouTube movies; and lately in 'tweets' or messages on Twitter.

Says Director of Counter Threat Unit Joe Stewart at SecureWorks that scareware is developing into a major force. USAToday.Com reported this on June 9, 2009.

Actually, as security experts explain scams with scareware employ simple tactics. One of them is to warn computer users of a virus on their PC and that to clean it they must take down an anti-virus application from a particular website.

However, the security application provides no protection rather it steals financial and other personal data from the computer of the user. These rogue software often range from an ordinary keylogging program to an advanced computer virus that buries itself into the computer files of the user. They frighten the target victim into surrendering critical data, usually financial details. Also the bogus AV software is sold and at a price that normally vary between $30 and $80.

Actually Server Business Group Director Ng Wai Mun of Microsoft Malaysia echoed Stewart's comment by stating how such threats were rising in number and complexity in a way so as to carry out crimes at different levels on the Internet. Star-techcentral.com reported this during the 1st week of June 2009.

Additionally with Microsoft and SecureWorks, Trend Micro the security vendor also cited instances of users in the corporate world that downloaded rogue anti-malware programs which subsequently demanded money to unlock sensitive internal data that the programs encrypted. Consequently, such scareware in a comprehensive version is called 'ransomware.' And as observed these 'data-for-ransom' groups lure users to take down malicious software that pretend to be utility programs.

Hence, as scareware continues to increase, security experts recommend that users install anti-malware software only from familiar and reliable sources, while also keep them up-to-date. Moreover, they must avoid clicking online advertisements that promote unfamiliar software alleging to offer trouble-free protection.

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» SPAMfighter News - 6/16/2009