Avoid fear-mongering scareware
Hackers and cybercriminals are always finding new ways to get their insidious software onto your computer. One of the recently-developed methods is known as scareware. The term actually refers to a variety of methods which can be used to either get you to download malicious free software, or to pay for useless commercial software.A common example goes somewhat like this: You’re browsing the internet, and suddenly a pop-up appears. However, the pop-up doesn’t seem to actually be selling anything, but rather is an alert warning you that your computer is infected with a virus. It looks like an authentic warning, so you click for more information. This site promises to fix your computer after you give your credit card number to activate it. You do so, and find that far from going away, you now have more alerts on your computerand this time, they’re legitimate. Not only that, but now an unknown party has your credit card information.In another version of the above example, the alert offers a free trial of a program that will clean your computer. No matter how the software gets on your computer, it generally gives the criminals access to your computer in some way, whether it’s though uncovering personal information and passwords or some other method.To avoid falling prey to such tactics, you should resist deals that seem too good to be true. There are good, free antivirus programs out there, but you should do some research before downloading one with which you’re unfamiliar. Also, always be the one in chargedon’t be forced into downloading a program, and only download from the program’s actual site. Once you download an antivirus program, your responsibility hasn’t ended. Make sure to keep it updated in order to plug security holes.Some forms of spyware also reveal themselves as scareware, whether by installing icons in the notification area, changing the desktop background, or through faux spyware alerts. For example, SpySheriff (also known as Brave Sentry, Pest Trap, SpyTrooper, and SpywareNo) claims to be an anti-spyware program and often replaces the desktop background with a “blue screen of death” or a notice warning of a spyware infection. Certain forms of deceptive advertising have also been classified as scareware, and companies have been successfully prosecuted for using scareware pop-ups to sell their products.Despite these risks, good security software can help minimize the possibility of serious damage to your computer. Make sure that your computer is protected, and remember to make smart decisions while browsing.