Anti Virus Live | The Hoax Security Software

Scareware is on the increase, here we will discuss one common example of this new breed of annoyances.

So what is scareware?

Scareware is a piece of software which gets onto your computer and claims you have multiple computer virus related problems. This is actually quite amusing because the only virus here is the actual software telling you have a problem. This software is basically there to get you to make a purchase online using your credit card. At the very least you will make a purchase for something you don't need, in the worst cases, your credit card will be cloned and you will have all sorts of weird and wonderful purchases appearing on your monthly statement.

How does it get onto my computer?

The most common ways are through social media websites or through a pop up on a website. Try to avoid any 'click here to download' links and if you receive something through a social media website, ensure you know and trust the person first, before opening the message or download.

What does it looks like?

There is no standard answer here as they all look different and they are always changing, however a common one we have seen over the last few weeks in the Anti Virus live program which is pictured here. This tells the user they have a whole world of problems on their computer and if they don't remove them now, the world will come to an abrupt end.

What should I do if I get this on computer?

If you get this on your computer, you should shut it down immediately and contact your local computer services provider (isn't this a shameless plug??) because if you want it properly removed and what to protect yourself from future issues, it's best done by an expert.

You wouldn't change the head gasket on your car yourself would you?