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{{Short description|Malware designed to elicit fear, shock, or anxiety}} {{Distinguish|Careware|Shareware}} <!-- no apparent distinction between [[Rogue security software]] and [[Rogueware]], and both already covered completely by [[Scareware]] (see 2nd para of lead there). No benefit to the reader to split hairs. --> [[File:Scareware example popup.webp|thumb|right|An example of a scareware popup]] '''Scareware''' is a form of [[malware]] which uses [[Social engineering (security)|social engineering]] to cause [[Acute stress reaction|shock]], [[anxiety]], or the perception of a threat in order to manipulate users into buying [[Potentially unwanted program|unwanted software]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Malware? {{!}} IBM |url=https://www.ibm.com/topics/malware |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.ibm.com |date=14 April 2022 |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180144/https://www.ibm.com/topics/malware |url-status=live }}</ref> (or other products). Scareware is part of a class of [[Malware|malicious software]] that includes [[rogue security software]], [[ransomware]] and other scam [[software]] that tricks users into believing their computer is infected with a [[Computer virus|virus]], then suggests that they download and pay for [[Rogue security software|fake antivirus software]] to remove it.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8313678.stm|title=Millions tricked by 'scareware'|work=BBC News|date=2009-10-19|access-date=2009-10-20|archive-date=2018-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622204958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8313678.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Usually the virus is fictional and the software is non-functional or [[malware]] itself.<ref name=BBC1>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7955358.stm 'Scareware' scams trick searchers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810133116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7955358.stm |date=2017-08-10 }}. [[BBC News]] (2009-03-23). Retrieved on 2009-03-23.</ref> According to the [[Anti-Phishing Working Group]], the number of scareware packages in circulation rose from 2,850 to 9,287 in the second half of 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/10/supportonclick_scareware_scam/|website=The Register|date=2009-04-10|access-date=2009-04-12|title=Scareware scammers adopt cold call tactics|archive-date=2018-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210235110/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/10/supportonclick_scareware_scam/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first half of 2009, the APWG identified a 585% increase in scareware programs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.antiphishing.org/reports/apwg_report_h1_2009.pdf |title=Phishing Activity Trends Report: 1st Half 2009 |access-date=2009-10-05 |archive-date=2012-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415044716/http://www.antiphishing.org/reports/apwg_report_h1_2009.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The "scareware" label can also apply to any application or virus which pranks users with intent to cause anxiety or panic.
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