scareware

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scareware

A warning message that pops up from a Web site that claims the user's computer is currently contaminated or not running properly. Also called "fake antivirus" and "rogue antivirus," scareware is a dishonest attempt to cause a user to purchase antivirus, registry cleaner or some other software that repairs problems or enhances performance.

Worse yet, scareware may be used to entice the user to install phony software that implants a real virus or some other malware. In either case, the dire warning frightens people into taking action. See spyware and wares.

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No references found			Automated scareware blocking in Web browsers and efforts by law enforcement agencies to crack down on companies peddling rogue security software has helped curb the threat. Worms infesting computers worldwide: Microsoft by AFP / AFP American Edition Automated scareware blocking in Web browsers and efforts by law enforcement agencies to crack down on companies peddling rogue security software has helped curb the threat. Worms infesting computers worldwide: Microsoft by AFP / AFP Global Edition One botnet, a highly sophisticated click-fraud network of zombie computers dubbed the "Bahama botnet," was implicated in a recent scareware incident involving NYTimes. Botnet use in click fraud skyrockets by Chuck Miller / SC Magazine			Scaphopoda Scapolite scapolitization scapple Scapula scapular scapulary tablet scapulet scapulus scapus Scar scar tissue Scarab scarab beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeoidea Scarabaeus Scarabeidae scarabiasis Scaramouche Scaravaglione, Concetta Scarborough Scarborough State Beach scarcement Scarecrow scareware scarf scarf connection scarf joint scarfing Scaridae scarification scarifier scarify scarifying scarious Scarlatti Scarlatti, Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico scarlet scarlet carnation Scarlet Fever scarlet fever streptococcus antitoxin scarlet fever streptococcus toxin scarlet letter scarlet red scarlet runner Scarlet Sister Mary scarlet woman Scarp scarp face			scared the pants off Scared to Death scared up scared up Scared Weird Little Guys scaredy scaredy cat scaredy-cat scaredy-cats Scarefire scarehead scaremonger scaremongering scaremongers Scarequote Scarequotes scarer scarer scarer scarers scarers scares scares scares scares scares the bejeezus out scares the bejesus out scares the pants off scares up scares up scareware scarey scarf scarf scarf scarf scarf bandage scarf connection scarf connection scarf down scarf joint scarf joint scarf out scarf out scarf skin Scarf weld Scarface Scarface (video game) Scarfe scarfed scarfed scarfed scarfer scarfer scarfer Scarff-Bloom-Richardson scarfing scarfing scarfing scarfpin scarfs

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