Yes, there’s a new category in the spyware stakes; it is called ’scareware’. This is just my own term, but it describes perfectly what I have experienced lately. Scareware refers to spyware that attempts to frighten you into doing or buying something.
Let’s start at the beginning. What is Spyware? Spyware is any software that installs itself on your computer without you knowing. It’s purpose is not as distructive as that of a virus. But it causes you lots of headaches for sure. Spyware basically has two purposes. One is to record your browsing habits and keystrokes and the other is to bombard you with adverts. Normally the information obtained by the first is what is sold to advertsing companies, as leads. The adverts you get may well be relevant to your browsing habits. This is how they know; by recording your keystrokes.
Some spyware will even record your bank details and credit card information, this is particularly dangerous. However, this is not normal, most spyware are purely out to run ads or sell you something. If your computer suddenly starts to run slowly or you have adverts popping up or even if your homepage changes by itself then you most likely have spyware on your computer.
But I have seen a new category of Spyware recently, one which can be called Scareware. Scareware installs itself on your computer the same as any other spyware. But then it proceeds to try and persuade you that you have been infected by some serious virus or program. You will receive messages that look like genuine windows error messages, telling you that your computer is infected.
It will then tell you to click on the button to fix the problem. This will inevitably lead you to a page that sells you a fix in the form of another program. DO NOT click that button! Once you’ve done it, you can’t get rid of it. You have to run some top spyware blockers in order to get rid of this nasty. Once you have got rid of it you will notice that there is nothing else wrong with your computer.
The whole process can be disturbing and consume lots of time to fix. The good thing is that a decent spyware blocker will get rid of it.
On the point of Spyware Blockers; be careful when purchasing one of these. There are some ok FREE spyware blockers but most are in fact spyware themselves. Or they will attempt to get you to upgrade to a paid version anyway. They do this by showing results from scans of your computer that aren’t completely true.
If you run a reputable Spyware Blocker against one of these free ones you will find that what the free one says is on your computer is not actually true. They are also trying to frighten you into buying an upgrade. We’re tried this and found many free spyware blockers are just making up threats on your computer. It’s called false negatives.
So, the best way is to just buy a decent and reputable spyware blocker. Do some research and see what people are buying. A paid for Spyware Blocker will have good support and you know that it will update almost every day for fixes for new threats. They have the resources to do this, because millions of people pay for their product.
You get what you pay for. Some people may well disagree with me regards Spyware Blockers but is it worth the risk? Consider how much you’ve paid for your system and then the price for the best spyware blocker is really insignificant.
