One of the methods black hat Internet marketers and hackers have of “tricking you into clicking” on their shady ads or pop-ups is scareware. It actually first cropped-up almost ten years ago, but more sophisticated scareware is making the rounds on the ‘Net, threatening computer networks that are outfitted with the best antivirus and malware detection tools, simply because it relies on human gullibility, not having to bypass normal cybersecurity measures. You can thank the bottom-of-the-barrel ethics of corrupt enterprisers, malicious coders, and black hat marketers for the advent and resilience of scareware – but you can also thank all the dupes who clicked on these manipulative ads that warn you to “Get Antivirus Software Now – You’re Infected!” for instance.
Many are realizing the scamminess of these fake ads, if they’ve ever been scared into purchasing antivirus or malware-fighting packages (supposedly), and have only seen the problem grow worse, as the scareware keeps perpetuating the pop-ups. Here are some of the titles of scareware apps whose legitimate-sounding names are used purposely to trick people into clicking on their ads:
- 007AntiSpyware
- AdsAlert
- FileFixProfessional
- KvmSecure
- TheSpywareDetective
- TrojanGuarder
(Source: HowToTech.org)
Scareware Avoidance Tips
Although Windows 10 has some built-in features that have increased user safety, nothing can fully insulate the human race from gullibility. A substantial amount of scareware can be stopped by the new security measures that are found in the latest-generation operating systems on PCs and mobile devices, but again, scareware avoids most security detection simply because it poses as a legitimate ad. One of the ways to beat scareware is the Norton Wi-Fi Privacy app, which protects your information and privacy on public Wi-Fi networks. Ad and Pop-up blockers will also rid you of most scareware intrusions. According to eMarketer, nearly 70 million Americans will be using ad blockers this year, a 34.4% increase over 2015.
Get Expert Advice
Beyond all the aforementioned anti-scareware tips, soliciting the advice of an expert is the next step to take in the fight against scareware. A good IT professional, for instance, can advise you on what security protocol to use to protect yourself from the annoyance of scareware ads. If you have questions or concerns about IT security, cyber safety and being scareware-free, Alvarez Technology Group is the leader in providing IT security and consulting in Salinas. Contact one of our expert IT staff at (831) 753-7677 or send us an email at [email protected] and we will be happy to help.
