Cyber criminals are increasingly using scareware programmes to ‘extort’ money out of unsuspecting computer users.

Scareware programmes, such as the widespread Internet Antivirus Pro family, load code onto people’s computers which display false messages on their screens stating that a virus has been found and that for a fee, it will be removed. Of course, no such virus exists. The product presents itself as legitimate and usually contains other lines of malicious code, including often a password stealer. This tracks where people surf and steals log-in information.

It’s been estimated by The Anti-Phishing Working Group that such attacks have increased by 225%, equating to over 9,000 bogus antivirus programmes currently out there in circulation.

The US Government has reacted to such attacks by trying to shut down companies which write and distribute scareware.

Guest Article by Neil Camp