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Scareware

Fake warning pop-up
Source: avast.com/c-scareware

Scareware is malware that uses an alarming pop-up security alert to frighten you into clicking on a link. Clicking on the link downloads a virus to your computer. Such trickery is referrd to as "social engineering".

Some websites display a pop-up window with a message such as "Your computer has been infected with a virus! Immediate removal required. Click here to remove". Upon clicking, a virus is downloaded to your computer. Some of these fake warning messages also display a fake [Cancel] button. Clicking the Cancel button also downloads a virus to your computer.

Sometimes the fake warning will request payment to download an anti-virus program. If you enter your credit card number, if they download anything, it will not be an anti-virus program. Sometimes The popup is designed to look like it come from your computer's operating system when it is actually a webpage.

If you see such a fake security alert mesage box, close your browser immediately, and then run your computer's anti-virus program. If you don't have an anti-virus program configured, you can download Avast Free Antivirus or get Avast Premium Security 2021 | Antivirus Protection Software | 1 PC, 1 Year [Download]

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