Understanding Scareware: What It Is and How to Avoid Falling Victim

Scareware is a deceptive tactic designed to manipulate and frighten you into believing your system is infected with a virus or malware. If you’re distracted, tired or overworked, like most people, you could be tricked into contacting the supposed "experts" for assistance.

Here’s how scareware works, and how to avoid becoming a victim.

How Scareware Works

Imagine you're browsing the web, perhaps making a purchase on an unfamiliar site. Despite having up-to-date endpoint protection and a fully-patched OS, you suddenly receive an ominous pop-up warning:

Shockingly, hundreds to thousands of individuals fall for these schemes daily, unknowingly granting malicious actors access to their personal and office computers.

These scare tactics can appear as pop-ups, direct phone calls, texts, Teams/Zoom calls or even audio messages. A particularly unnerving scenario involves a man’s voice urgently stating, “This is your software security company. We have noticed you have been compromised. Call (855) 555-4321 immediately to have our experts correct this before your data is lost!”

The effectiveness of scareware lies in its ability to catch you off guard during routine tasks, presenting just enough credible-sounding information to make you believe the threat is real.

Click too fast, and you might have welcomed an intruder into your computer. The path to resolving the issue seems straightforward. However, if you act in haste, without careful thought, you might realize the true danger only after the intruder has access to your PC and is causing actual harm.

Scareware vs. Ransomware

You might have heard of ransomware. What is it, and how does it differ from scareware? 

As noted above, scareware manifests as seemingly innocuous pop-ups or audio alerts that slip through security defenses because they require the user’s participation to become harmful. Without user intervention, scareware is powerless. However, if you fall for the scare tactics, you inadvertently allow the malicious user into your system, where they can then install ransomware or trick you into purchasing unnecessary software and services. They may use their connection to your machine to dig deeper into your finances and monetize your moment of weakness.

Protecting Yourself From Scareware

Knowledge is your best defense. Understanding that legitimate vendors will not contact you through pop-up windows and ominous phone calls is a significant first step.

Here are some proactive measures to protect yourself:

• Stay informed: Awareness of scareware tactics helps you recognize them when they occur.
• Verify sources: If you receive an unexpected pop-up or call, don’t act on it immediately.
• Seek a second opinion from a trusted professional or contact the supposed company directly using a verified number.
• Think before you click or call: Take a moment to assess the situation calmly before following any instructions.

In our digital age, malicious users are everywhere. By taking a moment to think before acting and seeking additional opinions when uncertain, we can better navigate the web without fear. The trick is to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited warnings, ensuring a safer online experience for all.

Need Help?

Gross Mendelsohn’s Technology Solutions Group can help you protect your business from scary situations. If you’re worried about network security and vulnerabilities, schedule a free Cyber Security Risk Assessment, or call 410.685.5512.

This article was originally published in October 2016 and was updated in March 2025.