scareware

[ skair-wair ]

noun

1. Computers. software that is sold as computer security or as an antivirus or other utility program but is either useless or is itself malware:

   I was a victim of scareware—I got a warning that my computer was about to fail, so I panicked and purchased the advertised software, which wiped my hard drive instead of fixing it!

Word History and Origins

Origin of scareware¹

scare + -ware

Example Sentences

Users could have seen this notice after downloading the app, and it could have been used as scareware to get them to subscribe.

From Washington Post

In all five cases, Apple customers complained in the review section that they were drawn to the apps by misleading advertisements elsewhere on the Internet, known as “scareware,” which scare users into thinking their phone has been infected by a virus.

From Washington Post

In all five cases, Apple customers complained in the review section that they were drawn to the apps by misleading advertisements elsewhere on the internet, known as “scareware,” which scare users into thinking their phone has been infected by a virus.

From Seattle Times

Users could have seen this notice after downloading the app, and it could have been used as scareware to get them to subscribe.

From Seattle Times

A: Yes, there’s a big difference between actual ransomware and “browser scareware.”

From Seattle Times