Online criminals are making millions of pounds by forceful computer users to download fake anti-virus software, internet security experts argue. <\/p>\n
Symantec says more than 40 million people have fallen prey to the "scareware" scam in the past 12 months. <\/p>\n
The download is usually risky and criminals can sometimes use it to get the victim’s credit card details. <\/p>\n
The firm has acknowledged 250 versions of scareware, and criminals have idea to earn more than £750,000 each a year. <\/p>\n
Franchised out <\/strong><\/p>\n Scareware sellers use pop-up adverts intentionally designed to look valid, for example, using the same typefaces as Microsoft and other well-known software providers. <\/p>\n They often appears when the user is switching between websites, and falsely warn that a computer’s security has been compromised. <\/p>\n If the user then click on the message they are pointed towards another site where they can download the fake anti-virus software they apparently need to clean up their computer – for a fee of up to £60. <\/p>\n