March 16, 2010 by Jenny Sanderson
The idea of ‘scareware’ sounds a lot more intimidating than it actually is. It refers to fake programs, normally imitation anti-virus software that has been plastered all around the web in the hope of conning the less internet savvy users.
Although this may not sound particularly ‘scary’ McAfee thought that it was enough of an issue to sound the alarm about these fake programs. Possibly because they may be costing them money by taking away subscribers, or maybe they are generally concerned, I guess we will never really know.
A statistic released by Datamation, that details a McAfee labs report, which revealed that as many as 1 million people are being targeted by scareware every day, is a pertinent one, revealing exactly why McAfee are so concerned.
They were so concerned in actual fact that that they have decided this week to launch a consumer threat alert program that will provide a blog and e-mail subscription service to do the honourable job of keeping consumers clued up on all the latest online scams going around the internet, for a small fee… Surely if they are so concerned it should be a free service?
McAfee claim that internet users are scammed out of roughly $300 million a year by these programs that prey on the naiveté and lack of confidence of many internet users. They present them with what usually does look a perfectly legitimate warning that their system may be under threat and that they risk losing all data, the user will then be prompted to purchase some rogue software that will do nothing but cost them money and on occasion spread a virus through their system.
So it seems McAfee are doing a good thing by issuing a warning about these threats as many people do not realise the dangers and costliness of these scareware programs. However, it would seem fairly beneficial to McAfee at the same time, as they can now offer another paid subscription service just to inform people of dangerous content whilst re assuring them that they are the best program to use to keep your computer safe, fair enough.
Related posts:
I think we need to be a step ahead of these CRIMINALS, track them down and
put them on death row! Why should we continue to pay out of our pockets to
protect our personal property from criminal invasion/destruction? Is that how
McAfee profits big time by taking illegal activity towards their customers lightly?
If anything they ought to come down with their prices to allow for the additional
expenses of purchasing more protection. THESE ANNOYING
BASTARDS NEED TO BE CAUGHT, DESTROYED, AND OFF THE PLANET!!!!
Comment by Justryandfupmyputer — May 23, 2010 @ 3:26 am