Don’t be scared of scareware

“Scareware” usually starts with a legitimate looking pop-up warning that your computer is infected with a virus. The scammer tries to trick users into purchasing and downloading fake antivirus software that actually may be malware. Reputable antivirus vendors don't solicit data through pop-ups, so don’t fall for this scam.

• Use Sophos antivirus protection or equivalent for personal computers.
• Set up automatic updates for your Windows or Mac operating system and web browsers.
• Enable pop-up blocking in your browser software settings.
• Close the browser instead of just the pop-up if you see a security notification pop-up.