Scareware requires preparation, claims expert

Written by Louise Tate

IT outsourcing users need to prepare and maintain a level of mistrust to tackle the threat of scareware, an expert has suggested.

A recent report on rogue security software from Symantec found 250 separate fake programmes were being sold to users as anti-virus applications and pointed out that cybercriminals are using scareware to trick people into downloading them.

Commenting on the findings, Jens Kirschner, training manager for computer forensics courses at 7Safe, said companies need to be aware of the security risks which are created by such websites and applications.

"Don't trust sites you have never heard of before. People trust Google, of course, but the results from Google could be from anywhere," he added.

Mr Kirschner also recommended that firms install security software such as malware scanners, as this will allow them to detect any e-threats which are present.

The expert also claimed that the problem is dealt with in a decentralised fashion by the police, which means the onus is often on companies to protect themselves from scareware.