Scareware and other unnecessary software programs

Scareware

Scareware comprises several classes of scam software with malicious payloads, or of limited or no benefit, that are sold to consumers via certain unethical marketing practices. The selling approach uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat, generally directed at an unsuspecting user.

Some forms of spyware and adware also use scareware tactics.

Scareware and Fake Antivirus

A tactic frequently used by criminals involves convincing users that a virus has infected their computer, then suggesting that they download (and pay for) fake antivirus software to remove it.

Usually the virus is entirely fictional and the software is non-functional or malware itself.

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), the number of scareware packages in circulation rose from 2,850 to 9,287 in the second half of 2008. In the first half of 2009, the APWG identified a 583% increase in scareware programs.

The "scareware" label can also apply to any application or virus (not necessarily sold as above) which pranks users with intent to cause anxiety or panic.

Software that is not good for you

There are also many "companies" that are selling you software which was supposed to fix your registry and magically boost your computer speed. This is usually garbage software which pretends to find and fix errors in your computer but actually it does nothing (good) for you.

Examples:

www.optimize-your-pc.com
www.fix-pc-errors.com
http://registrywizard.com/faq.php
http://www.solvepcerrors.com