Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What is a common goal of scareware attacks?

1. To steal credit card information

2. To infect computers with viruses

3. To manipulate users into purchasing unnecessary software

4. To extract sensitive data from databases

The correct answer is: To manipulate users into purchasing unnecessary software

Scareware attacks are designed primarily to manipulate users into purchasing unnecessary software by exploiting fear and urgency. In these attacks, users are confronted with alarming messages or threats, often indicating that their computer is infected or that they are at risk of various security issues. This can lead to panic, prompting users to act quickly without fully evaluating the situation. The main objective here is to get users to buy fake antivirus programs or cleaning software that offers little to no real protection, essentially taking advantage of their fear to generate profit for the attacker. This tactic relies on psychological manipulation rather than advanced technical exploits, making it particularly effective. While other cyber threats, such as stealing credit card information or infecting systems with viruses, are harmful in their own right, scareware specifically targets the victim's emotions and decision-making process to drive unwarranted purchases. This distinct method is what differentiates scareware from other types of malware or cybercrime techniques.