Fake antivirus programs that encourage Web users to part with their
hard-earned cash and download hoax security software is likely to be the most
costly scam of 2010, says McAfee.
According to the security firm, cybercriminals make upwards of $300 million
from conning web users worldwide into downloading scareware.
The security firm also said it had seen a 660 percent rise in scareware over
the past two years, and a 400 percent increase in reported incidents in the last
12 months.
"Even the savviest of computer users fall victim to online threats because
cybercriminals have become so sophisticated," said Jeff Green, senior vice
president of McAfee Labs.
