Word of the week: Scareware

This product isn't user-friendly.

June 4, 2019 at 5:21PM
Beware of bogus software promos.
Beware of bogus software promos. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Definition: Fake antivirus software that people are tricked into buying in various internet scams. (Merriam-Webster online)

Sample usage: "No, Dad, your computer is not locked because your Windows expired. That's scareware. Close the window. Are you still there? Hello? You're not closing an actual window, are you? DAD?"

Quality: It's nice to have a word for this rotten stuff, but it's like being glad we have a word for the plague.

JAMES LILEKS

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about the writer

about the writer

James Lileks

Columnist

James Lileks is a Star Tribune columnist.

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