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
Interested in other words we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.
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