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'Scareware' scams on the rise

A growing number of internet users are being duped into buying fake online security software on bogus websites, a new report has claimed.

The research from computer security firm Finjan suggests that cyber criminals are redirecting users to malicious web pages by hijacking search engines.

Visitors are then tricked into purchasing fake security software, or 'scareware', after seeing a series of bogus virus warnings pop up on their screens.

"Cyber criminals keep on looking for improved methods to distribute their malware and rogueware," commented Yuval Ben-Itzhak, chief technology officer at Finjan.

"Since they make money by trading stolen data or selling rogue software, they are looking for new and innovative techniques all time," he added.

According to Finjan's research, cyber criminals could be making up to $10,800 (£7,457) a day from sales of such malware.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group's recent report found that there were 9,287 bogus anti-malware programmes in circulation in December 2008.

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