Difference between Scareware and Malware Last Updated : 24 Sep, 2020 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report 1. Scareware : Scareware is a form of malware that is malicious software that poses as legitimate computer security software and claims to detect a variety of threats on the affected computer that do not actually exist. The users are then informed that they have to purchase the scareware in order to repair their computers and are barraged with aggressive and pop up notifications until they supply their credit card number and pay up the desired amount for the worthless scareware product. 2. Malware : Malware is an umbrella term that is used to cover all types of malicious software. Malware is designed to attack on organizations, corporations, and individuals by destroy data and resources, cause error and slow down the performance. Malware can be delivered to a networked system through emails or software installations or surfing via internet. Virus, trojan horses, worms, and spyware are the types of malware along with a few others which is more harmful. Difference between Scareware and Malware : S.No. Scareware Malware 1. Scareware is a tool to help fix your system but when the software is executed it will infect your system or completely destroy it. Malware is a file or a code, designed to cause damage to a user’s personal computer and network. 2. It is less harmful as compared. It is more harmful. 3. In this, user should immediately close the browser. In this, user should restore the PC to gain access. 4. Scareware is one of the type of malware. Malware covers a lot of different malicious software. 5. Scareware can be detected in browser by pop up notification and removed by the Antivirus and firewall. Malware can be detected and removed by the antivirus program. 6. It give unauthorized access and control of the system to the hackers. It can destroy data and resources, cause error and slow down the performance. 7. DriveCleaner, WinAntivirus, ErrorSafe, WinFixer and XP Antivirus are some of the examples of scareware. Viruses, worms, Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware are some of the common malware. 8. It displays windows- style popups. It displays a software. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Difference between Scareware and Malware A adware Follow Improve Article Tags : Computer Networks Difference Between Similar Reads Difference between Scareware and Ransomware 1. Scareware : Scareware is a form of malware that is malicious software that poses as legitimate computer security software and claims to detect a variety of threats on the affected computer that do not actually exist. The users are then informed that they have to purchase the scareware in order to 2 min read Difference Between Malware and Spyware In the digital age, numerous varieties of cyber threats are important for preserving and protecting records safely. Among many malicious software programs, two terms frequently encountered are "malware" and "spyware." While both are substantial threats to computer systems and private records, they s 3 min read Difference between Worms and Malware All essential information is available online or stored on the computer. We use social media to chat with each other, use UPI to pay online, etc. With the boom of the internet and software, data breaches are major concerns of internet users and organizations these days. Malicious Software or Malware 5 min read Difference between Scareware and Spyware 1. Scareware : Scareware is a form of malware that is malicious software that poses as legitimate computer security software and claims to detect a variety of threats on the affected computer that do not actually exist. The users are then informed that they have to purchase the scareware in order to 2 min read Difference between Rootkit and Scareware 1. Rootkit : Rootkit is a set of application, a type of malware that is designed to infect a target PC and allow an attacker to install a set of tools that grant him persistent remote access to the computer. The malware typically pretended itself as normal files that âhide in plain sightâ so your an 2 min read Like