This type of malware warns the victim of potential harm that could befall them if they don't take some sort of action. Typically, this action involves providing a credit card or doing something else to buy a utility they need to clean their system. In many cases, the utility the victim is buying and installing is actually something else, such as spyware, adware, or even a virus.
This kind of software relies on the ignorance or fear of potential victims who do not know that they are being played.
This kind of software relies on the ignorance or fear of potential victims who do not know that they are being played.