Quick Answer
The correct answer is scareware. This attack relies on social engineering to manipulate users into believing their system is critically infected, then demanding payment for a fake removal tool. Unlike ransomware, which encrypts files for a ransom, scareware creates urgency and fear through fake antivirus warnings to coerce immediate payment for a nonexistent solution. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between malware types based on their primary payload and psychological tactics. A common trap is confusing scareware with ransomware, but remember: scareware scares you into paying for nothing, while ransomware locks your data. For a quick memory tip, think of the word “scare” in scareware—it’s all about inducing panic, not encryption.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of incident response and recovery. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user reports that their computer is displaying a fake antivirus warning that demands payment. This is an example of which type of attack?
Social engineering
Why wrong: Scareware is a form of social engineering, but the question asks for the type of attack.
Ransomware
Why wrong: Ransomware typically encrypts files and demands payment for decryption, not just fake warnings.
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing is often via email, not a pop-up on the computer.
Scareware
Scareware presents fake security warnings to coerce payment.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Scareware
Scareware is a type of malware that uses social engineering to trick users into believing their system is infected, then demands payment for a fake removal tool. The fake antivirus warning is a classic scareware tactic, as it creates urgency and fear to coerce payment, unlike ransomware which encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Social engineering
Why it's wrong here
Scareware is a form of social engineering, but the question asks for the type of attack.
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware typically encrypts files and demands payment for decryption, not just fake warnings.
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is often via email, not a pop-up on the computer.
Scareware
Why this is correct
Scareware presents fake security warnings to coerce payment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse scareware with ransomware because both demand payment, but scareware does not encrypt files or lock the system—it only displays a fake warning, which is a key distinction tested on the SSCP exam.
Detailed technical explanation
Scareware often masquerades as legitimate security software, using pop-ups or browser redirects to display fake scan results. Under the hood, it may modify the Windows registry (e.g., HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) to persist and repeatedly show warnings. In real-world scenarios, scareware can be delivered via drive-by downloads from compromised ad networks, exploiting unpatched browser vulnerabilities to execute without user interaction.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
What to study next
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FAQ
Incident Response and Recovery — This question tests Incident Response and Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Scareware — Scareware is a type of malware that uses social engineering to trick users into believing their system is infected, then demands payment for a fake removal tool. The fake antivirus warning is a classic scareware tactic, as it creates urgency and fear to coerce payment, unlike ransomware which encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SSCP exam.
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