A fake antivirus is most accurately categorized as which type of software?

• A. Rogueware
• B. Adware
• C. Spyware
• D. Trojan

Answer: (A)

Rogueware is software that pretends to be legitimate security protection but is actually designed to deceive and sometimes extort money or install more malware. A fake antivirus fits this category because it imitates a real antivirus, runs fake scans, displays alarming infection warnings, and pressures the user to pay to “fix” non-existent threats. That deceptive security scam is the hallmark of rogueware.

Adware just shows ads, spyware secretly collects data, and a Trojan hides malicious actions inside what looks like harmless software. None of those centers on impersonating security software to scare and monetize the user in the same way rogueware does.