Which category would you assign to deceptive software that pretends to scan for infections but behaves maliciously instead?

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

Answer: (A)

Deceptive software that pretends to scan for infections but behaves maliciously is described as rogueware. The defining feature here is the misrepresentation of its purpose as security software—it looks like an antivirus or antispyware tool, runs fake scans, shows false threats, and often pressures the user to take actions that benefit the attacker. This specific behavior distinguishes rogueware from other categories: adware primarily displays ads for revenue, spyware covertly collects data, and a Trojan is malware that hides its true nature behind a seemingly harmless program. The anti-malware facade and scare tactics are the hallmarks of rogueware.