Digital Trends

Microsoft is launching lawsuits against high-profile spammers who use scareware pop-ups to sell products — or install spyware.

At one time or another, we’ve all experienced the pop-up saying we have a problem with our computer and offering a download as a solution, so-called “scareware.” And many of us have ignored them. But many haven’t, and found they’ve downloaded – at a cost – a Microsoft program, or even found themselves infected by spyware.

Microsoft isn’t happy at being associated with all this, and the company is doing something about it. Working with the Washington State Attorney General’s office, they’re filing suits against the biggest spammers involved. In fact, those offenders could be charged under the state’s Computer Spyware Act, accoding to Vnunet.

Washington State AG Rob McKenna announced:

"Spyware purveyors and spammers routinely conceal their identities with layers of real or fake intermediaries in an effort to thwart law enforcement.

"But there is a good reason why Washington is known as a leader in hi-tech consumer fraud cases. If you try to trick consumers by assisting a spyware vendor, you are asking to be prosecuted."