According to the most recent cybercrime report by security firm Symantec, online thieves are trying to scare computers users about the vulnerability of their computers to attacks, thereby enticing them to purchase "rogue" security software.

Noting that tens of millions of US computers are loaded with scam security software, Symantec said that the modus operandi of the scareware developers is that they place phony security alerts that pop up when computer users access a genuine website. The pop-up 'alert' cautions the users of a virus and offers security software, either free or at a certain cost.

Going by the findings of the research carried out Symantec, the market is apparently flooded with over 250 different kinds of supposed scareware applications, with their proprietors likely earning a whopping £850,000 each from selling their products.

Statistically speaking, each successful installation of the bogus security application yields between $0.01 and $0.55 to their distributors. Some of the more enterprising ones among the lot even go the extent of offering VIP points and prizes, like electronics and luxury cars, as bonuses!

As per the information forwarded by Vincent Weafer, VP for security response at Symantec, the scam security apps are mostly "a conduit for attackers to take over your machine."

Weafer added: "They'll take your credit card information, any personal information you've entered there and they've got your machine."