Terms ending in “ware” can mean something to do with software e.g. shareware, malware, ransomware, scareware, vapourware, firmware etc.

The term “riskware” is becoming more commonly used and you may find the anti-virus software on your computing devices warns you about ‘riskware’ pages or downloads.

Riskware is the name for legitimate programs that can cause damage if they are exploited by malicious users – to access or amend information they shouldn’t access. So, something named to be Riskware is not  malware as such, but it may be dangerous in the ways it can be used by hackers.

Riskware is similar to PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programmes) but riskware puts the user at risk rather than just being an inconvenience  or annoyance.

Riskware can include the following types of programs:

• Remote administration utilities
• File downloaders
• Monitoring services
• Password management utilities
• Internet services such as File Transfer Programmes

These programs are not designed to be malicious – but they do have functions that can be used for malicious purposes by hackers.

e.g. Remote administration programs are utilities that allow support staff to take control of your computers in order to sort out problems, make updates etc. But the fact they can take control makes them a target for hackers who would like to control your devices for malicious purposes.

How to protect yourself against Riskware

You need to install anti-malware that can detect and warn against riskware e.g. Malwarebytes which runs constantly and can warn you if you’re are trying to run or download something classed as riskware.

If your computer warns you that a web site you’re trying to visit has riskware or a download is riskware then decide carefully whether to continue or to stop.

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