Scareware is a form of malicious software that uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat in order to manipulate users into buying unwanted software. Scareware is part of a class of malicious software that includes rogue security software, ransomware and other scam software with malicious payloads, which have limited or no benefit to users, and are pushed by unethical marketing practices. Some forms of spyware and adware also use scareware tactics.