scareware
n.— «Researchers are also warning of new forms of scareware that are coming up on paid search results. Scareware is a term for fake antivirus software sites that appear to come from well-known vendors such as Microsoft.» —“Spammers Are Gaming Google’s Adwords” by Richard Adhikari InternetNews Jan. 22, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
A San Diego, California, listener has observed that some advertising slogans that omit the part of speech known as an article, such as Get iPhone 14 Pro or Do what’s best for Baby. The phrasing is intentional. Advertising often relies on a...
A flashlight doesn’t flash. It provides a steady beam of light. So why is it called a flashlight? The earliest versions lit up only briefly before the batteries gave out and required a recharge, so they were literally “flash lights.” Years later, in...