Despite Windows 8 sales being not as good as Microsoft hoped, there is considerable interest in the new OS version.

Still, not everybody wants to pay to try it out, and malware pushers are taking advantage of that fact by offering bogus Widows 8 "activators" for free:


Unfortunately for the users who download them, these "activators" ask them to fill out a form with personal details and send an SMS message to a specific number in order to get the activation code.

Needless to say, no code will be returned, and the users have just parted with private information and have spent money on the SMS.

According to Trend Micro researchers, further proof that these offers are bogus lays in the fact that the sites offering the fake software are hosted on IPs located in Latvia or Romania, which also host sites hosting fake versions of popular mobile applications.

"With its improved security features and performance, Windows 8 naturally generates curiosity among users and Windows supporters. Its popularity – not to mention the chance to get one for free – is what makes ruses like this effective at tricking users into downloading malware. Thus, users should always consider these 'free' offers with a grain of salt," warn the researchers.