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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:5 k4 L; x1 Z0 v8 ?1 U
( V4 J6 V' O5 ~( m x3 ]6 P$ \* GPolice warn of computer scam # Z* K* d( {( O! n
For Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM
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EPS File #:
/ y( S. e8 v7 l6 uThe Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware. 2 j/ Z, P( H- [! `$ R; ]. u
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Ransomware is essentially a threat to your computer unless you pay an external company.
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; D4 r, o; m Q7 Q: b% Y; \4 bSeveral reports have been received by the EPS where computer users are claiming they are receiving pop-up messages asking for immediate payment otherwise they would be “locked out” of their computers. 4 }: U3 W2 \7 j8 F4 F: w( e
9 D3 J3 _1 C qIt has been reported that these pop-up warning messages are claiming to come from a Canadian police or government agency. The message tells computer users to pay $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.”6 k9 ^1 M, {, p
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“Often these pop-up messages appear after a user attempts to download something off the internet,” says Staff Sgt. Dan Service with Economic Crimes Section. “The download activates “malware” or a type of virus which creates a pop-up message asking for payment.” * X! ^( o) T9 l3 b* p, L
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Ransomware scams are designed to create shock and anxiety so computer users respond by sending money quickly to prevent being locked out of their computer. : I( \; l3 ^7 Z
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If you receive one of these messages, please be aware that:
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•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. 5 P. r A: H/ l4 ^7 [
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
% q5 D- t' S9 t•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money.
* O- A" ~2 S1 l9 e" U! a•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. ; u- j. }3 t( v; P: v$ E4 f; O+ R: @
The recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware. 7 L8 h, G3 v6 w
( X1 z* S+ j. O4 ?+ ?' C3 hTo protect against cyber attacks, it is recommended to update your software regularly. You should have up-to-date anti-virus, spyware and firewall protection. 4 n. y, U) E5 [& U6 g- a9 {
P3 n& F- X7 f+ P( a4 gIf you receive a ransomware message, please report it to the police and to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-850 or http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/ 7 ]) ^4 z; Z$ U. o
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Please contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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