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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:! t' R {3 i* P4 r; _* t
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Police warn of computer scam
2 t6 ]) G V( R( V/ zFor Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM
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EPS File #:
, [ v$ Z, N, Y' Z6 KThe Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware.
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/ R7 n8 m) ^1 v! ?% N* O# |Ransomware is essentially a threat to your computer unless you pay an external company.
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Several 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. , O( g p* w0 M( ^! M, f
8 K4 o0 o% T( B5 sIt 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 $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.”2 k; ^3 Z$ n4 P3 h5 d6 l
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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.” ' Q9 j+ d( w4 b7 a+ H
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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.
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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. % @! t. F. |1 n0 A. d8 a' A% u; z
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY. % s7 E- ~& Q0 z$ F8 D8 u* l
•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money.
& d! [& e) M; C3 ?•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. : ~0 m @0 s; n1 R: v- p6 N
The recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware.
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To protect against cyber attacks, it is recommended to update your software regularly. You should have up-to-date anti-virus, spyware and firewall protection. ! }0 v# h; l3 w" M
4 a6 ~( T2 a6 f: @If 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/ " ^! P8 | c+ n# ~* t. F' \5 R' Y0 I
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Please contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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