Authorities are warning the public about a cyber scam that locks users out of their computers and attempts to scare them into paying a “ransom” to regain control.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that freezes the computer and activates a pop-up message demanding that the user pay a fee or fine to unlock their computer.
Some of the pop-ups use police logos and claim to be from the RCMP, CSIS or other law enforcement agencies, with messages warning users their computers have been associated with child pornography or illegal music downloading, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
“These types of messages are scams designed to create shock and anxiety so that victims respond by sending money quickly,” the centre said in their website.
Acting Sgt. Kathy Macdonald with the Calgary Police Service’s crime prevention unit said the police would never communicate with the public in that manner.“They would never ask for fines to be paid in that way. That’s not how police organizations work,” she said. People may fall victim to the Ransomware scam by clicking on links or opening phishing e-mails, she added.
The scam has been around since 2006, hitting Europe hard, then making its way to Australia, the U.S., and finally Canada, said Daniel Williams with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Since March, the centre has received 10 reports out of Calgary, including one who paid the $100 “ransom” via Ukash, an online payment service provider, he said. In the most recent case Oct. 19, the scammers used the name “Cybercrime Investigation Department of Calgary,” he added.
In Lethbridge, about half a dozen calls were made to police in the past few months, said Const. Kevin Althouse with the Lethbridge Regional Police Service’s economic crimes section.
Williams said victims might be reluctant to report the scam for fear they’ve been looking at or doing the wrong things online and don’t want to be caught.
Police are warning victims not to send money, to contact a computer technician to repair the virus or malware, and to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre.ca or 1-888-495-8501.
Computer users are urged to protect their machines by installing software updates, backing up their data and using a firewall, antivirus or spyware program.
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Computer+users+warned+Ransomware+scam/7448425/story.html#ixzz2AVy0UMYF
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