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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:# p" N: c) p3 `, u& R# O6 W
' {; M% L. c# E: v; z) y. yPolice warn of computer scam ' u' E* {& r6 W) L$ `/ \% w
For Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM " \8 H( Y) z' t; U
MRU #:12R159 5 `" p1 z/ N, M
EPS File #:
' W, J$ E( d2 T& @/ Y# SThe Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware. : P k# k9 O8 a8 M6 K
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Ransomware is essentially a threat to your computer unless you pay an external company. - y4 x. H- {3 s/ O+ U& F
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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.
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It 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 $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.”
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$ o/ p1 j5 i# R- {, Y& k7 S“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.” # \* ?6 R" p0 O1 @# M
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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. $ [2 [% @ C4 T! F! {
% T4 N/ `0 y9 f3 S5 p0 y$ E* gIf you receive one of these messages, please be aware that: 3 G- G1 v4 R; w( v, \1 {
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•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. % t6 f* w; w. W, E
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY. : {% r/ Q; }3 ~) Y
•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money. 0 V6 K0 C% t8 \) k; ?
•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. ' @: r- O2 K) y" L
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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% ?6 |' [- K8 V8 z4 STo protect against cyber attacks, it is recommended to update your software regularly. You should have up-to-date anti-virus, spyware and firewall protection.
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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/
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Please contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.( u* T: j* x, Y
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