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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:0 _1 W+ x% k! _" k& U% h* x
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Police warn of computer scam + g! ?" S Q7 k8 _! m6 a) W
For Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM
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EPS File #:
9 F @' e- ^$ W6 N9 ?The Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware. . g2 O$ U8 ]6 A" ?; p7 m
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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. 7 V3 L' ]' n) L2 t
& I4 P' j) j" iIt 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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4 i) C& A( Y! c, p# y+ K“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.”
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/ c% ~9 M! y: ~ o% |4 cRansomware scams are designed to create shock and anxiety so computer users respond by sending money quickly to prevent being locked out of their computer. # ]6 I4 R q5 X% `( E
2 u9 ^% n7 }( D H S1 ]1 u: {, K! E& xIf you receive one of these messages, please be aware that:
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9 T/ \$ x2 n) H3 J2 ^; a•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. 3 O, [0 U: A0 V! a+ S
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
3 z) L, f2 ~- E7 H2 K/ U# k5 j: G•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money. 6 q' [3 J' \1 o( _& ]% Z: q7 d
•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. % G4 h f2 D* H1 A
The recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware. 1 B2 I& |1 o( O, u% ^
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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.
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0 D5 R! c+ B# _, ]8 wIf 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/ ( v: j* T% a4 C2 n8 j
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$ I% g3 F3 Q( F! EPlease contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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