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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:# r* c5 M/ M2 f% C3 y2 r
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Police warn of computer scam
/ F. N. n- m) r: r: i% P2 }# i: [: R" d! GFor Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM 5 ?* o2 D- \& o- ~2 m. \- q
MRU #:12R159
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4 [9 \* n0 V4 G7 DThe Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware. ( Y2 X& w% j8 G0 r) [
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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.
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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 $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.”
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“Often these pop-up messages appear after a user attempts to download something off the internet,” says Staff Sgt. Dan Service with Economic Crimes Section. “The download activates “malware” or a type of virus which creates a pop-up message asking for payment.”
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- @/ Q$ M8 ~/ W2 e9 Z+ U5 i% }# GRansomware 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: , D: O0 R- p S9 x
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•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. : q- d' D! B! h* Z
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
0 L# L6 p+ G u3 k! U# A•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money. * K( U C* l: Q7 E1 Y; |
•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with.
, D& K4 \; K$ i, n6 KThe recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware. % O$ S1 w$ z9 X
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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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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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-30-
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Please contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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