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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:4 | z+ F+ {! k/ u; p
5 z3 z6 _7 }+ X+ g' z- ~: E" j# OPolice warn of computer scam
, l) }: F, } G, t) d3 N8 f; vFor Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM 1 h" @# ] E$ B2 T2 k
MRU #:12R159
5 b v& x `7 g0 hEPS File #:
4 W6 C3 `) r |! H3 D7 t; e( y0 ^The Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware.
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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. $ b7 t e: t5 D& U/ L) m
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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 $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.” d/ d& T& i+ }+ k. `
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“Often these pop-up messages appear after a user attempts to download something off the internet,” says Staff Sgt. Dan Service with Economic Crimes Section. “The download activates “malware” or a type of virus which creates a pop-up message asking for payment.”
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* H" M. v& n: z1 t6 w/ l' QRansomware scams are designed to create shock and anxiety so computer users respond by sending money quickly to prevent being locked out of their computer. / @4 N4 ?; a) V( F @8 F$ w
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If you receive one of these messages, please be aware that:
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( b. w7 d* P- U; Q* p9 b. z( u•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. ' T2 L# L3 w% j" q# L$ R) O4 s$ D
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY. 0 R7 f* T" Z' z% I+ |
•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money.
( y% Y* s+ x; v•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. 3 O+ Z) g# O2 ?* ^, J2 y
The recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware. 5 z- X; D- E- f' i. H
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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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! B* d0 I8 [8 T+ L( ^: @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/ . Y3 K+ N4 L$ ^) ~
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- y- D6 E2 B. Z1 zPlease contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information. M% L- R9 E) [5 ^8 m
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