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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:
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) X$ Y6 `2 S8 H0 `0 a; `: [* |Police warn of computer scam
4 X1 h( Z0 _! y, }9 L+ bFor Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM $ [! X: @- r% t
MRU #:12R159
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. |7 K3 J" m6 L& B* rThe Edmonton Police Service is warning the public about an on-going computer scam known as ransomware.
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& c( z, R! Z( J. p, U0 fRansomware is essentially a threat to your computer unless you pay an external company.
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$ m4 o6 t7 q% F, Y0 J+ I8 U" G3 OSeveral 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 $100 via Ukash (a payment service provider) so that their computers can be “unlocked.”
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“Often these pop-up messages appear after a user attempts to download something off the internet,” says Staff Sgt. Dan Service with Economic Crimes Section. “The download activates “malware” or a type of virus which creates a pop-up message asking for payment.” ! ]# q ?3 p3 W( s8 K/ o: x9 F- j2 I
, l5 B# A" z7 _ K2 `/ K/ e$ kRansomware 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:
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•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. 4 u& Q3 I A1 b7 b- Q# y0 a
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
) }8 |0 b/ j# z1 ]# I•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money.
* U3 D, x7 t9 K% w& P6 Z. |, [/ k•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with. 6 `) S4 I, |. n
The recommended way to re-gain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware. & O" |$ Q! u" Y; O
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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. 6 e& d/ \( w& l; `
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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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3 F7 }/ i q( u, U! YPlease contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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