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警察在2周前通过媒体给市民的警告:: S) E0 Z8 h, a
0 I3 t9 i. k' A# X4 [0 FPolice warn of computer scam
. ~& Q f! l0 h- qFor Immediate Release:16-Oct-2012 @ 8:58 AM - {3 Z1 P8 _6 ]2 V) G w
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EPS File #:
8 e2 n& J. c* z* D8 x4 Z7 }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. ; W9 t/ A8 Y2 M
& {# }. T1 J2 a3 b1 @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 h) W+ P8 S+ d9 M' Y0 g) J
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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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4 A3 O1 `1 i' B5 D( 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.”
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, m9 q6 r% n# b' a& 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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3 V6 i1 U U) Y; F2 bIf you receive one of these messages, please be aware that: 0 Y i. Q# I8 @( Z& ]/ `" j
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•the ransomware is an attempt to defraud you. ' O: X5 }3 U3 }( X, |1 q
•sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
: Y: [3 g7 q/ R' b V: D0 T# A•neither police nor any Canadian government agency would hijack computers in order to obtain money. # N% D1 c; J2 Q7 v% Q! ?
•the ransomware is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with.
, `5 D8 K% \) S3 BThe 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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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/ % m; U% F- K: ?! e+ w
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Please contact Noreen Remtulla at (780) 421-3552 for more information.
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