Ransomware

As computer-savvy consumers, you have likely heard about malware, viruses and spyware. You should also be aware of a new threat that even has the federal government worried on behalf of consumers. Ransomware is a dramatic new scheme used to steal from unsuspecting computer users. Ransomware gets its name from how it holds the computer hostage, unable to operate until the owner pays the scammer to release it. Many people have already been fooled by the scare tactics used in this scam.

Most commonly, the program that activates the ransomware is disguised as a normal computer update. While you are searching the Web, streaming videos, or checking out a blog, a message will appear on the screen claiming that in order to view this content a software update must be downloaded. Your antivirus software may not warn you not to download if your program is out of date. So, without any warning to do otherwise, you might download what looks like a normal software update. This is how ransomware enters your computer.

One day without warning, the computer screen will freeze. Instead of displaying the desktop or user files, the screen will show a fake message claiming to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Department of Justice, or other government agencies. The message claims that illegal materials have been found on the computer and that the government has locked it. In order to have the computer unlocked, the user must pay a fine via a prepaid debit card. The message claims that if the user does not pay the money, then the computer will not be unlocked and local authorities will be notified of the illegal activity.

Because the message looks official and threatens legal punishment, many people become frightened and pay the ransom for their computer. Unfortunately, scammers who operate these schemes often just take the money and do nothing to fix the hostage computer. If your computer ever becomes frozen by a ransomware virus, do not pay the scammers. Instead, contact your antivirus or Internet provider, who will then work to get the virus off your computer. To avoid this trouble altogether, be suspicious of any free software updates offered to you online. Do not download software that you do not recognize. If you need an update, try going to the official Web site for the software program rather than trusting a pop-up on another site.

Reference:

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). New E-Scams and Warnings: Citadel Malware Continues to Deliver Reveton Ransomware in Attempts to Extort Money. Retrieved January 14, 2013, from http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams.