If you suddenly find your computer locked with a police-looking warning on your screen, you may be a victim of the latest scam involving malware. The warning informs the user that a $100.00 fee is required for the computer to be unlocked.
The scam is a variation of an online extortion that involves Ransomware. Even if the fee is paid by a credit card, the scammers rarely unlock the computer.
While the official looking warning might have you believe otherwise, the locking of these computers has no connection with the Vancouver Police Department, RCMP or other Metro Vancouver police agencies.
Your computer can become infected by malware simply by visiting a website or clicking on a link in an email.
Taking these steps can help prevent this from happening:
- have a proper “Firewall” installed on your computer
- have an up-to-date antivirus loaded onto your computer
- don’t open anything from an unknown, or untrusted, online source
If you are infected with Ransomware, an online search of “remove Ransomware” should show reputable sites with the steps to remove the virus from your computer. If removing the virus yourself is not possible, your computer will need to be serviced by a qualified computer repair person.
If you are a victim of this scam and you have not paid a “fee,” the scam can be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre @ 1-888-495-8501, or by e-mail at info@antifraudcentre.ca.
If you have paid a “fee” and live in Vancouver, you can report the scam to the Vancouver Police at (604) 717-3321. Outside of Vancouver, please make a report to your local police department.
For more tips on protecting yourself from this type of scam and others, visit the Vancouver Police website.
