RCMP report computer scam making the rounds in Okanagan
By Nelson Daily Staff
Computer users in the Okanagan region are getting attacked by a virus impersonating law enforcement and then pressuring people to pay money to fix.
The malware virus displays pop-up messages telling users that the RCMP or other government agencies are investigating the user for illegal activity on their computer.
To fix the problem, the user is asked for money.
The scam in Canada surfaced during the summer of 2012 is thought to be a variation of the Reveton Trojan which, once downloaded and activated, causes computers to seize and display a fraudulent message purporting to come from the RCMP, CSIS, FBI or some other law-enforcement agency.
Paying the fee doesn’t free up the computer, which remains infected with Trojan software.
The only way to get rid of this Trojan is through a computer technician or removal software.
Kelowna RCMP report hundreds of calls about this scam.
Police are warning residents not to send money through the payment provider, instead contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud agency at 1-888-495-8501 or their local RCMP if they have been scammed.
Tips from the RCMP on how to protect your computer include:
- Never click on a pop up that claims your computer has a virus
- Update your anti-virus software often and scan your computer for viruses regularly
- Don’t click on links or attachments in e-mails sent to you by someone you don’t know
- Turn on your browser’s pop-up blocking feature
- Never download anti-virus software from a pop-up or link sent to you in an e-mail
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