The Internet Crime Complaint Center
has been made aware of a new Citadel malware platform used to deliver ransomware, named Reveton. The ransomware lures the victim to a drive-by download website, at which time the ransomware is installed on the user’s computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user they have violated United States federal law. The message further declares the user’s IP address was identified by the Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section as visiting child pornography and other illegal content.
To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a $100 fine to the U.S. Department of Justice using prepaid money card services. The geographic location of the user’s IP address determines what payment services are offered. In addition to the ransomware, the Citadel malware continues to operate on the compromised computer and can be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.
This is an attempt to extort money with the additional possibility of the victim’s computer being used to participate in online bank fraud. If you have received this or something similar, do not follow payment instructions.
It is suggested that you:
Contact your banking institutions.
File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
Ask your local computer guy/gal (not at a Big-Box store) for help and assistance on cleaning up and keeping your computer system clean to help prevent these types of attacks. Your local shops are a great resource as they have seen and cleaned these issues from several systems in the area.
I offer tips to prevent this type of activity on my Facebook page, plus put out a weekly newsletter that deals with these crooks. Last year, these criminals made $49 BILLION dollars bilking people out of their money for this rogueware/spyware/scamware stuff. IF you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me. I welcome your questions. The best defense is a good offense, get protected with Malwarebytes PRO or other decent protection. The free stuff just doesn’t cut it with this sort of stuff.
Great advice Pat! You have always done great work. People know to call you when their computer crashes!