According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there is a new internet scam known as “ransomware” software that is locking computers and demanding payments from millions of individuals. Almost every American uses the internet during their day, and this allows computer scammers to choose from a large variety of victims. Criminals recently developed a new “drive by” virus on the Internet that often carries a fake message.
Oftentimes, the message actually comes from the alleged FBI website and says that the reader needs to pay a fine. After they have been targeted, computer users will quickly realize that they cannot avoid the payment, and the computer screen will lock on the page until the fee is paid. The Internet Crime Complaint Centers says that they have been inundated with calls since the advent of the Reveton Ransomware which can extort money from victims.
Reveton is a “drive by” malware because it can install itself when users clock on a compromised website. Usually, to access a virus the computer user actually needs to click on a file or attachment that was sent to them through a website or an e-mail. For example, many computer users have experienced popups claiming that they just won a new iPad or a trip to Tahiti. Clicking on the link to “claim a prize” will typically unlock a virus which will terminate the computer.
With the Reveton malware, however, users simply need to visit a website and the computer screen will freeze. The software designer created a fabricated FBI message which tells computer users that there has been a breach of federal law and that they will now need to pay a fine. The message does on to explain that the user’s internet address was identified by the FBI or the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property section.
Typically, the bogus message accuses the computer user of viewing child pornography or participating in illegal online gambling. Whatever the crime, the fake message declares that the user will need to pay a fine immediately to unlock their computer using a prepaid money card service. Investigators say that there have been many victims who have actually paid the fine because they were convinced that they unintentionally visited an illegal site.
One victim says that he was forced to pay $200 via a MoneyPak card in order to unfreeze his screen, and he did so because he did not want to dispute with the FBI. The virus cannot be removed by malware, and is sweeping though computers while the mystery creators continue to bring in dishonest money. If you are the victim of a Reveton virus it is important that you do not pay any money or provide any personal information to the company.
Contact a computer professional to remove the Reveton and Citadel viruses from your computer, and make sure that you confirm that it is gone. If you attempt to unfreeze your computer yourself, you may be able to work the device but the viruses may be dormant in the background and may pop up again. You should file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center as well.
If you have been charged with developing a website virus, then you are going to want a criminal defense attorney to come to your aid. Oftentimes, experienced virus creators will steal computers or hack into other people’s IP addresses so that it looks like another individual created the dangerous virus. If you have been framed, then you may be at risk to serving time for a crime you did not commit. You will want to hire a local criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help you with your case.
