Officials with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit are warning residents of a form of cyber attack that can render a computer useless unless a “ransom” is paid.
The issue, according to prosecutor’s office spokesman Al Della Fave, is the result of the proliferation of ransomware, which is a malicious computer program that holds a computer’s file system “hostage” until a certain amount of money is paid to the person who took over the computer’s files.
Ransomware can be loaded onto a computer if a person who uses the computer visits certain websites, opens file attachments from certain untrustworthy email addresses or clicks on a link that has been received through a social media message.
Once the malicious program has infected a computer, the computer will lock up and become unresponsive. A window on the screen will alert the user that he may have been acting illegally on the internet. Only after a fine is paid will the computer become unlocked and available for use.
“This scam has been reported in over 20 countries in Europe and has been circulating regularly in the United States, infecting computers,” Della Fave said.
According to the 2015 Kapersky Security Bulletin, there were nearly two million attempts to “steal money via online access to bank accounts” from its users as a result of malicious software.
Ransomware, in particular, was found in more than 750,000 computers of unique users, according to Kapersky Labs. The actual number of users affected could be much higher.
Although the issue is well known at this point, anti-virus and cyber security companies have so far been unable to come up with a plan to combat the proliferation of ransomware.
The best course of action, Della Fave said, is to keep a regular backup of important data on a separate hard drive. That way, in the event a computer is rendered unusable, data can be recovered.
Users should also keep their anti-virus software up to date, activate a firewall and be mindful of files being downloaded and websites visited.
“Although anti-virus companies are working to prevent this type of activity, unfortunately, computer criminals are always updating their tactics and inventing ways to circumvent the computer industry’s anti-virus programs,” Della Fave said.
The prosecutor’s office urges anyone dealing with ransomware or other malicious programs not to send money in an attempt to fix the problem. To ask questions or to file a report, call the High Tech Crimes Unit at 732-929-2027. For tips on how to avoid computer scams, call the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs at 732-929-2105.